2008 Gmc YUKON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
187 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
84,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 91 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 95 of 187 complaints (50.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 6.4% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.1% |
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 | 95 |
| Unknown Or Other | 29 |
| Electrical System | 28 |
| Structure:Body | 17 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 16 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Structure | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
Air Bags: 95; Unknown Or Other: 29; Electrical System: 28; Structure:Body: 17; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 16; Engine: 13; Structure: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 11
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 96 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 35 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2008: 4; 2009: 6; 2010: 7; 2011: 6; 2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 11; 2015: 16; 2016: 20; 2017: 35; 2018: 17; 2019: 23; 2020: 17; 2021: 6; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 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 10254387 · 2009-01-09 (January 9, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DESIGN DOES NOT PERMIT OPERABLE TOWING DUE TO THE NONFUNCTIONAL TAIL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE IN THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN. THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 7,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE WORK COULD NOT BE DONE ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE LIGHTS WERE WIRED THROUGH THE COM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10254387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261865 · 2009-03-15 (March 15, 2009)
SOME DOORS DON'T LOCK OR UNLOCK, I HAVE HAD THIS INTO THE DEALERSHIP ONCE TO GET IT FIXED. AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, AND THANK GOODNESS FOR CAR SEATS BECAUSE MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OPENED HER DOOR WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND ALMOST HIS ANOTHER CAR BESIDE ME. I AM TAKING MY YUKON IN TO GET FIXED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL IN THE DOORS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10261865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353045 · 2010-08-31 (August 31, 2010)
PURCHASED A USED 2008 GMC YUKON JAN. 23, 2010 AND APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS LATER THE FIRST ISSUE OCCURRED WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. I THOUGHT IT WAS USER ERROR. A FEW MONTHS LATER COMING OUT OF THE GROCERY STORE WENT TO ENTER MY VEHICLE AND NO START, WENT UNDER THE HOOD AND MOVED THE BATTERY CABLE AND IT STARTED. LATER THAT NIGHT I TRIED TO TIGHTEN THE BATTERY CABLE, BUT IT WASN'T LOOSE. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE DASH FLICKERED AND "STABILITY TRACTION" LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER. GOT TO DESTIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10460234 · 2012-06-01 (June 1, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257281 · 2009-02-03 (February 3, 2009)
ON ALL 4 OCCASIONS, THE 2008 YUKON HYBRID, LUNGES FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS, LOOSES BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND ALL POWER. EVERY TIME IT HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE AUGUST 2008. THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE FUSE BOX, THEN WHILE THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AGAIN. THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THAT IT IS FIXED AND SAFE TO DRIVE. THE YUKON IS BACK AT THE DEALER AND I AM NOT TAKING IT BACK. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS RIGHT AWAY. I NOW HAVE …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568057 · 2014-03-09 (March 9, 2014)
2008 GMC YUKON DENALI EXPERIENCED COMPLETE SYSTEM SHUTDOWN TO INCLUDE INSTANT LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL, PROPULSION, BRAKING, AND STEERING SYSTEMS ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 35 MILES AN HOUR AND TWICE AT 60. WENT INTO SHOP 3 TIMES BEFORE FIXED. MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING ON ALL 3 OCCASIONS, REFUSES TO EVER DRIVE IT AGAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10246763 · 2008-10-26 (October 26, 2008)
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN LINE AT MY KID'S SCHOOL, WAITING TO PICK HIM UP. THE CAR ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, WARNING LIGHTS FOR TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKES AND STABILITRAK CAME ON. AFTER MOVING SLIGHTLY FORWARD, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE FLOORING THE BRAKE. LUCKILY A SPEED BUMP STOPPED THE CAR. WE LEFT THE CAR WHERE IT WAS AND WE TRIED AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKES STILL COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE, THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,590 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425470 · 2011-09-14 (September 14, 2011)
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO GMC BULLETIN #PIP4112J : SAG OR HESITATION ON ACCELERATION (NORMAL OPERATION CHARACTERISTICS) - (JUL 21, 2011). I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE AND TOOK THE SUV TO MANY DEALERS BUT DEALERS COULD NOT VERIFY THE CONCERN UNTIL NOW. THE 2008 GMC YUKON XL DENALI WOULD STOP ACCELERATING FOR 2-3 SECONDS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS WHEN I AM TRYING TO PASS A LANE, TRYING TO ENTER HIGHWAY, TRYING TO CLIMB A MILD HILL OR TRYING TO AVOID A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. AFTER THE DELAY, THE TRANSMISSION W…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10703073 · 2015-04-01 (April 1, 2015)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED (70) THE STABILITRAC LIGHT CAME ON AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE RPM'S WENT OVER 4K, THEN THE YUKON SLOWED IN TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE BEFORE BEING RUN OVER. THE ACCELERATOR WAS UNRESPONSIVE AT THAT TIME. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THEN RESUMED DRIVING USING '3' TO ENGAGE TRANSMISSION INSTEAD OF 'D' THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON, BUT I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION 2 HOURS AWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 108,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 10703073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10956096 · 2017-02-21 (February 21, 2017)
MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. I LOST ENGINE POWER, POWER BRAKING, AND POWER STEERING. I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN PULLING OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND BRAKING. I AM AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE PART THAT FAILED IN GM BULLETIN 14515B. GM HOWEVER INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEFECT IN MY FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY MY GMC AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER. I AM …
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11053987 · 2017-12-11 (December 11, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL CONTROL MODULE AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER (ALLEN GWYNN CHEVROLET, GLENDALE, CA, [phone removed]) SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED FOR THE APPOINTMENT, THE TECHNI…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11053987 at NHTSA ↗