2018 GMC Yukon Xl Brakes Problems

The back hatch would not open while the car was on and in park. Upon reaching in without being in the car, we turned it off, and it engaged reverse on its own, causing it to reverse immediately almost causing terminal harm to myself and my family. It careened into the woods with us unable to stop it due to the immediate speed. No one was in the vehicle, it was solely self propelled. We have a video of the path it took and the damage it caused. When the car wrecked, even when turned off, the lights and windshields wipers engaged by themselves.

NHTSA ID

11732026

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

After pressing the brake pedal 2 or 3 times the pedal becomes very hard and it is extremely hard to stop the vehicle. All new brake pads and rotors. The brake pedal is loosing vacuum.

NHTSA ID

11726504

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

The vehicle is experiencing symptoms consistent with the brake vacuum pump failure described in GM Special Coverage Adjustment N182202780, which applies to full-size GM SUVs in this model range. The symptoms include a hard brake pedal upon startup, reduced brake assist, increased stopping distance, and audible vacuum or mechanical cycling noise when the vehicle powers on. This malfunction affects the vehicle’s braking performance and requires significantly increased pedal force, especially during initial operation or low-speed braking. This results in delayed braking response and reduced stopping capability, creating a safety hazard to occupants and others on the roadway. Although the symptoms match the defect described in the bulletin and the vehicle is within the published 10-year/150,000-mile coverage parameters, multiple authorized dealerships and GM corporate have refused to perform a diagnostic or repair because the VIN does not appear in their internal eligibility system. GM Customer Care case number 82474826 documents these interactions. No diagnostic evaluation has occurred because the manufacturer and dealers declined to perform one unless the VIN is pre-flagged, regardless of symptoms. No warning lights or dashboard alerts accompanied the failure. The condition began gradually and has become more noticeable over time. I am concerned that other vehicles experiencing the same defect may also be excluded from inspection or repair due to VIN list limitations, despite meeting the published program criteria.

NHTSA ID

11701535

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

We just purchased this vehicle from Winegardner GMC in Prince Frederick, MD. On [XXX} on our drive home from the dealership, we kept hearing a terrible screeching/ clucking noise coming from the rear when we were braking or applying any pressure to the brake pedal. We instantly contacted the dealership and they had us bring the vehicle back the next morning for them to look at and to make the repairs but unfortunate for us. They do not have the parts in stock, so we have to take it back Tuesday, October 8 , 2024 at 8am and leave it for the day. Hoping it is repaired correctly with the new parts “both rear calipers” As I left the dealership, I was approximately 10 miles away and out of no where my dash displayed “service, trailer, brakes”, constantly along with a loud dinging noise for the rest of the drive home. I contacted the dealership and spoke with the service manager and informed him of the situation. He told me it has been an ongoing issue with GM for years and it’s electrical and because we purchased a used vehicle. It’s not covered to be repaired. We would have to pay out-of-pocket for it to be fixed. This is very upsetting because we just spent $40,000 on a used low mileage Yukon Denali for our family to travel in, but it’s unsafe, because it affects the traction control, and ABS brake system. I would also like to note that I did not have a trailer hooked to the vehicle, so I do not understand how that service indicator would appear unless it was cleared by the dealership during Maryland state inspection. We have asked them several times for a copy of the Maryland State inspection they performed, and we are getting the runaround. As the purchaser of a vehicle, it is all right to have that document, showing what past and what failed Maryland inspection before being resold to us. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11618150

Incident

Oct 3, 2024

The vacuum pump seized causing the breaks to not work, brake assist not working code shows. The pump was replaced and after a week the same issue happened (vacuum pump seized) breaks are not working again.

NHTSA ID

11583553

Incident

Apr 17, 2024

The service trailer brakes alarm will just off incessantly which is a major safety hazard and it’s due to faulty wiring. I’m not happy about this at all GMC needs to recall these vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11468543

Incident

May 31, 2022

Brakes are hard to stop you got press on them real hard to stop and they had a recall about this problem, we hasn't crash yet.

NHTSA ID

11437774

Incident

Sep 22, 2021

FIRST TIME WAS IN REVERSE IN OUR DRIVE WAY. THEN PULLING INTO PARKING LOT, BRAKES WERE HARD TO PUSH WITH PULSING PEDAL AND WARNING MESSAGE ON DASH, CHECK BRAKE ASSIST. WE GOT VEHICLE STOPPED, HARD BRAKE PEDAL, WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE. THIS HAPPENED SIX TIMES ON 03-05-2020. THIS OCCURS AT SLOW SPEED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR IN A PARKING LOT, NOT A GOOD FEELING. IT FEEL LIKE THE VACUUM PUMP CAN NOT SUPPLY ENOUGH VACUUM TO OPERATE BRAKE BOOSTER. WE HAVE ONLY OWNED VEHICLE FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION.

NHTSA ID

11317150

Incident

Mar 5, 2020

Mileage

40,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR AND A CAR WAS COMING OVER ON ME SO I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD SO THAT WE WOULD NOT COLLIDE. MY CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT STOP. I WAS ON THE BRAKES HARD, BUT MY CAR ONLY SLOWED, IT DID NOT STOP. THE OTHER CAR HIT ME. AFTER WE EXCHANGED INFORMATION I DROVE OFF AND I KEPT STOPPING TO SEE IF THE BRAKES WERE WORKING, BUT THEY WORKED EVERY TIME AFTER THAT. I WAS TELLING MY SISTER WHAT HAPPENED AND SHE MENTIONED A FRIEND OF HERS HAD A GMC THAT WAS RECALLED DUE TO FAULTY BRAKES. SHE SUGGESTED I CHECK ON YOUR SITE. I CHECK BUT IT SAID 0 RECALLS. I WANTED TO BE SURE I LET SOMEONE KNOW BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT STOP WHEN I REALLY NEEDED IT TO STOP.

NHTSA ID

11311821

Incident

Feb 27, 2020

Mileage

31,400 mi

WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR TO DRIVE- IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKE WAS ON - CHECKING ALL THE APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM- CONFIRM THAT NO BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED. PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF GMC AND WAS DRIVING AT 30MPH AS IF THE BRAKES WERE FULLY ENGAGED- CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND BURN AT THE AREA OF TIRES- THEN BRAKES COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED. NO BRAKES AVAILABLE. WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO GMC WITH A SLOW COAST

NHTSA ID

11270400

Incident

Oct 22, 2019

Mileage

34,000 mi