The GMC Yukon, also known as the GMT400, is a versatile vehicle that many families rely on for everything from heavy-duty road trips to everyday activities. More compact than a van and larger than many standard automobiles, the GMC Yukon has been a go-to for several decades, ever since it was first introduced in 1992.

Still, as with most vehicle makes and models, there have been a number of issues with the GMC Yukon, and consumers who are in the market for one should be aware of some of the major problems that have been reported by vehicle aficionados over the years. 

The GMC Yukon is notorious for upper dash issues

According to RepairPal.com, a site that is reputable for helping automobile owners become aware of various problems affecting specific makes and models, the GMC Yukon is especially notorious for upper dash cracking. A vehicle’s upper dash may crack when exposed to various harsh weather conditions, mainly in excessive heat or when it is left in the sunlight for prolonged periods of time.

There isn’t an easy fix for an upper dash crack, and most vehicle owners generally choose to replace the entire upper instrument trim panel rather than deal with an unsightly and ultimately, unsafe, dash crack.

As noted by RepairPal, close to 500 GMC Yukon owners have reported this specific issue. While not all models have been reported to have the problem, it seems most prevalent in vehicles produced during 1993, 1999, and 2004 – 2014. 

Door handles and power locks have been problematic

In addition to the upper dash problems, the GMC Yukon has had many reported problems with the power door lock actuators. In these cases, the actuators become unbearably slow to work or even stop working entirely, leaving vehicle owners with no choice but to completely replace the part.

While it isn’t a terribly costly problem to fix, reportedly costing around $100, it is still an inconvenience. The problem is fairly widespread and affected around 22 models in total from 1992 until as recently as 2016.

RepairPal also reported around 200 people who have reported door handles breaking on their GMC Yukon. These include both interior and exterior door handles and affected eleven different model years. While exterior door handles can be replaced for around $60 in many cases, interior door handles are a more expensive fix and can cost upwards of several hundred dollars to properly install. 

The 2015 GMC Yukon had several issues

The 2015 GMC Yukon was notorious for several reasons and is widely considered to be the most problematic of all models to date. Reportedly, many owners of the 2015 GMC Yukon had problems with the air conditioning, a costly problem that can cost thousands of dollars to properly remedy.

In addition, many owners of this specific model reported having issues with failing tail lights. Faltering tail lights can not only be a serious safety concern but can also be quite expensive – fixing the root of the problem can cost around $700. 

Have all problems with the GMC Yukon been resolved?

With all-new 2021 GMC Yukon photos being released, many consumers are excited to drive the next evolution of the popular vehicle. While it seems safe to say that many of the most common problems have been addressed, and recent years have proven to be much less problematic than previous ones, there are always going to be new issues that arise.

In spite of these common complaints, the GMC Yukon remains a hugely popular family vehicle with many distinct advantages.