2018 GMC Yukon: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 69 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (36% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The 2018 Yukon has been at the dealership several timeswaiting for a valve body for the transmission. There are valve body recalls for other year GM vehicles with the same transmission, but not for the 2018 model even though it appears to be the same part number. I don't understand how this 2018 model apart of the recalls when it's got the same issues as the newer ones. This is the second Yukon I've bought in the last seven years and the other one had the exact same issue.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2026
“I purchased my used GMC YUKON from a used car dealership 3/28/26. I signed the papers for the agreement while I was driving the vechicle home I lost power and it wouldn't go forward with gas applied. The check engine light came on, I pulled the suv over and it was towed. The code that popped up 0700 and 02723 both codes having to do with the transmission.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2026
“The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for service, and the contact was informed that the radiator was leaking and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that there were no signs of a leak prior to taking the vehicle for service. The contact was advised by the dealer that it was a common failure for the year and model vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and offered a buyback. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,640.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“I started my vehicle and as I accelerated I started to hear a knocking noise. The vehicle and engine have been inspected by the dealership. The problem has also been confirmed by the dealership.There were no warning lights or messages before the knocking noise started.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2026
“The 2018 Yukon Denali has been at the dealership for 7 weeks waiting for a valve body for the transmission. There are valve body recalls for other year GM vehicles with the same transmission, but not for the 2018 model even though it appears to be the same part number. The transmission was already replaced on this vehicle at 500 miles.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2026
“As of [XXX] , I witnessed a squealing sound coming from the rear end of my 2018 Denali Yukon XL truck. And it's affecting my braking. And it jerked when I changed my gears on my truck . And there are lights on in my dashboard on my truck. The engine light was blinking on and off and the traction control light was blinking on and off also. But the back driver side of the truck was squealing also. Please help me to resolve this situation. In the name of Jesus. Thanks again [XXX] and [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2026
“Air conditioner condenser faulty and had to repaired. Premium Ride Shocks faulty and had to be repaired. Lifters and bent pushrod faulty and had to be repaired. Vehicle currently has approximately 70,000 miles. These are all known issues by GM and very expensive to fix and no recalls.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2025
“I was driving on I75 North, just North of Chattanooga. I was in the Center Lane. I lost all power to the vehicle. The engine stopped. I had no power steering, no power brakes, and was in heavy traffic. I managed to shift lanes and get it to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed in. Diaganostics were completed by a certified mechanic. The engine had seized. GM has several recalls on this issue. 2018 is not included. However, this is the exact same issue that is happening with 2019 and up. That were recalled. I urge you to order an extended recall to include 2018 vehicles as well before someone gets killed.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2025
“The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated after the vehicle was serviced, while driving 30 MPH and depressing accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated, and the contact shifted to a lower gear to drive to the residence safely. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced, and that the engine block was damaged. The transmission and engine block were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2025
“driving the vehicle on a regular city street when the flashing engine light came on out of nowhere. immediately pulled off and had the vehicle towed to my dealership. result of the inspection, i have to replace my engine. as soon as i started researching the issue it is clear that this truck should be part of the GM recall. it is a known issue that GM slow played for years, but as of now this vehicle is not part of the recall. it is the same engine and failure mode as the 600,000 unit recall, but mine isn't covered by the recall leaving me responsible for their known and documented manufacturing issues”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Yukon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 GMC Yukon reliable?
NHTSA has 69 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 GMC Yukon. The most complained-about area is engine (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2018 GMC Yukon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 48,500 miles or less.
Does the 2018 GMC Yukon have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.