GMC Yukon Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 460 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the GMC Yukon across 22 model years. The 2015 model year has the most (269). The words owners use most often: “rear tail” (11% of reports).
- 460exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $1,050typical repair cost reported by owners
- 31%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.
- Rear tail: mentioned in 50 of 460 complaints (11%)
- Side brake: mentioned in 36 of 460 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical exterior lighting repair on the GMC Yukon at $1,050, and half of them between $910 and $1,150.
Based on 113 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2017–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 292 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 460 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 2 a fire.
GMC Yukon exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Yukon | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 Yukon | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Yukon | 2 | 1% | 5,000 |
| 2021 Yukon | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2019 Yukon | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2018 Yukon | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2017 Yukon | 49 | 25% | 52,785 |
| 2016 Yukon | 104 | 39% | 53,000 |
| 2015 Yukon | 269 | 51% | 59,000 |
| 2011 Yukon | 1 | 1% | 80,000 |
| 2008 Yukon | 1 | 1% | 50 |
| 2007 Yukon | 5 | 1% | 130,000 |
| 2006 Yukon | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2005 Yukon | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2004 Yukon | 2 | 1% | 60 |
| 2003 Yukon | 5 | 2% | 63,000 |
| 2002 Yukon | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2001 Yukon | 5 | 3% | 31,000 |
| 2000 Yukon | 1 | 1% | 100,000 |
| 1999 Yukon | 1 | 0% | — |
| 1996 Yukon | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1995 Yukon | 2 | 2% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
Model years: 2022, 2023
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
Model years: 2021
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The panoramic sunroof has a substantial leak, even though the 2023 vehicle only has 33,000 miles on it. The drain lines are clear but water continues to significantly leak out of the rear passenger seatbelt housing onto the seatbelt. There is also significant water drainage through the rear…
We noticed the passenger side taillight was out. Itâs not a simple bulb replacement but an entire assembly. It was put back in place and it lit up again. A few weeks later it wasnât working. Pounded and tapped on it and it works again. We're guessing there is some sort of short so we asked for…
The LED left turn signal and blind spot detection ( safety feature) on the left outside rear view mirror suddenly stopped working. The is a TSB for warranty for 2016-2018 GM YUKON (#10-08-64-002D) and it states that the bulletin has been revised to include 2016-2018 year models for this defect. I…
I am the owner of a 2024 GMC Yukon (VIN: [XXX] ), purchased from Hatchett Buick GMC on [XXX]. This vehicle was purchased at a high price with the expectation that it would provide reliability and keep my family safe. Unfortunately, that is clearly not happening. The Yukon continues to suffer from…
Rear tail lights go out intermittently caused by a defect in the vehicle manufacturerâs process in which the circuit board is broken in certain areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Yukons have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 460 owner complaints about exterior lighting 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 exterior lighting?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix exterior lighting problems on the GMC Yukon?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,050 (half paid between $910 and $1,150), from 113 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the GMC Yukon?
The most frequent phrase is “rear tail”, in 50 of 460 complaints, followed by “side brake” (36).
Other GMC Yukon problems
- Engine problems (888)
- Air Bags problems (663)
- Electrical System problems (608)
- Power Train problems (487)
- Service Brakes problems (402)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (361)
- Structure problems (299)
- Steering problems (245)
See all GMC Yukon problems.