GMC YUKON · model year

2018 GMC YUKON

88 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2018GMCYUKON carries 88 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 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 2018 YUKON is engine with 24 filings, followed by power train (15) and suspension (8). 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 3 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 2018 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.

88
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
2018 GMC YUKON - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2018 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

88 filings

Crashes Reported

4 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
ENGINE24
POWER TRAIN15
SUSPENSION8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
SERVICE BRAKES5
STEERING4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
AIR BAGS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
WHEELS2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
TIRES1

Recalls (3)

19V76100024/10/2019

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is tra

19V64500006/09/2019

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

20V60300001/10/2020

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake ass

Recent Complaints

20260108POWER TRAIN

As of [XXX] , I witnessed a squealing sound coming from the rear end of my 2018 Denali Yukon XL truck. And it's affecting my braking. And it jerked when I changed my gears on my truck . And there are lights on in my dashboard on my truck. The engine light was blinking on and off and the traction control light was blinking on and off also. But the back driver side of the truck was squealing also. Please help me to resolve this situation. In the name of Jesus. Thanks again [XXX] and [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20260108VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

As of [XXX] , I witnessed a squealing sound coming from the rear end of my 2018 Denali Yukon XL truck. And it's affecting my braking. And it jerked when I changed my gears on my truck . And there are lights on in my dashboard on my truck. The engine light was blinking on and off and the traction control light was blinking on and off also. But the back driver side of the truck was squealing also. Please help me to resolve this situation. In the name of Jesus. Thanks again [XXX] and [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20260108SUSPENSION

As of [XXX] , I witnessed a squealing sound coming from the rear end of my 2018 Denali Yukon XL truck. And it's affecting my braking. And it jerked when I changed my gears on my truck . And there are lights on in my dashboard on my truck. The engine light was blinking on and off and the traction control light was blinking on and off also. But the back driver side of the truck was squealing also. Please help me to resolve this situation. In the name of Jesus. Thanks again [XXX] and [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20251223POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated after the vehicle was serviced, while driving 30 MPH and depressing accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated, and the contact shifted to a lower gear to drive to the residence safely. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced, and that the engine block was damaged. The transmission and engine block were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

Mileage: 104,000

20251223ENGINE

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated after the vehicle was serviced, while driving 30 MPH and depressing accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated, and the contact shifted to a lower gear to drive to the residence safely. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced, and that the engine block was damaged. The transmission and engine block were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

Mileage: 104,000

20251121ENGINE

Air conditioner condenser faulty and had to repaired. Premium Ride Shocks faulty and had to be repaired. Lifters and bent pushrod faulty and had to be repaired. Vehicle currently has approximately 70,000 miles. These are all known issues by GM and very expensive to fix and no recalls.

20251121SUSPENSION

Air conditioner condenser faulty and had to repaired. Premium Ride Shocks faulty and had to be repaired. Lifters and bent pushrod faulty and had to be repaired. Vehicle currently has approximately 70,000 miles. These are all known issues by GM and very expensive to fix and no recalls.

20251028ENGINE

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure due to lifter failure and bent push rod and needed cam replaced. It is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Could have been catastrophic if I didn't bring in for repair if the engine failed completely while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, May 10th.

20251009POWER TRAIN

Dealership did a tune-up in June 2025 and had my truck for 2 weeks, no issues with transmission discovered or discussed. Now in September 2025, 2018 GMC Yukon has developed a torque converter shutter when driving between 40 and 50 mph. I took the vehicle to an independent shop who told me they had some computer tool to manually control the transmission, and there is an internal failure. There was a transmission flush completed hoping to gain results, however it was very short lived.

20251005ENGINE

I was driving on I75 North, just North of Chattanooga. I was in the Center Lane. I lost all power to the vehicle. The engine stopped. I had no power steering, no power brakes, and was in heavy traffic. I managed to shift lanes and get it to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed in. Diaganostics were completed by a certified mechanic. The engine had seized. GM has several recalls on this issue. 2018 is not included. However, this is the exact same issue that is happening with 2019 and up. That were recalled. I urge you to order an extended recall to include 2018 vehicles as well before someone gets killed.

