Reliability
GMC

Yukon (GMT800)

2000-2006 · Full-Size SUV · 7 engines
2,399 NHTSA Complaints
25 Recalls
31 Fire Reports
160 Crash Reports
Data covers 5 NHTSA model names
DENALIYUKONYUKON DENALIYUKON DENALI XLYUKON XL
View all 5 generations of the GMC Yukon → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

8.3 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar full-size SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 482 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 839.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall482 complaints against about 839 for similar vehicles
8.3
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced44 complaints against about 183 for similar vehicles
9.4
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating11 complaints against about 33 for similar vehicles
9.1

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20007.8
  • 20018.1
  • 20028.5
  • 20038.0
  • 20048.6
  • 20058.4
  • 20068.5

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LQ4

6.0L 8-cyl
587 complaints 83.9 per year Gasoline
17 fire reports
View details

GMC Yukon Unidentified Engine

450 complaints 64.3 per year
4 fire reports 3 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
136
brakes
115
wheels tires
42
engine
37
other
31

LR4

4.8L 8-cyl
84 complaints 12.0 per year Gasoline
View details

L18

8.1L 8-cyl
47 complaints 11.8 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
20
cooling
18
brakes
7
electrical
6
fuel system
5

L31

5.7L 8-cyl
44 complaints 14.7 per year
View details
Show 13 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LE8

2.5L 6-cyl
4 complaints 1.3 per year Gasoline
View details

LLY

6.6L 8-cyl Turbo
4 complaints 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

LB7

6.6L 8-cyl Turbo
2 complaints 2.0 per year Diesel
View details

L76

6.0L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

L94 - Flex Fuel(Gas/ALC), ALUM Cylinder Deactivation

6.2L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
1

4.3-V6-Gas

4.3L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Yukon, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Brakes: 792 owner complaints
Electrical System: 586 owner complaints
Engine: 236 owner complaints
Fuel System: 155 owner complaints
Wheels & Tires: 149 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000-2006 GMC Yukon

On a used 2000-2006 GMC Yukon, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (792), the electrical system (586) and the engine (236). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 792 owner complaints on the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon about the brakes.
  2. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 586 owner complaints on the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon about the electrical system.
  3. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 236 owner complaints on the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon about the engine, all engines combined.
  4. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 155 owner complaints on the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon about the fuel system, all engines combined.
  5. Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon about the wheels and tires.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon

Recalls (25)

07E106000Dec 17, 2007serious
Wheels

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

07V521000Nov 7, 2007serious
Engine & Cooling

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAN OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR FAIL COMPLETELY. IF THE SENSOR OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY, THE SES LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE MAY RUN ROUGH. THE ENGINE MAY STALL, AND IF SO, MAY RE-START IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER A COOL DOWN PERIOD.

06V289000Aug 3, 2006serious
Engine & Cooling

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.

06E043000May 19, 2006serious
Fuel System

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

06E025000Mar 21, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Show 20 older recalls
05V552000Dec 7, 2005serious
Equipment

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

05V455000Oct 5, 2005serious
Steering

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

05V379000Aug 29, 2005serious
Service Brakes

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.

05V163000Apr 22, 2005serious
Seat Belts

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

05V155000Apr 14, 2005serious
Fuel System

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH FUEL MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN FUEL PUMP WIRES CONNECTORS MAY OVERHEAT UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

05V103000Mar 18, 2005serious
Service Brakes

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING. IF THE RETAINER IS MISSING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

05V055000Feb 14, 2005serious
Powertrain

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.

05V043000Feb 8, 2005serious
Service Brakes

CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

04V376000Aug 2, 2004serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.3L (RPO L59) V8 ENGINES, THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE RETAINER SCREWS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY BREAK.

04V045000Feb 4, 2004cosmetic
Service Brakes

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

03V094000Mar 7, 2003serious
Structure

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

03V037000Feb 6, 2003serious
Structure

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH FOUR WELDS ON THE REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.

03V019000Jan 27, 2003serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VEHICLES, DURING A 30 DEGREE LEFT ANGLE FRONTAL IMPACT OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, A TEAR COULD DEVELOP IN THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. IF THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER TEARS DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AND PRODUCES A SHARP EDGE, CONTACT OF THE SHARP EDGE WITH THE FUEL TANK COULD RESULT IN A PUNCTURE OF THE FUEL TANK AND POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE.

02V253000Sep 17, 2002serious
Seats

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.

02V178000Jul 1, 2002serious
Air Bags

ON CERTAIN PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG SENSING DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) WHICH CONTAINS AN ANOMALY THAT COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAG FAILING TO DEPLOY DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASHES.

01V159000May 17, 2001serious
Seat Belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INTERNAL COMPONENT IN THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE 2ND AND 3RD ROW OF SEATS THAT COULD BE CRACKED. WITH REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM, THE CRACK COULD SPREAD TO THE POINT SUCH THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NO LONGER LOCK.

01V107000Mar 17, 2001serious
Electrical System

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A MISROUTED POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT.

01T001000Jan 2, 2001critical
Tires

TIRE DESCRIPTION: WILDERNESS LE TIRES (BOTH BLACK AND RAISED WHITE LETTER TIRES) PRODUCED DURING THE WEEK OF APRIL 24, 2000 (THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK OF 2000) AT THE CUERNAVACA, MEXICO PLANT WITH TIRE SERIAL NUMBERS V672WL11700 (BLACKWALL) AND V672WL21700 (RAISED WHITE LETTERS). THESE TIRES WERE USED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2000 YUKON XL 1500 SERIES VEHICLES AND WERE ALSO OFFERED AS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 2000 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 SERIES VEHICLES. TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A LACK OF ADHESION TO THE FIRST STEEL BELT.

00V345000Oct 30, 2000serious
Service Brakes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CLEARANCE CONDITION BETWEEN THE FRONT RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE AND THE BODY CROSS SILL THAT COULD DECREASE TO THE POINT OF ALLOWING CONTACT DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IF CONTACT OCCURS AND THE BRAKE PIPE BECOMES DAMAGED, IN HALF OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM THERE CAN BE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PRESSURE. THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP WILL BE ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL REACHES THE INDICATOR LIMIT.

00V343000Oct 25, 2000critical
Structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE OR MISSING REAR WHEELHOUSE PLUGS. UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, EXHAUST GASES CAN FLOW FORWARD AND ACCUMULATE IN THE REAR WHEELHOUSE.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (22.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (22.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (26.3% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5 (26.3% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No

Alternatives in Full-Size SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2006 GMC Yukon complaints?

Owners have filed 2,399 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the electrical system and the engine.

Is the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 2,399 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon have?

NHTSA has 2,399 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2006 GMC Yukon?

NHTSA lists 25 recalls covering some 2000-2006 GMC Yukon vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used GMC Yukon?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the electrical system and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Yukon?

The 2006 GMC Yukon received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (22.8% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,399 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver