MODEL
GMC Yukon
NHTSA safety across every GMC Yukon model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the GMC Yukon we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2026 at 86 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2021 at 68. 36 recalls have been issued across those years.
The GMC Yukon is a full-size body-on-frame SUV that competes at the top of the family hauler segment, sitting alongside the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. Aimed at buyers who need genuine three-row capacity, towing muscle, and a commanding road presence, the Yukon has been a fixture in American driveways for decades. Our coverage spans the 2019 through 2025 model years, a period that includes a full-generation redesign.
The GMC Yukon presents a mixed safety picture that shoppers should study carefully before signing anything. Across the 2019 to 2025 model years, NHTSA safety index scores have ranged from Below Average all the way up to Strong, with the 2022 model year earning the best result at 82 out of 100. That kind of band variation across a single generation tells you that not every model year is created equal, and year selection genuinely matters here. Crash-test performance follows a familiar large-SUV pattern. The best results we have on record show a solid 5 out of 5 stars in the side-impact test, which is encouraging for occupant protection in the most common severe collision type. Frontal performance reaches 4 out of 5 stars, a respectable but not perfect result. The rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars is the number that deserves the most attention. A tall, heavy, body-on-frame platform carries inherent rollover risk, and that 3-star score is a real-world reflection of that physics. The recall count of 33 across covered years is substantial, and two of those campaigns carried park-outside or do-not-drive severity levels, the most serious designations NHTSA issues. Owners have filed 921 complaints, with 11 reported crashes and 17 reported injuries among them. These are unverified allegations, but the volume warrants attention. Bottom line: the Yukon can be a capable family hauler, but its safety record demands that buyers check the specific model year, confirm all recall repairs are complete, and take the rollover rating seriously.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Yukon for its interior space, refinement improvements following the redesign, and towing capability relative to its class. Most acknowledge that the full-size SUV segment involves inherent compromises around agility and fuel economy. The general tone is positive for buyers who genuinely need the size, with less enthusiasm for those who do not.
- The rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars is the weakest point in the Yukon's crash-test profile. The tall, body-on-frame design carries a higher center of gravity than crossover alternatives, and this rating reflects that physical reality.
- Two recalls across the covered model years carried park-outside or do-not-drive designations, the most urgent level NHTSA assigns. Any used Yukon purchase should include a full NHTSA VIN lookup to confirm these and all other recalls have been properly remediated.
- Safety index scores have varied across bands from Below Average to Strong depending on model year. The 2022 model year posted the best result at 82 out of 100, so year-specific research rather than treating the generation as a single block is strongly recommended.
- Owner complaints total 921 across the covered years, with 11 reported crashes and 17 reported injuries noted among the filings. While these are unverified allegations, the complaint volume for a single model line across six model years is high enough to warrant a thorough pre-purchase inspection and review of open technical service bulletins.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 GMC Yukon with 13 recalls.