VehicleVerdict

2018 GMC Yukon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2018 GMC Yukon sits mid-pack among Yukon years: 95 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 134, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 28 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

95

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Yukon years?

Yukon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted682 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 1 complaints1992: 23 complaints1993: 19 complaints1994: 71 complaints1995: 117 complaints1996: 90 complaints1997: 180 complaints1998: 90 complaints1999: 262 complaints2000: 199 complaints2001: 258 complaints2002: 187 complaints2003: 251 complaints2004: 186 complaints2005: 101 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 581 complaints2008: 248 complaints2009: 116 complaints2010: 149 complaints2011: 216 complaints2012: 88 complaints2013: 148 complaints2014: 79 complaints2015: 682 complaints2016: 366 complaints2017: 253 complaints2018: 95 complaints2019: 69 complaints2020: 36 complaints2021: 421 complaints2022: 233 complaints2023: 283 complaints2024: 134 complaints2025: 69 complaints2026: 27 complaints
Yukon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Yukon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 GMC Yukon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2829%
Transmission1819%
Suspension88%
Other88%
Brakes55%
Electrical System44%
Steering44%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Speed Control33%
Tires & Wheels33%
Airbags33%
Fuel System22%
Driver Assistance22%
Lighting22%
Body & Structure22%

Does the 2018 GMC Yukon have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V603000BrakesOctober 1, 2020 · 14,620 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

19V761000BrakesOctober 24, 2019 · 652,967 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

19V645000BrakesSeptember 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“As we were driving, without warning, the engine started to rumble and clank. We had to pull off the road in a neighborhood and have it towed to the dealership. Thankfully, we were driving on side/neighborhood roads at the time. If this would have happened on the highway it could have been very…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 18, 2024

“I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND EXITING THE HW. THE REAR WHEEL OF THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE OFF AND SEPARATED FROM THE CAR WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO HIT THE CEMENT BEERIER ON FRONT AND THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEN THE CAR TURNED 180 DEGREES AND HIT THE BEERIER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 7, 2020 · crash

“WHEN RUNNING FROM TIME TO TIME, THE SERVICE STABILITRAK MESSAGE APPEARS AND THE ABS LIGHT MOMENTARILY APPEARS AND DISAPPEARS, AND THE AGENT WAS DETECTED, BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT DISCOVERED, AND IN THE DETECTION OF MY FRIEND'S DEVICE, CODE C0800 APPEARED, BUT THE AGENT REFUSED TO LOOK FOR THE DEFECT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 12, 2018

“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. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 21, 2025

“ENGINE WORK VALVE INTAKE LIFTER AND CAMSHAFT REPAIRS / OIL SENSOR HAS BEEN GOING HAYWIRE / REAR STRUTS KEEP POPPING OFF AND AFTER STRUTS REPAIRED BOUGHT THE TRUCK 05/2024 AND HAD TO TAKE TO REPAIR 12/2024 AND ONCE MONTH EVER SINCE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 1, 2024

2018 GMC Yukon — common questions

Is the 2018 GMC Yukon reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 95 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Yukon year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2018 Yukon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (28 complaints), transmission (18 complaints), suspension (8 complaints).

Does the 2018 GMC Yukon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 GMC Yukon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Yukon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Yukon years to avoid are 2015, 2007, 2021, 2016, 2023, 1999, 2001, 2017, 2003, 2008, 2022, 2011, 2010, 2013, 2024, 2009, 2012, 2014. The cleanest record among Yukon years belongs to 1987.

How safe is the 2018 GMC Yukon?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 GMC Yukon earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.