GMC Yukon Steering Problems
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the GMC Yukon across 29 model years. The 1997 model year has the most (53). The words owners use most often: “turn steering” (8% of reports).
- 245steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- 26%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.
- Turn steering: mentioned in 19 of 245 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 100 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 245 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 5 an injury.
GMC Yukon steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Yukon | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2024 Yukon | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2023 Yukon | 5 | 2% | — |
| 2022 Yukon | 6 | 3% | 10,000 |
| 2021 Yukon | 11 | 3% | 41,726 |
| 2019 Yukon | 4 | 7% | 6,408 |
| 2018 Yukon | 4 | 6% | 28,450 |
| 2017 Yukon | 2 | 1% | 28,000 |
| 2016 Yukon | 10 | 4% | 65,000 |
| 2015 Yukon | 34 | 6% | 71,704 |
| 2014 Yukon | 3 | 5% | 109,300 |
| 2013 Yukon | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2011 Yukon | 2 | 1% | 27,000 |
| 2010 Yukon | 3 | 3% | 155,000 |
| 2009 Yukon | 6 | 6% | 143,475 |
| 2008 Yukon | 1 | 1% | 194,000 |
| 2007 Yukon | 8 | 2% | 48,000 |
| 2006 Yukon | 5 | 19% | 111,400 |
| 2005 Yukon | 4 | 5% | 27,200 |
| 2004 Yukon | 5 | 3% | 47,724 |
| 2003 Yukon | 11 | 5% | 28,185 |
| 2002 Yukon | 7 | 4% | 55,000 |
| 2001 Yukon | 10 | 5% | 82,000 |
| 2000 Yukon | 8 | 5% | 65,172 |
| 1999 Yukon | 20 | 10% | 97,500 |
| 1998 Yukon | 11 | 14% | 102,500 |
| 1997 Yukon | 53 | 40% | 87,000 |
| 1996 Yukon | 2 | 3% | — |
| 1995 Yukon | 2 | 2% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Steering:steering control module
Model years: 2021
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2015
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
Risk: If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2015
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and Yukon XL vehicles, equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Due to a problem with the EPS module, the affected vehicles may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist during vehicle operation.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering assist motor kit, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14743.
Power train:automatic transmission; steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Model years: 2013
Problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Risk: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Steering:linkages
Model years: 2011
Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2011cadillac escalade, escalade esv; chevrolet silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe; and gmc sierra hd, sierra ld, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts may not have been tightened to the proper specification.
Risk: This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 13, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Model years: 2006
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid.
Risk: If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty extended-cab pickup trucks and 4-door utility trucks. The lower steering shaft to steering gear pinch bolt is "finger loose" or missing allowing the bolt to loosen and fall out. The steering shaft yoke can wear causing an off center steering wheel.
Risk: Relative movement between the chassis and cab can cause the steering shaft to separate from the steering gear. This condition can result in a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers are arranging to have the vehicles involved towed to the dealership and alternate transportation is being arranged for owners. Dealers will then inspect the vehicle for the presence of a pinch bolt and torque this bolt to proper specifications.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The progressive failure of the factory steering wheel adhesive on my 2025 GMC Yukon creates an immediate, active safety hazard during vehicle operation. The material failure and sticky glue are localized directly around the integrated heating element of the steering wheel. This failure severely…
The power steering went out. The dealership said it's the rack and pinion. This part is not available anywhere in the United States. I have been waiting over 3 weeks. I feel the part is unavailable as there is an issue with the rack and pinion and others who have the same vehicle ran into the same…
The engine tries to die when in park. While stopped at a red light, it died and stated conditions not met to shift. Had to hit park button then restart it. This has happened 4 times. With & without auto start feature on
Power steering intermittently and unexpectedly stops working.
My 6 year old son and I were coming down the road and came up on 2 deer and I was coming up on a sharp curve and when I hit my brakes my steering wheel LOCKED up completely and the steering wheel is so bent where I tried my best to control it but I failed and we hit a tree head on. Broke my nose…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Yukons have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 245 owner complaints about steering 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 steering?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about steering problems on the GMC Yukon?
The most frequent phrase is “turn steering”, in 19 of 245 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.