2018 Gmc YUKON XL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Gmc YUKON XL has 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: the torque converter is too small for the vehicles transmission which then caused it to break and put metal into the transmission fluid. which cause the transmission to break. my safety was at risk was because while on highway it shot high on rpms and then made funny noise and wouldn’t go. the probl. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 7 crash reports 8 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

14 complaints

21%

• The torque converter is too small for the vehicles transmission which then caused it to break and put metal into the transmission fluid. Which cause the transmission to break. My safety was at risk was because while on highway it shot high on RPMs and then made funny noise and wouldn’t go. The probl
• The engine started making a ticking sound a few days after thanksgiving. I made an appointment with the dealership but they couldn’t take it in for 3 weeks. The day before my appointment I was driving on the highway and the lifter broke which caused the camshaft and a few other parts to break causin
• Engine Valve Lifter for cylinder 3 had failed and Camshaft lobes damaged. Error codes of P0300 and P0303. Vehicle had 67,049 miles when I brought it in to be repaired at Park GMC in Greenville, SC on 12/28/2022. GMC has the lifters (they replaced all 8) and the camshaft. Failure happened while on I4

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The torque converter is too small for the vehicles transmission which then caused it to break and put metal into the transmission fluid. Which cause the transmission to break. My safety was at risk was because while on highway it shot high on RPMs and then made funny noise and wouldn’t go. The probl”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

11 complaints

16%

• BRAND NEW YUKON XL 2018 5250 MILLS, THE AC TAKES A LONG TIME TO COOL DOWN AT LEAST 15 TO 20 MINUTES. I AM IN MIAMI,FL AND WITH 95 FAHRENHAIT AND 3 KIDS IN THE CAR. GMC AFTER 6 WEEKS OF TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM JUST LET ME KNOW THAT THE AC IS WORKING AS DESIGN AND THERE IS NOTHING TO DO. IN THIS 6
• LEAK IN REAR AIR CONDITIONING LINE AT BODY MOUNT. COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY IN MAY 2019, AND SAME LINE IS LEAKING IN MAY 2020, GM WILL NOT WARRANTY PARTS, LABOR (INSTALLED INCORRECTLY) OR POSSIBLE VEHICLE DEFECT.
• AC CONDENSER FAILED STRUCTURALLY AND LEAKED ALL REFRIGERANT FROM THE SYSTEM REQUIRING A CONDENSER REPLACEMENT AND RECHARGE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“BRAND NEW YUKON XL 2018 5250 MILLS, THE AC TAKES A LONG TIME TO COOL DOWN AT LEAST 15 TO 20 MINUTES. I AM IN MIAMI,FL AND WITH 95 FAHRENHAIT AND 3 KIDS IN THE CAR. GMC AFTER 6 WEEKS OF TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM JUST LET ME KNOW THAT THE AC IS WORKING AS DESIGN AND THERE IS NOTHING TO DO. IN THIS 6 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

10 complaints

15%

• 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
• 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 EX
• 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 SP

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

7 complaints

10%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC YUKON XL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS SEATED IN THE THIRD ROW SEATS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN A CAR SEAT. THE SEAT BELT THAT
• While driving the Driver side seat automatically reset to the furthest position away from the wheel and gas and break pad. This resulted in not being able to reach the break to stop.
• Driver seat automatically adjusts while driving particularly when I accelerate from a red light or stop sign. This causes me to not reach the peddles.I have to pull over and reset my seat. Has been doing this for two days.My vehicle is not equipped with the automatic memory seat. My two rear seatbel

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC YUKON XL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS SEATED IN THE THIRD ROW SEATS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN A CAR SEAT. THE SEAT BELT THAT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

7 complaints

10%

• The torque converter is too small for the vehicles transmission which then caused it to break and put metal into the transmission fluid. Which cause the transmission to break. My safety was at risk was because while on highway it shot high on RPMs and then made funny noise and wouldn’t go. The probl
• Had transmission issues (slipping, jerking and jumping ), while driving on highway. it will not accelerate when pressing the gas and would accelerate randomly / jumping fast Uphill it wont move forward on drive grar, instead it rolls back, which can hit rear vehicle. very dangerous and not deriv
• Vehicle started accelerating and loosing power randomly on highway traffic in [XXX] . Sudden jerking behavior was very dangerous and unpredictable and non controllable upon investigation at the shop, mechanic found it was transmission issue, clutch was slipping and engaging randomly, had to pay

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 68 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: The torque converter is too small for the vehicles transmission which then caused it to break and put metal into the transmission fluid. Which cause the transmission to break. My safety was at risk was because while on highway it shot high on RPMs and then made funny noise and wouldn’t go. The probl
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: BRAND NEW YUKON XL 2018 5250 MILLS, THE AC TAKES A LONG TIME TO COOL DOWN AT LEAST 15 TO 20 MINUTES. I AM IN MIAMI,FL AND WITH 95 FAHRENHAIT AND 3 KIDS IN THE CAR. GMC AFTER 6 WEEKS OF TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM JUST LET ME KNOW THAT THE AC IS WORKING AS DESIGN AND THERE IS NOTHING TO DO. IN THIS 6
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC YUKON XL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS SEATED IN THE THIRD ROW SEATS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN A CAR SEAT. THE SEAT BELT THAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)