2018 Gmc YUKON XL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
38,715 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 52 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 17.3% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 9.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
Engine: 13; Service Brakes: 10; Unknown Or Other: 10; Power Train: 8; Seat Belts: 5; Electrical System: 4; Suspension: 4; Steering: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 36 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2018: 1; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 5; 2023: 7; 2024: 9; 2025: 9; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 11270400 · 2019-10-23 (October 23, 2019)
WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR TO DRIVE- IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKE WAS ON - CHECKING ALL THE APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM- CONFIRM THAT NO BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED. PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF GMC AND WAS DRIVING AT 30MPH AS IF THE BRAKES WERE FULLY ENGAGED- CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND BURN AT THE AREA OF TIRES- THEN BRAKES COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED. NO BRAKES AVAILABLE. WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO GMC WITH A SLOW COAST
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11270400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311821 · 2020-02-27 (February 27, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR AND A CAR WAS COMING OVER ON ME SO I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD SO THAT WE WOULD NOT COLLIDE. MY CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT STOP. I WAS ON THE BRAKES HARD, BUT MY CAR ONLY SLOWED, IT DID NOT STOP. THE OTHER CAR HIT ME. AFTER WE EXCHANGED INFORMATION I DROVE OFF AND I KEPT STOPPING TO SEE IF THE BRAKES WERE WORKING, BUT THEY WORKED EVERY TIME AFTER THAT. I WAS TELLING MY SISTER WHAT HAPPENED AND SHE MENTIONED A FRIEND OF HERS HAD A GMC THAT WAS RECALLED DUE TO FAULTY BRAKES. …
Owner-reported narrative. 31,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11467488 · 2022-06-04 (June 4, 2022)
The torque converter is too small for the vehicles transmission which then caused it to break and put metal into the transmission fluid. Which cause the transmission to break. My safety was at risk was because while on highway it shot high on RPMs and then made funny noise and wouldn’t go. The problem was confirmed at Aamco transmission where I have to get the transmission rebuilt. There was never a check engine light or check fluid or any codes Thrown before the problem.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11467488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11502283 · 2023-01-17 (January 17, 2023)
1. Torque converter and currently at the GMC dealership right now. 2. failed to acceralate and runs backwards on hills if you brake at a light; stuttering between first and second gear. Hesitate to stop at lights, jerks very hard after delayed take off after braking at light. 3. Confirmed by the GMC dealership 4. Others, inspected by GMC dealership 5. None, no engine light or never seen on inspection equipment
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11502283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11252987 · 2019-09-03 (September 3, 2019)
BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPS AND WHEN TURNING LEFT AT LOWER SPEEDS YOU LOOSE STEERING. BATTERY VOLTAGE WILL NOT GO BACK UP UNTIL YOUR GET UP AROUND 70 MPH.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,429 miles reported. Look up ODI 11252987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11265658 · 2019-10-02 (October 2, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC YUKON XL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS SEATED IN THE THIRD ROW SEATS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN A CAR SEAT. THE SEAT BELT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO RESTRAIN THE CAR SEAT DID NOT REMAIN STEADY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY; HOWEVER, THE CONSOLE, SIDE CURTAIN AND REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYE…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,755 miles reported. Look up ODI 11265658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11468543 · 2022-06-09 (June 9, 2022)
The service trailer brakes alarm will just off incessantly which is a major safety hazard and it’s due to faulty wiring. I’m not happy about this at all GMC needs to recall these vehicles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11468543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11652484 · 2025-04-03 (April 3, 2025)
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the same diagnostic result was provided to the contact. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle wa…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11652484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11741433 · 2026-06-01 (June 1, 2026)
On May 27, 2026 at around 7:30pm my 2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali engined failed. I was exiting E-470 southwest bound at Gartrell Road in Aurora and the engine started knocking loudly and completely quit. As I rolled to a stop I correctly suspected that the engine seized. It would not turn over, a bad odor was present, and smoke was coming from the top of the motor. It was hard to tell exactly from where because of high wind. All belts looked fine and the Castle Rock GMC dealer I had it towed to later confirmed that the engine is seized. Fortun…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11741433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539682 · 2023-08-20 (August 20, 2023)
Engine Valve Lifter for cylinder 3 had failed and Camshaft lobes damaged. Error codes of P0300 and P0303. Vehicle had 67,049 miles when I brought it in to be repaired at Park GMC in Greenville, SC on 12/28/2022. GMC has the lifters (they replaced all 8) and the camshaft. Failure happened while on I40 in the Smokey mountains at night while driving back from Dollywood with my family. Engine produced a gassey sputtering sound and I lost some power but only noticeable under acceleration. Had another lifter failed due to the worn camshaft lobes, we …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539682 at NHTSA ↗