2018 GMC Yukon XL problems, complaints & recalls

2018 GMC Yukon XL recalls (2)

• Recall 26V289000May 7, 202666 vehiclesDo not drive
  POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

  General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.

  Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.

• Recall 18V673000Sep 26, 201815,800 vehicles
  SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

  Risk: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact 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 18315.

Recent 2018 GMC Yukon XL complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 17, 2026TXEngine

   Low Engine Oil Pressure with Engine making noise. Cut open oil filter and found excessive metal. Original Engine was replaced in January 2022 by Group 1 (former Beck and Masten GMC-North in Houston, TX) due to valve lifter failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11764956 · source
2. Filed Jun 17, 2026ALOther / Unknown

   Transmission lifter problems like all other gmc 2018 yukon xl contacted gmc dealer back january 20,2026 got transmission fixed myself truck at joe bullard dealship mos 8days they are trying to contact u for approval to fix honor your product please.

   NHTSA complaint #11744879 · source
3. Filed Jun 1, 2026COEngine

   On May 27, 2026 at around 7:30pm my 2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali engined failed. I was exiting E-470 southwest bound at Gartrell Road in Aurora and the engine started knocking loudly and completely quit. As I rolled to a stop I correctly suspected that the engine seized. It would not turn over, a bad odor was present, and smoke was coming from the top of the motor. It was hard to tell exactly from where because of high wind. All belts looked fine and the Castle Rock GMC dealer I…

   NHTSA complaint #11741433 · source
4. Filed May 23, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle keep jerking in and out of gear the issue almost made me crash due to the harsh conditions Took to repair they stated this is a known problem. That is what worries me now

   NHTSA complaint #11739730 · source
5. Filed Apr 18, 2026MSCrashTowedBrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11732026 · source
6. Filed Apr 13, 2026MTSeats & Seat Belts

   Seat belts do not lock in place causing our infant and child's seats to not be locked in place and tip over The potential risk to a child is extremely high Potentially causing death of a child

   NHTSA complaint #11730763 · source
7. Filed Mar 23, 2026SCBrakes

   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 complaint #11726504 · source
8. Filed Feb 13, 2026131,000 miMNEngine

   The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, and while the vehicle was idling, the engine was running rough. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated and flashed on the instrument panel. While driving to the dealer, the vehicle hesitated, while driving and the vehicle drove roughly. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and…

   NHTSA complaint #11717928 · 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