The Lemon Index

All cars · GMC Yukon

2020 GMC Yukon.

The 2020 GMC Yukon is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 8 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 13, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 17 to 18 mpg combined. The best GMC Yukon year is 2012.

13Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 7.7× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2012 · Worst year 2015

GMC Yukon
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.

Owner complaints8first 3 years
Fuel economy17–18 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★☆NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 37 owner complaints, owners reported:

0crashes
0injuries
0fires
2tows

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

transmission & drivetrain38%
stability control12%
seat belts12%
backup camera12%
tires12%

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 44K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 13K to 112K miles on the car (9 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 4

  • transmission & drivetrain 2026

    A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.

  • tires 2021

    The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2019

    The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.

Show all 4 recalls
  • brakes 2019

    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.

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 775 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • This informational bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and…

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

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
GMC Yukon SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
GMC Yukon SUV RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
GMC Yukon XL SUV RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $3550–4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.

In owners' words

2020 GMC Yukon transmission failed at 103.000 miles

2020 GMC Yukon owner · NHTSA complaint 11555374
More owner reports

Line keep assist not working properly. Assistance systems for parking or backing not woking properly. Lane change alert not working properly

NHTSA complaint 11307294

Quick answers

Is the 2020 GMC Yukon reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 7.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 13; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Yukon year by this measure is 2012.

What are the most common 2020 GMC Yukon problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (38%), stability control (12%) and seat belts (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Yukon have?

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

What gas mileage does the 2020 GMC Yukon get?

17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2020 GMC Yukon safe?

NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

Does the 2020 GMC Yukon have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2020 GMC Yukon cost in fuel a year?

About $3550 to $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2020 GMC Yukon have?

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

What GMC Yukon year is better than the 2020?

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

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data