2020 GMC Yukon XL Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2020 GMC Yukon XL has 42 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve engine and power train.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 42 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ENGINE
16 38.1%
POWER TRAIN
8 19%
SERVICE BRAKES
2 4.8%
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
2 4.8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 4.8%
Quick Insights
The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 38.1% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 13 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2020 GMC Yukon XL
The 2020 GMC Yukon XL has 42 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 38% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2020 GMC Yukon XL are ENGINE (16), POWER TRAIN (8), SERVICE BRAKES (2).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 27 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2020 GMC Yukon XL?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 13 of 13 systems
ENGINE
16 Reports38% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT AND MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 'SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM'. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME A BEAKE ISSUE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED WITH A GM SUBURBAN/YUKON VEHICLE. FIRST 3 WERE ON OUR 2017 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN PREMIER. ALSO, ENGINE JUST SHUTOFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN LANE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, NO OTHER SYMPTOMS SO FAR.
12/2/2020
Pressed the air condition button and engine turned off while driving. Vehicle engine knocking and engine shaking. Will not go over 30 miles an hour Take it to the dealership and all they say is it's the air filter. Engine light turns on Traction control light stays on Warning of decrease engine speed Engine not shifting properly High rpm's Dealer says there's nothing wrong
6/5/2023
POWER TRAIN
8 Reports19% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
Transmission required replacing at 82,500 miles. Vehicle completely lost power during my morning commute. Thankfully, I had exited the Interstate and was on a city street with minimal traffic. Also thankful that I took and extended warranty at the time of purchase less than a year ago at 61,200 miles.
3/23/2023
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the temperature gauge started rising quickly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced for a second time. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission cooling line to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure and noticed the transmission was leaking. The contact towed the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission cooling line to be replaced for a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,549.
4/25/2023
SERVICE BRAKES
2 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT AND MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 'SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM'. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME A BEAKE ISSUE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED WITH A GM SUBURBAN/YUKON VEHICLE. FIRST 3 WERE ON OUR 2017 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN PREMIER. ALSO, ENGINE JUST SHUTOFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN LANE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, NO OTHER SYMPTOMS SO FAR.
12/2/2020
I was driving down the highway, and my wife and I decided to stop at Costco to get protein bars and gas for the drive home. We also had a [XXX] , [XXX] old, and [XXX] in the car. As we were approaching the end of the exit ramp at approximately 30 miles per hour, the engine jerked the car two or three times then died. When it died, I lost power steering and the car slammed to a stop. The car also displayed an alert about my tow breaking system. I tried to restart it, and smoke began rising from my engine bay. I stopped trying to restart, and got my family onto the hill beside the exit while waiting for a tow. The tech at the GMC dealer stated that the engine had seized on me while driving. The cam shaft can rotate a small amount one way before getting blocked, and likewise the other way. Tech believes that the bearing is responsible, but will not be doing a tear down until September 2. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
8/27/2025
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
2 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
GMC SUV - Hydroplaned -- could not achieve Traction Control despite moving away from water patch.. Front Angle Crashed into Concrete Median; All Side Airbags Deployed, No Front Airbags Deployed.
5/17/2021
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear passenger side tire seized. The contact stated the vehicle was skidding, and the contact noticed an unusual sound. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
5/22/2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The Navigation screen system is flickering and goes completely black and kept coming on and off Switching from USB to navigation to radio to home screen And sometimes affect the signal lights also when I pull out the USB under the armrest it's super Hot ... I was wondering if its a Recall also I have 2 friends having the same problems on Chevrolet suburban 2020
10/29/2021
Ligths seal are defective Wich cause failure because humidity create corrosion on main light board and lights suddenly stop working
12/21/2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The A/C unit stopped blowing cold air intermittently. I'm taking it to a mechanic to find out what's going in. It's a 2020 for goodness sake.
7/27/2022
Transmission is shaking when I start driving.!!!
