MODEL
GMC Yukon Safety
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 2022 GMC Yukon earned a Safety Index score of 82 out of 100, the highest result for the model across the 2019 to 2025 model years. This rating reflects the variable safety picture presented by the Yukon, where performance can shift notably between production years. Crash-test results for the 2022 Yukon show a 5 out of 5 stars in side-impact protection. Frontal crash tests yielded a 4 out of 5 stars rating. Of particular note is the 3 out of 5 stars for rollover resistance, a common characteristic for large body-on-frame SUVs. This rating reflects the inherent physical properties of the vehicle. The Yukon's recall record across its model years is substantial, with 33 total campaigns. Two of these were designated with the most severe NHTSA advisories, requiring owners to park outside or not drive their vehicles. Owner complaints total 921, including 11 reported crashes and 17 reported injuries. These figures are based on unverified allegations, but their volume suggests areas for owner vigilance.
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.