Skip to content
EnginePart report

2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 Engine Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
10%of 63 total for the year
Median mileage
156,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500, 10% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 156,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When driving the vehicle it drives fine but when it gets to speeds around 50-60 it will completely shut off I have to put it on n and turn the key all the way back and then try starting it again. After it turns off the first time then it will start turning off more randomly. I have been reading online and it seems to be a known issue with these trucks around the same year.”

NHTSA complaint #10486457, filed 2012-11, 156,000 miles

“Driving down the highway and the engine shows reduced engine power light. Engine shuts down and not able to drive over 10 MPH. I understand that this is a widespread problem on Gmc vehicles and in my opinion is a very serious safety hazard.”

NHTSA complaint #10502150, filed 2013-03, 106,000 miles

“While driving posted speed on expressway vehicle suddenly shut off. Leaving no power steering no power brakes. I see many complaints on your website as well as online. Are you doing anything about this issue? It is the same issue that you are currently requiring GM to recall over 1 million vehicles for. Your current recall only goes back to the 2009 models. Why are you not requiring all GM vehicles recalled since 1996? They all have the same key lock system and same ABS systems both of which seem to contribute to or cause the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10632320, filed 2014-09, 149,000 miles

“I keep having the display say reduced engine power . I'll be driving on the highway, doing 65 in rush hour traffic, when all of the sudden the accelerator no longer accelerates and it displays reduced engine power on the gauge cluster display. From what I've seen online it appears to be an issue with the throttle position sensor on thousands of other similar vehicles with the same engine, chevy suburban's, silverado's, tahoe's, etc. I replaced the throttle position sensor and the harness (because I heard the harness might also be an issue) and I am still having the same problem with my truck. …”

NHTSA complaint #10763770, filed 2015-09

“The contact owns a 2003 Gmc YUKON XL 1500. The contact mentioned that the previous owner of the vehicle experienced a failure with the reduced engine power warning indicator. The dealer replaced the throttle body, but the failure continued before the contact owned the vehicle. The contact experienced the warning light randomly flashing, which drastically reduced the speed to less than 20 MPH. The contact had to constantly turn off and restart the vehicle, but the failure continued to progress randomly. …”

NHTSA complaint #10874699, filed 2016-06, 188,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2007813%
200514%
2004514%
2003610%
200113%

Other parts of the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500

Electrical system
24 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology