2017 GMC Yukon Xl Exterior lighting Problems

The daylight running light in the rear do not work, which is needed for night time driving. At night when parked or driving the rear is completely dark, except the license plate lights. When I press the brakes they turn on, the signal lights work even the reverse lights. I've switched them to manual mode still no luck. I've checked some fuses, they all check out, nothing blowen. From some research it's all conctrolled by the body control module. There are alot of cars with this same issue there should be a recall for gm to fix properly, dues to safety of the driver and public. We just bought this vehicle which, and didnt test drive at night. 3 days later we discovered it. We even bought new lights due to the number of complaints. They still don't work.

NHTSA ID

11748197

Incident

Jun 30, 2026

At stop light vehicle began to sputter, run rough, and make noise. I was less than a mile from my home, no check engine light on. I turned the vehicle off, used a scanner to have codes P0106 and P0506 show. I had vehicle towed to Complete Car Care. Misfire on multiple cylinders, 3 push rods bent, one valve spring broken. The right Cylinder head assembly had to be removed and replaced with 8 new push rods, 8 new lifters, gaskets, seals, and valve spring. Total cost $3304.79, the vehicle only has 69,801 miles on it. In addition one of the rear tail lights has a known issue (found out on google), intermittently goes out, was never notified. I took the car to Jim Hudson GMC to be told it would cost $475 plus tax because I did not come in early enough even though it is to be warranted up to 70,000 miles. I am greatly concerned that this engine has the same manufacturing defects of the current recall and extended recall for the GMC Yukon Denali engines.

NHTSA ID

11702118

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

At stop light vehicle began to sputter and make noise, I was very close to my home, no engine light on. Upon turning vehicle off and using a code reader codes P0106 and P0506 was on scanner. I had vehicle towed to Complete Car Care. Mis fire on multiple cylinders. Vehicle has 69,801 miles. 3 push rods bent and I valve spring broken. The right Cylinder head assembly had to be removed and replaced with 8 new push rods, 8 new lifters, gaskets, seals, and valve spring. Cost was $3304.79. In addition the rear tail light has been sporadic on and off, GM was to replace up to 70,000 miles. When I took it to them they stated the time limit had expired, yet I had not been informed until I did a google search. GM requesting $475 plus tax. I am concerned my vehicle has the same manufacturing defects as the GM motors being recalled with total engine failures.

NHTSA ID

11702112

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

I was stopped at a traffic light and was informed by another driver that my right tail lamp was not working. There were no warning lights indicating that there was a problem. When I arrived home, it began working after I tapped on it. A few days later, the left tail lamp stopped working. I began to realize that both tail lamps were only working intermittently. Upon inspection by the mechanic, I was informed that this is a common problem with my vehicle and that each replacement part is approximately $900, totaling nearly $2,000 to replace both lamps. This is an obvious safety hazard for myself and for others who may not be able to judge when I am stopping, especially if I have to stop suddenly.

NHTSA ID

11671411

Incident

May 29, 2025

drivers side tail light flickering and sometimes not working a $900+ cost! I issue with right hand side when suv has 32k miles, seems like this is an ongoing issue, luckily it was still under warranty the 1st time. The AC condenser when out in April, also an know issue with the Yukon, they wanted to charge me $1500 to repair, I was able to find someone to do it for around $600, now the outlet and usb ports seem to not work. I also had an issue with the braking system , dealer couldn't figure it out, I finally found someone to repair it, $500 fix. For what I paid for the Yukon, you would think they would use top of the line parts!

NHTSA ID

11593458

Incident

Jun 5, 2024

In july 2021 the passenger side tail light stopped working. A certified GMC dealer replaced both tail lights. In Feb 2024 the driver side tail light failed.

NHTSA ID

11574979

Incident

Feb 22, 2024

Passenger brake light assembly issues

NHTSA ID

11538094

Incident

Apr 4, 2023

Driving towards the bank and suddenly the truck turned off … no warning nothing it turned off while operating .

NHTSA ID

11532494

Incident

Jul 15, 2023

One rear brake light was intermittently malfunctioning even though the vehicle only has 80,000 miles and is a 2017 model. Upon researching online, I saw that 2015 and 2016 models were recalled for this. 2017 was given a limited term to have the vehicle fixed IF they were experiencing the issue. I was not experiencing the issue at the time, so I was responsible for a large chunk of the cost of repairing the light through the dealer at GMC. GMC did inspect the vehicle. The company was made aware of the problem. The dealer discussed it with them and they agreed to pay half as a "favor" basically to have the rear light replaced.

NHTSA ID

11523259

Incident

May 11, 2023

Brake lights intermittently don't work.

NHTSA ID

11521972

Incident

Apr 11, 2023

My driver side tail light is not working. The passenger side tail light flickers in and out.

