Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2017 GMC Yukon Denali with NHTSA between 2017 and 2025.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 17 of 18 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 12
Against the median year of the GMC Yukon Denali. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 52
31% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2017 compares with every other GMC Yukon Denali
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
320.0%
Median failure at 42,050 miles
Suspension
213.3%
Median failure at 94,700 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
213.3%
Median failure at 64,781 miles
Engine & Cooling
213.3%
Median failure at 49,690 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.7%
Median failure at 1,600 miles
Seats
16.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
16.7%
Median failure at 65,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
16.7%
Median failure at 35,566 miles
Body & Structure
16.7%
Median failure at 2,000 miles
Electrical System
16.7%
Median failure at 152,498 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
323.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
430.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
17.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
323.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
17.7%
150,000+ miles
17.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2017peak 3Jun 2025
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 89,400 milesAlliance, OH
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started bouncing. The contact stated that the transmission also failed to shift properly. The service engine and suspension warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that a bearing had detached, and the transmission had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,400.
NHTSA complaint #11667072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,400 milesAlliance, OH
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started bouncing. The contact stated that the transmission also failed to shift properly. The service engine and suspension warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that a bearing had detached, and the transmission had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,400.
NHTSA complaint #11667072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,400 milesAlliance, OH
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started bouncing. The contact stated that the transmission also failed to shift properly. The service engine and suspension warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that a bearing had detached, and the transmission had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,400.
NHTSA complaint #11667072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesBuffalo Grove, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at slow speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but was stiff. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The vehicle was coasted until coming to a complete stop after each failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact believed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
NHTSA complaint #11642493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,498 milesKansas City, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the trailer brake system service warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the trailer brake system warning light illuminated several times within a minute. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,498.
NHTSA complaint #11566974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesCincinnati, OH
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the sunroof glass exploded without impact. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the sunroof glass to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #11440920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMechanicsville, VA
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving over a bump in the road at various speeds, the vehicle became airborne. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and informed him that the struts failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11419504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,100 milesWaukesha, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY TO PARK IN GARAGE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP CORRECTLY, ALMOST RESULTING IN ME HITTING MY GARAGE DOOR PILLAR. AS I BACKED UP, STARTED TO PULL FORWARD INTO MY GARAGE STALL, VEHICLE BREAK PEDAL WAS HARD AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP, AGAIN ALMOST HITTING MY FRONT WALL. SAME THING HAPPENS GOING IN REVERSE. BRAKE POWER WOULD COME AND GO. FEELS AS THOUGH FRONT RIGHT BREAK WOULD LOCK BUT NOT STOP, AND EVENTUALLY ALL STOPPING POWER WOULD GO AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11194332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,566 milesMosinee, WI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PURCHASED A USED 2017 GMC YUKON DENALI WITH ALMOST 36,000 MILES. 4 DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVING RIGHT, VERY SLOW MOVING (COULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 45 MILES PER HOUR), VERY SHAKY, LOUD, FELT LIKE IT WAS EITHER GOING TO DIE ON ME OR BLOW UP. HAD ONSTAR CHECK IT OUT WITH SEVERAL ISSUES REPORTED, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY. 3 FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAILING AND WERE REPLACED STILL UNDER WARRANTY. FUEL INJECTOR #3 WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE AND NOW AGAIN REPLACED ALONG WITH INJECTOR #5 & #8. 2 WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. DROVE OK, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, FUEL INJECTOR #1 NOW GOING OUT. PARTS ON BACK ORDER....GOT A CALL THIS MORNING THAT PARTS ARE IN (HAD TO WAIT OVER A WEEK). I AM NOW OVER THE 36,000 MILES AND WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING TO REPLACE THIS INJECTOR. OPTED TO HAVE ALL THE OTHER INJECTORS REPLACED AS WELL. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND NEED A RELIABLE VEHICLE, WHICH THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN RELIABLE. HAD THIS VEHICLE A MONTH AND ITS BEEN NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE AND IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES. THESE ISSUES MUST BE COMMON SINCE THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE ON BACKORDER AND THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11183900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,162 milesNewport Coast, CA
POWER TRAIN
SHUDDER UNDER LIGHT, CONSTANT ACCELERATION AT 35MPH TO 55MPH, RPM UNDER 1,500. UPHILL GRADE IT IS ACCENTUATED. SHUDDER OCCURS FOR 1 SECOND ACROSS WHOLE VEHICLE, REOCCURS EVERY FEW SECONDS AT A CONSTANT INTERVAL. SEEMS TO BE SAME ISSUE WITH ALL 8L90 TRANSMISSIONS FROM GM/CHEVY/CADI.
NHTSA complaint #11130750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,980 milesCressona, PA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC YUKON DENALI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE MESSAGE "CHECK TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (KELLY BUICK/GMC, 585 STATE RD., EMMAUS, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,980.
NHTSA complaint #11121202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesGreen BAY, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR TAIL GATE COMES DOWN ON YOU WHEN PUTTING IN OR TAKING OUT ITEMS. IN GARAGE AND PARKING LOT AT THE TIMES. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN LAST MONTH. OCCURANCES ARE VARIALBE. REPALCING LIFT GATE SUPPORT AND ACTUATOR DID NOT HELP. IN FOR SERVICE, UNABLE TO SOLVE SO FAR. STATED, WORKING AS DESIGNED.
NHTSA complaint #11014584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,600 milesAlma, AR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WIND BUFFETING IN CABIN WHEN DRIVING CAUSING EARS TO POP, HEADACHE. OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS WITH WINDOWS UP. NO VIBRATION IN STEERING. IT SOUNDS LIKE ONE REAR WINDOW IS DOWN, CAUSING A WIND BUFFETING SOUND, ALMOST LIKE A BOOM IN CABIN AREA. OCCURS ONLY WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, ALL STREETS/HIGHWAYS, ANY GEAR, HOT OR COLD, AND WITH PROPER TIRE INFLATION. VEHICLE IS OEM, NO MODIFICATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11001696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, CA
SEATS
THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SEVERELY CLOSER THAN THE ACCELERATOR FROM THE DRIVER. WHEN TRYING TO STOP QUICKLY, THE DRIVER HAS TO LIFT FOOT SUBSTANTIALLY TO SHIFT OVER TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND TERRIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE FOOT PEDALS, EVEN WITH THE ADJUSTMENTS, ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10960263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SEVERELY CLOSER THAN THE ACCELERATOR FROM THE DRIVER. WHEN TRYING TO STOP QUICKLY, THE DRIVER HAS TO LIFT FOOT SUBSTANTIALLY TO SHIFT OVER TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND TERRIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE FOOT PEDALS, EVEN WITH THE ADJUSTMENTS, ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10960263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.