2008 GMC Yukon.

The 2008 GMC Yukon is better than average by owner complaints: 35 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 80, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about doors, locks & latches, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 14 to 21 mpg combined. The best GMC Yukon year is 2012.

80Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. 1.2× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2012 · Worst year 2015

Photo shows a 2021 GMC Yukon. Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemDoors, locks & latches37% of owner complaints Recalls4Free fix at any dealer Better year to buy20128.3× fewer complaints than average Government investigation1 openOwners reported enough to trigger one

Owner complaints35first 3 years

Fuel economy14–21 mpgcombined, EPA

Front crash★★★★★NHTSA, driver

How serious. Out of 277 owner complaints, owners reported:

3crashes

3injuries

5fires

3tows

Under government investigation 1417 repair notes from GMC

Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

doors, locks & latches37%

electrical31%

transmission & drivetrain14%

speed control14%

brakes6%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every GMC Yukon year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 84K

0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 42K to 118K miles on the car (151 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

airbags complaints mostly came at 68K–128K miles
electrical complaints mostly came at 32K–115K miles
body structure complaints mostly came at 50K–154K miles

Recalls 4

airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
electrical 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALAN…

Show all 4 recalls

electrical 2008
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON X…

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems GMC told dealers about

GMC sent dealers 1417 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

Slip condition in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th
2-3 upshift slip or flare
Various electrical concerns - intermittently functioning or inoperative component, ip warning…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
ClosedInterior door handle laceration risk2009–2010
ClosedNon-crash engine compartment fires2008

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard

Collision warningNot offered

Lane departure warningNot offered

Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆

Fuel cost and engines

About $3050–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.

In owners' words

I have a 2008 GMC Yukon hybrid the door on my driver and rear seat some time it open and lock. I had passenger side fix under warranty. Now they want me to paid over $400 to fix it.
2008 GMC Yukon owner · NHTSA complaint 10416991

More owner reports

2008 GMC Yukon - faulty door lock actuators (2 so far)
NHTSA complaint 10393622

2008 GMC Yukon. Consumer states problem with vehicle door locks
NHTSA complaint 10366059

Quick answers

Is the 2008 GMC Yukon reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 80; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Yukon year by this measure is 2012.

What are the most common 2008 GMC Yukon problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are doors, locks & latches (37%), electrical (31%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Yukon have?

4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 GMC Yukon get?

14 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2008 GMC Yukon problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 42,000 and 118,000 miles. The middle report was at 84,000 miles, from 151 complaints.

Does the 2008 GMC Yukon have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2008 GMC Yukon cost in fuel a year?

About $3050 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2008 GMC Yukon have?

4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.

What GMC Yukon year is better than the 2008?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2020 and 2019.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works