NHTSA ID

11511791

Incident

Mar 10, 2023

Rear brake light has stopped working. GMC dealer quotes $990 to replace one tail light assembly. It appears to be a common problem caused by a weak conductor that breaks inside the assembly. Because of the high price quoted by dealerships, people are resorting to fixing it themselves, like in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxluJqB0gWU This is dangerous. This part should not be breaking so quickly. It should not be allowed that fixing brake light be so expensive by the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID

11508987

Incident

Feb 23, 2023

Running lights on rear keep failing. This is a known issue with these models.

NHTSA ID

11462681

Incident

Apr 28, 2022

Just driving along yesterday in my Yukon, and when I stopped another driver pulled up to me and informed me my right rear brake light is not working. Upon further investigation, it comes in and out (sometimes it works sometimes it does not). I had this same issue with my 2015 Yukon, I would have thought GM would have this fixed by now, very expensive fix on my 2015, assuming it’s the same cost or close. Very dangerous to have a brake light out and reduce another drivers reaction time to stop and prevent a rear end collision. Furthermore the vehicle has no indication that a light or bulb is out, a lot of vehicles have that programming, surprisingly this does not.

NHTSA ID

11456557

Incident

Mar 13, 2022

Taillights and brake lights inoperative. GMC knows of problem and refuses to repair vehicle outside of manufacturer warranty (lights failed after warranty period). I have seen SEVERAL other Yukons on the road with NO brake lights or tail lights. Extremely dangerous situation.

NHTSA ID

11445876

Incident

Nov 25, 2021

Rear LED brake light stopped working. Supposed to have a vehicle lifetime lifespan. i.e. never require replacing. This light assembly was found to be defective in the previous year model and not fixed.

NHTSA ID

11444903

Incident

Dec 24, 2021

Passenger rear tail lamp/brake lamp failure. This is a known issue with GMC Yukon vehicles MY 2015-2019 with LED tail lamps. Metal within the lamp vibrates loose and cause the brake lamp to fail - thus resulting in no BRAKE Lamps illuminating at braking. This would be the second time this issue has occurred in 4 months, with the previous repair occurring rear drivers side and logged with NHTSA for this issue under 11436519. Opening this case as now the other side (passenger failed) with the EXACT same issue.

NHTSA ID

11438993

Incident

Oct 30, 2021

LED Taillight failure REAR DRIVERS SIDE. This seems to be a common occurance amongst GMC Yukon Denali XL, where the circuit housing for the LED board begins failure with fissure within the electrical contact points. The fissure soon erupts causing a shunt within the LED semiconductor and causing the brake lights to cease functioning.

NHTSA ID

11436519

Incident

Jul 3, 2021

Brake lights are going out due to cracking in the LED strip. Slight jars to lights will make them work for a short time.

NHTSA ID

11427062

Incident

Jul 15, 2021

1) LED tail-lights fail intermittently - this is a known problem GM does not proactively address unless customers complain repeatedly. Puts driver and passenger in danger. this began happening at 25K miles. 2) AC condenser fails - GM will not address as part of a broader recall despite extensive late model customer complaints. This put passengers in danger on any road trip across desert terrain. GM has been unresponsive despite numerous calls asking for resolution. This occurred at 36k miles. 3) Electrical failings - numerous electrical failings - from entertainment system (at 10k miles), starter motor and internal lighting - all failing at 36k miles. NHTSA must take a look at these manufacturing defects - they are putting customers at risk!

NHTSA ID

11424931

Incident

Jun 11, 2021

led lights are malfunctioning on my 2017 Yukon xl. causing my brake lights to flicker and then go out completely. I've been pulled over and almost hit from behind due to these lights not working correctly. they have to be replaced by completely removing and replacing the entire light fixture for the high cost of 800+. they are not built to be fixed, just replaced. What's worse is that replacing them only buys you a little time before those again go out. its unsafe and puts my family at risk daily.

NHTSA ID

11424717

Incident

Jul 13, 2021

The brake lights fail. First the left light failed, and two days later the right light failed. After researching, this is a common problem with GM and these models. The fix is not just a bulb- the whole rear light assemblies (each side) needs replacing with GM price quotes of $900 a side. We were over 1000 miles away from home.

NHTSA ID

11423483

Incident

Jul 3, 2021

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact noticed that the passenger rear tail light was inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the tail light unit needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,632.

NHTSA ID

11420159

Incident

Apr 11, 2021

Mileage

106,632 mi

Passenger side brake light goes in and out and often time stays out. I have read about numerous other people dealing with same issue as it is a manufacturing/quality issue. This is very dangerous. GMG apparently puts the same faulty brake parts back in car while under warranty then when the issue arises again when not in warranty sell customers a pricey part that actually works. Again, very unsafe and terrible business practice as well.

NHTSA ID

11418480

Incident

Sep 16, 2020

BRAKE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. VERY DANGEROUS! PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT, STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY, THEN CAME BACK ON.

NHTSA ID

11403644

Incident

Mar 13, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi