GMC YUKON XL · model year

2026 GMC YUKON XL

11 NHTSA complaints, and 3 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2026GMCYUKON XL carries 11 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, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2026 YUKON XL is engine with 5 filings, followed by forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (1) and forward collision avoidance: warnings (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2026 YUKON XL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

11
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
2026 GMC YUKON XL - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2026 GMC YUKON XL. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 3.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

11 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

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

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
SEATS1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recalls (3)

26V11400026/02/2026

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coup

26V30400014/05/2026

WHEELS:HUB

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deformi

26V28900007/05/2026

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon

Recent Complaints

20260210UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am submitting this complaint to report a safety defect involving a 2026 GMC Yukon XL AT4 equipped with the GM Brembo brake upgrade. The vehicle is sold as equipped with a full-size spare tire; however, the spare tire/wheel supplied cannot be mounted due to interference from the brake calipers. This incompatibility was discovered only after a flat tire event on [XXX], during which the vehicle could not be safely returned to service. The Brembo brake upgrade is a GM-designed option that is installed by the dealer in all cases. Despite this, the vehicle was delivered with emergency equipment that is unusable in the event of a flat tire. GM has acknowledged the incompatibility and relies on a warning label placed beneath the vehicle, rather than providing a compatible spare or disclosure at the point of sale. This defect resulted in a prolonged roadside emergency involving an elderly passenger and a failure of manufacturer-provided roadside assistance. I believe this condition affect

20260210ENGINE

On [XXX], I was driving on the highway with my family in the vehicle and the check engine light came on, then it started running roughly. I headed off the highway on an exit ramp and the engine died about halfway down the ramp. It wouldn't restart after that. This happened about an hour away from my house in Painesville, OH. I live in Erie, PA. I had to tow it to the nearest GMC dealer. They've since concluded that the engine failed and have ordered a replacement engine from GMC. The yukon only had about 4,900 miles on it. GMC has claimed that their engine problems were fixed for the 2025 and 2026 model years, or else I would not have purchased this vehicle. Obviously there are still major issues and the 2026 6.2L engines need to be recalled. I understand that there is an ongoing investigation into these issues: RQ26001. Please see that the investigators are made aware of this incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

20260209ENGINE

Purchased brand new vehicle 2026 XL Denali, hadn’t even had my first oil change, and had a complete engine failure in the middle of the road. Prior to engine failure, car ran fine without an issue - so failure came out of nowhere. Towed, where GMC and dealer determined entire engine needed to be replaced. GMC did cover and dealer did install a new engine. However: 1. I was out of a vehicle for almost a month. 2. I have incurred a depreciation cost of 10-15% on my vehicle due to this problem. 3. I have lost confidence in my brand new vehicle, as GMC has not fixed the reoccurring engine problems from previous years - despite promises to the contrary.

20260206SEATS

Seat emblem (Denali) pulls and rips out hair while sitting in seat.

20260131FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Vehicle has 2200 miles, equipped with the Diesel engine and failed at a red light. GM has to install a new engine.

20260131ENGINE

Vehicle has 2200 miles, equipped with the Diesel engine and failed at a red light. GM has to install a new engine.

20260107ENGINE

Vehicle engine stopped working at 5200 miles. Was driving on highway and immediately stopped. Vehicle would not start. Towed to dealership and next day dealer confirmed that the engine needed to be replaced.

20251228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Infotainment screen which controls the A/C, heating, defrost, cameras and all other info for the vehicle does not come on in th vehicle. This began happening after owning the vehicle for 3 days. After taking to the dealer, Delray GMC, we were informed by the service personnel on our second trip in for the recurring problem that General Motors knows this is a problem and are selling the vehicles with this factory engineering design defect and currently there is no repair. Living in Florida this is a problem in the extreme heat with no A/C, being from Illinois, when we return this will be a serious problem, Not knowing if we will or will not have access to heat, cannot control the temperature or the defrost on the vehicle and having a infotainment center that is non functional. We consider this a hazard to our safety and feel that GM is fraudulently selling consumers defective vehicles knowing this may be a safety hazard.

20251218ENGINE

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The abnormal sound disappeared after the engine had warmed up. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.

Mileage: 3,500

20251101FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

This issue affects all vehicles in the GMC lineup. The forward collision alert system is so sensitive that it gives false positives constantly which causes 2 major safety issues with the vehicle. First is that it brakes without warning and when completely unnecessary. The 2nd is that vehicles like mine with a heads up display, have the entire display flash a very bright yellow blocking the field of vision to the front of the vehicle. The system is not able to be disengaged permanently and can cause rear end collisions by braking when no obstacle exists and blocks the ability to see in front of you via the heads up display warning.

20251101FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

This issue affects all vehicles in the GMC lineup. The forward collision alert system is so sensitive that it gives false positives constantly which causes 2 major safety issues with the vehicle. First is that it brakes without warning and when completely unnecessary. The 2nd is that vehicles like mine with a heads up display, have the entire display flash a very bright yellow blocking the field of vision to the front of the vehicle. The system is not able to be disengaged permanently and can cause rear end collisions by braking when no obstacle exists and blocks the ability to see in front of you via the heads up display warning.

Compare 2026GMCYUKON XL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2026 GMC YUKON XL have?
The 2026 GMC YUKON XL has 11 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2026 GMC YUKON XL?
The 2026 GMC YUKON XL received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2026 GMC YUKON XL?
Yes, the 2026 GMC YUKON XL has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 GMC YUKON XL?
The most-complained component for the 2026 GMC YUKON XL is ENGINE with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS.
Is the 2026 GMC YUKON XL 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 2026 GMC YUKON XL has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. 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 vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2026 GMC YUKON XL; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.