2008 GMC Yukon Xl Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 GMC Yukon Xl, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags4253.2%
- Electrical1113.9%
- Body & structure810.1%
- Interior & seats78.9%
- Engine45.1%
- Brakes11.3%
- Exterior lighting11.3%
- Powertrain (other)11.3%
- Steering11.3%
- Transmission11.3%
- Driver assistance11.3%
- Visibility11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Sorry I speak Spanish Le cambiaron sensor bolsa de aire pero sigue teniendo lo el mismo problema y después de eso no se si le esta afectando porque ya no me sirve la alarma, el tablero en ocasiones se detiene o no prende nada, el stereo derrepente deja de oírse incluso lo de navegación yo regrese ese mismo día y reclame pero me dijo la señora de atención a clientes que con el tiempo se iba arreglar hasta que acepte el sensor y ya paso algo de tiempo y cada vez más ahí problemas si llega a explotar la bolsa de aire yo tengo el recibo por cualquier acción que tenga que hacer por si llega haber un accidente que dios no lo quiera espero respuesta de ustedes y por dentro por no hablar ingles
The contact owned a 2008 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an intersection, another vehicle unexpectedly cut into the middle lane. As a result, the contact crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained hematomas on his knee and hip while the passenger sustained a busted knee. Medical treatment was required. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact filed a complaint. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 21V050000 (Air bags). The failure mileage was 227,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Sorry I speak Spanish Le cambiaron sensor bolsa de aire pero sigue teniendo lo el mismo problema y después de eso no se si le esta afectando porque ya no me sirve la alarma, el tablero en ocasiones se detiene o no prende nada, el stereo derrepente deja de oírse incluso lo de navegación yo regrese ese mismo día y reclame pero me dijo la señora de atención a clientes que con el tiempo se iba arreglar hasta que acepte el sensor y ya paso algo de tiempo y cada vez más ahí problemas si llega a explotar la bolsa de aire yo tengo el recibo por cualquier acción que tenga que hacer por si llega haber un accidente que dios no lo quiera espero respuesta de ustedes y por dentro por no hablar ingles
THE HATCH WILL NOT STAY OPEN WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES DOWN INTO THE 50'S IT SHUTS ON MY HEAD AND WON'T STOP. IT IS STATIONARY WHEN I AM LOADING OR UNLOADING THE BACK HATCH.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
My driver side back glass (quarter panel long glass) spontaneously exploded this morning with my young child in her car seat. No one was nearby, the car was in park. Nothing caused the glass to break it just randomly occurred.
WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS. THERE IS A CRACK BEGINNING OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (THE BEGINNINGS ARE THERE AS WELL AS BEING ABLE TO SEE THE CRACK UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE DASHBOARD) AND ON THE DASHBOARD INTO THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING WHEN WE NOTICED THE CRACKS. WE WENT TO CRANK THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING AND NOTICED THEM. *TR
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
2008 GMC YUKON XL - 5 DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES. ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED AND NOW THE REAR PASSENGER LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU EITHER HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE DOOR UNLOCKED OR IF LOCKED YOU RISK NOT BEING ABLE TO GET A CHILD OUT QUICKLY IF NECESSARY. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY REFERRED THE ISSUE TO MY LOCAL REP WHO HAS DENIED COVERING THE PART, ACCORDING TO MY DEALER. MANY CASES OF THIS SAME FAILURE CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AND IN MY CASE, 5 FAILURES OF THE SAME PART. I WOULD SAY THIS INDICATES A PROBLEM. WHY WON'T GM ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AND OFFER TO FIX IT? WILL IT TAKES TRAGEDY LIKE A CHILD NOT BEING ABLE TO BE REMOVED IN AN EMERGENCY? *TR
DOOR LOCK MECHANISM MULTIPLE FAILS AND HAVE FOUND THIS IS WIDESPREAD AMONG THESE VEHICLES. FIND IT DANGEROUS AS YOU CANNOT ACCESS THE INTERIOR IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE TO 10 T0 15 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE STABILITRAC, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHERN GREEN BRIER GMC (1300 SOUTH MILITARY HIGHWAY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, 757-424-2418). THE DEAELER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED FAILURE CODES P2122, P2138, AND P2128. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE AND THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR UNKNOWN DEALERS WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC
