GMC YUKON · model year

2013 GMC YUKON

145 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013GMCYUKON carries 145 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 YUKON is unknown or other with 52 filings, followed by air bags (32) and structure:body (18). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2013 YUKON. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

145
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
2013 GMC YUKON - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2013 GMC YUKON. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 3.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

145 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 - Strong NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 3/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER52
AIR BAGS32
STRUCTURE:BODY18
ENGINE10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
POWER TRAIN4
STEERING4
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES2
TIRES2
SEATS1
STRUCTURE1
WHEELS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1

Recalls (4)

21V05300005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaba

21V05400005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS,

13V00100002/01/2013

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, throug

14V61400001/10/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles

Recent Complaints

20251011UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Steering wheel will not lock when in park and the vehicle is turned off. This is referring to the Steering/Shifter Recall (13V-001).

20251002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact owned a 2013 GMC Yukon. The contact sold a vehicle to an independent company, Pedal.com; however, was advised that the vehicle was sold to an individual and the odometer appeared to be altered. The contact stated that another individual discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 119,000. It was later discovered that the mileage was 273,000.

Mileage: 273,000

20250703ENGINE

Vehicle equipped with 6.2l v8 engine. Have been experiencing hesitation upon acceleration, decrease in power/reduced performance, trouble starting, abnormal shifting (particularly from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th gear) for about two months. On two separate occassions(once about 1yr ago and the second time about a week ago) during normal use of the vehicle, the car started to shudder and the CEL began flashing. Both times I immediately pulled over and shut off the vehicle. Fluids were good, car has never overheated, regular maintenance has been performed as well. When I turned the car back on, the light was off and didn't show any signs that there was an issue. Two days ago during normal use of the car at about 35mph, a loud knocking/ticking sound started. I was about 1/8 mile from my destination so I attempted to make it there. Driveway is uphill and when I accelerated to get up the hill the sound got much louder and ticking was twice as fast. Shut off the car, let it cool, and knocking

20250703POWER TRAIN

Vehicle equipped with 6.2l v8 engine. Have been experiencing hesitation upon acceleration, decrease in power/reduced performance, trouble starting, abnormal shifting (particularly from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th gear) for about two months. On two separate occassions(once about 1yr ago and the second time about a week ago) during normal use of the vehicle, the car started to shudder and the CEL began flashing. Both times I immediately pulled over and shut off the vehicle. Fluids were good, car has never overheated, regular maintenance has been performed as well. When I turned the car back on, the light was off and didn't show any signs that there was an issue. Two days ago during normal use of the car at about 35mph, a loud knocking/ticking sound started. I was about 1/8 mile from my destination so I attempted to make it there. Driveway is uphill and when I accelerated to get up the hill the sound got much louder and ticking was twice as fast. Shut off the car, let it cool, and knocking

20240729AIR BAGS

I received a safety recall notice for my vehicle and scheduled an appointment for repair, #N212328790. Upon arriving, the dealer advised me there was a very small crack in the dash and if the dash cracked during the removal or installation, GM would NOT reimburse for any damage to the dash. The default was with the manufacturer and if they didn't replace it correctly, I'd be out serious money to replace and maintain the value of the vehicle.

20231115AIR BAGS

The issue is that we have to sign off on liability for the dealer to install the new safety airbag to state that we are accepting a cracked dashboard. This is ridiculous and the manufacturer (GMC) should have to replace the dashbboard along with the air bag.

20230714STEERING

TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT INDICATE STABILITRAC NEEDS SERVICE AND IS NOT ON. OBD CODE READS BAD STEERING SENSOR. ACCORDING TO OTHER GM OWNERS ONLINE THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. MANY SHOW THE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS ON LINE. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN OFF AND ON FOR SOME TIME WHEN CAR IS COOL ITS OFF WHEN IT SETS IN THE SUN IT GOES ON. I HAVE CONTACTED THE TOPEKA KS GM DEALER TWICE THIS WEEK TO GET THE COST TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR AND AM TOLD THEY WILL CALL ME BACK BUT NO ONE HAS.

20230714UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT INDICATE STABILITRAC NEEDS SERVICE AND IS NOT ON. OBD CODE READS BAD STEERING SENSOR. ACCORDING TO OTHER GM OWNERS ONLINE THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. MANY SHOW THE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS ON LINE. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN OFF AND ON FOR SOME TIME WHEN CAR IS COOL ITS OFF WHEN IT SETS IN THE SUN IT GOES ON. I HAVE CONTACTED THE TOPEKA KS GM DEALER TWICE THIS WEEK TO GET THE COST TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR AND AM TOLD THEY WILL CALL ME BACK BUT NO ONE HAS.

20230604STEERING

UNKNOWN. Truck would not move out of gear as the gear shift was just moving up and down and not catching any gears

20230604UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN. Truck would not move out of gear as the gear shift was just moving up and down and not catching any gears

20230130POWER TRAIN

Stopped at a light and went to pull off when the light turned green and the car would not move at the speed of gas I was giving it coasted into the Intersection. I had to turn the car off in the middle of an intersection, restart it and shift back into drive as I got down the road it did the same thing I’ll be in drive and go to apply gas and seems as though the transmission slips causing unsafe driving.

20221217POWER TRAIN

The truck locks start locking and unlocking on their own, the stabilitrac and traction control will cycle between on and off, the motor will shut off, it goes to limp mode, check engine light comes on, traction control light comes on, abs light comes on, it has stalled in drive throughs on the interstate, driving around town, the vehicle is at pat clemons gmc in boone iowa, they replaced the bcm and it is still happening, there is an nhsta campaign #14V61400 for a chassis control module recall, this vehicle vin is not in that, but it does exhibit all the symptoms mentioned in the recall, very much a safety issue as it can happen anytime, especially when it is raining or snowing, started about a year ago

20221217ENGINE

The truck locks start locking and unlocking on their own, the stabilitrac and traction control will cycle between on and off, the motor will shut off, it goes to limp mode, check engine light comes on, traction control light comes on, abs light comes on, it has stalled in drive throughs on the interstate, driving around town, the vehicle is at pat clemons gmc in boone iowa, they replaced the bcm and it is still happening, there is an nhsta campaign #14V61400 for a chassis control module recall, this vehicle vin is not in that, but it does exhibit all the symptoms mentioned in the recall, very much a safety issue as it can happen anytime, especially when it is raining or snowing, started about a year ago

20221217ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The truck locks start locking and unlocking on their own, the stabilitrac and traction control will cycle between on and off, the motor will shut off, it goes to limp mode, check engine light comes on, traction control light comes on, abs light comes on, it has stalled in drive throughs on the interstate, driving around town, the vehicle is at pat clemons gmc in boone iowa, they replaced the bcm and it is still happening, there is an nhsta campaign #14V61400 for a chassis control module recall, this vehicle vin is not in that, but it does exhibit all the symptoms mentioned in the recall, very much a safety issue as it can happen anytime, especially when it is raining or snowing, started about a year ago

20221121CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I call this a "Panic breaking defect" I have experienced this on two different GMC vehicles manufactured 14 years apart. The first was a 1999 GMC suburban with mechanically operated throttle control. The second was my present GMC Yukon XL Denali with electronic throttle control. The defect: The close proximity of the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal makes it possible to have the right foot on both pedals at the same time. This results in high engine RPM and full breaking pressure, however, the anti-lock breaking system releases and re-applies the break pressure repeatedly allowing the vehicle to lunge forward a short distance on each cycle. To remove ones foot from the both pedals so as to apply it to just the break would result in the vehicle, engine being at high RPM, to allow the vehicle to speed forward resulting in a serious collision. True one could use the left foot, if able, on the break and then remove the right foot, allowing the engine to return to idle but on mod

