2017 GMC Yukon XL · symptom sheet
Tail lights or brake lights fail
- 33owner reports
- 61,135median miles
- $800median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Nov 30, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
39 of the 147 complaints on this car are about the exterior lighting. 33 of those describe tail light failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Yukon XL.
Tick what matches of 33 reports
Tail light failure on other Yukon XL years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These owners find a tail light or brake light dead, and then learn the fix is a whole lamp assembly rather than a bulb. Water inside the lens comes up again and again.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the LED module (17 reports) and the tail light assembly (10 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the exterior lighting covers the 2017 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
13 of the 33 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $990.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 49,000 and 70,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL that deal with this problem. 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.
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.
What owners wrote
“In july 2021 the passenger side tail light stopped working. A certified GMC dealer replaced both tail lights. In Feb 2024 the driver side tail light failed.”
Filed Mar 1, 2024
“My driver side tail light is not working. The passenger side tail light flickers in and out.”
Filed Mar 14, 2023
“Taillights and brake lights inoperative. GMC knows of problem and refuses to repair vehicle outside of manufacturer warranty (lights failed after warranty period). I have seen SEVERAL other Yukons on the road with NO brake lights or tail lights. Extremely dangerous situation.”
Filed Jan 2, 2022
“Rear LED brake light stopped working. Supposed to have a vehicle lifetime lifespan. i.e. never require replacing. This light assembly was found to be defective in the previous year model and not fixed.”
Filed Dec 24, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 33 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 25 reports