CSR

GMC · NHTSA safety record

2020 GMC Yukon

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 36 safety complaints about the 2020 GMC Yukon with the US government. Of those, no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 14 complaints, 39% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 44,000 miles, the median across the 9 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers February 2020 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

36 complaints on file

36

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 14 · 39%
ENGINE 12 · 33%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 · 8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 · 6%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 · 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 · 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 · 3%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 · 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 3%
SEAT BELTS 1 · 3%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 36.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 16.

20 15 10 5
20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 GMC YUKON, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV 4WD SUV RWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 21.9% 22.8%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

26V289000 · May 7, 2026

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
The risk
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.

General Motors, LLC · up to 66 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES

21V115000 · February 25, 2021

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
The risk
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

General Motors, LLC · up to 33,838 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

19V837000 · November 21, 2019

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
The risk
Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.

General Motors LLC · up to 502 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

19V761000 · October 24, 2019

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
The risk
Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

General Motors LLC · up to 652,967 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

TIRES

towed · 14,900 miles

TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2020 GMC YUKON EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES, TIRE LINE: CROSSCONTACT LX SPORT, TIRE SIZE 245/50/R20. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DAVID BALES BUICK GMC (1327 JACKSBORO PIKE, LAFOLLETTE, TN 37766, 423) 562-8431) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,900.

NHTSA complaint 11406453. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 119,000 miles

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact became aware that the vehicle continued to move forward while shifted into Park, Neutral, or Reverse. The contact stated that the message "Transmission Overheating" was then illuminated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was

NHTSA complaint 11669764, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Engine failure due main bearing and rod failure. Engine had heavy knocking.

NHTSA complaint 11759946. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
We just purchased our Yukon from a dealership in February (2/7/26) and it was diagnosed with premature failure of at least one AFM valve lifter as it is causing engine misfires, shaking and stalling on 7/30/26. We just hit 67,000 miles on the odometer so we are just beyond the warranty coverage. The lifters were replaced previously by the previous owners on 12/16/24.

NHTSA complaint 11758957. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

118,000 miles

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and the transmission malfunctioned, causing the wheels to lock up and the check engine warning light to illuminate. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission clutch and pressure control solenoid had failed. The contact was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V289000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same

NHTSA complaint 11749486, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Complete transmission failure at 82,000 miles. Well maintained vehicle, not used for towing or heavy hauling. Required complete replacement. Traveling at highway speeds and-according to repair facility- valve failure caused transmission to overheat a stripped gears, causing complete failure. Vehicle was unable to shift into any gears and was left inoperable. Required towing assistance and replacement.

NHTSA complaint 11748691. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Issue with the trailer brake system keeps coming up on my dash. I know a lot of other people have had the same issue keeps dinging will not stop causes me to get distracted while driving. Unable to use other features because of this distraction and safety issue. The safety issue needs to be fixed this is an effective product with so many people having an issue you need to do a recall. I did let Graff Chevrolet in Mount Pleasant Michigan no and I took a picture and showed them.

NHTSA complaint 11748158. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

44,000 miles

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer had not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 44,000.

NHTSA complaint 11747108. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the GMC Yukon

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 40 3 —
2025 55 2 —
2024 105 3 —
2023 240 4 —
2022 181 5 —
2021 332 13 —
2019 55 2 —
2018 69 3 —
2017 196 3 —
2016 269 5 —
2015 529 10 —
2014 56 3 —
2013 117 4 —
2012 63 3 —
2011 158 5 2
2010 105 3 —

Other 2020 GMC models

Every GMC on this site — 149 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst