2000 GMC Yukon XL Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the brakes, particularly unwanted low-speed anti-lock activation that they say lets the vehicle roll farther before stopping, and about fuel-system problems such as stalling, inaccurate fuel gauges and fuel pump wiring that overheated inside the tank. Many complaints come in between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles, with some at much higher mileage; the brake complaints are often described as gradual at first and then frequent.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed and lengthens stopping

   • 19 complaints (28%)
   • median 63,780 mi at 5.5 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2017

   Complaints describe the anti-lock system kicking in while braking normally at low speeds on dry pavement, sometimes with a vibrating or stiff pedal and no warning light. Owners say the vehicle travels farther than expected before stopping and some report near-misses in parking lots, traffic and at stop signs. Several state they pulled the ABS fuse to stop the symptom, which they say also disabled cruise control. A few mention wheel speed sensors or a brake control module being replaced, and that the problem returned later or that the repair cost was high. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 100,000 miles, often at 5-10 mph stops on dry roads and sometimes after cold or wet weather in corrosion-prone areas.

   Recall 05V379000

   What to check: Drive the vehicle at walking-to-parking-lot speeds and brake firmly on dry pavement; a buzzing pedal or longer-than-expected roll is the symptom to look for. Ask whether the ABS module or wheel speed sensors have been replaced and whether the ABS fuse is still in place.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Antilock brakes slip at low speads and fail to stop vehicle. Both my wife and I have had incidences in recent weeks where we needed to release the pedal and reset stopping just barely in time before a collision. We plan on bring the car into Gmc this week. No indicator is illuminated. Our complaint sounds very much like NHTSA action number pe05020 opened on 4-28-05.”

   NHTSA complaint #10125745, filed 2005-06, 89,530 miles

   “1. During a family vacation to florida, my braking system started to fail at slow speeds normally between 5 and 10mph. The brake pedal would become stiff and the system would make noise like the ABS was being activated. 2. Being a family vehicle, I had the repair done immediately, the technicians in florida were not familiar with my symptom. At first they replaced the master cylinder but this did not solve the problem. 3. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10120129, filed 2005-05, 71,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Stalling, fuel gauge errors and fuel pump wiring

   • 13 complaints (19%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2017

   Owners report stalling without warning, sometimes while cold or during turns at intersections, and inaccurate or dead fuel gauges. Several describe fuel pump replacement, and some found the pump wiring inside the tank had overheated and melted insulation or shorted. Complaints also mention fuel odors or leaks when parked after refueling, and at least one says a dealer diagnosed a cracked fuel sending unit. Typically reported between roughly 30,000 and 120,000 miles, with a few at much higher mileage; several complaints were filed around the time fuel pump recall work was being done.

   Recall 05V1550003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump recall work was completed and when the pump or sending unit was last replaced. Check for a fuel smell around the tank and under the hood after refueling, and watch the gauge through a full tank.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My youkon would not start intermittently. I had it towed to courtesy chevrolet and they gave me an estimate for $1500 to replace the fuel tank and pump module. I could not believe a truck only 4 years old already needed a new fuel tank. So I searched the NHTSA database for similar complaints, and found that other people are having the same issue except it is being caused by shorted pump wires in the gas tank. I was able to drive the truck home and removed the gas tank myself so I could get to the bottom of this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10063955, filed 2004-03, 72,000 miles

   “I own a 2000 Gmc Yukon Xl. Over the past few months, I have had a problem with the vehicle continually blowing a fuse (ECM b fuse). Upon my own research into the circuitry, I determined the likely problem was the fuel pump. I replaced the fuel pump and upon removing and inspecting the old component, I discovered the hot wire (gray wire) which operates the pump motor had been hot enough to melt the insulation off the wire. Moreover, this hot wire had melted into one of the wires of the fuel level sending unit, which is a ground circuit. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10010823, filed 2003-03, 50,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Loss of power steering or brake assist

   • 14 complaints (20%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2013

   Complaints describe the power steering assist cutting out, sometimes in a turn or on mountain roads, with one owner also reporting loss of power brake assist at the same time while towing a boat. Several mention a pump replacement and note that their vehicle was not included in the related campaign. Others describe a sticking accelerator or throttle that surges at low speed and cruise control that would not disengage or held speed above the setting. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 115,000 miles, in some cases while turning at low speed or under load such as towing.