7/30/2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
Pressed the air condition button and engine turned off while driving. Vehicle engine knocking and engine shaking. Will not go over 30 miles an hour Take it to the dealership and all they say is it's the air filter. Engine light turns on Traction control light stays on Warning of decrease engine speed Engine not shifting properly High rpm's Dealer says there's nothing wrong
6/5/2023
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle with the key fob, messages that the key fob was not connected, to put the key fob in the compartment, to push the brake, and that the battery light was low, were displayed. The contact stated that he was able to start the vehicle by pressing the Push to Start button. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormally loud banging sound, and then the engine made an abnormal clunking sound that persisted while the vehicle was idling. The contact turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that two pistons had separated from the engine. The dealer recommended an engine replacement. The dealer also informed the contact that a manufacturer field technician would perform an additional inspection of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
1/24/2025
STEERING
2 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the steering wheel was increasingly wobbly and was pulling 3-4 inches to the right or to the left, and the vehicle was difficult to steer while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic contacted an unknown dealer, and the dealer informed the mechanic that the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
4/2/2024
I was driving down the highway, and my wife and I decided to stop at Costco to get protein bars and gas for the drive home. We also had a [XXX] , [XXX] old, and [XXX] in the car. As we were approaching the end of the exit ramp at approximately 30 miles per hour, the engine jerked the car two or three times then died. When it died, I lost power steering and the car slammed to a stop. The car also displayed an alert about my tow breaking system. I tried to restart it, and smoke began rising from my engine bay. I stopped trying to restart, and got my family onto the hill beside the exit while waiting for a tow. The tech at the GMC dealer stated that the engine had seized on me while driving. The cam shaft can rotate a small amount one way before getting blocked, and likewise the other way. Tech believes that the bearing is responsible, but will not be doing a tear down until September 2. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
8/27/2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
[XXX] [XXX] Phone: [XXX] Email: [XXX] [Date] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Subject: Safety Complaint Regarding 2020 GMC Yukon XL Denali â Repeated Engine Failures (VIN: [XXX] ) To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to formally file a safety complaint regarding my 2020 GMC Yukon XL Denali (VIN: [XXX] ) which I purchased in 2021. This vehicle has experienced repeated and dangerous mechanical failures that raise significant safety concerns. â¢March 2024: The oil pump failed, resulting in immediate engine issues. Repairs were completed under warranty, but the check engine light remained on afterward. â¢April 2024: The vehicle broke down again. At that time, the cams and lifters were replaced in addition to other service, but the underlying issues were not resolved. â¢August 2025: The vehicle failed once again. After taking it in, the service department could not determine the cause. When they believed they had identified the issue and took it for a test drive, the vehicle broke down again and had to be towed back to the shop. At that point, I was informed that the vehicle now requires a complete motor replacement and a new fuel pump. Each of these failures has left me stranded and placed me and my family in unsafe situations on the road. Despite contacting the dealership (Joseph Cadillac of Dublin), General Motors, and the warranty company, none have taken responsibility to properly resolve the issues. I believe this represents a potential defect in the engine or related systems that could impact many other consumers. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate this matter to determine whether a broader safety recall or manufacturer action is warranted. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping ensure consumer safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
9/23/2025
Driving today and car started rattling and pouring transmission fluid on the way home today. Barely made it home.
9/25/2025
AIR BAGS
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
GMC SUV - Hydroplaned -- could not achieve Traction Control despite moving away from water patch.. Front Angle Crashed into Concrete Median; All Side Airbags Deployed, No Front Airbags Deployed.
5/17/2021
SUSPENSION
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The front struts are going out on these vehicles. I know of another one that had the same issue and only had 38,000 miles on there Denali. This issue makes the front of the vehicle very stiff. Which when we were on the interstate and every time we hit a bump or a bridge crossing it would almost take the steering wheel right out of your hands. I live In Minnesota, and with the weather we have here, it was a very scary drive home with my family. I took it to my certified repair shop and they told me that Iâm the 3rd one that they have seen with this problem. Thank you for your time.
2/16/2023
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bearing in the driveshaft was worn. Additionally, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
4/30/2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the transmission started to slip out gear and the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact's wife had not observed any warning lights. The contactâs wife drove the vehicle back to the residence and while attempting to place the vehicle in park(P), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was idling roughly with white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact drove the vehicle to a different independent mechanic who performed an engine pressure test and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
8/2/2024
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2020 GMC Yukon XL?
Are complaints about the 2020 GMC Yukon XL a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2020 GMC Yukon XL?
Are complaints about the 2020 GMC Yukon XL severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
GMC Yukon XL: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 42
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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