2018 GMC Yukon Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 13, 2026 · 69 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Yukon years
Fewer complaints than other years 25th of 33 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Yukon. That ranks 25th out of 33 Yukon model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (27 complaints, 39%), typically at around 104,000 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

GMC Yukon
25 GMC Yukon XL Denali - Shot at Earnhardt Buick GMC in Mesa AZ. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: HJUdall, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2018 GMC Yukon problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine27 · ~104,000 mi
Power Train18 · ~101,000 mi
Suspension8 · ~55,000 mi
Unknown or Other8 · ~32,500 mi
Service Brakes5 · ~37,000 mi
Steering4 · ~28,450 mi
Air Bags3 · ~52,000 mi
Electrical System3
Vehicle Speed Control3 · ~750 mi
Exterior Lighting2
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine2739%104,000——
Power Train1826%101,000——
Suspension812%55,000——
Unknown or Other812%32,500——
Service Brakes57%37,000——
Steering46%28,450——
Air Bags34%52,000——
Electrical System34%———
Vehicle Speed Control34%750——
Exterior Lighting23%———
Fuel/propulsion System23%———
Structure23%54,000——
Visibility/wiper23%26,599——
Wheels23%37,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11%———
Engine and Engine Cooling11%128,640——
Forward Collision Avoidance11%30,800——
Lane Departure11%30,800——
Tires11%18,536——
Visibility11%54,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 22 complaints
2018: 1201812019: 5201952020: 7202072021: 6202162022: 7202272023: 7202372024: 7202472025: 222025222026: 720267

n = 69 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2018 GMC Yukon recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumOct 1, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V603000 · 14,620 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.

Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.

Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring; electronic stability control (esc)Oct 24, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V761000 · 652,967 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumSep 6, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V645000 · 3,456,719 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

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.

I started my vehicle and as I accelerated I started to hear a knocking noise. The vehicle and engine have been inspected by the dealership. The problem has also been confirmed by the dealership.There were no warning lights or messages before the knocking noise started.

Engine · received May 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11737607

The 2018 Yukon has been at the dealership several timeswaiting for a valve body for the transmission. There are valve body recalls for other year GM vehicles with the same transmission, but not for the 2018 model even though it appears to be the same part number. I don’t understand how this 2018…

Engine · received Apr 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11730984

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for service, and the contact was informed that the radiator was leaking and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that there were no signs of a leak prior to taking the vehicle for service. The…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Apr 3, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11729075

I purchased my used GMC YUKON from a used car dealership 3/28/26. I signed the papers for the agreement while I was driving the vechicle home I lost power and it wouldn't go forward with gas applied. The check engine light came on, I pulled the suv over and it was towed. The code that popped up…

Power Train · received Mar 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11727838

Please see attached letter

Engine · received Mar 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11724184

Other GMC Yukon years

← 2017 Yukon · 2019 Yukon →

See all GMC Yukon problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Yukon?

Owners most often report engine, power train, suspension problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 27 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2018 GMC Yukon?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2018 GMC Yukon a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Yukon model years, the 2018 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.