Fourth generation
2017 GMC Yukon XL
The most reported problem on the 2017 GMC Yukon XL is tail light failure, with 33 complaints, usually around 61,000 miles.
- 147owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 7involved a crash
- 58,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 1, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Yukon XL doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2017 model year.
Is the 2017 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
The 2017 GMC Yukon XL has 147 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 307 for 2017 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Yukon XL model years since 2014, it has the 6th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2016 and 2018
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2016 draws 18, the 2017 15 and the 2018 6.
- Top problem
- Tail light failure leads with 33 of the 147 complaints (22%), ahead of brake wear at 25. A quarter of the 18 owners who gave a mileage for tail light failure saw it by about 49,000 miles, and half by about 61,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 8 of the 147 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 7 reports mention a crash and 2 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 7, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as tail light failure and brake wear. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 23 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 20. So far in 2026, 9 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: tail lights or brake lights fail, 33 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
147 complaints is 1.8 times fewer than the median 2017 model on this site and 2.1 times fewer than the median 2017 SUV. Among the 7 Yukon XL model years here it ranks 6th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL
GMC filed 1,188 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2017 GMC Yukon XL. 93 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Tail lights or brake lights fail 2 bulletins · 33 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leak Information and Replacement Guidelines.
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 6 bulletins · 25 complaints
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of pulsing, grinding, scraping noise from brakes, uneven front brake pad wear.
4 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to add PET tape to the brake cables if the cause of the customers concern.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from the brake caliper piston area found during a service of the vehicle.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear brake rotors to correct a condition of Squeak/Squeal Type Noise Heard at Low Speeds During Brake Apply due to moisture build up on the rotors.
This informational bulletin provides information on installing the correct tires for vehicles with the condition of under hard acceleration at higher speeds, the traction control light will flash.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 22 bulletins · 13 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears.
20 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure to aid in correcting a customer concern of a Howling, Whining/Whirring Noise, Shudder/Vibration and/or Grinding Noise While in 4HI, 4HI Auto and/or During Parking Lot Maneuvers in Auto Mode.
This service bulletin provides service /diagnostic information to aid with a Transmission Harsh 1-2 Shift Upon First Start Up/Shift of the Day Under Light Throttle.
This Technical bulletin provides a repair to correct a condition of Shudder/Surging While Driving.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating.
This informational bulletin explains how the trans slip or flare can be a normal condition.
This informational bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This technical bulletin provides information for new transmission oil to use and a procedure for exchanging the old fluid and adding the new fluid to correct a shake/shudder during light throttle acceleration condition.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps need to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have stalling shudder and/or hard shifting into 1st gear or reverse vibration on launch (with excessive crankshaft end ...
Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This preliminary informational bulletin adds the 2016 model year to diagnostic tips and repair information to correct a customer concern of reduced acceleration at low speed and/or transmission slipping from a launch, DTC P0751 set.
Plus 10 older ones not listed here.
Check engine light or misfire 17 bulletins · 11 complaints
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This service bulletin informs the technician to inspect for a possible electrical concern at the ECM X2 electrical connector to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P0333 Set.
15 more on this problem
Information bulletin explains a possible coolant leak coming from the cylinder head bolt areas.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to measure vibration and install engine mounts to correct a Rough Idle in Drive concern.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician how to diagnose and repair a vehicle with an engine that runs with an intermittent crank no start with a Diagnostic Trouble Code P0011 or P00C6 current or history.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have Diagnostic Trouble Code P06DD or no or low oil pressure. Technician will replace timing chain tensioner guide.
This informational bulletin provides diagnostic/inspection information for the air box and air filter seal to correct a MIL and DTCs P0420 and P0430 setting.
This informational bulletin explains the normal characteristics of exhaust noise during active fuel management when in Three or Four Cylinder Mode.
This Preliminary information communicates P0016 setting after internal engire repair. The engine Base timing is not being set correctly. The information in this PI will be helpful in setting the timing in the vehicle.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on. Technician will find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0340 and P0341 setting at times.
