2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages (5) and air bags (4). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 250 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 47 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Latches, locks and linkages complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system5 28%
- Air bags4 22%
- Other or unknown4 22%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Body and structure2 11%
- Tires1 5.6%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “One by one the door lock actuators have stopped working. All before 60,000 miles. The doors will not lock or unlock electronically. This is a safety issue due to the fact that the doors do not automatically lock when you put the car in gear. A child could open the door as you are driving down the road. Needs a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10520366, filed 2013-06, 37,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “The left front and the left rear door locks on my vehicle do not work. I am very worried that one of my children will open the door while I am driving. The vehicle is out of warranty and it will be a few weeks until I can save enough to have it fixed. This seems to be a very common problem with Gmc. I have been told that it is the door lock actuator. There should be a recall and Gmc should pay to have this fixed. This is a serious safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10406173, filed 2011-06, 45,000 milesOther or unknown: “My 2008 yukon xl on the way home is powered down with several error messages. Traction control off, stable trac off, and engine power reduced. Could not go more then 25 MPH. Went to faulkner Gmc dealer in trevose, pa next day. Paid $122.00 to diagnose the problem. It was throttle body failure. Was told that this part is a back order and Gmc don't have a manufacturer who's gonna produce this parts for GM. Had to pay another $100.00 to clean this part and service adviser told me it should less for at least 2 weeks and up to few months. It took me only 2 weeks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10381047, filed 2011-02, 234,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
47% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 97,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon XL 1500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Yukon XL 1500 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Yukon XL 1500 2WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 12 | 19 | 14 | $5,850 |
| Yukon XL 1500 4WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Yukon XL 1500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Yukon XL 1500 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 250 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11017868Apr 11, 2025Steering. This service bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Electrical system, Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Other model years of the GMC Yukon XL 1500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 | 41,250 | 0 | 4 | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 12 | 59,926 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 8 | 93,000 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 11 | 59,777 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 18 | 65,000 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 2007 | 60 | 41,673 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 5 | 19,987 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 24 | 68,000 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 36 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 63 | 95,000 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 23 | 96,218 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 29 | 124,506 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 15 | 118,976 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
All GMC Yukon XL 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages with 5.
Has the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 (Yukon XL 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 GMC Yukon XL 1500 reported?
Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 97,000 miles; 47% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.