⌘K
HomeGMCYukon2018
GMC · Midsize / large SUV

2018 GMC Yukon

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
12 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
53 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical5
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA125
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA19 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Active NHTSA advisory: do not drive. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2018 GMC Yukon is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 12 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Yukon C1500 2WD, is EPA-rated at 19 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 125 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Yukon C1500 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl162319$3,300
Yukon C1500 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl162319$3,300
Yukon C1500 XL 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl162319$3,300
Yukon C1500 XL 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl162319$3,300
Yukon K1500 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl162218$3,450
Yukon K1500 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl162218$3,450
Yukon K1500 XL 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl152218$3,450
Yukon K1500 XL 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl152218$3,450
Yukon C1500 2WDGasRWD6.2L 8-cyl142317$4,550
Yukon C1500 XL 2WDGasRWD6.2L 8-cyl142317$4,550
Yukon K1500 4WDGas4WD6.2L 8-cyl142217$4,550
Yukon K1500 XL 4WDGas4WD6.2L 8-cyl142116$4,850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39010, 39012, 39011, 39013, 39024, 39026, 39023, 39025, 39008, 39009.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 GMC Yukon is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Power Train

N262557620
Do not drive66 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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 XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.RiskFront or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.FixOwners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on
NHTSA campaign 26V289000reported May 7, 2026General Motors, LLC
high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

N202300860
14,620 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.RiskA decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
NHTSA campaign 20V603000reported Oct 1, 2020General Motors LLC
high

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

N192261050
652,967 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.RiskUnintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
NHTSA campaign 19V761000reported Oct 24, 2019General Motors LLC
high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

N192268490
3,456,719 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.RiskAs the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
NHTSA campaign 19V645000reported Sep 6, 2019General Motors LLC
high

Seat Belts

18315
15,800 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."RiskIf the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact 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 18315.
NHTSA campaign 18V673000reported Sep 26, 2018General Motors LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
125complaints filed

8 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 14 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 10 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 12 · 2022: 12 · 2023: 14 · 2024: 16 · 2025: 31 · 2026: 16

Most-cited components

Engine40
Power Train26
Unspecified18
Service Brakes16
Suspension13
Seat Belts5

What owners describe

“Without any warning while driving on the interstate the vehicle became disabled and released smoke. After being towed to dealership for diagnostics we were informed of engine failure. No warning on that day at time of the very dangerous event or prior warning of any engine related issue. All maintenance and service rec…”Jan 17, 2025 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 20 MPH in two wheel-drive(2WD), the vehicle started reversing while the transmission was in drive(D). The contact stated that after her husband switched to four-wheel-drive(4WD) and exceeded 40 MPH, the vehicle responded as need…”Nov 27, 2024 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“I am writing as a concerned owner of a 2018 GMC Yukon Denali, which I purchased in 2018. Over the past six years, I have encountered multiple critical issues with the vehicle, specifically with the transmission and motor mounts. These issues have been both recurring and costly to address, raising concerns over the reli…”Nov 4, 2024 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆☆22%
SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆20%
SUV RWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆☆23%
SUV RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆21%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Yukon model years

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API