What are the most common problems on the 2017 GMC Yukon?

Q: What are the most common problems on the 2017 GMC Yukon?

NHTSA has 196 owner complaint(s) on record for the 2017 GMC Yukon. Exterior Lighting is the most-reported problem area on the 2017 GMC Yukon, cited in 49 of 196 filed complaints (25%).

Problems › GMC › 2017 Yukon

2017 GMC Yukon Problems & Owner Complaints

196 NHTSA owner complaints

10 crash 1 fire 3 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~19.6 complaints per year on the road — ranking 8 of 15 GMC Yukon years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Exterior Lighting is the most-reported problem area on the 2017 GMC Yukon, cited in 49 of 196 filed complaints (25%).

Power Train is next (48 complaints, 24%), followed by Service Brakes (44), Engine (33), Electrical System (21).

Across all complaints, 10 report a crash, 1 report a fire, 3 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 2 crash, 2 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2017 GMC Yukon, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 196.

Exterior Lighting 49 1 crash

“THE GMC YUKON MODELS IN ALL TRIMS, HAVE FAULTY LED STRIPS THAT CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL ON THE LEFT, AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE FRUSTRATING PART IS IT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AND WHEN IT'S OFF A SLIGHT TAP WILL MOMENTARILY BRING IT BACK ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE JOLT. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S FAULTY CONNECTION INSIDE THE SEALS BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ON OWNER FORUMS OF GMC YUKON'S . THIS IS KNOWN AS THE NEW YEAR MODELS 18-19 ARE NOT HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.”
NHTSA complaint #11266685, 2019 · crash

“We noticed the passenger side taillight was out. It’s not a simple bulb replacement but an entire assembly. It was put back in place and it lit up again. A few weeks later it wasn’t working. Pounded and tapped on it and it works again. We're guessing there is some sort of short so we asked for an estimate on getting an assembly replacement when it was in for a regular oil change. Shocked that a necessary part would cost $1,112.77!!! Whatever happened to changing a bulb for a few dollars?”
NHTSA complaint #11699672, 2025

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the driver’s and passenger’s side taillights failed to illuminate as designed. The contact called the dealer about the failure and was informed that there were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle associated with the failure. The contact was also informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11638269, 2025

Power Train 48

“While traveling at highway speeds, my 2017 GMC Yukon SLE suffered a sudden, catastrophic Active Fuel Management (AFM) valvetrain lifter and camshaft collapse. This caused an immediate and highly dangerous loss of vehicle propulsion in live moving traffic on I-95, creating an extreme physical safety hazard for my family. General Motors has extensive, documented internal corporate knowledge of this severe design defect under Technical Service Bulletin TSB #18-NA-073.”
NHTSA complaint #11753782, 2026

“The 8-speed automatic transmission (Hydra-Matic 8L90) on this 2017 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3L V8 has failed. This is a repeat failure — the transmission was previously rebuilt in 2020 under a GM recall/service action for the same known defect affecting this transmission type. The transmission has now failed again in 2026, approximately six years after GM's prior repair. Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited hard shifting, shuddering during acceleration, and hesitation between gear changes — symptoms consistent with the known defect pattern documented across 2015–2019 GM vehicles equipped with this t…”
NHTSA complaint #11728048, 2026

“The contact own a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear while driving and remained stuck in gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that assistance would not be provided because the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11698166, 2025

Service Brakes 44 7 crash 1 injury

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH with her daughter in the rear passenger seat, the message "Grade Braking Active" was displayed. The contact stated while making a right turn in an intersection, she depressed the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from colliding with the vehicle before hers. However, the brake pedal went down to the floorboard and failed to respond. The contact then quickly veered to the right to prevent a crash. The vehicle hit a curb and was propelled to the left across three lanes and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11492912, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“So the shock strut system up front has a grommet that holds it in. The repair order said they put a shock simulator in the car and it gave false reading saying it was good and it came out broke break line and caused me to jump a curve to stop the vehicle. ALSO Now the THE TAIL LIGHT IS OUT AND NO WAY TO REPAIR IT NO ONE HAS THE LIGHT. Also this car is on its third transmission”
NHTSA complaint #11738169, 2025 · crash

“This has been going on for a while now, but it’s getting worse overtime. If I push on my brakes more than twice the brake pedal locks up and I have to push extremely hard to get my vehicle stopped.. luckily I have never been going fast and had to worry about this. This is normally when I am pulling into a parking spot or I am backing up that I have to tap on my brakes a few times. A couple of times I have bumped the pole in front of my parking spot due to not having brakes. I just put in a general date as to when they started to get worse.”
NHTSA complaint #11707478, 2025 · crash

Engine 33

“My engine starting making a knocking/ticking noise out of no where. I was traveling alone on the highway so I stopped to check it. I got to a gas station and google searched it and it came up that the LS 6.2 engine that is in my vehicle was recalled on other models because of this issue. I did have a mechanic look at it as well and he agreed it is that same issue that was recalled in other models.”
NHTSA complaint #11731050, 2026

“My truck lost power while I was driving. Took to a shop and they found that a had a bad lifter. I have all of my service records from the GMC dealership where I had my vehicle serviced on a regular basis.”
NHTSA complaint #11711960, 2025

Unknown Or Other 23 1 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“This happened 5 years ago but I never reported it. GMC 2017 Yukon. I put my SUV in park, and entered and exited it several times while parked in my driveway. When I went to grab my purse (standing at drivers side door, reaching for purse on passenger seat) the car rolled. I was on a sloped driveway. The car rolled backwards, and I tried to jam it into park more strongly, but it just made a grinding noise and kept going. I was knocked over by the car door, pulled under the car and ended up having my legs run over by the car. I sustained injuries which affect me to this day. I was trans…”
NHTSA complaint #11568879, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“VEHICLE FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED POINT OF ORIGIN WAS IN LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. CAUSE DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS STATION, HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN AND WAS PARKED IN ATTACHED RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. FIRE DESTROYED VEHICLE AND EXTENDED TO RESIDENCE. THIS REPORT IS BEING MADE BY THE COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL. VEHICLE OWNER INFO IS JOSEPH C. LAVECCHIA, 10 LONG HILL ROAD, NEWTON NJ 07860”
NHTSA complaint #11079505, 2018 · fire

“The vehicle main information cluster randomly goes in and out and now has completely stopped working. This is the information display that shows Park, Nuetral, Drive, Reverse, Fuel gauge, digital MPH and other information such as oil tire pressure, turn signals, forward collision. Just knowing if the vehicle is in Park Reverse or Drive is a huge saftey issue. This seems to be a common problem on GM vehicles and i wcan't seem to find a recall issued for the saftey factor that the vehicle can be assumed to be in Park and it's actually in Reverse. The first time I noticed this problem was Se…”
NHTSA complaint #11658985, 2025

Electrical System 21 1 crash

“THE BRAKE LIGHT IS OUT AND A SINGLE TAIL LIGHT IS OVER 500$ Very dangerous to have tail light out and can cause an accident. There should be a recall on these defective LED lights.”
NHTSA complaint #11696886, 2025

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Fuel/Propulsion System 10

“High pressure fuel pump regulator failed and cause gas leaking, reduced engine power and gas smell coming back in vehicle. It was also blowing out white smoke. It had delayed ignition starting. The engine light did come on. Several makes and models of GMC has had recalls for this problem. The 2017 GMC Yukon was not included for this recall and should have been.”
NHTSA complaint #11648123, 2025

“I bought the vehicle in October 2024 ever since then I have been trouble with the differential, the automatic starter doesn't start the vehicle unless you are at least one feet away from the vehicle. I drove to work when I got off and got in my vehicle my check engine light was on. The vehicle was saying there was an issue with the battery, antilock braking system. I bought an extended warranty up to 150,000, I currently have 63,400 on my vehicle. Empire Buick GMC of White Plains has not been honoring my warrantee, I had to rent a car to get back and forth to work because of fear of riding the…”
NHTSA complaint #11638671, 2025

Suspension 10 1 crash

“Magneride defect - struts leaking !!! 85,000 miles This is unacceptable- car is dangerous- bouncing - rough ride- shaky- jerking Should be a recalll! Look it up online- many many complaints!”
NHTSA complaint #11659602, 2025

“[XXX] Please call me to discuss this matter on my GMC Vehicle. [XXX] Yukon GMC This might not be your department but lead me to the right area local, federally or NHTSA so I can discuss these issues in detail Issues I have had that are not normal and maybe need to be on a recall or on consumer alert list for major defects on major components Brakes losing total traction had to be fixed unannounced (recall) Rear Tail lights giving up , had to be replace (Recall) AC system failing had to be replaced Paint completely fading on hood prematurely Transmission failure, had to be overhauled…”
NHTSA complaint #11659552, 2025

Forward Collision Avoidance 3

“I have a 2017 Yukon. There is a recall on this model already for a vacuum pump that decreases the power brake assist. My vehicle is having this exact issue. The back tire sounds like the compressor is always running and when braking it grinds at the pedal like a vibration and doesn’t want to stop immediately. I need my vehicle added to the recall list so I can get it repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11639653, 2025

