2007 GMC Yukon XL Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 GMC Yukon XL most often write about air bags. Most of these complaints ask about a passenger-side inflator recall for which parts were unavailable for long periods, and some describe warning lights or side-curtain air bags deploying without warning. A second cluster describes StabiliTrak/traction-control warnings followed by reduced engine power, and a third covers engine oil use and lifter noise.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Air bag recall parts unavailable for long periods

   • 39 complaints (40%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2024

   Owners state they received recall notices for the passenger-side inflator and were told by dealers and the manufacturer that replacement parts were not yet available, in some cases for years. Several describe being placed on waiting lists or told no remedy existed, and some say they were uneasy driving the vehicle in the meantime. A few note that an air bag warning light stayed on while they waited. Filed from around 70,000 to 110,000 miles and also with no mileage given, mostly between 2017 and 2022.

   Recall 21V050000Recall 21V0520002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the seller for proof that the passenger-side inflator recall was completed, and check with a dealer by VIN whether any air bag campaign is still open on the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I've had this recall for my 2007 Gmc yukon for the airbag. They stated there is new remedy right now. Its been at least 5 years. Its for the takata air bag inflators. Can you help me out. I have a very hard time why they dont have a fix yet. They are just screwing around thrying to save money.”

   NHTSA complaint #11338333, filed 2020-07

   “We have received a URGENT AND IMPORTANT recall related to our Airbag being a deadly threat when activated. This was in February 2021 and still there is no remedy to get rid of the deadly threat !!!”

   NHTSA complaint #11432464, filed 2021-09
2. 2
   Electronic stability control

   StabiliTrak and traction-control warnings with power loss

   • 9 complaints (9%)
   • median 119,516 mi at 9.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2022

   Owners describe the StabiliTrak Off and traction-control lights flashing, sometimes with the check engine light, followed by a sharp reduction or loss of engine power. Some say the vehicle restarted normally after being shut off and that dealers could not find a consistent cause; suggested repairs included the engine control module and related wiring. Several complaints mention heavy steering and firm braking once power dropped. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 210,000 miles, in complaints filed from 2011 through 2020.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the vehicle scanned for stored codes and ask whether the throttle body, pedal sensor, or engine control module has been replaced; a test drive should include steady highway speeds.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving my 2007 Gmc Yukon Xl, the stabiltrak off light comes on as well as the engine light and the car loses power. Once this happens, the steering becomes difficult and braking is near impossible. It has happened several times now and most recently going down a steep hill with my three children in the car. I see there are several other complaints of this happening and feel this needs to be addressed by the manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10806402, filed 2015-11, 80,000 miles

   “While picking up my children from school the engine started backfiring,pulled the car over and put into park idle completely unstable, traction control service light came on engine light came on. Hard shift on transmission. Totally disappointed. Took it to the dealership for a diagnosis they say the lifters are bad and are no longer covered under warranty. Quoted me 2700.00 to replace 2 lifters so not acceptable this car does not even require a tune up until 100000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10568651, filed 2014-03, 52,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine oil consumption and lifter ticking

   • 11 complaints (11%)
   • median 105,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2025

   Complaints describe using a noticeable amount of oil between changes, with some owners reporting a quart or more, and dealers saying the rate was within normal limits. Others describe a persistent ticking from the lifters at cold start, worse in cold weather, sometimes with slight power loss until the engine warms. One complaint reports engine damage attributed to low oil pressure over time, and another describes bad lifters found at diagnosis. Reported from roughly 44,000 to 185,000 miles; the ticking complaints note cold weather makes it worse.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt smell on the dipstick, listen for ticking at a cold start, and ask whether any oil consumption test or oil pan baffle work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Excessive oil leak went to the dealer numerous times, but they said it was normal to leak a quart between oil changes. Had numerous tests done and they said it was still within standards. I am sorry but I don't think that a quart between oil changes is acceptable. Been ongoing for a while and I am sure it is leaking two quarts and there is a seal leaking near the oil pan. Pretty severe to have not been fixed by the dealer in the beginning. They want over $600 to repair the leak now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10617107, filed 2014-07, 44,000 miles

   “In June 2021 at approximately 168,000 miles the engine suffered catastrophic engine failure while driving. I was forced to replace the engine at my cost as it was out of the original warranty. I was told the cause of the engine failure was due to low oil pressure over an extended prior of time from worn engine bearings which resulted in a dropped value in cylinder #7 and #8.”

   NHTSA complaint #11639088, filed 2025-01
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Cracked dashboard and peeling door handle chrome

   • 12 complaints (12%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2022

   Owners report cracks developing in the dashboard, often around the passenger air bag area and above the instrument cluster, sometimes while the vehicle was parked. Complaints also describe the chrome coating on interior door handles peeling and cutting hands, and exterior handles cracking. Dealers generally did not cover the repairs according to the complaints. Cracks reported from about 90,000 to 200,000 miles; handle peeling reported as early as about 52,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dashboard near the passenger air bag and the door handles for cracks, peeling chrome, or sharp edges.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The dash board on my 2007 Gmc yukon denali is cracked right above the air bag on the passenger side and above the instrument panel on the driver side. I feel that if the air bag was to deploy on the passenger side with could be a major safety issue due to the fact the plastic pieces from dashboard could break loose while air bag explodes and cause more injury to the passengers of the vehicle. I feel this need to be a safety recall from GM. The vehicle is operational and the cracks have happened over time.”

   NHTSA complaint #11081568, filed 2018-03, 150,000 miles

   “The dashboard from the air back recall broke and there’s is no recall for it witch there should be because when that air bag goes off it could send parts of the brittle dash into the passenger”

   NHTSA complaint #11497338, filed 2022-12

Buying note. Check the open recall status by VIN before buying, since air bag inflator parts have been slow to arrive, and budget for a mechanical inspection covering oil consumption, lifter noise, and stored stability-control codes on a vehicle of this age and mileage.

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.