Is the 2022 GMC Yukon XL a bad year?
176 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 128, 13× a quiet Yukon XL year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 13× the complaints of a quiet Yukon XL year, but the 2022 is still young: half of its engine complaints so far came in by 63k miles, and that mark will move as owners add miles. Check your powertrain warranty first.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2022 Yukon XL owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 63,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 128 (73%) | 44k–75k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 34 (19%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 20 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 15 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 63,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 176 complaints: 4 mention a crash · 4 report an injury · 16 say the car was towed.
75 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2022 GMC Yukon XL: 4
The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels. Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed. A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from GMC: 498
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2022 GMC Yukon XL. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the K160 Brake System Control Module sets DTC P0606 along with P0562 and/or P25A2, additional diagnostic aids should be followed before replacing parts
Some vehicles may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead…
Some vehicles may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve
Engine Control Module designation E90 is on a ordering restriction through technical assistance
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Neighbouring years
2021 Yukon XL: 237 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2023 Yukon XL: 229 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every GMC Yukon XL year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Yukon XL years side by side
Other GMC models: GMC Acadia · GMC Canyon · GMC Denali · GMC Envoy · GMC Envoy XL · GMC Envoy Xuv · GMC Jimmy · GMC Safari · GMC Savana · GMC Sierra · GMC Sierra 1500 · GMC Sierra 2500 · GMC Sierra 3500 · GMC Sierra Denali · GMC Sonoma · GMC Terrain · GMC Yukon · GMC Yukon Denali · GMC Yukon Denali XL · GMC Yukon XL 1500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2022 GMC Yukon XL a bad year?
176 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 128, 13× a quiet Yukon XL year. At 63,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 13× the complaints of a quiet Yukon XL year, but the 2022 is still young: half of its engine complaints so far came in by 63k miles, and that mark will move as owners add miles. Check your powertrain warranty first.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 GMC Yukon XL?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (128), transmission and drivetrain (34), electrical system (20), fuel system (15). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 44k–75k miles.
How many recalls does the 2022 GMC Yukon XL have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 26V-085), Engine (NHTSA 25V-274), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 22V-903), Seat belts (NHTSA 22V-617). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.