“service brake assist light, needed to press brake pedal harder to stop, a ticking noise coming from engine compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #11523118, 2023

Vehicle Speed Control 3

“Stabilitrak warning light comes on intermittently. Cruise or anti-lock brakes do not work when this condition is present”
NHTSA complaint #11607646, 2024

“My vehicle began shuddering during acceleration and would violently jerk forward after gas pedal was engaged with decreased power in forward acceleration and increase in rpm. This last a couple of weeks. Now, my vehicle is completely broke down and at a GM certified service center. The Service manager states torque converter completely went out and the transmission is burnt up. The mileage is at $61,000, so GM warranty won’t cover it and the company that holds the extended warranty I purchased hasn’t been able to be successfully contacted. There is a “service” bulletin but no recalls and a cla…”
NHTSA complaint #11470116, 2022

“The information screen on the gauge cluster sometimes will stop working. This is dangerous as It is the only part that shows if the vehicle is in Park, Reverse, Nuetral, or drive. It also is the only part that shows the vehicles fuel level, blinker, cruise control, temperature and other warnings and controls. This is a common problem for the 2015- xxxx Yukon and Tahoe.”
NHTSA complaint #11668183, 2020

Wheels 3

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact noticed that the chrome on the rims of the vehicle was oxidized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the rims. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11689387, 2025

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THOMPSON BUICK GMC (2600 WAKE FOREST RD, RALEIGH, NC 27609, (919) 809-6217) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED BULLETIN NUMBER: 00-03-10-006N. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5435571823. NO FURTHER ASSISTANC…”
NHTSA complaint #11281308, 2019

“THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO OCCASIONALLY STALL/SPUTTER WHEN ACCELERATING/PROCEEDING FROM A STOP POSITION AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. EVEN THOUGH ON A SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE, THE RIGHT WHEEL SEEMS TO VIBRATE. THE ENGINE STALL IS THE SAME INSTANCE WHICH OCCURRED IN THE 2015 VEHICLE THAT I TRADED BECAUSE IT LEFT ME STRANDED. THE WHEEL SHAKING IS NOT A CONTINUOUS EVENT. THE STALLING OCCURS FREQUENTLY. AN APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY 8/13 FOR A DEALER INSPECTION OF MY COMPLAINT. VEHICLE WILL BE LEFT OVER AND A LOANER PROVIDED.”
NHTSA complaint #11119491, 2018

Air Bags 2 2 crash 2 injury

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Airbags How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Airbags did not deploy during the car accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -No 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? - None.”
NHTSA complaint #11479801, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Steering 2

“The steering wheel doesn’t always turn back straight like the electric power steering has a momentary lapse in working.”
NHTSA complaint #11436187, 2021

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the lifters were previously replaced in 2021 at the manufacturer's expense. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine was running rough. The vehicle was taken to an unknown auto part store, where it was diagnosed with an engine cylinder malfunction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine had experienced lifter failure or a more severe failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that…”
NHTSA complaint #11704527, 2021

Lane Departure 1

“Transmission failed on the freeway with no signs signaling issue before hand at 109,000 miles. Also lane departure does not work often. And suspension gave out at 60,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11624297, 2024

Seats 1

“The steel bar could be felt through the lower lumbar area. Seat back also moved out of position while driving and I was told the bar inside the back came out of place.”
NHTSA complaint #11614621, 2024

Structure 1

“IN THE LAST YEAR, BOTH OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAVE FAILED IN MY 2017 GMC YUKON. TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHTS IT COST +$750 PER TAIL LIGHT FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. I WORK WITH LED LIGHTING AND ON AVERAGE, LED LIGHTS SHOULD LAST FOR 5000 HOURS OF USE. THERE IS NO WAY THAT IN THE LAST 3 YEARS WE HAVE UTILIZED 5000 HOURS OF DRIVE TIME TO WARRANT THAT THESE LED'S SHOULD BE BURNING OUT. I BELIEVE THAT THE LED'S THAT THEY ARE USING ARE DEFECTIVE AND A CASE NEEDS TO BE MADE TO SEE IF GMC IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE REAR TAIL LIGHT LED'S, THE PARTS ARE WAY TOO EXPENSIVE TO B…”
NHTSA complaint #11328181, 2020

Visibility 1

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the A/C System was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the A/C condenser had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to GM Campaign Number: N162080780. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11595455, 2024

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2017 GMC Yukon draws about 19.6 complaints per year on the road, ranking 8 of 15 among the GMC Yukon model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.