GMC Yukon Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the GMC Yukon across 27 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (32). The words owners use most often: “engine cooling contacted” (9% of reports).
- 164engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 46%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Engine cooling contacted: mentioned in 15 of 164 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 95 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 164 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 2 a fire.
GMC Yukon engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Yukon | 12 | 11% | 21,116 |
| 2023 Yukon | 14 | 6% | 34,000 |
| 2022 Yukon | 13 | 7% | 46,000 |
| 2021 Yukon | 32 | 9% | 82,000 |
| 2020 Yukon | 1 | 3% | 52,000 |
| 2019 Yukon | 1 | 2% | 7,000 |
| 2018 Yukon | 1 | 1% | 128,640 |
| 2017 Yukon | 1 | 1% | 81,638 |
| 2015 Yukon | 1 | 0% | 100,000 |
| 2013 Yukon | 1 | 1% | 119,140 |
| 2012 Yukon | 1 | 2% | 175,000 |
| 2011 Yukon | 1 | 1% | 185,000 |
| 2009 Yukon | 2 | 2% | 48,693 |
| 2008 Yukon | 2 | 1% | 500 |
| 2007 Yukon | 11 | 3% | 72,500 |
| 2006 Yukon | 1 | 4% | 6,020 |
| 2005 Yukon | 2 | 2% | 64,228 |
| 2004 Yukon | 5 | 3% | 500 |
| 2003 Yukon | 12 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2002 Yukon | 5 | 3% | 28,000 |
| 2001 Yukon | 9 | 5% | 22,275 |
| 2000 Yukon | 2 | 1% | 45,500 |
| 1999 Yukon | 12 | 6% | 82,893 |
| 1998 Yukon | 3 | 4% | 80,000 |
| 1997 Yukon | 7 | 5% | 86,946 |
| 1996 Yukon | 9 | 13% | 68,000 |
| 1995 Yukon | 3 | 3% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system
Model years: 2015
Problem: General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
Risk: The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2001
Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
Risk: If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed and was towed to the dealer. The…
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission shifted into neutral. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and attempted to shift into drive; however, the failure persisted, and the vehicle lost…
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The…
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH with family members in the vehicle, the transmission independently shifted into neutral. No warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to steer the vehicle into a residential driveway, where the vehicle failed…
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 45â50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The driver pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it remained for five weeks…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Yukons have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 164 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the GMC Yukon. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Yukon engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the GMC Yukon?
The most frequent phrase is “engine cooling contacted”, in 15 of 164 complaints.
Other GMC Yukon problems
- Engine problems (887)
- Air Bags problems (663)
- Electrical System problems (606)
- Power Train problems (487)
- Exterior Lighting problems (460)
- Service Brakes problems (402)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (361)
- Structure problems (299)
See all GMC Yukon problems.