GMC Yukon 2015–2020
4th generation · GMT K2XX (K2UG / K2YG)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,515 complaints, 766 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 36,000 and 77,500 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 4 complaints (0.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 36,000
- Median
- 55,000
- 75%
- 77,500
- 90%
- 96,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 76 | 9.9% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 32 | 4.2% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 44 | 5.7% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 65 | 8.5% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 98 | 12.8% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 93 | 12.1% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 95 | 12.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 85 | 11.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 55 | 7.2% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 58 | 7.6% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 21 | 2.7% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 14 | 1.8% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 10 | 1.3% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 4 | 0.5% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,515 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015–2020 GMC Yukon, and 766 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 36,000 and 77,500 miles. The median is 55,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the exterior lighting (28.1% of complaints, typically around 57,000 miles), the brakes (12.5% of complaints, typically around 57,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (11.4% of complaints, typically around 61,000 miles).
15 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Exterior lighting57,000median 56,542 miles, middle half 43,000 to 76,000
- Brakes57,000median 57,000 miles, middle half 42,000 to 76,000
- Transmission and driveline61,000median 61,000 miles, middle half 9,000 to 104,000
- Electrical system58,000median 58,131 miles, middle half 34,000 to 75,000
- Engine70,000median 70,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 102,000
- Problems owners could not categorise48,000median 48,500 miles, middle half 27,000 to 65,000
- Steering64,000median 63,500 miles, middle half 28,000 to 90,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 426 | 28.1% | 57,000 | 43,000–76,000 |
| Brakes | 190 | 12.5% | 57,000 | 42,000–76,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 172 | 11.4% | 61,000 | 9,000–104,000 |
| Electrical system | 167 | 11.0% | 58,000 | 34,000–75,000 |
| Engine | 162 | 10.7% | 70,000 | 27,000–102,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 113 | 7.5% | 48,000 | 27,000–65,000 |
| Steering | 54 | 3.6% | 64,000 | 28,000–90,000 |
| Suspension | 39 | 2.6% | 60,000 | 45,000–68,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 32 | 2.1% | — | — |
| Body structure | 23 | 1.5% | 44,000 | 5,000–60,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 55,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The exterior lighting accounts for 28.1% of complaints (426 reports, 277 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 56,542 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 43,000 and 76,000 miles.
A single system taking 28.1% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The brakes account for 12.5% of complaints (190 reports, 97 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 57,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 76,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 11.4% of complaints (172 reports, 67 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 61,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 9,000 and 104,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 11.0% of complaints (167 reports, 83 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 58,131 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 33,863 and 75,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 10.7% of complaints (162 reports, 39 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,000 and 102,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.5% of complaints (113 reports, 53 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 48,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,000 and 65,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2015 model year drew the most — 682 complaints — while 2020 drew the fewest at 41. The median year sits at 176.
That makes 2015 an outlier: roughly 3.9 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (3), the hydraulic brake circuit (2), the steering (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,515 complaints filed against this generation, 38 reported a crash; 9 reported a fire; 33 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 2.5% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 36,000 and 77,500 miles, with a median of 55,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the exterior lighting and the brakes are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The exterior lighting in particular shows a median failure mileage of 56,542, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine - Valvetrain 2015–2020
Active Fuel Management lifter failure on the L83/L86: a collapsed deactivating lifter bends its pushrod and wipes the camshaft lobe, causing misfire, ticking and in severe cases full engine replacement. Subject of ongoing consumer litigation covering 2014-2020 Yukon, Yukon XL, Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado, Sierra and Escalade.
Transmission 2015–2019 (8L90)
8L90 8-speed torque converter clutch shudder and harsh shifting caused by degradation of the original transmission fluid; GM's remedy was a flush to the revised Mobil 1 Dexron-HP fluid plus reprogramming, with extended coverage on affected units.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 682 | 455 |
| 2016 | 368 | 181 |
| 2017 | 257 | 75 |
| 2018 | 95 | 23 |
| 2019 | 72 | 23 |
| 2020 | 41 | 9 |
Recalls (15)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V289000 | 2026-05-18 | Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) |
| 21V115000 | 2021-03-22 | Tires |
| 20V603000 | 2020-11-11 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum |
| 19V837000 | 2019-12-18 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 19V761000 | 2019-12-11 | Service Brakes |
| 19V645000 | 2019-10-08 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum |
| 18V586000 | 2018-10-12 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 17V437000 | 2017-08-04 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 16V651000 | 2016-10-13 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 16V256000 | 2016-05-18 | Suspension:front:control Arm |
| 14V719000 | 2014-11-17 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 14V451000 | 2014-09-15 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 14V374000 | 2014-08-05 | Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) |
| 14V152000 | 2014-05-19 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit and Lines |
| 14V007000 | 2014-01-16 | Engine and Engine Cooling:exhaust System |
What owners reported
This 2015 Yukon slt has 2 failed rear taillights and brake lights. There is no indication of this failure in the instrument panel. My wife was advised by text from a friend these lights were out. The replacement assembly is appx $500.00 Per side plus installation. I was advised this is not a warranty item and it…
2015 · 3 miles · Exterior lighting
The heated seats do not heat up. The car was in the shop for this problem within the 1st 1000k miles. They told me to "be patient" and they'll get warm. The car has been in the shop a total of 7 days for the seats not working and i have yet to get it resolved. Emailed the ceo of gm and got a phone call from a person…
2015 · 15 miles · Seats
The vehicle's tail light assembly on both the drivers and passenger's sides are defective. The solder does not hold and the vehicle's brake lights and running lights fail intermittently. The driver is totally unaware of this major issue that the brake lights are not working. In researching this problem on the…
2015 · 25 miles · Electrical system
The brake lights on 2015 and newer GMC Yukon, Yukon xl, denali, denali xl vehicles fail due to poor quality circuit metal/design of board allowing too narrow a connection for metal used. The result is a crack in the circuits metal which, depending on conditions, breaks the circuit and the tail lights fail to work.…
2015 · 100 miles · Exterior lighting
Built from 766 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page