2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500

Routine

Owners filed 63 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the GMC Yukon XL 1500 years to avoid. Which GMC Yukon XL 1500 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
95,000 milesMedian miles at failure

49 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 problems

21 of the 63 complaints (33%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel12
101
Service Brakes · brakes10
200
Electrical System9
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration5
104
Steering4
000
Engine4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes3
100
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments · body and frame2
000
Power Train › Driveline · transmission2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine2
001

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Dec 12, 2017230,000 milesMO

VEHICLE RANDOMLY GOES INTO REDUCE ENGINE POWER MODE AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND GOING UP A HILL WHERE IT NEARLY CAUSED A THREE CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS. BASIC RESEARCH SHOWS THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLES WERE A FEW YEARS OLD AND IT AFFECTS MANY YEARS OF GM VEHICLES. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH BAD GROUNDING CONNECTORS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND AND WIRING HARNESS.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 5, 2017IL

BRAKE LINES CORRODED RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES AND REAR ENDING SCHOOL BUS. REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES AT MY COST AS WELL AS THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. NOW, THE KNOWN ABS BRAKE SENSOR ISSUE IS ACTIVATING THE ABS AT LOW SPEEDS.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 16, 2016188,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON XL 1500. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED BEFORE THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHING, WHICH DRASTICALLY REDUCED THE SPEED TO LESS THAN 20 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PROGRESS RANDOMLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING, 02 SENSOR, THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME, THE BATTERY, AND THE ALTERNATOR. THE REPAIRS FAILED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION AND THE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE FOR THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 2, 2016198,000 milesWV

ANTILOCK BRAKES BEGAN TO APPLY THEMSELVES IN RIGHT HAND TURNS GOING UP AND DOWN HILL AT SPEEDS UP TO 45 MPH. ALMOST CAUSES ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAD TO TAKE TO HURRICANE CHEVROLET SEVERAL TIMES TO GET FIXED COST ALMOST $4000

Electrical System
Filed Jan 5, 2016250,000 milesMA

REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE ON HWY AT 70 MPH

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 2015168,260 milesCA

WHILE TRAVELING TO WORK MY VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE REDUCED POWER WARNING CAME ON AT WHICH TIME I HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION, COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING, AND COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING POWER. I THEN HAD TO COAST TO A STOP AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE 6 TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE REDUCED POWER WARNING TO GO OFF AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ALTHOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN 2 DAYS WITH THE LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE HAD THE REDUCED POWER WARNING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS YEARS PAST BUT NEVER HAVE I LOST TOTAL / ABSOLUTE POWER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, THIS IS A TOTAL DEATH TRAP FOR ANYONE WHO HAS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY OR HIGHWAYS AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AFFECTING OTHER GMC OWNERS AND HAVE SEEN NO RESOLUTIONS OR ANY RECALLS FROM GMC. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE THROTTLE HOUSING AND HARNESS COMPONENTS, ACCELERATION PEDAL SENSOR AND YET THE ISSUE CONTINUES, SOMEONE IS GOING TO ( DIE ) BECAUSE OF GMC'S LACK OF CONCERN AND RESPONSIBILITY TO OWNERS OF THEIR PRODUCTS. I WILL NEVER EVER OWN ANOTHER GMC ASSOCIATED PRODUCT.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash4 injured
Filed Sep 23, 2015MD

THERE IS AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT DISPLAYS ON THE DASH FOR MYSELF AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO OWN GMC/CHEVY TRUCKS WITH THESE MOTORS. THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WITH THE TRUCK WHERE IT SAYS "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". I'VE FOUND 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT SOMEWHAT ADDRESS THE ISSUE, BUT MANY PEOPLE TAKE THEIR TRUCKS TO MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIPS TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED AND SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND TROUBLESHOOTING TO GET THE ISSUE RESOLVED, TO NO AVAIL. THE 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT I FOUND WERE #PIP3089B (DATED 10/31/2006) AND #PIP3042A (DATED 8/30/2004). I'VE SEEN ON MANY MANY FORUM POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND POSSIBLE FIXES, WHICH WHEN I READ DEEPER INTO THEM, SEEM TO NOT BE TRUE FIXES.

Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2015MD

I KEEP HAVING THE DISPLAY SAY "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". I'LL BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, DOING 65 IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ACCELERATOR NO LONGER ACCELERATES AND IT DISPLAYS "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER DISPLAY. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN ONLINE IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ON THOUSANDS OF OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE, CHEVY SUBURBAN'S, SILVERADO'S, TAHOE'S, ETC. I REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND THE HARNESS (BECAUSE I HEARD THE HARNESS MIGHT ALSO BE AN ISSUE) AND I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK. IT HAS DONE IT OVER A DOZEN TIMES ON ONE TRIP BACK FROM WORK (80 MILES FOR ME). I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (IF POSSIBLE) AND TURN OFF THE TRUCK, THEN WAIT A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THEN TURN THE TRUCK BACK ON. THIS USUALLY FIXES THE ISSUE, BUT IT DID NOT HELP ME WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME IN THE TUNNEL AND I WAS GOING 5 MPH (TOP SPEED DURING THE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MODE, ONCE YOUR DRIFTING STOPS (BECAUSE YOU DRIFT, IT DOESN'T ENGAGE THE BRAKES). I WAS EXTREMELY WORRIED THAT I WOULDN'T MAKE IT OUT OF THE TUNNEL WITHOUT GET REAR ENDED, AND ONCE I MADE IT OUT, I WAS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE TUNNEL AWAITING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING, WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jun 22, 2015135,000 milesNY

IWAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WENT TO STOP AT STOP SIGN WHEN BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR.I CRASHED INTO STOP SIGN TO STOP . TRUCK WAS TOWED TO DEALER. I WAS TOLD TO MAJOR BRAKE LINE BURST. TRUCK IS NOW AT DEALER BEING FIXED. AT A PRICE OF 2800.00. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. THIS CAN'T GO ON ANY LONGER.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 23, 2015106 milesMI

VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE IN SEPTEMBER 2014. "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON SIGNALS APPEAR ON VEHICLE PANEL CAUSING ENGINE POWER TO BE REDUCED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. HAS HAPPENED TO ME GOING 10MPH, 55MPH, AND 70MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAUSING A NEAR REAR COLLISION BECAUSE I LOST POWER SO QUICKLY. I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED 6 OR 7 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER 2014 AND THIS ISSUE IS NOT GETTING RESOLVED. THROTTLE BODY SENSOR REPLACED TWICE, THROTTLE BODY HARNESS REPLACED, ALL WIRES, AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AND THOROUGHLY INSPECTED. REDUCED ENGINE POWER OCCURS WEEKLY EVEN AFTER BEING SERVICED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 2014127,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON XL 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2014149,000 milesNM

WHILE DRIVING POSTED SPEED ON EXPRESSWAY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. LEAVING NO POWER STEERING NO POWER BRAKES. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE AS WELL AS ONLINE. ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE? IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY REQUIRING GM TO RECALL OVER 1 MILLION VEHICLES FOR. YOUR CURRENT RECALL ONLY GOES BACK TO THE 2009 MODELS. WHY ARE YOU NOT REQUIRING ALL GM VEHICLES RECALLED SINCE 1996? THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME KEY LOCK SYSTEM AND SAME ABS SYSTEMS BOTH OF WHICH SEEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO OR CAUSE THE PROBLEM. IF A VEHICLE IS BUILT WITH A SAFETY HAZARD DOES THE FACT THAT IT IS OLDER MEAN THAT IT IS NO LONGER A MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR IT? SINCE THE GOVERNMENT OWNS GM HOW ARE YOU AFFECTED IN INITIATING A RECALL? THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ALLOW OTHER COMPANIES TO POLICE THEMSELVES, YET IS THAT NOT WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH GM? *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 23, 2014149,125 milesNJ

