2018 GMC Yukon XL Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Yukon XL years
- Fewer complaints than other years 16th of 28 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Yukon XL. That ranks 16th out of 28 Yukon XL model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (15 complaints, 27%), typically at around 70,000 miles. Complaints mention 5 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 55owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 5complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2018 GMC Yukon XL problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 15 | 27% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 10 | 18% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 10 | 18% | 20,935 | — | — |
| Power Train | 9 | 16% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 9% | 26,755 | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 5% | 21,215 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 4% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 4% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 2% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Firerelated | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 2% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | 8,604 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2018 GMC Yukon XL recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)Do not drive
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
Seat belts:rear/other
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Body control Module failed causing the vehicle to lose all power. Battery shorted out to 6 volts. Required a tow.
Replaced the transmission two times at about $14,000. Need a new motor with an estimated replacement of $10,000.
Low Engine Oil Pressure with Engine making noise. Cut open oil filter and found excessive metal. Original Engine was replaced in January 2022 by Group 1 (former Beck and Masten GMC-North in Houston, TX) due to valve lifter failure.
transmission gave out while driving on the road at 50 mph
transmission lifter problems like all other GMC 2018 YUKON XL CONTACTED GMC DEALER BACK JANUARY 20,2026 GOT TRANSMISSION FIXED MYSELF TRUCK AT JOE BULLARD DEALSHIP MOS 8DAYS THEY ARE TRYING TO CONTACT U FOR APPROVAL TO FIX HONOR YOUR PRODUCT PLEASE.
Other GMC Yukon XL years
← 2017 Yukon XL · 2019 Yukon XL →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Yukon XL | 37 | 3 |
| 2025 Yukon XL | 28 | 1 |
| 2024 Yukon XL | 72 | 2 |
| 2023 Yukon XL | 222 | 4 |
| 2022 Yukon XL | 172 | 4 |
| 2021 Yukon XL | 229 | 12 |
| 2020 Yukon XL | 47 | 2 |
| 2019 Yukon XL | 68 | 2 |
| 2018 | 55 | 2 |
| 2017 Yukon XL | 147 | 1 |
| 2016 Yukon XL | 201 | 3 |
| 2015 Yukon XL | 308 | 2 |
| 2014 Yukon XL | 11 | 3 |
| 2013 Yukon XL | 22 | 4 |
| 2012 Yukon XL | 13 | 4 |
| 2011 Yukon XL | 47 | 3 |
| 2010 Yukon XL | 28 | 3 |
| 2009 Yukon XL | 23 | 5 |
| 2008 Yukon XL | 69 | 4 |
| 2007 Yukon XL | 97 | 4 |
| 2006 Yukon XL | 17 | 2 |
| 2005 Yukon XL | 42 | 5 |
| 2004 Yukon XL | 87 | 3 |
| 2003 Yukon XL | 102 | 3 |
| 2002 Yukon XL | 95 | 1 |
| 2001 Yukon XL | 120 | 4 |
| 2000 Yukon XL | 69 | 6 |
| 1999 Yukon XL | 3 | 0 |
See all GMC Yukon XL problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
Similar GMC models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Yukon XL?
Owners most often report engine, service brakes, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 15 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2018 GMC Yukon XL?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2018 GMC Yukon XL a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Yukon XL model years, the 2018 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.