GMC YUKON XL 1500 · model year

2008 GMC YUKON XL 1500

27 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008GMCYUKON XL 1500 carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 YUKON XL 1500 is latches/locks/linkages with 5 filings, followed by electrical system (5) and unknown or other (4). 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.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2008 YUKON XL 1500. 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.

27
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

27 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
AIR BAGS4
STRUCTURE:BODY2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
TIRES1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
POWER TRAIN1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20190714AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL...ELECTRICAL IS ALWAYS MESSING UP. ALWAYS FUEL EMMISIONS SYSTEM LIGHT, WHICH THEN MESSES UP THE RADIO THAT SHUTS OFF AND ON AND GETS WARM, SIGNALS THEN DO NOT CLICK. THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS GIVE ME PROBLEMS. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FIXING ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. THIS SUV IS MY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION WITH MY FAMILY OF 8. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING. THE TRUCK IS AFFECTED WITH DRIVING IN A STREET, HIGHWAY OR MAKING A TURN.

20190714ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TAKATA RECALL...ELECTRICAL IS ALWAYS MESSING UP. ALWAYS FUEL EMMISIONS SYSTEM LIGHT, WHICH THEN MESSES UP THE RADIO THAT SHUTS OFF AND ON AND GETS WARM, SIGNALS THEN DO NOT CLICK. THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS GIVE ME PROBLEMS. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FIXING ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. THIS SUV IS MY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION WITH MY FAMILY OF 8. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING. THE TRUCK IS AFFECTED WITH DRIVING IN A STREET, HIGHWAY OR MAKING A TURN.

20190714FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL...ELECTRICAL IS ALWAYS MESSING UP. ALWAYS FUEL EMMISIONS SYSTEM LIGHT, WHICH THEN MESSES UP THE RADIO THAT SHUTS OFF AND ON AND GETS WARM, SIGNALS THEN DO NOT CLICK. THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS GIVE ME PROBLEMS. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FIXING ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. THIS SUV IS MY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION WITH MY FAMILY OF 8. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING. THE TRUCK IS AFFECTED WITH DRIVING IN A STREET, HIGHWAY OR MAKING A TURN.

20190107AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL IN JULY OF 2016 I RECEIVED A NOTICE RE TAKATA AIRBAGS FROM GMC THAT THEY WERE DEFECTIVE BUT SAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE 2016 I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND AS OF 1/7/2019 WE ARE STILL BE TOLD THAT GMC IS CONTINUING TO FIGHT AGAINST THE RECALL AND REFUSES TO FIX A DEFECTIVE UNSAFE CAR. OVER 2 YEARS WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT CANNOT BE SOLD EITHER.

20180131STRUCTURE:BODY

CRACKED DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 GMC YUKON XL 1500. I HAVE TWO BIG CRACKS ALONG SIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE CONSOLE AND ONE LARGE CRACK RUNNING ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG UNIT. DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, DEALER TELLS ME I HAVE TO REPLACE THIS AT MY COST OUT OF POCKET.

Mileage: 85,300

20170825ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC YUKON XL 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED MIXED SIGNALS AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (AAMCO TRANSMISSION IN GLENDALE, CA, 818-247-8024) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CAMILO REAL CHEVROLET IN LOS ANGELES, CA, 323-2643-050) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

Mileage: 250,000

20161012AIR BAGS

THE DASH BOARD KEEP CRACKING BY THE AIR BAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ON THE TOP OF THE CLUSTER.

Mileage: 85,000

20161012UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASH BOARD KEEP CRACKING BY THE AIR BAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ON THE TOP OF THE CLUSTER.

