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KLUNK
KLUNK

2018 Gmc Yukon

The Verdict

82 Smooth Ride

The 2018 Gmc Yukon has 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (28 complaints) and body (20 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 82/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Gmc Yukon, consider the 2020 model year which has 52% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2020 has 52% fewer complaints

View the 2020 Gmc Yukon dashboard →

82

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200097108293615
2001109200416216
200271166384521
20031151351638518
200498901796810
2005201228187
2006321412187
2007230194019129
200811262384013
2009824100197
20101030105210
20111907170255
201277243123
201394268153
201432314102
201585812914643
201631471203629
20172740523639
201820452812
2019746277
20206301311
20212572020731
20222621710611
20232291514516
202411261159
20251023301

By Category

Engine
28
Body
20
Transmission
12
Electrical
5
Brakes
4

By Severity

1
25
2
42
4
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 1

I started my vehicle and as I accelerated I started to hear a knocking noise. The vehicle and engine have been inspected by the dealership. The problem has also been confirmed by the dealership.There were no warning lights or messages before the knocking noise started.

2mo ago
Engine 1

The 2018 Yukon has been at the dealership several timeswaiting for a valve body for the transmission. There are valve body recalls for other year GM vehicles with the same transmission, but not for the 2018 model even though it appears to be the same part number. I don’t understand how this 2018 model apart of the recalls when it’s got the same issues as the newer ones. This is the second Yukon I’ve bought in the last seven years and the other one had the exact same issue.

3mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for service, and the contact was informed that the radiator was leaking and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that there were no signs of a leak prior to taking the vehicle for service. The contact was advised by the dealer that it was a common failure for the year and model vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and offered a buyback. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,640.

3mo ago
Transmission 1

I purchased my used GMC YUKON from a used car dealership 3/28/26. I signed the papers for the agreement while I was driving the vechicle home I lost power and it wouldn't go forward with gas applied. The check engine light came on, I pulled the suv over and it was towed. The code that popped up 0700 and 02723 both codes having to do with the transmission.

3mo ago
Engine 2

Please see attached letter

4mo ago
Transmission 2

The 2018 Yukon Denali has been at the dealership for 7 weeks waiting for a valve body for the transmission. There are valve body recalls for other year GM vehicles with the same transmission, but not for the 2018 model even though it appears to be the same part number. The transmission was already replaced on this vehicle at 500 miles.

4mo ago
Transmission 1

As of [XXX] , I witnessed a squealing sound coming from the rear end of my 2018 Denali Yukon XL truck. And it's affecting my braking. And it jerked when I changed my gears on my truck . And there are lights on in my dashboard on my truck. The engine light was blinking on and off and the traction control light was blinking on and off also. But the back driver side of the truck was squealing also. Please help me to resolve this situation. In the name of Jesus. Thanks again [XXX] and [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated after the vehicle was serviced, while driving 30 MPH and depressing accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated, and the contact shifted to a lower gear to drive to the residence safely. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced, and that the engine block was damaged. The transmission and engine block were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

6mo ago
Engine 2

Air conditioner condenser faulty and had to repaired. Premium Ride Shocks faulty and had to be repaired. Lifters and bent pushrod faulty and had to be repaired. Vehicle currently has approximately 70,000 miles. These are all known issues by GM and very expensive to fix and no recalls.

7mo ago
Engine 1

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure due to lifter failure and bent push rod and needed cam replaced. It is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Could have been catastrophic if I didn't bring in for repair if the engine failed completely while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, May 10th.

8mo ago
Transmission 2

Dealership did a tune-up in June 2025 and had my truck for 2 weeks, no issues with transmission discovered or discussed. Now in September 2025, 2018 GMC Yukon has developed a torque converter shutter when driving between 40 and 50 mph. I took the vehicle to an independent shop who told me they had some computer tool to manually control the transmission, and there is an internal failure. There was a transmission flush completed hoping to gain results, however it was very short lived.

