2018 GMC Yukon Xl: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 GMC Yukon Xl: 2 recalls, 53 owner complaints.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #18V673000 · 2018 · 15,800 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies May not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #26V289000 · 2026 · 66 vehicles
What's wrong: A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case May cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Why it matters: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (14): the most common themes are noise or vibration (6), warning light on (5), fire / smoke (2).
- Other / unknown (10): the most common themes are leaks (5).
- Brakes (10): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (8): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (5), warning light on (2).
The 2018 GMC Yukon Xl has 53 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 28 Yukon Xl model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 86). Complaints peaked in 2026 (10 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 38,714 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (147 complaints, 1 recalls), 2019 (68 complaints, 2 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 GMC Yukon Xl.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 GMC Yukon Xl have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2018 GMC Yukon Xl. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 GMC Yukon Xl problems?
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (14), other / unknown (10), brakes (10).
Where can I get a 2018 GMC Yukon Xl repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.