Vehicle Data Hub

2020 GMC Yukon XL problems

The 2020 GMC Yukon XL has 61 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (44%) concerns engine. After that come drivetrain & axles (21%) and brakes (5%).

At a glance

Complaints
61 filed with NHTSA
Most reported
Engine 44% of complaints
Crashes and fires
3 and 3
Injuries and deaths
2 and 0
Typical mileage
86,000 miles 16 complaints with mileage

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

Where the complaints are

Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  • Engine 44%
  • Drivetrain & axles 21%
  • Brakes 5%
  • Fuel system 5%
  • Steering 5%
  • Electrical system 3%
  • Lighting 3%
  • Air bags 2%
  • Body & structure 2%
  • Suspension 2%

When problems show up

Complaints by mileage, 2020 GMC Yukon XL Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 86,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 4 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 0 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 3 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 1 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 0 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 7 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 1 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 86,000 miles
Based on 16 complaints that include mileage. 44% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles4
20k to 40k miles0
40k to 60k miles3
60k to 80k miles1
80k to 100k miles0
100k to 120k miles7
120k to 140k miles1
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Among the 16 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 86,000 miles.

Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.

Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2020 ranks 14th most-complained-about out of 24 model years of the GMC Yukon XL with enough data (49 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.

What owners wrote

A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.

GMC SUV - Hydroplaned -- could not achieve Traction Control despite moving away from water patch.. Front Angle Crashed into Concrete Median; All Side Airbags Deployed, No Front Airbags Deployed.

May 2021 CrashInjury

I was driving down the highway, and my wife and I decided to stop at Costco to get protein bars and gas for the drive home. We also had a [XXX] , [XXX] old, and [XXX] in the car. As we were approaching the end of the exit ramp at approximately 30 miles per hour, the engine jerked the car two or three times then died. When it died, I lost power steering and the car slammed to a stop. The car also displayed an alert about my tow breaking system. I tried to restart it, and smoke began rising from my engine bay.

August 2025 Fire

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the steering wheel was increasingly wobbly and was pulling 3-4 inches to the right or to the left, and the vehicle was difficult to steer while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic contacted an unknown dealer, and the dealer informed the mechanic that the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was not repaired.

Reported at 107,000 miles, April 2024

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bearing in the driveshaft was worn. Additionally, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Reported at 107,000 miles, April 2024

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