COMING DOWN AN ONRAMP ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I BRAKE TO YIELD ONLY TO HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL DROP NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD AND AS I WAS FORCED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC I ATTEMPT TO APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE IT DROP FURTHER. SO I ATTEMPTED TO GRADUALLY APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT IT ALSO ENDED UP FULLY EXTENDED AND HAVING NO EFFECT. WITH MAIN BRAKING POWER ALMOST GONE, I USED A LOWER TRANSMISSION GEAR TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE I DISCOVERED EXCESSIVE BRAKE FLUID LOSS COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL/SUSPENSION AREA. DEALER REPAIR REPORT: "FOUND VEHICLE TO HAVE LOST BREAKING ABILITY. FOUND REAR BRAKE LINES FROM ABS HUB RUSTED OUT CAUSING SYSTEM TO LOOSE BRAKING. REMOVED AND REPLACED REAR BRAKE LINES FROM ABS HUB TO MASTER." CONSIDERING THE BUSY HIGHWAY I WAS ENTERING AND ABSOLUTE NO WARNING FROM THE VEHICLE EITHER BY ELECTRONICS OR "FEEL", I CONSIDER IT A MIRACLE I WAS NOT IN A CRASH OR WORSE. AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES CORRODE, LIKELY DUE TO WINTER ROAD SALT EXPOSURE OVER TIME, AND ON THE YUKON ARE IN A LOCATION IN THE REAR THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO INSPECT OTHER THAN BY "FEEL" (INSTEAD OF VISUALLY). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 29, 2014130,000 milesOH

DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN BRAKES WENT SOFT AND FAILED PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, TOWED CAR HOME REPLACING ALL BRAKE LINES DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 22, 201475,300 milesNJ

LOST BRAKES DUE TO RUSTED FAILURE OF METAL BRAKE LINES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 6, 2014149,000 milesNY

TRAVELING ON BQE 3 LANE CROWDED HIGHWAY IN BROOKLYN WHEN ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR EXIT AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR - NO BRAKES - I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON LEVEL ROAD AND AVOIDED ACCIDENT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IT WAS NOT MY DAY TO DIE BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS.....THEN I SAW THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA 11001 AND READ THE INTERNET POSTS ON THIS GM PROBLEM AND CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL....HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO DIE? *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 14, 201363,174 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON DENALI XL 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIR WHERE THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE WAS DISCONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,174. UPDATED 10/17/13*LJ THE INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY REPLACED A SWITCH IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM USED TO EQUALIZE PRESSURE BETWEEN THE WHEELS. AFTER THE CONSUMER LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, THE NEXT DAY AND AN INSPECTION REVEALED A PROBLEM WITH THE EBCM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS DISCONTINUED. UPDATED 10/24/12

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 30, 2013110,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON XL 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STABILITY SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2013106,000 milesMS

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE SHOWS REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT. ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND NOT ABLE TO DRIVE OVER 10 MPH. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON GMC VEHICLES AND IN MY OPINION IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 29, 2012156,000 milesCO

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT DRIVES FINE BUT WHEN IT GETS TO SPEEDS AROUND 50-60 IT WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF I HAVE TO PUT IT ON N AND TURN THE KEY ALL THE WAY BACK AND THEN TRY STARTING IT AGAIN. AFTER IT TURNS OFF THE FIRST TIME THEN IT WILL START TURNING OFF MORE RANDOMLY. I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE TRUCKS AROUND THE SAME YEAR. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 16, 2012190,000 milesIN

APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT 35 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I COULD NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN VERY MUCH AND WENT THROUGH A VERY YELLOW LIGHT. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAITING AT THE LIGHT HAD NOT ENTERED THE INTERSECTION. THE A BRAKE LINE ROUTED ABOVE THE FRAME BLEW APART LOSING BRAKE FLUID EVERY TIME I PUMPED THE BRAKES. NO PRESSURE TO OPERATE THE REAR BRAKES. THE BREAK OCCURRED AT A RUSTED LOCATION. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling1 injured
Filed Jun 2, 2012FL

