Electrical, engine, and air bag structural issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The 2022 GMC Yukon might be the luxury-focused version of the Chevy Tahoe, but the automaker claims it “was made to stand out.” However, some owners are finding that it’s the defects that make it stand out. Current customers are complaining about a malfunctioning electrical system, faulty airbags, and engine problems.
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Between January 24 and October 28, 2022, 13 consumers lodged complaints about their GMC Yukons with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of these, 5 were complaints about the GMC Yukon XL.
Even though there are no electrical system complaints relating to the XL, more than a third of all complaints (5) are about electrical issues. Nearly as many (4) are categorized as engine problems, although two of these are also combined with electrical problems. There are a total of 3 complaints about faulty airbags.
All the other components and systems – brakes, latches, lane departure, seat belts, steering, and suspension – are listed only once in complaints. Some of these are combined with other components. For example, the steering-related complaint is also listed as a suspension and an electrical system issue.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Suspension | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Seats | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Steering | |
| Visibility/wiper |
There is no single fault that owners pinpoint in their complaints about the electrical system. But error messages are a common theme.
An owner from Virginia is struggling with error messages. The complaint states that the vehicle has been in for repairs 4 times. “Without warning, several error messages will pop up indicating problems with power steering, suspension, air bags, etc. In all, there are 7 or 8 different error messages that all appear at once, but as soon as they do appear the power steering stops working. This has happened both from a cold start and while driving. In total the vehicle has lost power steering on 12-15 separate occasions.”
The dealership diagnosed a faulty serial gateway module. It took six weeks to get a replacement part, but it hasn’t helped. “Within 5 minutes of leaving the dealership the power steering failed again while driving, forcing me off to the side of a busy road. The same 7-8 error messages appeared on the screen.”
An owner from Tennessee states that after starting the engine the instrument panel display won’t turn on. During the failure, safety features, including the fuel gauge and speedometer, weren’t available. The dealership performed a software update, but the failure continued to recur. The failure mileage was only 200.
The remote start function is the focus of a California-based owner’s complaint. After using the remote start, she got into her Yukon to complete the procedure. But when she pressed the start button, the vehicle turned off and wouldn’t start. The instrument panel lights, power locks, and radio remained operative. However, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. She eventually disconnected the battery and let the computer reset, and could start the vehicle. She doesn’t use the remote start feature any more!
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Air bags are one of the most essential parts of any working SUV system. Without working airbags, occupants are at risk.
Complaint from an Owner in Texas
After owning the vehicle for less than 3 weeks, the vehicle started to display ‘Service Safety Restraint System’ and the airbag light was on. “Also, all controls on the overhead console (sunroof, sunroof shade, MAP lights, rear access control, auto folding seat control) were no longer working. The passenger airbag light on the overhead console that notifies if the airbag is on or off was also no longer lighting up. The interior overhead lights in all 3 rows of the vehicle are not working and the fold down mirror lights are not working. I contacted my local dealership and they said the overhead console had failed and was the cause of the issues. They stated they had ordered the part and that I could come (and) pick up my vehicle.”
The complaint goes on to say: “They stated that the part was backordered and it could be weeks before the part arrived. “I asked if the vehicle was safe to drive as the airbag light was on, the passenger airbag light was no longer lit up, and the ‘Service Safety Restraint System’ error continued to display. They stated they could not guarantee that the airbag system was functioning properly, but I could still come (and) get the vehicle. I asked if they had a loaner vehicle they could provide me with as I was concerned about the airbag system not functioning properly and they stated they did not have any loaner vehicles.”
Facing a situation where the dealership has no ETA of when the part may be available, the owner was using her faulty vehicle. “I have been driving around in a vehicle for almost two months that has non-functioning airbags. This is a significant safety hazard.”
There are 2 complaints about airbags in the Yukon XL from an owner in Pennsylvania that mention the ‘Service Safety Restraint System’ error messages. She states that the airbag indicator light is also on, which indicates the airbags are “inoperative due to (a) faulty circuit.” The complaint goes on to say that there is also no power to the roof console and so the sunroof doesn’t work and nor do the overhead lights, the rear hatch operating button, or the garage opener.
She filed a second complaint more than two months later stating that the warning light indicates an airbag malfunction. The dealer diagnosed the failure and advised her that:
But, the problem now is that the part they have ordered isn’t available. They replaced the fuse responsible for illuminating the system warning light, but the failure recurred.
To add insult to injury, when she tried to contact General Motors (GM), they said they weren’t able to speak to her because of a lemon law lawsuit she opened!
GMC hasn’t hidden issues with the airbags. Service Bulletin #PIT5867 talks about how the K36 Restraints Control Module (SDM) suffers from an internal electronic failure. Considering this is supposed to be better than the Tahoe, the electronics should have been checked better before rolling off of the assembly line. Otherwise, it would make more sense for consumers to save money and drive the Chevy SUV instead.
Half of the engine problems report engine lifter failure., This is rather surprising, since it wasn’t that long ago that the automaker suffered a massive blow with class action lawsuits pointing out defective lifters in many of its vehicles.
An owner from California experienced engine lifter failure in July 2022. While driving a new 2022 Yukon Denali with only 14,400 miles on the clock, he made a right hand turn into a parking lot. “The engine just shut off. No warning lights ever came on. The only thing I had noticed was some unknown noise when I started up the truck and got underway. The sound promptly went away. I attempted to restart the engine but it would not even turn over. My vehicle was blocking the driveway to the parking lot, creating a traffic hazard on a major street. I had the vehicle towed to a GM dealer who determined the next day that (the) engine had failed due to a known lifter problem.”
The mechanic had approval to replace the engine assembly, but the parts were on backorder, with no ETA. The complaint continues: “From my research, this issue with the engine lifters in the 6.2 liter engine has been known by GM for well over 10 years. The engine needs to be recalled and the lifter issue corrected.”
The Florida owner of a 2022 Yukon XL (SLT) heard a “metal knocking sound” while driving out of state. Then, the “traction control, emissions and ESC light came on.” The vehicle was only two-months-old, but was diagnosed by the dealer as having faulty engine lifters.
If you think you have a lemon, Lemberg Law will happily assess your problems and advise you free of charge. The law makes GMC pay legal fees, and you may be able to get your lemon out of your life.
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Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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Was this issue ever handled?
And what was done?
I have a 2022 GMC Yukon purchased on 6/17/22 with 3000 miles on it. A week ago I also had the Service Safety Restraint System come on, interior lights not working in front, sunroof will not open and rear tail gate will not open with key remote.
It went in for service today at the GM dealership in New Hampshire. They are telling me GM was called and they are aware of the issue but have no resolve for it at this time. They offered to give me an Acadia because of the safety issue, the air bags are not working. I asked how long before a resolve? He said they have no idea.
I asked why did I pay $70,000.00 for a car I can not drive. I asked if they will take the car back and he said a Manager would need to contact me. Now I am waiting to hear from the Manager.
Why is GM producing these vehicles when there is a known issue??