5.3 SEVERE OIL CONSUMPTION. AFTER DEACTIVATING THE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IT DID SLOW THE CONSUMPTION BUT DID NOT ELEMINATE PROBLEM. NO OIL LEAKS ON ENGINE. MECHANIC SAID IT'S BURNING IT. SO HOW IS THE ECO FRIENDLY? I'VE OWED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 150K NOW I'M ABOUT 180K
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I ENGAGE THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THEY GRAB, ALL THE TIME ON ANY STREET.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
NOVEMBER 13, I WENT OUT TO START MY 2008 YUKON AND THE LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, AND CD PLAYER BEGAN TO FLICKER AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE GAUGES ALSO BEGAN TO FLICKER ERRATICALLY, THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START. LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, MY HUSBAND AND I PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WHEN THE YUKON WENT OVER THE LIP OF THE GARAGE INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE BUMP CAUSED ALL THE LIGHTS, RADIO, AND BACK DLOOR LATCH TO COME ON OR BEGIN WORKING. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES OVER SEVERAL WEEKS AND INCLUDED THE REAR DOOR NOT WORKING OR THE POWERLOCKS NOT WORKING WITH THE REMOTE. WE TOOK IT TO DRIVER'S AUTOMOTIVE IN THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, AND HAD THEM RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE. THE AUTO REPAIRMAN CHECKED THE BATTERY AND CABLES AND SAID NOTHING SHOWS UP IN THE DIAGNOSTIC BUT EVENTUALLY THEY DID REPLACE THE CBM. WE PAID $ 718.00 TO REPLACE THE CBM, TRUSTING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE STARTED UP FINE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THAT BUT SINCE DECEMBER 21, THE YUKON HAS DUPLICATED THE ERRATIC LIGHT FLICKERING, RADIO AND IGNITION NOT WORKING, THE REAR DOOR NOT OPENING (USING THE CAR REMOTE AS WELL AS THE POWER BUTTON ON FRONT CONSOLE INSIDE VEHICLE). IN ADDITION, THE DOORS WON'T LOCK AND THE GAUGES FLICKER UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE VEHICLE WON'T START. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED. A DIAGNOSTIC SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG BUT WITH THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, I AM FEARFUL OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE TO 10 T0 15 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE STABILITRAC, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHERN GREEN BRIER GMC (1300 SOUTH MILITARY HIGHWAY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, 757-424-2418). THE DEAELER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED FAILURE CODES P2122, P2138, AND P2128. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE AND THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR UNKNOWN DEALERS WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING LOSS, LOW SPEEDS. THE STEERING RACK WAS RECENTLY REPLACED. I SEE ONLINE THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRIC PANEL THAT MIGHT CAUSE THIS. WILL BRING BACK TO LOCAL SHOP TOMORROW. NOT SURE HOW THAT IS TESTED VS PUMP/LINE OR THE NEW RACK DEFECTIVE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2008 GMC YUKON XL HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SEALS TWICE. THE CAR KICKS BACK UPON ACCELERATION QUITE FREQUENTLY, AT ALL SPEEDS. THREE WEEKS AGO, I WAS MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ONLY WITHOUT KICKING INTO GEAR, CAUSING ANOTHER CAR TO ALMOST HIT ME. AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS THE GEAR FINALLY KICKED IN REALLY HARD THROWING MY SON AND MYSELF FORWARD. IT WAS VERY SCARY. I HAD THE SECOND DEALERSHIP COME AND FLAT BED TOW THE CAR IN OUT OF FEAR OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THE SEALS WERE LOSE AND TIGHTEN AND NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG. ONE WEEK LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS KICKING BACK AND SOMETIMES DOES STOPS SHIFTING INTO GEAR AS I AM TRYING TO ACCEL, THE VEHICLE MOVES THEN IT STOPS BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE. I AM CALLING THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY. I AM WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLES YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. WHAT SHOULD I DO CONTINUE TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND TAKE A CHANCE OF HAVING SOMETHING BAD HAPPENING TO MYSELF AND THREE CHILDREN. THIS IS REALLY BECOMING SCARY AND QUITE BOTHERSOME. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR ITS SAFETY AND SIZE AND HAVE TO KEEP DOWNSIZING WHILE THIS IS BEING INEFFECTIVELY REPAIRED. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAILBLE OR WHEN THE VEHICLE COOULD BE BROUGHT IN FOR THE RECALL CORRECTIONS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
My driver side back glass (quarter panel long glass) spontaneously exploded this morning with my young child in her car seat. No one was nearby, the car was in park. Nothing caused the glass to break it just randomly occurred.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .