2003 GMC Yukon XL

Routine

Owners filed 102 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,200 milesMedian miles at failure

81 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel17
101
Service Brakes16
101
Electrical System16
000
Steering4
000
Tires › Tread/Belt3
000
Tires3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling3
001
Unknown or Other2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic04V045000
Filed Feb 4, 200468,875 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy. DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments03V037000
Filed Feb 6, 2003107 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR STRENGTH MAY BE DEGRADED DURING A SIDE IMPACT VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. IF A WELD IS FOUND OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, A BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HINGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly03V019000
Filed Jan 27, 20035,734 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL TANK SHIELD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Feb 23, 2026300,000 milesGA

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 GMC Yukon XL. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale on January 26th, 2026. At the time of purchase and at the time of the vehicle registration, the vehicle mileage was 186,000. While applying for insurance on February 20, 2026, the contact was informed that the vehicle was due for a 300,000-mile maintenance plan. The contact confirmed through the Carfax Report that the actual mileage was 300,000. The dealer was contacted and informed of the odometer fraud discovery; however, the dealer refused further contact to resolve the issue. The odometer fraud was also reported to the State Consumer Protection Division.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 6, 2020220,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY CHAIN WAS ATTACHED TO THE KEYS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START HOWEVER, WHEN THE KEY CHAIN WAS REMOVED, THE VEHICLE START AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 23, 2020CO

HEADLIGHTS AS WELL AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON HIGHBEAMS DO HOWEVER

Suspension
Filed Dec 2, 2019250,000 milesWA

CONCERNED ABOUT THE SERVICE NOTICE ON MY DIC WITH THE AUTO RIDE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. P0660 CODE DETECTION. NO INDICATION OF WHAT THE CONDITION OF THE SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE AND IF THE VEHICLE IS IN A SAFE MODE UNTIL REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT OF PARTS ARE MADE.CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HAS LOCKED THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION TO WHICH THE COMPRESSOR WILL NOT ACTIVATE. SHOCKS ARE IN A MAINTAINED PRESSURE TO WHICH THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN A FIRM PRESSURE MAKING A SOLID RIDE AS IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE IF IN TOW MODE.NOT SURE IF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HANDLING ARE EFFECTIVE.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 8, 2019130,000 milesTN

BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO LEAK FROM RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINE UNDER DRIVER SEAT AREA AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 28, 2016195,633 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON XL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A GRINDING SOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 195,633.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 9, 2016145,369 milesWI

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. GAUGES RANDOMLY STICK OR FALSELY READ TO INCLUDE SPEEDOMETER. SOMETIMES IT WILL STICK AT A RANDOM SPEED. OTHER TIMES IT WILL PEG AT ITS MAX. UNKNOWN IF ODOMETER IS INVOLVED. SOMETIMES THEY RESET AFTER REPEATED START/OFF CYCLES. WAS COVERED UNDER A GM RECALL BULLETIN NO: 07187B, PAGE 8. CURRENT ODOMETER IS 145,369. SHOULD GM NOT REPAIR THIS AFTER THE WARRANTED PERIOD? THIS IS JUST AS DANGEROUS NOW THAN IT WAS AT 70,000 MILES. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE VERY RARELY READS CORRECTLY. I TRAILER TOW OFTEN AND CORRECT OIL PRESSURE IS IMPERATIVE AS IS A CORRECT SPEEDOMETER READING. ON THE TOP OF THE PAGE I DOWNLOADED FROM NHTSA IS THE NUMBER CSC-10026542-8984. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO WITH A FAULTY AMP GAUGE BUT WITHIN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS IT HAS NOW AFFECTED ALL GAUGES BUT THE FUEL GAUGE, WATER TEMP AND TRANSMISSION TEMP. POSSIBLY RELATED IS THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE HEAT IS ON ALL THE TIME (ON HI) AND CAN ONLY BE SHUT OFF BY UNPLUGGING THE SEAT WHICH DEACTIVATES THE AIR BAG SENSOR, POWER SEAT CONTROL AND THE LIKE. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED GM AT THIS TIME. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO MY COURSE OF ACTION.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2016498,000 milesIL

THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO NEARLY STRIKE A NUMBER OF CHILDREN AT A CROSSWALK. AFTER EXAMINATION BY A MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED AND BURST UNDER PRESSURE. I HAVE RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THIS POTENTIAL FAILURE FROM GMC EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. SHOULDN'T THE MANUFACTURER HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO REPAIR THIS POTENTIALLY LETHAL PROBLEM? AT A MINIMUM I FEEL THAT GMC AND/OR THE NHTSA HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES THAT THEY ARE DRIVING A POTENTIALLY DEADLY VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 26, 2015237,954 milesMO

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT OR IMPACT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 2, 201450,000 milesNY

BRAKE FAILED WHEN APPLIED.MECHANIC SAID LINE IS RUSTED CAUSING LEAK. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 2014106,158 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND KEEPING UP WITH TRAFFIC, I NOTICED MY SPEED WAS 75MPH. SLOWING DOWN TO THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT I WAS SUDDENLY GETTING PASSED UP BY EVERYONE. IT WASN'T UNTIL I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WHILE WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 10MPH (WHILE STANDING STILL). CHECKING GMC AND CHEVROLET FORUMS ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND A DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN. THE READING ON THE SPEEDOMETER WHILE IN PARK NOW VARIES BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, AND I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA HOW FAST I'M ACTUALLY TRAVELING WHILE DRIVING. I'VE MADE AN APPT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, AND I'M SURE THE REPAIRS WILL BE EXPENSIVE! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2014143,000 milesMI