This engineering informational bulletin ends the need for information from the field on vehicles that have the condition of Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated with DTCs P0335, P0340, or P0365 Set.
This Preliminary information communicatesIn ambient temperatures 100F (37.7 C)degrees or higher, DTCs P2635 and/or P018B may set.The vehicle may also exhibit a hesitation or stalling condition.Excessively Hot and sustained ambient temperatures over 100F (37.7 ...
Plus 5 older ones not listed here.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 13 bulletins · 10 complaints
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air.
11 more on this problem
Special Coverage (Parts Ordering Information Added). On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
Special Coverage (Diagnosis Time Added). On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
17336 05 Special Coverage. On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the dehydrator to correct the condition of A/C Inoperative and/or Insufficient Cooling due to the seals going bad within the part.
17336 04 Special Coverage (Warranty Information Revised). On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
Special Coverage. Some vehicles may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
17336 02 Special Coverage (Parts and Service Procedure Revised). On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
On some 2015-2017 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may ...
This engineering informational bulletin is ending the need for information from the field on vehicles that have the condition of rear auxiliary a/c not cooling or blowing warm air.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that when adjusting the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning controls the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning display is blank and/or various selections missing from radio ...
Plus 1 older ones not listed here.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 4 bulletins · 9 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of IPC Gauges Inoperative or Fluctuate, No Crank, Start then Stall.
2 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a reduced or loss of power steering assist, steering wheel jerks or kicks back when turning, Service Stabilitrak message with warning chime, engine ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicles that have a no crank or a start and then immediate stall, Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator lamp may not be on when the ignition ...
Transmission fails or needs replacement 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
This Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 28 bulletins · 7 complaints
This informational bulletin provides information on Normal Radio Display Operation ? Display Does Not Remain Off at Times After Being Turned Off in Settings and no parts should be replaced due to this condition.
This Technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the radio to correct radio personalization settings on the infotainment display and a blank HVAC pop-up selecting HVAC Control settings.
26 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the radio for vehicles with the condition of Intermittent Pop Noise from the Speakers Followed by a Reset of the Radio and Clock due to a software issue.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have any of these concerns remote keyless entry, passive Entry and Start Inoperative, No Fob detect message on driver information center, service tire ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps to diagnose and repair the concern of the display is showing 32° F (0° C) after a battery or reprogramming a module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone.
This informational bulletin provides information to the customer on the radio display "info pages" being blank and to make sure to select in the "active info pages" menu.
This informational bulletin provides information for the technicians on multi-media infotainment tester (MIT), does not function properly when diagnosing infotainment complaints, which may lead to mis-diagnosis.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to clear the codes and re-evaluate the XM radio channels to correct a condition of audio muting when listening to some Sirius XM channels but if they change channels they will find others that experience normal ...
This preliminary information bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for the customer concern of a blank radio with/without audio, by checking the the wiring harness, ECU and reprograming the HMI software update, if the wiring or ECU are not the cause.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the HMI module to correct a condition of Radio Intermittently Starts At Home Screen Unwanted and Unable To Enter Certain Addresses Using The Touch Screen due to a calibration concern.
This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
Plus 16 older ones not listed here.
Complaints filed by year
23 complaints came in 2021. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2017 GMC Yukon XL
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
The recall on the 2017 GMC Yukon XL, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2017 GMC Yukon XL?
Tail light failure, with 33 of the 147 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 61,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2017 GMC Yukon XL problems start?
Of the 77 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 36,000 miles and half by about 58,000.
Is the 2017 GMC Yukon XL better or worse than the 2016 and 2018?
Counted per year on the road, the 2017 has fewer complaints than the 2016 and more complaints than the 2018: 15 a year against 18 and 6.
How many 2017 GMC Yukon XL complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
8 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for tail light failure on the 2017 GMC Yukon XL?
No recall on file for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL is on the same system as tail light failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.