HTTP://TOWNHALL.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0E807E/115 HTTP://WWW.GMINSIDENEWS.COM/FORUMS/F31/2003-YUKON-XL-REDUCED-POWER-ISSUE-HELP-90910/ HTTP://WWW.JUSTANSWER.COM/GM/5BFXF-GMC-2003-GMC-YUKON-5-3-MOTOR-CODE-P1518.HTML HTTP://WWW.CHEVYAVALANCHEFANCLUB.COM/CAFCNA/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=43119.0;WAP2 PLEASE CHECK OUT THESE LINKS AS I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A FIX FOR MY "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" ISSUE WITH MY YUKON. I'VE COME ACROSS SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. MOST OF WHICH HAVE TAKEN THE ISSUE BACK TO GM DEALERS, WHO GET NO SUPPORT FOR THE PROBLEM FROM THE HOME OFFICE. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE ISSUE ITSELF IS THE TRUCK KICKS INTO "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MODE AND THEN IT DOES NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN IDLE WHICH MEANS IT ALL OF THE SUDDEN REDUCES THE SPEED TO 5 MPH MAXIMUM AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE ABS BRAKES. THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TROUBLESHOOTING THE ISSUE WITH NO SOLID FIXES FROM WHAT I CAN FIND. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD COME UP WITH A FIX SO THAT ISN'T A DANGEROUS HAZARD TO CONSUMERS AND OWNERS OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE THERE 2003 MODEL YEARS, IT SEEMS TO BE MOSTLY THERE 2003 MODEL YEARS. GM DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS AN ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US CONSUMERS OUT, WE WOULD JUST LIKE THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 26, 2012105,000 milesMD

WHEN STARTING MY 2003 GMC YUKON THE DASH SAYS REDUCED ENGINE POWER..IT WON'T GO OVER 15 MPH....IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY! I HAVE TO KEEP RESTARTING IT AND LET IT GET WARM BEFORE I CAN GO ANYWHERE. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE I AM DRIVING IT, AND SOMEONE HITS ME I WILL SUE GM, AS I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL GM CUSTOMER FOR 35 YRS...IF YOU READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THEN YOU WOULD DEFINITELY ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 27, 2011115,000 milesCO

VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED FROM 2 WD TO 4 WD LOW. DRIVER DID NOT ENGAGE 4WD LOW SYSTEM WHICH REQUIRES TO 1ST PLACE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL THEN SELECT 4 WD LOW BUTTON. DRIVER MOMENTARY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE (STEERING) BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD. DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS WERE JOINTED FORWARD WITH IMPACT OF ENGAGEMENT OF LOW GEARS AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 20, 2011160,000 milesTX

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT COMES ON AT I LOSE ALL POWER. I MUST TRY AND PULL OVER AT A SAFE PLACE, STOP THE CAR, TURN OFF IGNITION AND WAIT 10-15 SECOND BEFORE STARTING AND JUST HOPE IT WILL RETURN TO NORMAL MODE. THIS CAN HAPPEN MANY TIMES IN ONE DAY AND THEN IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AT ALL FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 70 MPH AND HAD TO IMMEDIATELY TRY AND PULL OVER OUT OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC, ONTO A SHOULDER AND STOP MY CAR WITH MY CHILDREN. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 11, 2011FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON XL K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING INACCURATELY AND REMAINED STUCK ON A SPECIFIC SPEED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW FAST OR SLOW SHE WAS TRAVELING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN MAY 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A SPECIAL POLICY BULLETIN WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE LIMITATIONS AND DID NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 09/26/11

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Jun 27, 201198,000 milesOH

I WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE. WHILE MANEUVERING BACK AND FORTH I STEP ON THE BRAKE PETAL TO SHIFT BACK TO FORWARD. THE VEHICLE STOPPED THEN THE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARD ABRUPTLY. THE VEHICLE MOVED AND STUCK THE HOUSE. THE REAR BRAKE LINE HAD SPLIT OPEN AT THE ABS BRAKING VALVE. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES AT THE VALVE WERE SEVERELY ROTTED. HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE STEEL LINES TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 11, 201172,494 milesTX

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FILED A COMPLAINT ( 10398842 ) WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT ON 05/03/2011. SINCE THAT DATE, WE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DALLAS, TX FOR A CONVENTION WITH NO VEHICLE PROBLEMS. THEN ON JUNE 5TH, WE WERE RETURNING FROM HOUSTON WHEN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING GAVE A MESSAGE THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO REDUCED POWER WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. WE HAD TO WORK OUR WAY TO A SAFE AREA TO PARK BECAUSE WE WERE A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS AFTERNOON I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS TO GET SOME RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT THE ENGINE WAS PROTECTING ITSELF FROM DAMAGE. AGAIN, I ASKED IF IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO PROTECT THE ENGINE THAN THE OCCUPANTS, THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS RATHER TESTY ABOUT THE ISSUE. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WHEN I SAID THAT NO AUTOMOBILE IN AMERICA SHOULD SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC FOR A NON EMERGENCY. ESPECIALLY SINCE THE DRIVER LOOSES CONTROL OF THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DURING THE REDUCED POWER INTERVAL WHICH SHOWS THAT ALL GAUGES WERE NORMAL SO THERE WAS NO REASON TO EXPECT ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS AT 500 RPM AND WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED. THIS IS CAUSING US TO FEAR DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. IN ANY CASE, I CANNOT SEE ANY REASON FOR ANY VEHICLE ON THE AMERICAN ROADS TO BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF ITSELF WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE PASSENGERS SHOULD BE THE PRIMARY CONCERN. I HOPE YOU CAN GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS WITH THIS V

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Apr 3, 2011TX

I WAS JUST DRIVING MY YUKON AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 100 MILES I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG BECAUSE WHEN I STOP AND TURN IT OFF THE SPEEDOMETER STAYED AT 40 MILES AND I DONT KNOW AT WHAT SPEED AM AT WHEN AM ON THE FREEWAY, I AS A MECHANIC SHOP AN THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR THAT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 10, 2011142,000 milesIL

WIFE WAS DRIVING TRUCK AT APPROX 30 MPH WHEN DIC ILLUMINATED WITH SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE. SHE THEN PRESSED THE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD NOT STOP FROM HITTING ANYTHING/ANYONE. ONLY AFTER PUMPING THE PEDAL DID THE TRUCK STOP. UPON INSPECTION THE BRAKE LINES HAVE ROTTED/CORRODED ALONG THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME RAIL. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED NOW, AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate1 injured
Filed Aug 8, 201089,000 milesMO

2003 YUKON BACK HATCH GLASS EXPLODED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE GLASS WAS EVERY WHERE AND CUT MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Jun 20, 2010NV

2003 GMC YUKON XL. TRUCK SHUT OFF AT 35 TO 40 MILEAGES AN HOUR, BRAKE LIGHT, ABS AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE SERVICE CAME ON THE DASH BOARD. ITS REALLY DANGEROUS DUE TO I WASN'T ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IT WAS VERY SCARY. I COULD IT KILL SOMEONE, FORTUNATELY NO CARS OR PEOPLE AROUND ME. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, SO I DRIVE IT ONE MORE TIME. BUT IT DID THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN. I'M PLANNING ON TOWING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HOPE HEY CAN HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 13, 201090,500 milesUT

INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 31, 200984,345 milesTX

2003 GMC YUKON XL SPEEDOMETER HANGS OR GOES 40 OR 50 MILES PER HOUR FASTER THAN ACTUAL SPEED. GM WANTS >$400 (TOO MUCH MONEY) TO REPAIR OCCURS ON MOST OF THEIR TRUCK AND SUVS. MINE HAS 90,000 MILE. THEY PROVIDED DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ARE PROFITING FROM THE REPAIR. GAUGE SEEMS TO FAIL ON LONG TRIPS AND THEN WILL EVENTUALLY START WORKING AGAIN. NEVER CAN TELL IF IT IS REALLY WORKING. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 31, 200993,000 milesTX

