GMC Yukon VIN Number Check

Enter a GMC Yukon VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefix1GK3GK

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

GMC Yukon

About the GMC Yukon

GMC has sold the Yukon in the US since the 1992 model year, and there have been five generations. The Gen 1 came first (1992–1999); Gen 2 (2000–2006), Gen 3 (2007–2014), Gen 4 (2015–2020) followed, and the Gen 5 took over for 2021–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 85 vehicle recall campaigns and 9,292 owner complaints. The 2015 has the most complaints of any model year (974). EPA rates the Gen 1 at 12–15 mpg combined, while the Gen 5 gets 16–23 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1992–2026

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2 · Gen 3 · Gen 4 · Gen 5

NHTSA recall campaigns85

Owner complaints9,292 at NHTSA

GMC Yukon photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

GMC Yukon generations

Five generations since the 1992 model year. The Gen 3 (2007–2014) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 5 (2021–2026) the most recall campaigns (23).

5 / 5

Gen 5

2021–20265th generation

19921995200020052010201520202025

2021–2026· Generation 5 of 5

Gen 5 · 5th generation

EPA classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle

EPA combined mpg16–23

NHTSA recalls23

Engines (EPA)

3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, diesel) · 2021–2026
5.3 L 8-cyl · 2021–2026
6.2 L 8-cyl · 2021–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
automatic (2021–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (1,200)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (288)Electrical system (212)3 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 1,702 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 51GKS2DKL?MR······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali, built in Arlington, Texas

Check a Yukon VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Yukon model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 85 campaigns on file for Yukon model years 1992–2026, and the 2021 shows up in more of them than any other year (15), ahead of the 2015 (10). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What GMC Yukon owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2015 (974 of 9,292). Tap any bar or generation.

9,292NHTSA complaints, 1992–2026

348mention a crash

78mention a fire

396injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 5: 1,702 complaints · most for the 2021 (560)

Top complaint areas · Gen 5

Mentions in 1,702 complaints, 2021–2026.

Engine and cooling1,200

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)288

Electrical system212

Fuel system168

Forward collision avoidance84

Brakes51

Crashes 19Fires 1Injuries 43

2021–2026 (Gen 5)

NHTSA data summary

Engine and cooling owns this generation. Its 1,200 mentions are more than twice the next area, powertrain (288). Its first model year, the 2021, drew more complaints than any other (560 of 1,702).

What Yukon owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2021–present (5th generation)

Engine trouble dominates NHTSA complaints on the 2021, including lifter failures, engine failure, check engine lights and stalling from fuel pump problems. CarComplaints has only a few reports, led for 2022 by a check engine light and broken connecting rods. Recalls cover 6.2L V8 engines on 2021–2024 models whose connecting rods or crankshaft may have defects that lead to engine failure, and fuel pump control modules on 2021 models that can make the pump fail and cause a stall. [1] [2]

2015–2020 (4th generation)

Taillights and brakes lead complaints on the 2015. Many NHTSA owners describe taillights that stop working and brake pedals that turn hard, and CarComplaints ranks a taillight that does not work properly first for 2015, followed by an A/C that does not work and vibration from the transmission. Recalls cover brake vacuum pumps on 2015–2018 models whose output may drop over time and reduce brake assist, and some 2015 Yukon XL models that can briefly lose electric power steering assist. [3] [4]

2007–2014 (3rd generation)

On the 2007, cracked dashboards and air bag recalls dominate NHTSA complaints, and broken door handles are another frequent theme. CarComplaints ranks excessive oil consumption first for 2007, followed by a cracked dashboard and engine failure. A recall covers passenger front air bag inflators on 2007–2011 models that may explode after long exposure to heat and humidity. [5] [6]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the 6.2L engine recall on 2021–2024 models, the brake vacuum pump recall on 2015–2018 models and the air bag inflator recall on 2007–2011 models.
Ask for engine, lifter and oil consumption records.
On the drive, check that the brake pedal feels firm, listen for ticking or knocking from the engine, test the taillights and look over the dashboard for cracks.

Sources (6) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 29, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Yukon complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid and diesel Yukon versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

9,292complaints, 1992–2026

348mention a crash

78mention a fire

396injuries reported

9complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2015 (974), 2007 (774), 2021 (560)

2015 · 974 complaints

Crashes 17 · fires 7 · injuries 15

Exterior lighting484

Electrical system164

Service brakes160

Power train98

Unknown or other84

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Yukon CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 365 Yukon versions for model years 1992–2026 (gas, diesel and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 404 g/mi, for the 2010 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 11992–1999

12–15 mpg · CO₂ 592–741 g/mi

Gen 22000–2006

12–16 mpg · CO₂ 555–741 g/mi

Gen 32007–2014

12–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–741 g/mi

Gen 42015–2020

16–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–557 g/mi

Gen 52021–2026

16–23 mpg · CO₂ 437–572 g/mi

Model year2025

17combined MPG

523CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$4,850EPA yearly fuel cost

5/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

3/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV50 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 50Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: 2WD · Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L — 17 MPG · 523 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasDieselHybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Yukon vs Chevrolet Tahoe vs Ford Expedition

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2015–2020. NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the Yukon, against 21 for the Chevrolet Tahoe and 32 for the Ford Expedition. Pick a range to compare.

GMC YukonGen 5

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 23
NHTSA owner complaints: 1,702
EPA combined mpg: 16–23
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 5.3, 6.2 L
Also listed: turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 1,200
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 288
Electrical system 212

Chevrolet Tahoe

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 23
NHTSA owner complaints: 1,009
EPA combined mpg: 16–24
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 5.3, 6.2 L
Also listed: turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 486
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 187
Fuel system 157

Ford Expedition

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 25
NHTSA owner complaints: 535
EPA combined mpg: 17–19
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 147
Electrical system 83
Engine and cooling 80

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

GMC Yukon VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Yukon

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Dark green GMC Yukon (fifth generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Yukon's VIN appears on a plate at the driver's side windshield, on the door jamb sticker, on the B-pillar label, and near the cargo area floor. A VIN check will confirm prior registration type. The Gen 5 generation starts with the 2021 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (M for 2021) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common GMC Yukon VIN questions

Which GMC Yukon model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2015 leads with 974, ahead of the 2007 (774) and 2021 (560). Those first two alone make up 19% of the 9,292 Yukon complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the GMC Yukon had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 85 vehicle campaigns for model years 1992–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 5 leads with 23. Then come the Gen 2 (22), Gen 4 (16), Gen 3 (15) and Gen 1 (10), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which GMC Yukon recalls are high risk?

21V-050, 21V-052, 21V-053, 21V-054 and 21V-051 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 03V-094, 05V-155, 01V-107, 03V-019, 06V-289, 04V-376, 05V-455, 08V-441 and 6 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 16V-256 and 26V-289. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Yukon generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 1992–1999 and the Gen 2 2000–2006. Gen 3 spans 2007–2014, Gen 4 2015–2020 and Gen 5 2021–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (M is 2021).

What fuel economy does the GMC Yukon get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2021–2026 Gen 5 at 16–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 12–15 mpg for the 1992–1999 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the GMC Yukon compare with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition on recalls?

For 2021–2026 models the Yukon has 23 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Chevrolet Tahoe has 23, the Ford Expedition 25. Complaints run 1,702, 1,009 and 535 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the GMC Yukon have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Yukon 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, RWD and 4WD, get that score.

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About the GMC Yukon

GMC Yukon generations