RoadVitals

2008 GMC Yukon Xl Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
69
Latest Aug 3, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

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%
  • 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.

42
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11477354 · filed Aug 3, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID 11420850 · filed Jun 14, 2021
All 42 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

11
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11477354 · filed Aug 3, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID 11398618 · filed Mar 2, 2021
All 11 reports naming electrical

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

8
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11424158 · filed Jul 9, 2021

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

NHTSA ID 10944085 · filed Jan 10, 2017
All 8 reports naming body & structure

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

7
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10609684 · filed Jul 10, 2014

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

NHTSA ID 10532139 · filed Jul 27, 2013

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.

4
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11230769 · filed Jul 10, 2019

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

NHTSA ID 11174679 · filed Feb 6, 2019

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN I ENGAGE THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THEY GRAB, ALL THE TIME ON ANY STREET.

NHTSA ID 11372971 · filed Nov 4, 2020

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10683831 · filed Feb 17, 2015

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 11230769 · filed Jul 10, 2019

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 11306859 · filed Feb 3, 2020

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10325686 · filed Apr 14, 2010

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10936094 · filed Dec 18, 2016

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11424158 · filed Jul 9, 2021

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

Data on this page last refreshed .