Mileage: 85,000

20160923STRUCTURE:BODY

TOP DASH BOARD CRACKED ADJACENT TO AIR BAG THEREBY POSSIBILITY INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A SAFETY HAZARD. A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. NOT OF MERCHANTABLE QUALITY OR FIT FOR THE PURPOSE, AS THESE UNIT ARE SOLD THROUGHOUT THE US FOR ALL CLIMATES,

Mileage: 97,000

20160923UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TOP DASH BOARD CRACKED ADJACENT TO AIR BAG THEREBY POSSIBILITY INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A SAFETY HAZARD. A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. NOT OF MERCHANTABLE QUALITY OR FIT FOR THE PURPOSE, AS THESE UNIT ARE SOLD THROUGHOUT THE US FOR ALL CLIMATES,

Mileage: 97,000

20160831POWER TRAIN

SEVERE VIBRATION ISSUE. STARTED AT ABOUT 65 MPH AND LET OFF ABOUT 74. AT IT'S PEAK, ABOUT SAME AS HOLDING A JACK HAMMER INSTEAD OF A STEERING WHEEL.. DEALERS ARE BLAMING TIRES, ONE IDIOT TOLD ME VIBRATION WAS NORMAL. IT IS NOT. THE SOUND SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM PASSENGER REAR QUARTER AREA. THREE DEALERS CANNOT DIAGNOSE. IT WAS A FAILING U-JOINT ON THE REAR OF THE MAIN DRIVESHAFT. MINE FAILED I LOST THE YOKE ASSEMBLY AND THE DRIVESHAFT, AND IF GOING QUICKER - WOULD HAVE LIKELY PUNCTURED THE GAS TANK. LIKELY RESULTING IN A FIREBALL.

Mileage: 222,000

20160110AIR BAGS

I HAVE A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD THAT IS LOCATED RIGHT AT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK.....

Mileage: 155,000

20160110VISIBILITY/WIPER

I HAVE A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD THAT IS LOCATED RIGHT AT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK.....

Mileage: 155,000

20160110UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD THAT IS LOCATED RIGHT AT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK.....

Mileage: 155,000

20130903ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REAR PASSENGER DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED. NOW, THE OTHER 3 ACTUATORS ARE FAILING AS WELL. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS AND DRIVER CAN HAVE THEIR DOORS REMAIN LOCKED. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE CHILDREN IN THE 2ND & 3RD ROW CAN BECOME TRAPPED WHEN THE ACTUATORS FAIL. THE DOOR LOCK KNOB IS WAY BACK IN THE REAR DOOR, MAKING IT NOT ACCESSIBLE FROM THE FRONT SEAT OR FRONT DOOR. THIS IS CLEARLY A QUALITY ISSUE. TO HAVE ONE FAIL MIGHT BE JUST BAD LUCK, TO HAVE ALL 4 FAIL IS CLEARLY A DESIGN & QUALITY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HOPE GMC DOES NOT WAIT UNTIL CHILDREN ARE HURT DUE TO LOCKED DOOR BEFORE THEY ADMIT IT IS AN ISSUE & JUST FIX IT. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

20130618ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ONE BY ONE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. ALL BEFORE 60,000 MILES. THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DOORS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. A CHILD COULD OPEN THE DOOR AS YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. NEEDS A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

20130618LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

ONE BY ONE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. ALL BEFORE 60,000 MILES. THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DOORS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. A CHILD COULD OPEN THE DOOR AS YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. NEEDS A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

20130205LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TWO DOOR LOCKS QUIT WORKING, THEN WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

20130205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TWO DOOR LOCKS QUIT WORKING, THEN WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

20110613LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE LEFT FRONT AND THE LEFT REAR DOOR LOCKS ON MY VEHICLE DO NOT WORK. I AM VERY WORRIED THAT ONE OF MY CHILDREN WILL OPEN THE DOOR WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WILL BE A FEW WEEKS UNTIL I CAN SAVE ENOUGH TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GMC. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND GMC SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

Compare 2008GMCYUKON XL 1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 GMC YUKON XL 1500 have?
The 2008 GMC YUKON XL 1500 has 27 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 GMC YUKON XL 1500?
The most-complained component for the 2008 GMC YUKON XL 1500 is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2008 GMC YUKON XL 1500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. 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.