WHEELS:HUB
2026 GMC Yukon Xl
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.
Campaign 26V289000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.
Check your VIN on NHTSA.govOverview
Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 GMC Yukon Xl, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 208 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | 2 | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | 5 | 10 |
| Mar 2026 | 3 | 13 |
| Apr 2026 | 3 | 16 |
| May 2026 | 3 | 19 |
| Jun 2026 | 3 | 22 |
| Aug 2026 | 6 | 28 |
| Sep 2026 | 5 | 33 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine2156.8%
- Electrical616.2%
- Driver assistance38.1%
- Visibility25.4%
- Interior & seats25.4%
- Other / unspecified12.7%
- Powertrain (other)12.7%
- Fuel system12.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govPOWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or an engine replacement, based on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. ODI continues to receive reports of engine failures after the completion of the recall remedy. To date, ODI has received 499 complaints alleging post-remedy engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V-274, 473 of which involved an oil viscosity change and 26 a complete engine replacement. Additionally, ODI has received 191 reports of L87 engine failures in engines produced after the production period cited in Recall 25V-274. GM reported receiving 6,953 complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysisto continue investigating complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is expanding the scope of this Investigation to include engines produced after the production period cited in the recall. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon XL Denali. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the engine seized. There was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway in the middle lane. The local Police arrived and assisted with directing traffic. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted by email and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11765285
- Incident
- Jun 5, 2026
- Mileage
- 5,000 mi
The contact owned a 2026 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly turned off and lost engine power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and was then towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed the engine failure. The failure mileage was 1,800.
- NHTSA ID
- 11764137
- Incident
- Sep 14, 2026
- Mileage
- 1,800 mi
Computer screen is black 90% of the time. During this vehicle has no back up cameras, no control of air conditioning, no control of heat or defrost, no heated seats, no mapping system, no vehicle safety display of tire pressure, oil life, brake life, no ability to control radio. These features cannot be turned on with manual push buttons as they are controlled thru the computer screen. 2 complaints to GMC have resulted in them stating they have no fix as it is a software issue. They have refused dealer request to replace the computer. As a [XXX] with health issues, the vehicle has sat parked due to no air conditioning. With NNY winter weather approaching, vehicle is unsafe without heat or defrost. Vehicle was purchased on XXX and problem was immediate. I find it amazing that GMC has had 9 months to resolve and they do not have a single competent software engineer! GMC case #XXX issued on XXX6. Buy back denied as GMC states it does not meet NYS Lemon law because vehicle is drivable. I disagree as I feel it is unsafe. GMC case # XXX opened on XXX. On XXX I was notified by phone from GMC that Tech case was being closed as they have no way of repairing. Again, requested new computer but was immediately denied as they continue to use software excuse. GMC rep. stated it is my responsibility to periodically contact a GMC dealership to see if a repair is available. All GMC correspondence has been by phone as they will not put anything in writing. Meanwhile I have an $ 80,000 vehicle that I feel is unsafe heading into snow and cold. NYS AG complaint was a waste of time as they determined I should hire an attorney and take GMC to court. I do not want to risk my safety or anyone else on the road. Common sense tells me if my home computer had a blank screen, I would have to replace it! On XXX I left vehicle at NYE GMC in [XXX] for 5 days. They confirmed there is no fix, they confirmed screen is black majority of the time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11763128
- Incident
- Jan 9, 2026
The L87 engine seized and receiving a full engine replacement now
- NHTSA ID
- 11762825
- Incident
- Aug 19, 2026
The shark fin antenna has a plastic cover that is only held on by 4 plastic clips. Hi winds or car wash can compromise the cover by breaking at least two of the plastic clips allowing air to get underneath the cover and then the cover falls off. I consider this a safety issue due to the fact that if your on a highway and it comes off it can crash thru another vehicle’s windshield causing a collision with other vehicles or cause serious injury to the occupants of the vehicle it strikes. I looked online and it seems to be happening to numerous GM vehicles with it falling off.
