Model research hub
GMC Yukon
Car and Driver says the GMC Yukon received several updates the year before, so it should carry over into 2026 unchanged. MotorTrend agrees, saying following a major update the year before, the Yukon enters 2026 with minor changes, and that the Yukon Denali starts at approximately $81,000 while the Ultimate version goes for more than $103,000. MotorTrend separately says the 2026 Yukon Denali builds on the Yukon's legacy with upscale materials, advanced tech, and bold presence, offered with a choice between two engines, both connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Carrying over unchanged
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the GMC Yukon received several updates the year before, so it should carry over into 2026 unchanged. MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) agrees, saying following a major update the year before, the Yukon enters 2026 with minor changes.
Denali and Ultimate pricing
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 Yukon Denali starts at approximately $81,000 and the Ultimate version goes for more than $103,000.
Two engine choices on the Denali
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 Yukon Denali builds on the Yukon's legacy with upscale materials, advanced tech, and bold presence, and is available with a choice between two engines, both connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2026 GMC Yukon changing from last year?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) and MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) both say only minor changes after a major update the year before.
How much does the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate cost?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says more than $103,000.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 GMC Yukon is built around 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel, rated at 355 / 420 / 305 horsepower across its full-size SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 5 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2026 GMC Yukon is published to tow is up to 8,400 lb (properly equipped).
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2026 Yukon.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 GMC Yukon
MY2026 carries the Yukon's Elevation/AT4/AT4 Ultimate/Denali/Denali Ultimate trim ladder and engine lineup forward from MY2025 on GM's T1 architecture, built on the same platform as the extended-length Yukon XL.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
3 indexed GMC Yukon model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 GMC Yukon | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 GMC Yukon | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 GMC Yukon | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the GMC Yukon.
The GMC Yukon is built alongside the Chevrolet Tahoe, and public records cover the two together. Generation history, the fact box and background are on the Chevrolet Tahoe page; the safety record for the GMC Yukon itself follows.
NHTSA rated the 2025 GMC Yukon overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 3 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)
- May 2026, Wheels:Hub. General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in… Consequence: A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- May 2026, Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive). General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV… Consequence: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- February 2026, Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual. General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette… Consequence: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 GMC Yukon, most often about engine (35), electrical system (8), power train (7).
Year by year
The GMC Yukon across 13 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 GMC Yukon | 16–23 | $3,800–$5,000 | 12 | |||
| 2026 GMC Yukon | 16–23 | $3,650–$4,850 | 12 | 3 | 5 stars | |
| 2025 GMC Yukon | 16–23 | $3,650–$4,850 | 12 | 2 | 52 | 5 stars |
| 2024 GMC Yukon | 16–23 | $3,650–$4,850 | 12 | 3 | 168 | 4 stars |
| 2023 GMC Yukon | 16–23 | $3,650–$4,850 | 12 | 4 | 227 | 4 stars |
| 2022 GMC Yukon | 16–23 | $3,650–$4,850 | 20 | 5 | 175 | 4 stars |
| 2021 GMC Yukon | 16–23 | $3,450–$4,850 | 20 | 13 | 319 | 4 stars |
| 2020 GMC Yukon | 16–18 | $3,450–$4,850 | 12 | 4 | 36 | 4 stars |
| 2019 GMC Yukon | 16–18 | $3,450–$4,850 | 12 | 2 | 54 | 4 stars |
| 2018 GMC Yukon | 16–19 | $3,300–$4,850 | 12 | 3 | 69 | 4 stars |
| 2017 GMC Yukon | 16–19 | $3,300–$3,900 | 12 | 3 | 196 | 4 stars |
| 2016 GMC Yukon | 17–19 | $3,300–$3,650 | 12 | 5 | 266 | 4 stars |
| 2015 GMC Yukon | 16–18 | $3,450–$3,900 | 16 | 10 | 546 | 4 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the GMC Yukon, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 to 2023 | 20 to 12 | Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start, 6.2L 8-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start | ||
| 2020 to 2021 | 12 to 20 | 17.0 to 19.5 | Labels: Yukon 2WD, Yukon 4WD, Yukon XL 2WD, Yukon XL 4WD; Engines: 3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start, 6.2L 8-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start; Fuels: Diesel | Labels: Yukon C1500 2WD, Yukon C1500 XL 2WD, Yukon K1500 4WD, Yukon K1500 XL 4WD; Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl SIDI; FFV; Transmissions: Automatic 6-spd; Fuels: Gasoline or E85 |
| 2018 to 2019 | 17.5 to 17.0 | |||
| 2017 to 2018 | Transmissions: Automatic 10-spd; Fuels: Premium | Transmissions: Automatic 8-spd | ||
| 2016 to 2017 | 18.0 to 17.5 | |||
| 2015 to 2016 | 16 to 12 | 17.0 to 18.0 |
Buying used
What the GMC Yukon recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | equipment (other); power train (transfer case (4-wheel drive)); wheels (hub) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2025 | 2 | equipment adaptive/mobility (wheelchair restraints/securement); wheels (hub) | None |
| 2024 | 3 | service brakes, hydraulic (brake fluid low warning); engine and engine cooling; fuel system, diesel (storage) | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2023 | 4 | exterior lighting (lighting control module); suspension (rear); service brakes, hydraulic (brake fluid low warning); 1 more | 2 fixable over the air |
| 2022 | 5 | seat belts (critical fasteners); exterior lighting (lighting control module); engine and engine cooling; 2 more | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2021 | 13 | seats; seat belts; fuel system, gasoline (storage); 9 more | 3 fixable over the air |
| 2020 | 4 | service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip); fuel system, gasoline (delivery); tires; 1 more | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2019 | 2 | service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip); power train (transfer case (4-wheel drive)) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2018 | 3 | service brakes, hydraulic (power assist); service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip) | None |
| 2017 | 3 | air bags (frontal); service brakes, hydraulic (power assist); service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip) | None |
| 2016 | 5 | suspension (front); air bags (frontal); service brakes, hydraulic (power assist); 1 more | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2015 | 10 | engine and engine cooling (exhaust system); power train (automatic transmission); power train (transfer case (4-wheel drive)); 5 more | None |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2016, campaign 16V-256 (Apr 2016): suspension (front). Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
- 2019, campaign 26V-289 (May 2026): power train (transfer case (4-wheel drive)). Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- 2020, campaign 26V-289 (May 2026): power train (transfer case (4-wheel drive)). Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- 2026, campaign 26V-289 (May 2026): power train (transfer case (4-wheel drive)). Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 764 | 36% | 2021 (179) |
| exterior lighting | 428 | 20% | 2015 (275) |
| power train | 330 | 15% | 2015 (51) |
| electrical system | 298 | 14% | 2015 (83) |
| service brakes | 220 | 10% | 2015 (91) |
| unknown or other | 180 | 8% | 2015 (43) |
Trim by trim
Every 2027 GMC Yukon trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 4WD | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355 | 383 | 5,799 | – | 17 | $72,695 |
| AT4 | 4WD | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355 | 383 | 5,799 | – | 17 | $80,395 |
| Denali | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 420 | 460 | 5,868 | – | 16 | $85,895 |
| AT4 Ultimate | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 420 | 460 | 5,868 | – | 16 | $100,995 |
| Denali Ultimate | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 420 | 460 | 5,868 | – | 16 | $107,595 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2027 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every GMC Yukon model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 5 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,799–5,868 | – | 24 |
| 2026 | 5 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,799–5,868 | – | 24 |
| 2025 | 5 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,677–5,827 | – | 24 |
| 2024 | 5 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,677–5,827 | 7,500–8,000 | 24 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,677–5,827 | 7,500–8,000 | 24 |
| 2022 | 4 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,677–5,827 | 8,000–8,200 | 24 |
| 2021 | 4 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,677–5,827 | 7,500–7,700 | 24 |
| 2020 | 4 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,626–5,743 | 6,300–8,100 | 26 |
| 2019 | 4 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,626–5,743 | 6,300–8,100 | 26 |
| 2018 | 4 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,626–5,743 | 8,100–8,200 | 26 |
| 2017 | 3 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,626–5,743 | 6,300–8,100 | 26 |
| 2016 | 3 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,626–5,743 | 6,300–8,100 | 26 |
| 2015 | 3 | 5.3-liter V8 (EcoTec3) / 6.2-liter V8 (EcoTec3) | 355–420 | 5,545–5,784 | 8,100–8,200 | 26 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the GMC Yukon.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0W-20 (8.0 qt) | – | 140 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2026 | 0W-20 (8.0 qt) gasoline engines; 0W-20 (7.0 qt) 3.0L Duramax Diesel | DOT 4 | 140 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2025 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2024 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2022 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2021 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2020 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2019 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2018 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2017 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2016 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
GMC Yukon: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2021 GMC Yukon : 13 recalls on file, most commonly affecting seat belts and powertrain.
- 2015 GMC Yukon : 10 recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags and steering.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | not available | equipment, powertrain, wheels |
| 2025 | 2 | 52 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility, wheels |
| 2024 | 3 | 168 | brakes, engine cooling, fuel system |
| 2023 | 4 | 227 | exterior lighting, suspension, brakes, engine cooling |
| 2022 | 5 | 175 | seat belts, exterior lighting, engine cooling, fuel system |
| 2021 | 13 | 319 | seat belts, powertrain, fuel system, steering |
| 2020 | 4 | 36 | tires, fuel system, brakes, powertrain |
| 2019 | 2 | 54 | brakes, powertrain |
| 2018 | 3 | 69 | brakes |
| 2017 | 3 | 196 | brakes, airbags |
| 2016 | 5 | 266 | brakes, airbags, suspension |
| 2015 | 10 | 546 | airbags, steering, brakes, powertrain |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for GMC Yukon model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a GMC Yukon?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2021, 2015 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which GMC Yukon model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2021 GMC Yukon has 13 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting seat belts, powertrain, fuel system; The 2015 GMC Yukon has 10 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags, steering, brakes. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the GMC Yukon by model year?
2026: equipment, powertrain, wheels. 2025: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility, wheels. 2024: brakes, engine cooling, fuel system. 2023: exterior lighting, suspension, brakes, engine cooling. 2022: seat belts, exterior lighting, engine cooling, fuel system. 2021: seat belts, powertrain, fuel system, steering.
Q04Why do some GMC Yukon model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for GMC Yukon model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering, Transmission and drivetrain, Engine and cooling, Climate and electrical.
2021 GMC Yukon owners specifically: see Buying, records and recalls and Transmission and drivetrain and Engine and cooling and Brakes, tires and steering.
2015 GMC Yukon owners specifically: see Buying, records and recalls and Brakes, tires and steering and Transmission and drivetrain.
Compared with
Models this GMC Yukon is most often compared with.
Nearest GMC models
Other GMC models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Yukon come in?
The 2026 GMC Yukon (full-size SUV) comes in 5 trims: Elevation, AT4, AT4 Ultimate, Denali, Denali Ultimate.
Q02What are the 2026 Yukon trims?
The 2026 GMC Yukon trims are Elevation, AT4, AT4 Ultimate, Denali, Denali Ultimate, listed from the entry Elevation up to the top Denali Ultimate.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Yukon use?
The 2026 GMC Yukon is built around 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel, rated at 355 / 420 / 305 horsepower across its full-size SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 Yukon have?
The 2026 GMC Yukon is rated at 355 / 420 / 305 horsepower (5.3L V8, 6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Yukon?
The 2026 GMC Yukon is offered with RWD / 4WD.