This page covers 3 recalls and 48 owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Yukon Xl.
Complaints about the 2018 GMC Yukon XL cluster most heavily around the engine and brakes. On the engine side, owners report rough running, hesitation under acceleration, check engine lights, and in several cases a pronounced knocking noise, sometimes appearing without any prior warning lights. Brake complaints center on pedal behavior: owners describe the pedal becoming very hard after a few pumps and the vehicle being difficult to stop, with several attributing this to a loss of brake vacuum. Seat belt complaints are the third-most-reported concern, with owners saying the belts fail to lock properly, which they connect to difficulty securing child safety seats in the rear rows.
48
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 GMC Yukon XL has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the transfer case on 4WD models, where a fault can cause the front or rear wheels to lock up unexpectedly, raising the risk of a crash.
The other two recalls both involve rear seatbelt retractors and describe the same underlying problem from different angles. The automatic-locking retractors on certain second- and third-row seatbelts may not switch into their locked position when the belt is pulled all the way out. This matters most when installing a child seat, since the locking mode is what lets the belt cinch down tightly around the child seat base and keep it from moving. If the retractor does not lock, the child seat can shift or tip in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to a child passenger.
At a glance
What can fail
A missing drivetrain component in the transfer case can cause the front and/or rear wheels to suddenly lock up without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transfer case and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some vehicles have rear seat belt retractors that may not lock properly when pulled all the way out. This could make child seats less secure in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your rear seat belt retractors and replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Second or third-row rear seatbelt retractors may not lock when fully pulled out, preventing child seats from being properly secured.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if needed, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