IN LATE AUGUST 2009, THE SPEEDOMETER ON OUR 2003 GMC YUKON XL STOPPED WORKING. WHEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER, HIS RESPONSE WAS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GMC VEHICLES OF THIS VINTAGE AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. COST TO REPAIR IS $550. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A WORKING SPEEDOMETER, THE DEALER KNOWS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO FIX IT. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 26, 200997,000 milesTX

2003 YUKON XL- REAR WINDOW FELL OFF AN SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING THOUGH CITY TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed May 1, 200967,200 milesMA

TAKING OFF FROM A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM A LOW SPEED THE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE COMES ON AND VEHICLE LOOSES POWER. HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 10 THAT HAVE BEEN WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I FEAR WE WILL BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS POWER TRAIN FAILURE. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM OR ERROR CODES. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 3, 200912,000 milesTX

I OWN A 2003 GMC YUKON XL 1500 THAT HAS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SECTION MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND AND AS THE SOUND GETS WORSE, THE STEERING BECOMES LOOSE. THE PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRST 12000 MILES. THE DEALER LUBRICATED IT A NUMBER OF TIMES UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. AT 62000 MILES FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SERVICE, THE DEALER SAID A REPLACEMENT PART WAS AVAILABLE THAT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER ARGUING WITH THE DEALER, HE AGREED TO REPLACED THE PART IF I PAID FOR THE LABOR . THE PROBLEM RETURNED AT ABOUT 85000 MILES. THE DEALER LUBRICATED AGAIN. TODAY AT 102000 MILES THE NOISE AND LOOSENESS IS BACK. COULD NOT WIN THE ARGUMENT THIS TIME. HAD TO PAY $213.00 FOR THE LATEST VERSION OF THE REPLACEMENT. I THINK GM IS AVOIDING THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. THEY ARE WELL AWARE THAT THIS WAS A POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 16, 200950,000 milesMA

FRONT RIGHT BEARING FAILED AT 50K MILES ON A 2003 YUKON XL. HAVING READ THE BLOGS THIS APPEARS COMMON. *TR

Visibility1 injured
Filed Feb 2, 200997,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON XL 1500. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, ACTIVATED THE HEATER, AND CLOSED THE DOOR. HE STEPPED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND, UPON RETURNING, HE NOTICED A FIVE INCH HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND DOOR AND THE GLASS SHATTERED IN HIS WIFE'S FACE. THE FAILURE HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONCE, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A SEVERE INJURY COULD HAVE RESULTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 28, 2009110,000 milesGA

SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE READ INCORRECTLY OR NOT ALL . INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE ISSUE COMES ON GRADUALLY SO THERE IS A PERIOD OF TIME WITH THE SPEEDOMETER YOU REALLY DOT NOT KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE TRAVELING. WITH SOME SIMPLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IT IS OBVIOUS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS GM LINE. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 16, 200833,000 milesCA

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING KNUCKLE/COLUMN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. DEALER WOULD DIAGNOSE AS "JUST THE WAY THOSE CARS ARE, NOTHING IS WRONG". STEERING DOES NOT FEEL SAFE FOR A LARGE CAR LIKE THE YUKON. I PURCHASED AN SUV TO FEEL SAFER WITH FAMILY. BUT STEERING ALWAYS FEELS LOOSE ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. NOISES ALSO WHEN TURNING. OVER TIME IT JUST GETS WORSE. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A NEWER MODEL YUKON BUT REFUSE TO WASTE MONEY IF THIS IS HOW THEY DRIVE. I DON'T THINK IT'S SAFE. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY MANUFACTURER. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Sep 8, 200854,357 milesCT