9mo ago
Engine 1

I was driving on I75 North, just North of Chattanooga. I was in the Center Lane. I lost all power to the vehicle. The engine stopped. I had no power steering, no power brakes, and was in heavy traffic. I managed to shift lanes and get it to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed in. Diaganostics were completed by a certified mechanic. The engine had seized. GM has several recalls on this issue. 2018 is not included. However, this is the exact same issue that is happening with 2019 and up. That were recalled. I urge you to order an extended recall to include 2018 vehicles as well before someone gets killed.

9mo ago
Engine 2

My 2018 GMC Yukon blew an engine with only 81,000 miles. Had four shops including (2 GM dealerships) look at the vehicle, pictures, and findings and concluded the engine had blown. The vehicle had began running very rough while driving down the road at 45mph. The CEL showed a misfire in cylinder one. The spark plug was pulled and soaked in oil. A borescope was put down the hole and found oil pooled on top of the piston. The engine has blow by the piston rings and the cylinder wall was scorn. Four shops. Four results. New engine needed. A quick google search of the engine (L83) showed multiple open class action lawsuits for this exact situation. The cause of the problem is the active fuel management system that GM created. When I contacted GM for assistance at the recommendation of the dealerships (which they have seen an increase in these engine blowing with low miles) I was informed by GM/GMC that they would look into it and could not guarantee assistance. Fast forward a couple of days I was contacted and made perfectly aware that I was 991 days outside and 21,000 miles out of warranty but they would offer “assistance” in the amount of 10% of the total cost. Four shops, four quotes for an engine replacement ranging from $14,750-$17,000 and GM was only offering $1,475-$1,700. Absolutely terrible. With multiple open class action lawsuits, stop sales, and well documented issues. I expressed disappointment and requested assistance to prevent having to seek litigation. I was told “if that’s what you want to do, you will need to talk to our legal department” and told there’s nothing they can do. Will not buy nor recommend anyone buy a GM product. They don’t respect or care for their customers.

9mo ago
Body 2

All back light won’t turn on only brake lights but not night time running lights

10mo ago
Engine 2

driving the vehicle on a regular city street when the flashing engine light came on out of nowhere. immediately pulled off and had the vehicle towed to my dealership. result of the inspection, i have to replace my engine. as soon as i started researching the issue it is clear that this truck should be part of the GM recall. it is a known issue that GM slow played for years, but as of now this vehicle is not part of the recall. it is the same engine and failure mode as the 600,000 unit recall, but mine isn't covered by the recall leaving me responsible for their known and documented manufacturing issues

10mo ago
Engine 2

Vehicle (engine) shut off while driving on highway. Would not restart. Had vehicle towed from highway to repair shop. No check engine light ever came on. The engine was replaced and old one had to be returned in order to avoid paying a $5,000 core charge. I found out after replacing the engine that GM issued a recall but I read it starts with 2019 models and only reimbursement for original owners. I purchased this vehicle from a GM dealership in CT (Scranton of Vernon) in 2022 with approx 52,000 miles.

11mo ago
Engine 1

ENGINE WORK VALVE INTAKE LIFTER AND CAMSHAFT REPAIRS / OIL SENSOR HAS BEEN GOING HAYWIRE / REAR STRUTS KEEP POPPING OFF AND AFTER STRUTS REPAIRED BOUGHT THE TRUCK 05/2024 AND HAD TO TAKE TO REPAIR 12/2024 AND ONCE MONTH EVER SINCE.

11mo ago
Engine 2

Has lifter chattering / camshaft issues as a result of manufacture defect that so many people are complaining about from the research I have done

12mo ago
Transmission 2

My 2018 GMC Yukon SLE has a Transmission Failure and a engine oil coolant failure. The issues occurred while driving when the vehicle had to go into limp status to prevent the transmission from complete failure. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership 2x and they changed the fluid once and replaced the thermostat the second time. Neither case fixed the vehicle, it is currently in the shop for transmission and radiator w/ engine oil cooler replacement - $8200 The vehicle has been inspected by Aamco of Dover, DE and is awaiting inspection by warranty company 3rd party inspector. There are no warnings before the system is overheated and goes into limp status and at that point an alarm sounds in the car.

12mo ago
Transmission 2

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the message "Transmission Hot - Idle Engine" was intermittently displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the TCM was reprogrammed, and the thermostat and the water pump were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

13mo ago

69 total

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