Is the 2023 GMC Yukon a bad year?
246 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 173, 17× a quiet Yukon year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 17× the complaints of a quiet Yukon year, but the 2023 is still young: half of its engine complaints so far came in by 34k 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 2023 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 34,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 173 (70%) | 22k–47k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 47 (19%) | too few with a mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 28 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 15 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 5 (2%) | 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 34,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 246 complaints: 1 mentions a crash · 1 reports an injury · 14 say the car was towed.
111 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 2023 GMC Yukon: 4
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 electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break. A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing 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.
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: 424
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 GMC Yukon. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Improves transmission diagnostic software
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…
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
2022 Yukon: 186 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2024 Yukon: 106 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
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 2023 GMC Yukon a bad year?
246 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 173, 17× a quiet Yukon year. At 34,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 17× the complaints of a quiet Yukon year, but the 2023 is still young: half of its engine complaints so far came in by 34k miles, and that mark will move as owners add miles. Check your powertrain warranty first.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 GMC Yukon?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (173), transmission and drivetrain (47), electrical system (28), fuel system (15), brakes (11). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 22k–47k miles.
How many recalls does the 2023 GMC Yukon have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 25V-274), Brakes (NHTSA 24V-674), Suspension (NHTSA 23V-642), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 22V-903). 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.