This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 GMC Yukon brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2017 GMC Yukon have filed 30 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 55,500 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Yukon | 3 |
| 2015 Yukon | 57 |
| 2016 Yukon | 29 |
| 2017 Yukon (this page) | 30 |
| 2018 Yukon | 4 |
| 2019 Yukon | 3 |
| 2021 Yukon | 5 |
6crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 30 brakes complaints filed for the 2017 GMC Yukon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 30 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 14 model years of GMC Yukon in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that a customer may request the factory Integrated Trailer Brake Control be bypassed and their aftermarket trailer brake controller be installed instead. Technician will need to gain access to the body harness. Install trailer brake controller harness General Motors part number 23184088 into Middle Bus Electrical Center (X61A).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic trailer brake system causing a voltage spike into the trucks electrical system which is causing DTC C1114 to set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a recurring brake system problem predominantly at low speeds—parking lots, intersections, and stop-and-go traffic—where the brake pedal becomes either unresponsive or requires excessive force to stop. Multiple owners report the pedal going soft, locking up after repeated applications, or refusing to respond on the first try, extending stopping distance by 40-50 feet or more. Several collisions and near-misses resulted, including hitting curbs, parked cars, and vehicles in traffic.
The Service Brake Assist warning light illuminates during these events. Owners consistently point to vacuum pump and brake booster issues, citing GM Service Bulletin PIT5361B (which documents fluid in the booster and vacuum line) and NHTSA Campaign 19V645000 (issued for 2017 Yukon models). However, dealer response has been inconsistent: some dealerships were unaware of the defect, while others performed EBCM reprogramming or advised owners to pay $500 out-of-pocket for vacuum pump replacement. At least one vehicle's issue persisted even after recall work and subsequent brake component replacement. Additionally, rear brake tail lights fail intermittently when the hatch opens or the vehicle is bumped—a condition 2016 Yukons had recalled, but 2017 models apparently did not.
Owners have taken vehicles to both dealerships and independent mechanics; independent shops sometimes misdiagnosed the failure as worn rotors, pads, or ABS malfunction, with repairs failing to resolve the problem.
Same GMC Yukon brakes reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal unresponsiveness / loss of braking power at low speed
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or requires excessive force to stop the vehicle, typically at parking-lot and stop-and-go speeds. Pedal may feel hard, lock up, go soft, or require multiple applications before becoming firm. Stopping distance extends 40-50 feet or more; vehicle may coast through stop lights, hit curbs, or collide with other vehicles.
When: Mostly at low speeds (5-20 MPH) in parking lots, driveways, and stop-and-go traffic; can occur after repeated brake applications or after extended highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive on first application; Brake pedal extremely hard to press; requires standing on pedal with both feet; Brake pedal goes to floorboard with little to no stopping ability; Brake pedal locks up after multiple applications; Extended stopping distance (40-50+ feet); Vehicle coasts through intersections and stop lights; Service Brake Assist warning light illuminates
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist warning (dashboard indicator)
Repairs/costs cited: GM Service Bulletin PIT5361B addresses fluid in brake booster and/or booster vacuum line. Some owners report EBCM module reprogramming performed at dealers (hydraulic system only). Vacuum pump replacement cited as $500 out-of-pocket by one owner post-recall. Independent repair shops diagnosed rotors, brake pads, and ABS replacement; failures persisted after these repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin PIT5361B (issued by March 15, 2017) acknowledges hard brake pedal and increased pedal effort; affects 2015-2016 Yukon and multiple model years/classes. NHTSA Campaign 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued. GM issued warranty extension letters (April, September, November 2019) and classified the issue as non-recall in November 2019 letter despite earlier 19V645000 campaign designation. Field technician dispatch offered in at least one case but vehicle not repaired.
Brake pedal vibration and pulsation with reduced stopping power
Brake pedal pulsates, vibrates, or shudders when pressed, especially at low speeds in stop-and-go or parking situations. Vehicle exhibits grinding or stuttering noise from brakes and loses stopping power during these events. Occurs intermittently, sometimes days apart, then recurs unexpectedly.