   Recall 05V005000

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering pump or hydro-boost lines have been serviced and confirm the vehicle's recall status by VIN. During a test drive, check that steering effort is normal at low speed and that the throttle returns freely.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I spoke with a larry at the NHTSA back in february of this year. Faxed him a copy of the bill I had for the power steering in my Yukon Xl says there was going to be more investigating and this recall for the power steering may be expanded to my truck..the 1500 series but I haven't heard anything. Just a funny thing that this is exactly what happened to me the power steering cut out in the middle of a turn, but it doesn't concern the 1500.”

   NHTSA complaint #10141432, filed 2005-11, 90,000 miles

   “We are affected by the recent recall concerning the wiring harness for the fuel sending unit and are waiting for the new harness parts to arrive. However, about the same time we began having trouble with that, we also began to have problems with a sticking accelerator. After starting and placing the vehicle in gear, the throttle sticks and is obviously a mechanical problem rather than a lubrication issue. Once the vehicle begins to roll, the problem goes away. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10126527, filed 2005-06, 80,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Rusted brake lines and sudden pedal to the floor

   • 13 complaints (19%)
   • median 89,530 mi at 10.8 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2017

   Complaints describe the brake pedal dropping with little resistance and brake fluid loss, traced by shops to corroded steel brake lines, in some cases along the run over the fuel tank or under the driver's side. Owners report using the parking brake to stop and having the lines replaced, with repair estimates in the hundreds to several thousand dollars. Some note the condition was found during inspection rather than noticed while driving. Reported mostly on older, higher-mileage vehicles, roughly above 100,000 miles, and often in states that use road salt.

   Recall 00V3450007 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the brake lines inspected from the ABS unit to all four wheels, especially above the fuel tank and along the frame, and ask whether any lines have been replaced. A pre-purchase inspection that includes the hard lines is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Applied pressure to brake pedal and it went to the floor. Took the car to a midas muffler garage as it was closest for diagnosis and found that the brake line had rusted away. It had rusted out at the point where it goes over the top of the gas tank. They told me that they have seen this many times on these cars.”

   NHTSA complaint #10633696, filed 2014-09, 145,000 miles

   “While driving vehicle and towing boat depressed brake pedal and it went to the floor. There was no prior warning that brakes were about to fail. Used emergency brake to stop vehicle. After getting vehicle to secure location, observed steady stream of brake fluid running onto ground from under drivers side door. Apparently rotten brake lines that run from front of vehicle to rear failed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10481203, filed 2012-10, 107,000 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power window regulators failing

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report passenger and driver windows that stop moving, with the regulator, motor, cable or pulley described as jammed or tangled and the whole assembly needing replacement. Several complain about long waits for parts, saying dealers and parts stores reported a shortage. Some also report water getting in past door weatherstrip or gaps in the lift gate seals. Reported from about 90,000 miles upward in the sample, often on several windows in sequence.

   What to check: Operate every power window fully up and down and listen for grinding or slow movement. Ask whether any regulators have been replaced and whether new parts are readily available.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Approx 6 months ago rear passenger side power window stopped working, recently front passenger side power window does not work....unknown how this happened...I replaced door switch, but it did not correct problem. I also checked fuses. I removed rear door panel and checked wiring,ok/ I tapped window motor and it began to work. Shortly after it quit working again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10112607, filed 2005-03, 91,614 miles

   “First passenger window stopped working, found out it was the window regulator. Have been waiting for the part for months. I have been told by both GM and my auto part store there is a shortage and the auto part store says alot of GM owners have been requesting that part. Still waiting and driver window is starting to go. There must be a problem. Please check into.”

   NHTSA complaint #10141427, filed 2005-11, 91,500 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic inspect the brakes and brake lines carefully, check the ABS behavior at low speed, and confirm recall and fuel pump service history by VIN before deciding. Condition and maintenance records will matter more than mileage on a vehicle this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.