Is the 2008 GMC Yukon a bad year?
188 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Yukon years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 GMC Yukon are in line with other Yukon years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Yukon 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 94,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 96 (51%) | 76k–140k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 30 (16%) | 30k–118k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 26 (14%) | 60k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 14 (7%) | 75k–143k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 8 (4%) | 20k–108k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Stability control | 6 (3%) | 80k–131k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 5 (3%) | 24k–152k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Latches and locks | 17 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (4%) | 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 94,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 188 complaints: 3 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 3 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
3 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 2008 GMC Yukon: 4
These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
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: 446
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 GMC Yukon. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Interior Door Handle Laceration Risk
Non-crash engine compartment fires
Non-crash engine compartment fires
Neighbouring years
2007 Yukon: 428 complaints, keep it · 2009 Yukon: 94 complaints, keep it.
Every GMC Yukon 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 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 Denali · GMC Yukon Denali XL · GMC Yukon XL · GMC Yukon XL 1500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 GMC Yukon a bad year?
188 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Yukon years. At 94,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 GMC Yukon?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (96), electrical system (30), body structure (26), engine (14), transmission and drivetrain (8).
How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Yukon have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 21V-052), Air bags (NHTSA 21V-050), Electrical system (NHTSA 10V-240), Electrical system (NHTSA 08V-441). 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.