2018 GMC Yukon XL Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 18%of 56 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 GMC Yukon XL, 18% of the 56 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“First time was in reverse in our drive way. Then pulling into parking lot, brakes were hard to push with pulsing pedal and warning message on dash, check brake assist. We got vehicle stopped, hard brake pedal, without hitting anyone. This happened six times on 03-05-2020. This occurs at slow speed in stop and go traffic or in a parking lot, not a good feeling. It feel like the vacuum pump can not supply enough vacuum to operate brake booster. We have only owned vehicle for about three weeks. The vehicle is not safe to drive in this condition.”
NHTSA complaint #11317150, filed 2020-03, 40,000 miles“I was driving straight on a city street at about 30 miles per hour and a car was coming over on me so I had to hit the brakes hard so that we would not collide. My car slowed down but did not stop. I was on the brakes hard, but my car only slowed, it did not stop. The other car hit me. After we exchanged information I drove off and I kept stopping to see if the brakes were working, but they worked every time after that. I was telling my sister what happened and she mentioned a friend of hers had a Gmc that was recalled due to faulty brakes. She suggested I check on your site. …”
NHTSA complaint #11311821, filed 2020-02, 31,400 miles“When I put the car in gear to drive- it felt as if the brake was on - checking all the appropriate emergency brake system- confirm that no braking system was engaged. Proceeded to drive at the recommendation of Gmc and was driving at 30mph as if the brakes were fully engaged- car began to smoke and burn at the area of tires- then brakes completely malfunctioned. No brakes available. Was able to pull into Gmc with a slow coast”
NHTSA complaint #11270400, filed 2019-10, 34,000 miles“The back hatch would not open while the car was on and in park. Upon reaching in without being in the car, we turned it off, and it engaged reverse on its own, causing it to reverse immediately almost causing terminal harm to myself and my family. It careened into the woods with us unable to stop it due to the immediate speed. No one was in the vehicle, it was solely self propelled. We have a video of the path it took and the damage it caused. When the car wrecked, even when turned off, the lights and windshields wipers engaged by themselves.”
NHTSA complaint #11732026, filed 2026-04“After pressing the brake pedal 2 or 3 times the pedal becomes very hard and it is extremely hard to stop the vehicle. All new brake pads and rotors. The brake pedal is loosing vacuum.”
NHTSA complaint #11726504, filed 2026-03Related service bulletins
- 11017173Mar 21, 2025This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11000550May 3, 2024This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 18% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 10 | 4% |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2020 | 3 | 6% |
| 2019 | 5 | 7% |
| 2018 | 10 | 18% |
| 2017 | 25 | 17% |
| 2016 | 41 | 20% |
| 2015 | 64 | 21% |
| 2014 | 2 | 18% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 8% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 29% |
| 2005 | 8 | 19% |
| 2004 | 14 | 16% |
| 2003 | 22 | 22% |
| 2002 | 38 | 40% |
| 2001 | 70 | 58% |
| 2000 | 31 | 45% |
Other parts of the 2018 GMC Yukon XL
16 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 GMC Yukon XL
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