2017 GMC YUKON XL Complaints

Adaptive cruise control system is not properly designed to recognize vehicles that are adjacent to the traveling lane and not directly in front of the vehicle. When traveling on the interstate with adaptive cruise engaged, we came around a bend in the road approaching an entrance ramp. There was a slow moving vehicle on the entrance ramp which was apparently identified by the adaptive cruise system as being in front of our vehicle in the same lane. The adaptive cruise caused our vehicle to brake violently while still in the bend in the road, which in turn caused us to swerve into the next lane where there was a car traveling adjacent, but just behind us. This was a very unexpected series of events, and could have resulted in catastrophic consequences had the adjacent car been any closer at the time. This is a major flaw in the adaptive cruise system. And it is compounded by the fact that the adaptive cruise system cannot be switched over to a manually controlled more traditional cruise system. This is a severe design flaw with the GMC Yukon. Some of this could be remedied by issuing a firmware update that allows the driver to disengage the adaptive cruise and switch to a more traditional cruise control method. But GMC has no interest in providing this update, even with multiple message board threads talking about the dangers of the adaptive cruise control.

This complaint is not in response to an event. It is a safety issue resulting from a common problem with this vehicle model, i.e.: brake light failure. The tail/brake light LED circuit board has a design weakness resulting in cracking of the board in 2 common locations, resulting in stop light illumination failures, which could lead to rear end collisions. GM has not issued a recall and their extended warranty allowance is inadequate, thereby leaving a significant repair expense falling to owners when the problem is encountered. The proper safety response is for GM to recall all of the vehicles with this style tail light in order to repair the circuit board weakness.

Taillights and brake lights inoperative. GMC knows of problem and refuses to repair vehicle outside of manufacturer warranty (lights failed after warranty period). I have seen SEVERAL other Yukons on the road with NO brake lights or tail lights. Extremely dangerous situation.

Rear LED brake light stopped working. Supposed to have a vehicle lifetime lifespan. i.e. never require replacing. This light assembly was found to be defective in the previous year model and not fixed.

Passenger rear tail lamp/brake lamp failure. This is a known issue with GMC Yukon vehicles MY 2015-2019 with LED tail lamps. Metal within the lamp vibrates loose and cause the brake lamp to fail - thus resulting in no BRAKE Lamps illuminating at braking. This would be the second time this issue has occurred in 4 months, with the previous repair occurring rear drivers side and logged with NHTSA for this issue under 11436519. Opening this case as now the other side (passenger failed) with the EXACT same issue.

LED Taillight failure REAR DRIVERS SIDE. This seems to be a common occurance amongst GMC Yukon Denali XL, where the circuit housing for the LED board begins failure with fissure within the electrical contact points. The fissure soon erupts causing a shunt within the LED semiconductor and causing the brake lights to cease functioning.

We were on the freeway with my 4 small children. The freeway speed is 75 mph. The car had been jerking and hard shifting for over a week and I had it scheduled with a mechanic. As we were driving on the freeway, it lost total power as cars were going to the left and right around us. I was barely able to get it to the side of the road without being hit. This could have been tragic! I took it to the mechanic and the transmission is shaving a lot of metal (that was in the bottom of the pan). I have had to pay to have a whole new transmission redone. This is absurd with a car that is only 4 years old.

Driving on city streets at approximately 45-50 MPH the transmission began shifting erratically and made significant squealing noises. After stopping, the transmission could not be shifted to another gear and was stuck in drive (D) for approximately 30 minutes. After evaluation from a professional auto mechanic, these transmissions were equipped with the incorrect fluid type from the factory that has since been taken off the market. The transmission needed to be replaced at ~99,000 miles.

There is a known issue with the wiring harness that warns the driver by vibrating the driver's seat. The original wiring harness will short out causing malfunction of the safety feature. The wiring harness has been redesigned to correct the defect, yet GM has not issued a recall. The safety feature is an important factor in the operation of the vehicle and when this feature does not work property, safety is compromised.

Brake lights are going out due to cracking in the LED strip. Slight jars to lights will make them work for a short time.