2017 GMC Yukon XL problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 GMC Yukon XL, most often about lighting. There is 1 recall for this model year.
- Complaints
- 113
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Median mileage
- 70,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Lighting is the most-reported problem area, named in 31 of 113 complaints (27%).
- Transmission & Drivetrain (28) and engine (21) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 70,000 mi.
- Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
- The 2017 GMC Yukon XL has 1 recall on file.
- It ranks 5th of 22 GMC Yukon XL model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 7% more complaints than the 2016 model year (106).
2017 GMC Yukon XL problems by category
- 31 complaints
- 28 complaints
- 21 complaints
- Brakes · 3 crashes19 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash18 complaints
- Other / Unknown14 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech6 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash4 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion4 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash3 complaints
- Suspension3 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control2 complaints
- Steering1 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 31 |
| Power train | 28 |
| Engine | 21 |
| Electrical system | 17 |
| Service brakes | 16 |
| Unknown or other | 14 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 |
| Air bags | 3 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2017 GMC Yukon XL recalls (1)
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Recent 2017 GMC Yukon XL complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 1, 2026137,000 miNCEngine
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, there was a loud ticking and tapping sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a lifter failure caused by the AFM system and an engine misfire, and that the lifters, camshaft, and timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
NHTSA complaint #11761383 · source - Filed Aug 26, 2026GAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
Vehicle is shuddering during acceleration and while changing gear during driving affected by either the transmission or power train
NHTSA complaint #11759749 · source - Filed Aug 24, 2026170,000 miFLCrashBrakes
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle continued to move forward and rear-ended the vehicle ahead. There was no air bag deployed.…
NHTSA complaint #11759142 · source - Filed Jul 3, 2026CAElectrical SystemLighting
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…
NHTSA complaint #11748197 · source - Filed Jun 26, 2026WVSeats & Seat Belts
There has been 3 different incidents. First incident I was going 45mph merging into 5 lanes of traffic when the back of my driver seat randomly layed down flat and stayed there. I had to get off an exit, get out pull up on front of seat and then it layed back up. 2nd incident I was going about 40mph it folded completely forward and pinned me against the steeling wheel. I had to stop immediately in the middle of the road put my 4 ways on and wiggle and slide out of the car…
NHTSA complaint #11746793 · source - Filed Mar 22, 2026IAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Engine stalling, a rough-running engine, reduced power mode (sluggish acceleration), a "Check Engine" light, or the vehicle failing to start. It started puttering really bad and died in the middle of the intersection. Check engine light came on. I got it to start, was really hard start and puttered bad then it died again and then I got it to start again, was a really hard start and puttered and died again. I was able to start it again get in the driveway but couldn’t go very…
NHTSA complaint #11726235 · source - Filed Mar 1, 2026WITransmission & Drivetrain
Transmission problems, loss of power. Put a reader on car and said it was a selinoid. Replaced that and now it has happened again
NHTSA complaint #11721295 · source - Filed Dec 8, 2025148,246 miUTTowedBrakesEngine
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while idling, the vehicle started shuddering violently. The contact stated that while driving to the residence at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was pushed into a church parking lot. The contact's father used a scanner to scan the vehicle, and a DTC for engine misfire was retrieved. The contact's…
NHTSA complaint #11703695 · source
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology