2017 GMC Yukon XL Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe electrical and lighting problems, especially rear LED brake/tail lights that flicker or stop working, and transmission complaints such as harsh or delayed shifts, shuddering and hesitation. Brake complaints also appear, with pedals that feel soft or need to be pressed to the floor, and some owners mention dealership visits where the behavior was called normal or a known condition.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Rear LED brake/tail light fails or flickers

   • 42 complaints (29%)
   • median 58,050 mi at 3.1 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2025

   Owners describe one or both rear brake/tail lights flickering, going out, or working only when tapped, often without any warning on the dash. Complaints say the lamp is a sealed unit, so the dealer replaces the whole assembly, and several owners report the part being on backorder because of how often it is needed. Some say the light failed again after replacement. Reported from roughly 23,000 to 106,000 miles, with several complaints under 60,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have someone stand behind the vehicle and watch both brake and tail lights while the pedal is pressed and released, and check whether the rear lamp assemblies have already been replaced. A service bulletin covers exterior lamp condensation and water leaks, which may be worth asking about.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Passenger side rear LED brake light has stopped working. It does not light up.this is a problem that has occurred in the 2015 and 2016 yukons. I was informed by a fellow motorist that my brake light was out. The repair is estimated at $850.00 as the whole rear light unit must be replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #11406717, filed 2021-04, 45,000 miles

   “drivers side tail light flickering and sometimes not working a $900+ cost! I issue with right hand side when suv has 32k miles, seems like this is an ongoing issue, luckily it was still under warranty the 1st time. The AC condenser when out in April, also an know issue with the Yukon, they wanted to charge me $1500 to repair, I was able to find someone to do it for around $600, now the outlet and usb ports seem to not work. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11593458, filed 2024-06
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, hesitation, harsh or delayed shifts

   • 32 complaints (22%)
   • median 37,200 mi at 2.9 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe shuddering or fluttering during gear changes, harsh shifts in the lower gears, and a delayed or hesitant response when accelerating from a stop or at highway speed. Some owners say the vehicle revs without picking up speed, and several report that the transmission was replaced. Others describe being told the behavior is a known characteristic with no repair. Mostly reported between about 11,000 and 88,000 miles, appearing at low speed, from a stop, or while climbing or accelerating.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Road-test from a cold start and again when warm, noting any shudder, flare, clunk or delay when shifting into drive or accelerating. Ask whether transmission fluid service or adaptive learning has been done; service bulletins describe adaptive functions and low-mileage harsh shift corrections.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While sitting at a stop on a 9degree incline behind another vehicle I started to accelerate to move up to the stop sign. As I pressed on the accelerator the engine RPM's increased but the vehicle didn't move as if the transmission was not engaging, then without warning it jerked forward. I had to apply the brakes to keep from hitting the vehicle in front of me. I have also had problems with this vehicle transmission such as transmission flutter, harsh shifts in lower gears, etc etc.”

   NHTSA complaint #11404824, filed 2021-03, 39,400 miles

   “While driving, the check engine light intermittently flashes. Vehicle runs extremely rough, sluggish at times. Dealer checked vehicle over a period of time and eventually confirmed random misfires. Unable to fix issue. Unable to determine cause. Vehicle was later confirmed to have a faulty transmission transmission replaced by dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11132339, filed 2018-09, 14,171 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes low or feels soft; reduced power assist

   • 27 complaints (18%)
   • median 53,600 mi at 3.2 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report the brake pedal travelling close to the floor, a pedal that feels firm or unresponsive, or brakes that seem to slide and skip when stopping, especially after shifting out of park on a hill. Complaints mention service brake assist or ABS messages and dealers replacing a brake assist pump; some owners note a prior brake recall repair and say the problem returned or that their vehicle was not included. Reported from very low mileage up to about 130,000 miles, with several cases around 45,000 to 70,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the pedal feel with the engine running, including a stop on a slope, and ask whether any brake assist or ABS-related repairs or software updates have been performed. A bulletin covers fuel and fluid testing procedures.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “It was a 101 degree out here in denver, colorado. While driving on a toll way at 75 miles per hour an ABS light with a service stabilitrak message popped out. The vehicle was driving ok with lights on until I finish the toll way (30 miles) and then for the next 50 miles on a highway. I noticed the first problem when I exited the highway and driving at a lower RPM. At 30-45 miles per hour the vehicle started setting the break on by itself and drafted to the left lane. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11233243, filed 2019-07, 99,000 miles

   “Driving my vehicle in winter weather conditions, in automatic 4 wheel drive option. I turned the corner by my house on a city street going no more than 7 MPH. I was tapping the brake as I turned. I'm not sure what really happened as I was braking (the brakes seemed weird; kind of like ABS), but my vehicle slid and hit the curb on the street I was turning in. This is kitty corner from my house. My right rear tire drove up onto the curb and half way onto the sidewalk, before going back off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11282987, filed 2019-11, 36,352 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine misfire, ticking and lifter or camshaft damage

   • 35 complaints (24%)
   • median 67,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the check engine light coming on with rough running, shaking at idle, ticking or tapping from the engine, and in some cases a stall. Owners say diagnosis led to misfire codes and replacement of lifters, camshaft or timing components, and some report failed fuel injectors. One owner was told the vehicle was not covered by an applicable bulletin or extended coverage. Mostly reported between about 32,000 and 137,000 miles, often at higher mileage.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or tapping at cold start and at idle, and ask whether misfire codes, injector replacement or lifter work have been done. Bulletins describe oil consumption measurement and coolant or oil contamination scenarios worth asking about.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft, manifold, and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11507422, filed 2023-02, 104,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact attempted to depress the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that a dealer and an independent mechanic were contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft was not aligned. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11637368, filed 2025-01, 131,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Lift gate closes on its own

   • 5 complaints (3%)
   • median 10,142 mi at 0.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2024

   Owners report the power lift gate slamming shut without warning while they were standing at the open rear cargo area, sometimes striking them. Complaints say the key fob was not being used and the gate closed on its own anyway. One owner also described the doors locking with the fob inside and the vehicle running. Reported at low mileage, in one case around 10,000 miles.

   What to check: Open and close the power lift gate several times, including from the rear switch, and ask whether the gate has ever closed on its own or whether the latch or control module has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While standing behind the vehicle with the lift gate open, and attempting to remove items from the rear area the lift gate randomly slams shut without notice or warning. On several occasions my children were in the way of the lift gate closing as well, however, since I am taller I was hit first saving my children. On several occasions I was hit in the head and it the back by the slamming rear lift gate. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11132908, filed 2018-10, 10,142 miles

   “While standing behind the vehicle and attempting to remove items from the rear cargo area, the lift gate randomly slams shut without notice or warning. This occurred several times while I was behind the vehicle. On some occasions my child(ren) was with me andwas almost hit as well. Since I am taller I was hit and was able to save my child from injury. I was hit several times on different occasions either I the head or in the back, depending on my position at the time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11139051, filed 2018-10, 10,142 miles

Buying note. Check the rear brake and tail lights, the transmission's behavior on a cold and warm road test, and the brake pedal feel, since those are the areas owners describe most often. Review service records for prior light assembly, transmission or brake work, and confirm the vehicle's build and repair history before purchase.

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.