2009 Gmc YUKON XL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
53,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 23 complaints (43.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 13.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Air Bags: 10; Unknown Or Other: 6; Engine: 3; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 |
2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 5; 2021: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10347089 · 2010-08-03 (August 3, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10420941 · 2011-08-22 (August 22, 2011)
2009 YUKON XL HAS DIED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. ONCE WAS IN REVERSE. THERE IS NO WARNING. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY COULDN'T "REPRODUCE" THE PROBLEM SO NOTHING WRONG WAS DETERMINED. THE ONLY THING THAT QUITS IS THE ENGINE (WHICH TAKES OUT THE POWER STEERING SO I CANNOT CONTROL THE TRUCK FOR LONG AND NOT AT ALL IN A TURN); THE AIR AND RADIO/DVD PLAYER STAY ON, THE LIGHTS (IN - ON DASHBOARD AND OUTSIDE) STAY ON AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY LIGHT THAT SHOWS A PROBLEM COMES ON. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN AUGUST OF 2010, I WAS IN MID …
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10420941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10372627 · 2010-12-28 (December 28, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING FROM GA TO LA ON CHRISTMAS EVE, MY YUKON XL WENT INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND LOST TRACTION CONTROL AND ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE CAR ALMOST INSTANTLY DROPPED FROM 72MPH TO 45MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ADVISED BY ONSTAR TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND TURN IT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN, POWER WAS RESTORED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAR WOULD PROBABLY DO THE SAME THING AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE IT SERVICED IMMEDIATELY, ON THE NEXT BUSIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10372627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10914825 · 2016-10-07 (October 7, 2016)
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAD LOSS OF POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL WAS TURNING ON AND OFF. MOTOR STARTED WITH A LOUD TICKING SOUND. STOPPED VEHICLE TO CHECK UNDER HOOD CHECKED OIL LEVEL GOOD, OIL PRESSURE FINE, TEMP FINE,SHUT UNIT OFF AND RESTARTED. CALLED TRIPLE A FOR A TOW. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND NUMBER 7 CYLINDER COLLAPSED ORDERED PARTS AND REPLACED. PULLED REST OF LIFTERS ON DRIVER SIDE AND CHECKED FOR WEAR AND REPLACED TO SERVICE. RAN VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES AND STARTED WITH A FAILED LIFTER ON CYLINDER #1. THIS MOTOR WAS REDONE B…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10914825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11321076 · 2020-04-14 (April 14, 2020)
WE JUST TOOK IN TO HAVE VEHICLE LOOKED AND AND SAID IT WAS FIRST THE ELECTRICAL AND NOW IS THE MEMBRANE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE REMOTE START AND ENGINE LIGHT TO NOT WORK. ALSO CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CUT OUT DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. LOOKING UP THE VIN I SEE SOME OF THESE VEHICLE HAS THIS ISSUE BUT DOESN'T SHOW UNDER MY VIN. ALSO HAVE BEEN TOLD USING TONS OF OIL AND THIS HAS BEEN SEEN WITH THE GMC YUKONS. WE JUST HAD A VERY EXPENSIVE VISIT TO THE SHOP AND WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS PARTICULAR ISSUES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALLS FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 136,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11321076 at NHTSA ↗