20221121CrashENGINE

I call this a "Panic breaking defect" I have experienced this on two different GMC vehicles manufactured 14 years apart. The first was a 1999 GMC suburban with mechanically operated throttle control. The second was my present GMC Yukon XL Denali with electronic throttle control. The defect: The close proximity of the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal makes it possible to have the right foot on both pedals at the same time. This results in high engine RPM and full breaking pressure, however, the anti-lock breaking system releases and re-applies the break pressure repeatedly allowing the vehicle to lunge forward a short distance on each cycle. To remove ones foot from the both pedals so as to apply it to just the break would result in the vehicle, engine being at high RPM, to allow the vehicle to speed forward resulting in a serious collision. True one could use the left foot, if able, on the break and then remove the right foot, allowing the engine to return to idle but on mod

20221121CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I call this a "Panic breaking defect" I have experienced this on two different GMC vehicles manufactured 14 years apart. The first was a 1999 GMC suburban with mechanically operated throttle control. The second was my present GMC Yukon XL Denali with electronic throttle control. The defect: The close proximity of the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal makes it possible to have the right foot on both pedals at the same time. This results in high engine RPM and full breaking pressure, however, the anti-lock breaking system releases and re-applies the break pressure repeatedly allowing the vehicle to lunge forward a short distance on each cycle. To remove ones foot from the both pedals so as to apply it to just the break would result in the vehicle, engine being at high RPM, to allow the vehicle to speed forward resulting in a serious collision. True one could use the left foot, if able, on the break and then remove the right foot, allowing the engine to return to idle but on mod

20220907ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Monday 5th 2022, (2pm)I was driving with the AC on high as I had just left the mall. The interior was hot. As I left the mall and came to a stop light...the car would rev at stop, and continue to do so until the light changed. I had the oil and transmission fluid changed at 135000. It is currently at 138000. I turned off the AC because it did not seem to work (to cool the car down) and rolled the windows down and open the sun roof. Tuesday 6th, I was leaving the store (4pm) and again I turned the AC on and approached a stop light. When I stopped at the light, the car started revving or idling in pulses again as it did on Monday, however as I went to turn right onto the street, there was no power steering at all. Startled, I pressed the brake, shifted into park, turned the SUV off. Then restarted the SUV and the steering had returned to normal. I kept the AC off and drove home.

20220907STEERING

Monday 5th 2022, (2pm)I was driving with the AC on high as I had just left the mall. The interior was hot. As I left the mall and came to a stop light...the car would rev at stop, and continue to do so until the light changed. I had the oil and transmission fluid changed at 135000. It is currently at 138000. I turned off the AC because it did not seem to work (to cool the car down) and rolled the windows down and open the sun roof. Tuesday 6th, I was leaving the store (4pm) and again I turned the AC on and approached a stop light. When I stopped at the light, the car started revving or idling in pulses again as it did on Monday, however as I went to turn right onto the street, there was no power steering at all. Startled, I pressed the brake, shifted into park, turned the SUV off. Then restarted the SUV and the steering had returned to normal. I kept the AC off and drove home.

20220907ENGINE

Monday 5th 2022, (2pm)I was driving with the AC on high as I had just left the mall. The interior was hot. As I left the mall and came to a stop light...the car would rev at stop, and continue to do so until the light changed. I had the oil and transmission fluid changed at 135000. It is currently at 138000. I turned off the AC because it did not seem to work (to cool the car down) and rolled the windows down and open the sun roof. Tuesday 6th, I was leaving the store (4pm) and again I turned the AC on and approached a stop light. When I stopped at the light, the car started revving or idling in pulses again as it did on Monday, however as I went to turn right onto the street, there was no power steering at all. Startled, I pressed the brake, shifted into park, turned the SUV off. Then restarted the SUV and the steering had returned to normal. I kept the AC off and drove home.

Compare 2013GMCYUKON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 GMC YUKON have?
The 2013 GMC YUKON has 145 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 GMC YUKON?
The 2013 GMC YUKON received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 GMC YUKON?
Yes, the 2013 GMC YUKON has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 GMC YUKON?
The most-complained component for the 2013 GMC YUKON is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 52 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2013 GMC YUKON safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2013 GMC YUKON has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.