2023 GMC Yukon.

The 2023 GMC Yukon is so far one of the worst years by owner complaints: 245 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 243, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 16 to 23 mpg combined. The best GMC Yukon year is 2012.

Early read

243Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Early read: lemon alert. 2.4× the average car's complaints.

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 problemEngine65% of owner complaints Recalls4Free fix at any dealer Better year to buy20128.3× fewer complaints than average Government investigation2 openOwners reported enough to trigger one

Owner complaints245first 3 years

Fuel economy16–23 mpgcombined, EPA

Crash test★★★★☆NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 245 owner complaints, owners reported:

1crashes

1injuries

0fires

14tows

Under government investigation 970 repair notes from GMC

Early read. The 2023 GMC Yukon hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2023 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.

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

engine65%

transmission & drivetrain19%

electrical11%

fuel or ev drive system6%

engine6%

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 34K

0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 44K miles on the car (29 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

engine 2025
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
brakes 2024
The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs.
suspension 2023
The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.

Show all 4 recalls

lights 2022
The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on.

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

Government investigations

OpenLoss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy2026
OpenLoss of motive power due to engine failure2025
ClosedLoss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy2026
ClosedLoss of motive power due to engine failure2025

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

Safety

Stability controlStandard

Collision warningUnknown

Lane departure warningUnknown

Crash test details

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
GMC Yukon SUV 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
GMC Yukon SUV 2WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
GMC Yukon XL SUV 2WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆

Fuel cost and engines

About $3800–5000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.

In owners' words

Looks like this is a ongoing issue with my vehicles engine. The truck has 40k miles on it and the entire engine blew.
2023 GMC Yukon owner · NHTSA complaint 11652237

More owner reports

2023 Yukon with 6.2; was "tested" at a local dealership in November 2025. Engine passed. Was given oil change with new oil/oil cap. In June of 2026, engine seized despite passing test in November & running the new oil since then.
NHTSA complaint 11752303

Complete engine failure while driving. Resulting in GM replacing the entire engine after only 15K miles (new vehicle).
NHTSA complaint 11638399

Quick answers

Is the 2023 GMC Yukon reliable?

It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 2.4× the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 243; 100 is average). The best GMC Yukon year by this measure is 2012.

What are the most common 2023 GMC Yukon problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (65%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2023 GMC Yukon have?

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

What gas mileage does the 2023 GMC Yukon get?

16 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2023 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.

At what mileage do 2023 GMC Yukon problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,700 and 44,400 miles. The middle report was at 34,000 miles, from 29 complaints.

Does the 2023 GMC Yukon have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2023 GMC Yukon cost in fuel a year?

About $3800 to $5000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2023 GMC Yukon have?

3.0L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.

What GMC Yukon year is better than the 2023?

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