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FAILS ON AWD VERSIONS OF YUKON/DENALI MODELS. UNUSUAL FRONT DRIVELINE NOISE IS EXPERIENCED ESPECIALLY DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION OR LOAD. NOISE IS A WHINE TYPE OF LOAD. THIS ONE FAILED @ 54,000 CAUSING DEALER TO REBUILD FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WITH NEW BEARINGS AND SEALS. OLD BEARINGS WERE BADLY SCORED AND ONE OF THEM BROKEN TO MANY PIECES. I ASKED FOR PARTS AND WAS GIVEN WHAT COULD BE PULLED OUT. INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES MANY OWNERS WITH AWD SYSTEMS WHICH WERE ALSO AVAILABLE ON YUKON AS WELL AS DENALI MODELS HAVE HAD SIMILAR FAILURES. COST TO REPAIR AS WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 40,000 MILES WAS APPROX. $1000. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Aug 30, 200877,350 milesRI

THE REAR HINGE ON THE LFT GLASS CAME AWAY FROM THE GLASS, LEAVING THE REAR WINDOW UNSAFE. FORTUNATELY I NOTICED AND HAD IT REPAIRED (REPLACED) BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 12, 200876,145 milesGA

2003 YUKON XL REAR GLASS HINGE (DRIVER'S SIDE) FAILED WHILE DRIVING. HEARD WHISTLING SOUND, DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, STOPPED AT HOME DEPOT AND REAR GLASS HATCH WOULDN'T CLOSE AFTER I'D OPENED IT. HINGE ITSELF APPEARS TO BE INTACT, JUST DEBONDED/DEWELDED FROM THE GLASS. GM WANTS $1100 TO REPLACE WITH A DIFFERENT WINDOW- THE ORIGINAL DESIGN LIKE THE ONE THAT FAILED HAS BEEN 'IMPROVED UPON' AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. WHAT'S FUNNY IS THAT THERE'S A RECALL FOR SUBURBANS OF THE SAME YEAR, BUT NOT YUKON XLS EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME PART... *TR

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Apr 18, 200875,000 milesCA

WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS IN THROUGH THE SUNROOF. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Apr 9, 2008MN

DEFECT. RIGHT PASSENGER AIR BAG SIDE MODULE (FRONT SEAT) WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED AT MY TOTAL COST OF $476.10 ON 4-20-07. THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT ALERTED ME AROUND 4-2-08 THAT THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED (THE REPLACEMENT PART IS DEFECTIVE), AFTER ONLY 5,500 MILES OF VEHICLE USAGE. A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT FOR SOMEWHAT LESS THAN HALF OF THOSE MILES--A DEFECT AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR AND LESS THAN 2,300 MILES OF EQUIVALENT SERVICE. THE SPECIFIC NATURE OF THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED BY AN INDEPENDENT EXPERIENCED SERVICE TECHNICIAN. I SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAD THE FIRST PROBLEM, LET ALONE THE 2ND. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Feb 12, 2008131,000 milesNJ

SPEEDOMETER INDICATOR SETTLES AT VARIOUS PLACES WHEN STOPPED, AND INDICATE INACCURATE FORWARD TRAVEL SPEED. AS AN EXAMPLE, THE SPEEDO WILL INDICATE 90MPH WHEN ACTUALLY TRAVELING 55MPH. THE SETTLE POINT, AND RESULTING INDICATOR POSITION AT ANY SPEED IS RANDOM. I HAVE BEEN READING SEVERAL FORUMS ABOUT THE HIGH RATE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IN GMC VEHICLES, AND FEEL THAT IT IS CERTAINLY A RECALL ITEM. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 24, 2008TX

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Oct 30, 2007FL

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. NO CRASH OR INJURIES. THE PART WAS REPLACED. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE NEW PART HAS INTERMITTENT FLUCTUATIONS. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 63, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20125000Routine
201112200Routine
20108100Routine
200911000Routine
200818000Routine
200760010Routine
20065000Routine
200524110Routine
200436100Routine
2003 — this page63100Routine
200223100Routine
200129110Routine
200015100Routine

Compare every Yukon XL 1500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.