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, NO BRAKES. STEEL BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH ON FRAME RAIL NEAR GAS TANK CAUSING FLUID CONTAINER TO EMPTY COMPLETELY. NO ADVANCED WARNING LAMP OR INDICATION OF FAILURE. TO REPLACE THE LINE, THE FUEL TANK MUST BE REMOVED. DEALER CHARGE $800.00 AND UP. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 15, 2014130,000 milesNY

I HAD A PANIC STOP WHILE DRIVING MY SUV, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, OFFERING ALMOST NO BRAKING ABILITY. THIS CAUSED ME TO SHARPLY SWERVE AROUND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, DRIVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND FIND A SAFE PLACE TO LAND. I HAD MY 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND 9 YEAR OLD SON WITH ME, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2014PA

CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF ME, HAD TO APPLY MAXIMUM BRAKING EFFORT. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK GRADUALLY SLOWED. FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE AND BRAKE WERE FUTILE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 201490,550 milesIN

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 60 MPH... WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A CHIMING NOISE AND MY "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" ALERT CAME ON! I THEN ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AND TO MY UNFORTUNATE DISCOVERY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. (SCARY) I LET THE VEHICLE COAST A BIT TO SLOW DOWN AND TRIED PUMPING MY BRAKES.. NOW PLEASE KEEP IN MIND I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. (SCARIER) I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY STOP AND PULL OVER. I DISCOVERED THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING.. LONG STORY SHORT MY HUSBAND CAME AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME.. BUT BASICALLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD!!! I DID SOME RESEARCHING- CALLING A FEW DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE LOCATIONS AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ANYWHERE FROM $1,500 TO $600.00 TO HAVE THE LINES REPLACED,ECT. I AM FURIOUS THAT GM IS TRYING TO THROW THIS ON THE CONSUMER STATING THIS WAS A "MAINTENANCE ISSUE"... I HAVE READ NUMEROUS STORIES OF PEOPLE (REAL PEOPLE) HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT GM WANTS TO SAY THIS IS OUT FAULT!!?!?!? NO WAY... IS THERE ANY RECOURSE? THANK GOD WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *MY HUSBAND HAD A FRIEND OF HIS WHO WORKS ON VEHICLES TAKE A LOOK AND STATED THE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CORRODED!!* *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 30, 2014133,000 milesPA

I WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 GMC YUKON XL HOME AND THE BRAKES WENT THE FLOOR, LET ME TELL YOU THIS IS VERY SCARY ESPECIALLY WITH SUCH A LARGE VEHICLE. LUCKILY I WAS A BLOCK AWAY AND MADE IT HOME PUMPING THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE LINES BROKE JUST ABOVE THE REAR AXLE. BOTH LINES COME OUT OF A CONNECTOR AND THEY WERE VERY SEVERELY RUSTY, IT IS TOUGH TO SEE UNLESS YOU REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE SAME BRAKE LINES THAT RUN ACROSS THE REAR AXLE, THEY LOOK FINE. DON'T LET THAT FOOL YOU, THEY MAY BE VERY RUSTY UP FARTHER WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE. DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME, BUT WE ALSO LOST OUR BRAKES WITH NO WARNING IN OUR 2002 GMC YUKON. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH 2/2 GMC FROM 2002 AND 2003 THERE MUST BE MANY OTHERS AND ACCIDENTS FROM THIS HAPPENING, ITS A VERY FAST LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID WITH NO WARNING. GM HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS IF THEY WANT OUR BUSINESS AGAIN. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 2014102,000 milesAL

I WAS DRIVEN MY VEHICLE AND MY ABS AND SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. I RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A FIELD MY PADS AND BRAKE FLUID IS GOOD. I CHECK ONLINE AND DISCOVERED RECALLS ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS VEHICLE. THE RECALL # IS 75641 WHEEL CAP COVER HUB RECALL DATE DEC 17,2007. ALSO THE WAS RECALL ON SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC RECALL # 42659 RECALL DATE FEB 2004. I CONTACTED GMC 800# AND SPOKE WITH [XXX] HIS AGENT I.D # [XXX] HE HAD A SPECIALIST CONTACT ME AND HE GAVE ME REFERENCE# OF[XXX]. I WENT LOCAL GMC SPOKE WITH A[XXX] AND GMC SPECIALIST [XXX] DON'T REFUSE TO INSPECT WITHOUT A CHARGE. MY SUV DOING THE SAME AS RECALL STATED THEY SAID NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jul 8, 2014OK

THE AIR CONDITIONER SWITCHES TO HEAT WHILE DRIVING. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed May 28, 2014200,000 milesMI

TRAVELING AT 25 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. PUMPING THE BRAKES HELPED STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. UPON THEIR INSPECTION, THEY STATED THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED AND THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND TRAFFIC WAS NOT IN THE WAY AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 7, 2014178,465 milesOH

BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED THROUGH LINE. UPON DIAGNOSIS ALL LINES RUSTED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. HAD TO PUSH PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR HARD TO COME TO SOFT STOP. *TR

20 of 102 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202632300Do not drive
202527100Routine
202470200Routine
2023212400Above average
2022164400Routine
20212201210Above average
202046210Routine
201967200Do not drive
201853210Do not drive
2017147100Routine
2016200320Do not drive
2015306230Above average
201411300Routine
201322400Routine
201213400Routine
201147310Routine
201028300Routine
200923500Routine
200869410Routine
200797400Routine
200617300Routine
200542600Routine
200487420Routine
2003 — this page102400Routine
200295210Routine
2001120502Fatalities reported
200069700Routine
19993000Routine

Compare every Yukon XL 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: Dec 17, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.