- NHTSA ID
- 11762173
- Incident
- Sep 3, 2026
Filing as a proactive data point for the ongoing NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Engineering Analysis (EA26005) regarding GM 6.2L L87 engine failures. Vehicle is a 2026 GMC Yukon XL AT4 equipped with the 6.2L V8 and 10-speed transmission. The vehicle currently has approximately 2,800 miles and operates perfectly with no mechanical symptoms, ticking, or loss of propulsion. As an active preventive measure against internal component contamination, early engine oil changes were performed at 700 miles and 1,700 miles by a certified franchise dealer (Alpine Buick GMC). The engine continues to use the factory-specified 0W-20 oil viscosity. A magnetic oil drain plug has been installed to monitor for premature ferrous bearing and crankshaft debris at future service intervals. This report is submitted to ensure 2026 model year data running 0W-20 oil is officially documented within the federal investigation scope.
- NHTSA ID
- 11759989
- Incident
- Aug 27, 2026
Engine blew at 8,762 miles in the middle of the night with 3 small kids in the car. Currently 41 days waiting for a new engine. We were driving and it started making a clapping sound like something was caught underneath. We had to drive a could miles to find a safe place to pull over. If we increased speed, the clapping increased and it slowed when we slowed. Hauled it to the local dealership and they said it was the engine. The dealership it was purchased at says the same thing. There was no warning. After a couple of miles of the clicking/clamping sound, the car started to shake and then died. There were no warnings or light on the dash of any signs of distress until it died. It was a couple of miles before we even had a safe place to pull over on the side of the highway. Going 70mph on a highway that is posted to be 70mph with 3 kids in the car, in the middle of the night, put my family’s life in danger along with other cars behind us. Clearly safety and quality isn’t GM’s top priority. This is our 5th Yukon. Our 13th General Motors vehicle. To say we are disappointed is an understatement when we have been devoted to GM for over a decade.
- NHTSA ID
- 11759273
- Incident
- Jul 14, 2026
I purchased my vehicle from GMC on April 13th and had approximately 4,500 miles on it. It was sold as new and drove it for about a week at 4,994 miles on the highway. During this time, it shifted from drive to neutral , but the vehicle was towed back to the dealership. Upon inspection, it was diagnosed with a seized engine.
- NHTSA ID
- 11758829
- Incident
- Apr 28, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
The Rear Camera Mirror display may appear angled downward. Investigation found that an aftermarket or dealer-installed rear license plate frame can contact the license plate lamp applique, pushing the applique upward and skewing the camera display angle. Remove or reposition the interfering frame, verify proper applique seating, and confirm the Rear Camera Mirror display is correctly aligned.
If a vehicle has an issue with super cruise inoperative tech is directed to follow a diagnostic path before replacing the Image processing module.
This preliminary information communicates diagnostic tips for air leveling suspension system.
This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a radio or IPC display
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This PI communicates information to inform customer that Engineering is aware of concern where the heated seats are inoperative when interior temp is above 86°F and are working on a repair solution.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026Viewing | 33 | 3 | 1 | 57.9 |
| 2025 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 51.7 |
| 2024 | 70 | 2 | 4 | 60.3 |
| 2023 | 216 | 4 | 4 | 66.5 |
| 2022 | 166 | 4 | 4 | 66.9 |
| 2021 | 225 | 12 | 5 | 70.1 |
| 2020 | 47 | 2 | 0 | 60.7 |
| 2019 | 67 | 2 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 2018 | 53 | 2 | 0 | 58.3 |
| 2017 | 147 | 1 | 0 | 47.5 |
| 2016 | 201 | 3 | 1 | 57.1 |
| 2015 | 307 | 2 | 1 | 50.3 |
| 2014 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 58.8 |
| 2013 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 51.0 |
| 2012 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 44.7 |
| 2011 | 47 | 3 | 1 | 50.7 |
| 2010 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 49.2 |
| 2009 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 50.3 |
| 2008 | 69 | 4 | 1 | 55.2 |
| 2007 | 97 | 4 | 2 | 63.9 |
| 2006 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 44.5 |
| 2005 | 42 | 6 | 0 | 48.0 |
| 2004 | 87 | 4 | 0 | 49.3 |
| 2003 | 102 | 4 | 2 | 54.0 |
| 2002 | 95 | 2 | 3 | 53.5 |
| 2001 | 120 | 5 | 6 | 62.4 |
| 2000 | 69 | 7 | 6 | 62.0 |
| 1999 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.