Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2025 GMC Yukon XLRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 28 owner complaints for the 2025 GMC Yukon XL. Most complaints involve engine (17) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 16–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
16–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
28
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Wheels: hub

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.

WheelsReported May 14, 2026NHTSA 26V304000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

28 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2025 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine17
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Forward collision avoidance6
  4. Service brakes5
  5. Back over prevention3
  6. Power train2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Steering1
  9. Seats1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Yukon XL model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2021237
2022176
2023230
202475
202528
202640
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

17 reports
“The contact owns a 2025 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, there was a tapping sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated and then turned off. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the tapping sound was louder and more persistent. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while out of state. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was approximately 33,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026EngineODI 11768948

Electrical system

6 reports
“Driving the vehicle with my family in it on merrit parkway in ct 230 am on May 10 th Car rpm start going up and making noises and felt like gear not shifting in few seconds later car all sudden on its own shifted to neutral as my speed 55-60 mph was during that moment. And screen on dash went blank dark .i was able to move to side of the road safe as possible .road is only two lane and no room to park on side . Immediately turn hazards lights on and try to restart the car and vehicle will not turn on . State troopers came and assisted us till tow truck came and vehicle get towed to dealer”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11738342

Forward collision avoidance

6 reports1 crash
“The car was purchased on 8/15/2026. On November 6th 2026 with 3051 miles on all the gauges, electronic dashboard, gps , climate controls, heads up display failed while car was in driving. There was no way to tell what speed the car was going, the gas level, rpms, engine temperature, etc. Navigation failed, Cruise control failed, I was unsure if the emergency braking system failed. The dealership responded there was over 27 error codes on the car computer. There was no way of knowing if the signal lights were working. There was no prior warning to this failure. The GMC service department at the dealership confirmed the failure and said it needed to replace the radio control module. It took 70 calendar days for a replacement module to be provided, and a new software patch was uploaded after several attempts. After the vehicle was repaired the dealership acknowledged that they have been seeing this problem. GM has failed to provide any other assistance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 3, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11721834
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel · 5.3L 8-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 10-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Yukon XL 2WD
Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
212623$4,000442
Yukon XL 4WD
Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
202622$4,200455
Yukon XL 2WD
Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,550530
Yukon XL 2WD
Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$4,700544
Yukon XL 4WD
Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · 4-Wheel Drive
141816$4,700572
Yukon XL 4WD
Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel Drive
141916$3,750571
  • Yukon XL 2WD
    Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    21 city · 26 hwy · $4,000/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Yukon XL 4WD
    Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    20 city · 26 hwy · $4,200/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Yukon XL 2WD
    Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Yukon XL 2WD
    Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $4,700/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Yukon XL 4WD
    Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,700/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Yukon XL 4WD
    Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,750/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.9%
Overall
5 / 5
GMC Yukon XL SUV RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 20442Vehicle 20441
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2025 Yukon XL questions

How many recalls does the 2025 GMC Yukon XL have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2025 GMC Yukon XL problems?

Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (17), electrical system (6), forward collision avoidance (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 GMC Yukon XL get?

The EPA rates the 2025 GMC Yukon XL at 16–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 GMC Yukon XL?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 GMC Yukon XL 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026