2017 GMC Yukon Exterior lighting Problems

We noticed the passenger side taillight was out. It’s not a simple bulb replacement but an entire assembly. It was put back in place and it lit up again. A few weeks later it wasn’t working. Pounded and tapped on it and it works again. We're guessing there is some sort of short so we asked for an estimate on getting an assembly replacement when it was in for a regular oil change. Shocked that a necessary part would cost $1,112.77!!! Whatever happened to changing a bulb for a few dollars?

NHTSA ID

11699672

Incident

Jul 16, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the driver’s and passenger’s side taillights failed to illuminate as designed. The contact called the dealer about the failure and was informed that there were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle associated with the failure. The contact was also informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

NHTSA ID

11638269

Incident

Jan 23, 2025

Mileage

64,000 mi

Rear LED taillights circuit boards broken. Disabling both Stop tail lights causing serious safety hazard. We had no clue driving around and we didn't have any brake lights another driver had to tell us. So we googled this problem and it turns out that all of 2017 GMC Yukon have the same issue. There's even multiple websites to repair them as well as auto supply stores selling replacements for $1,000 and the dealership wants $1,500. This is a real problem and GM needs to make this right and recall all of these and replace them before somebody gets hurt if they haven't already.

NHTSA ID

11577011

Incident

Mar 12, 2024

Rear (Tail/Stop) lights on both sides, would work intermittently. Turns out it’s a known issue with the LED circuit boards. They consistently break in 2 places, leaving the vehicle with no tail lights/stip lights. GM knows of the issue , but since it’s NOT CONSIDERED a Safety Issue, they do nothing. It’s clearly a safety issue, as following drivers may not see lights, on the rear. Clearly, it is definitely a safety issue, as it can easily cause an accident, not knowing a car is there in the dark , or not knowing that the vehicle in front of them is on the brakes, and slowing.

NHTSA ID

11567677

Incident

Jan 25, 2024

The rear taillight has gone out. The LED board has a crack in the soldering causing the entire unit to malfunction.

NHTSA ID

11540473

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

LED brake light works intermittently.

NHTSA ID

11538991

Incident

Jun 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side rear taillight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the full assembly light kit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11537752

Incident

Aug 10, 2023

Mileage

80,000 mi

Rear brake lights fail due to an issue known by GMC - MULTIPLE GMC YUKON and YUKON XL have this issue. All within the same year. The metal connector in the Brake housing fails and requires it to be soldered or a complete replacement costing consumers $800+ for replacement. A severe safety issue as the Brake Lights quit working!!

NHTSA ID

11533364

Incident

Jul 19, 2023

Rear tail lights failure.

NHTSA ID

11528684

Incident

Jun 24, 2023

LED brake lights and tail lights not working on passenger side. Partial LED failure on driver side.

NHTSA ID

11524900

Incident

May 24, 2023

The right side break light works intermittently. It is out more than on. I was informed that there is a shortage in it and the entire assembly has to be replaced. I see countless GMC Yukons with the same light out. This is a huge safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11521764

Incident

Apr 6, 2023

The passenger taillight failed.

NHTSA ID

11519394

Incident

Apr 17, 2023

I purchased a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali brand new off the showroom floor. I have maintained the services thru GMC dealership. I had to replace the struts and rear and front shocks due to hydraulic system leaking and locking up my brakes and causing extra pressure on my braking system to stop my vehicle. This cost me over $5000 to replace out of my pocket and I saw there was a previous recall in 2019 for similar problem but i was told my issues were not covered under the recall. I have also had to replace both taillights within 2years of purchasing my brand new vehicle and now they are out again. This will be my second time having to replace the LED tail lights that cost over $375 light which were stated as never go out of lifetime guarantee. You cannot just replace the bulb you have to replace the whole tail light which takes weeks to come in and then additional labor costs. The previous

NHTSA ID

11478413

Incident

Nov 2, 2021

Driver’s side rear Tail light stopped working. It’s not even 5 years old. Bought August 2017 Brand new. I know there is a recall on 2015-2016 models for the same problem.

NHTSA ID

11471248

Incident

Jun 27, 2022

Passenger brake light stop working. Had the dealer ship inspect the light and was informed that the whole unit had to be replaced at a cost of $1000. so I purchased the part for $800. and replaced it myself tech. informed me that GM had a recall on the 2015 and 2016 model's but has not included the 2017 model year

NHTSA ID

11467782

Incident

May 14, 2022

Rear tail / break light no longer works .

NHTSA ID

11461239

Incident

Apr 15, 2022

Water in 3rd brake light

NHTSA ID

11460263

Incident

Aug 13, 2021

Brake light not working.

NHTSA ID

11460251

Incident

Apr 2, 2022

Tail lights do not work when I press the brakes. I have been warned multiple times by drivers.

NHTSA ID

11458369

Incident

Mar 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed however, the passenger’s side rear taillight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,570.

NHTSA ID

11455912

Incident

Mar 6, 2022

Mileage

53,570 mi

Taillights and Brake light LEDs go out unexpectedly or work intermittently creating a safety hazard that drivers behind the Yukon are unable to see your taillights at night or when your braking causing Potential rear end collisions. For this common problem GM recalled the taillights of 2015-16 models, but the 2017+ models that still have the same exact taillights with the same issue but has not been recalled yet. Costing owners out of warranty $800 per taillight assembly. Please look into this safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11455148

Incident

Mar 2, 2022

The left rear tail light has gone out. There is no user replaceable bulb and this is a sealed unit. The deal has quoted almost $800 to replace. I feel a sealed unit should not fail prematurely and should last the entirety of the life of the vehicle. Had it been user serviceable, this would be a simple repair/fix.

NHTSA ID

11455045

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

Brake light on the passenger side has failed and non operational. I have researched this and found it is way to common to not be a manufacturer design issue.

NHTSA ID

11453432

Incident

Feb 21, 2022

LED taillights have both gone out. One was replaced by a "service bulliten" and it didn't cost us. The other recently went out at approx 80k miles. These are supposed to last the life of the vehicle. Replacement cost is $750. After doing research, there is a recall for 2015-2016 GMC Yukon taillights that are the exact same product. I contacted GMC and they refuse to replace the known defect part. This is going to cause someone to get seriously hurt. They know the part is defective or they wouldn't have had a recall on the 2015-2016 models.

NHTSA ID

11453281

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while using the remote start-up feature, he noticed that the rear passenger's side brake light and taillight were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the taillight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,169.

NHTSA ID

11450422

Incident

Feb 2, 2022

Mileage

41,169 mi