20250922ENGINE

My 2018 GMC Yukon blew an engine with only 81,000 miles. Had four shops including (2 GM dealerships) look at the vehicle, pictures, and findings and concluded the engine had blown. The vehicle had began running very rough while driving down the road at 45mph. The CEL showed a misfire in cylinder one. The spark plug was pulled and soaked in oil. A borescope was put down the hole and found oil pooled on top of the piston. The engine has blow by the piston rings and the cylinder wall was scorn. Four shops. Four results. New engine needed. A quick google search of the engine (L83) showed multiple open class action lawsuits for this exact situation. The cause of the problem is the active fuel management system that GM created. When I contacted GM for assistance at the recommendation of the dealerships (which they have seen an increase in these engine blowing with low miles) I was informed by GM/GMC that they would look into it and could not guarantee assistance. Fast forward a couple of d

20250915UNKNOWN OR OTHER

All back light won’t turn on only brake lights but not night time running lights

20250905ENGINE

driving the vehicle on a regular city street when the flashing engine light came on out of nowhere. immediately pulled off and had the vehicle towed to my dealership. result of the inspection, i have to replace my engine. as soon as i started researching the issue it is clear that this truck should be part of the GM recall. it is a known issue that GM slow played for years, but as of now this vehicle is not part of the recall. it is the same engine and failure mode as the 600,000 unit recall, but mine isn't covered by the recall leaving me responsible for their known and documented manufacturing issues

20250818ENGINE

Vehicle (engine) shut off while driving on highway. Would not restart. Had vehicle towed from highway to repair shop. No check engine light ever came on. The engine was replaced and old one had to be returned in order to avoid paying a $5,000 core charge. I found out after replacing the engine that GM issued a recall but I read it starts with 2019 models and only reimbursement for original owners. I purchased this vehicle from a GM dealership in CT (Scranton of Vernon) in 2022 with approx 52,000 miles.

20250730ENGINE

ENGINE WORK VALVE INTAKE LIFTER AND CAMSHAFT REPAIRS / OIL SENSOR HAS BEEN GOING HAYWIRE / REAR STRUTS KEEP POPPING OFF AND AFTER STRUTS REPAIRED BOUGHT THE TRUCK 05/2024 AND HAD TO TAKE TO REPAIR 12/2024 AND ONCE MONTH EVER SINCE.

20250730FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ENGINE WORK VALVE INTAKE LIFTER AND CAMSHAFT REPAIRS / OIL SENSOR HAS BEEN GOING HAYWIRE / REAR STRUTS KEEP POPPING OFF AND AFTER STRUTS REPAIRED BOUGHT THE TRUCK 05/2024 AND HAD TO TAKE TO REPAIR 12/2024 AND ONCE MONTH EVER SINCE.

20250730SERVICE BRAKES

ENGINE WORK VALVE INTAKE LIFTER AND CAMSHAFT REPAIRS / OIL SENSOR HAS BEEN GOING HAYWIRE / REAR STRUTS KEEP POPPING OFF AND AFTER STRUTS REPAIRED BOUGHT THE TRUCK 05/2024 AND HAD TO TAKE TO REPAIR 12/2024 AND ONCE MONTH EVER SINCE.

20250710ENGINE

Has lifter chattering / camshaft issues as a result of manufacture defect that so many people are complaining about from the research I have done

20250701POWER TRAIN

My 2018 GMC Yukon SLE has a Transmission Failure and a engine oil coolant failure. The issues occurred while driving when the vehicle had to go into limp status to prevent the transmission from complete failure. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership 2x and they changed the fluid once and replaced the thermostat the second time. Neither case fixed the vehicle, it is currently in the shop for transmission and radiator w/ engine oil cooler replacement - $8200 The vehicle has been inspected by Aamco of Dover, DE and is awaiting inspection by warranty company 3rd party inspector. There are no warnings before the system is overheated and goes into limp status and at that point an alarm sounds in the car.

20250620POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the message "Transmission Hot - Idle Engine" was intermittently displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the TCM was reprogrammed, and the thermostat and the water pump were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

Mileage: 101,000

Compare 2018GMCYUKON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2018 GMC YUKON have?
The 2018 GMC YUKON has 88 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 GMC YUKON?
The 2018 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 2018 GMC YUKON?
Yes, the 2018 GMC YUKON has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC YUKON?
The most-complained component for the 2018 GMC YUKON is ENGINE with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2018 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 2018 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.