CSR

GMC · NHTSA safety record

2025 GMC Yukon XL

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

Owners have filed 27 safety complaints about the 2025 GMC Yukon XL with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering the wheels.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 16 complaints, 59% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2025 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

27 complaints on file

27

Complaints

1

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. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 16 · 59%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 · 22%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6 · 22%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 · 19%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 3 · 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 · 7%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 7%
SEATS 1 · 4%
STEERING 1 · 4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 · 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 · 4%
WHEELS 1 · 4%
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 27.

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 15.

16 12 8 4
25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2025 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 2025 GMC YUKON XL, 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% 21.2%
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

1 on file

WHEELS:HUB

26V304000 · May 14, 2026

The defect
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.
The risk
A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 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 N262554630. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 14, 2026.

General Motors, LLC · up to 2,457 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

EA26005

Still open engineering analysis · opened August 20, 2026

the engine

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.  This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or an engine replacement, based on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. ODI continues to receive reports of engine failures after the completion of the recall remedy. To date, ODI has received 499 complaints alleging post-remedy engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V-274, 473 of which involved an oil viscosity change and 26 a complete engine replacement. Additionally, ODI has received 191 reports of L87 engine failures in engines produced after the production period cited in Recall 25V-274. GM reported receiving 6,953 complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysisto continue investigating complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is expanding the scope of this Investigation to include engines produced after the production period cited in the recall. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

crash

On August 9th at 5:30PM roughly, while attempting to park using the vehicle’s Park Assist feature, the system failed to function properly—specifically, it failed to detect a pole at the rear of a parking space, did not slow or brake the vehicle, and was not even aware it would contact the pole. It then collided with the pole. Also, intermittently the forward collision alert system either does not alert for similar circumstances as it just previously did. Seem untrustworthy. Scary. GM's product allegation team (PAC) had all of the necessary information to show the system does not work 100% of the time (I have it all on video and submitted that) and they denied my claim and refused to admit a

NHTSA complaint 11688022, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The car stopped without warning in the middle of a very busy highway that could have caused an accident. The car had to be drug onto a wrecker because the wheels would not turn to be loaded on tow truck. Towed to dealership and have been advised that the engine will have to be replaced due to engine failure. The were no noises, alerts or notifications from the vehicle prior to immediately stopping in the middle of the highway. This is 2025 vehicle with 23k miles.

NHTSA complaint 11765117. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The engine needed to be replaced with just over 2,000 miles.

NHTSA complaint 11762130. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Engine (L87) blew up on I-80 in passing lane with no warning 14,635 miles. Almost got hit by several cars trying to get off the interstate. Sat alongside the road for 1 1/2 hours until tow truck arrived in 101 degree weather. GM provided no roadside assistance since it was a Sunday. They were incorrect with their information which caused us to walk to nearest Walmart several miles. We were 5 1/2 hrs from home and our son picked us up. GM dealer installed new engine and we were without our vehicle 45 days with no alternative transportation provided. Our repurchase was denied and was incorrectly done so by Iowa State Lemon Law (purchased in Iowa)

NHTSA complaint 11761042. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

16,184 miles

The contact owns a 2025 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was a catastrophic engine failure caused by the thrust bearing. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 25-NA-307; as a possible cause for the failure. The failure mileage was 16,184.

NHTSA complaint 11761088. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
During first oil change at 1200 miles, found a lot of metal flex in the oil filter element after cutting the oil filter open.

NHTSA complaint 11756672. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

55,000 miles

The contact owns a 2025 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the rear passenger-side second-row seat failed to move or close. The contact was concerned about the warranty expiring soon. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the seat needed to be replaced; however, the part was backordered and had not been delivered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA complaint 11742935. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the GMC Yukon XL

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 34 3 —
2024 70 2 —
2023 218 4 —
2022 168 4 —
2021 227 12 —
2020 47 2 —
2019 68 2 —
2018 53 2 —
2017 147 1 —
2016 201 3 —
2015 307 2 —
2014 11 3 —
2013 22 4 —
2012 13 4 —
2011 47 3 —
2010 28 3 —

Other 2025 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