When: At low speeds (parking lots, traffic lights, continuous stop-and-go); intermittent, can recur days later
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pulsates or vibrates when pressed; Grinding or stuttering noise from brake system; Loss of stopping power coinciding with vibration; Brake pedal becomes extremely hard during pulsation; Service Brake Assist warning light may illuminate
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist warning (dashboard indicator)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported post-recall service at Blake Fulenwider Dodge (October 18, 2019, per campaign 19V645000) resulted in abnormal noise and vehicle jerking forward when brake pedal depressed. Independent mechanics did not identify root cause in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) applied; GM Service Bulletin PIT5361B references brake booster and vacuum system issues.
Vacuum pump system inadequacy / power brake assist loss
Vacuum pump fails to deliver adequate vacuum pressure to the brake booster, reducing power-assist capability and forcing driver to apply excessive pedal force. Owners report hearing pump running continuously, grinding sounds at pedal, and reduced vacuum. Affects low-speed braking most acutely. GM bulletins acknowledge fluid in brake booster and/or booster vacuum line.
When: Continuously during low-speed braking operations; may worsen over time
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive pedal pressure required; Vacuum pump sounds continuously running or grinding; Reduced stopping distance and power assistance; Brake pedal becomes progressively harder over time; Service Brake Assist warning
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist warning (dashboard indicator)
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement quoted at $500 out-of-pocket post-recall. One owner's dealership reprogrammed EBCM module (hydraulic system only) but did not repair vacuum pump system; fluid found in brake booster and/or vacuum line per bulletin.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin PIT5361B addresses fluid in brake booster/vacuum line and vacuum pump issues. Campaign 19V645000 issued. Dealerships may perform EBCM reprogramming; however, not all dealers familiar with issue or willing to repair without explicit recall directive.
Brake tail light intermittent failure / connector issue
Rear brake light fails to illuminate intermittently or ceases functioning when rear hatch is opened/closed or vehicle is bumped. Light may turn on and off unpredictably, creating safety hazard for following vehicles. Affects driver-side rear light; passenger side had been recalled and repaired in one case.
When: Intermittent; triggered by opening/closing rear hatch or impacts to rear quarter panel
Symptoms owners cite: Brake light does not illuminate consistently; Light turns off when rear hatch opened or closed; Light dims or fails when vehicle bumped or hit; Passenger-side light recalled and repaired; driver-side persists
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited $975 replacement unit on back order for one month. Passenger-side tail light recall and repair mentioned for 2017 Yukon; driver-side issue appears unaddressed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2016 Yukon brake tail light recall exists; no recall issued for 2017 model despite same manufacturing process, per owner research. Class-action lawsuit exists for brake tail light issue in California only, per one owner.
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
This has been going on for a while now, but it’s getting worse overtime. If I push on my brakes more than twice the brake pedal locks up and I have to push extremely hard to get my vehicle stopped.. luckily I have never been going fast and had to worry about this. This is normally when I am pulling into a parking spot or I am backing up that I have to tap on my brakes a few times. A couple of…
Driver side rear tail/brake light goes out when open and close rear hatch. Passenger side rear has same issue which was recalled and repaired. Tap the rear quarter panel or hit a bump tail light will turn off or on.
At parking lot speeds, there have been many incedents of brake failure, when pressing pedal to stop pedal pulsates and becomes very hard to stop the yukon. there seems to be a vacume or booster issue. Yukon will be fine for days then reaccure when slowing at stop sign or waitng at red light and moving foward in slow traffic to sign or llight and then in happens again. scary and unreliable when…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 GMC yukon. The contact received three different letters from the manufacturer. The letter sent in april of 2019 stated that they were extending the warranty coverage. The letter sent in september of 2019 mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 19v645000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The third letter sent in november of 2019 indicated that the issue was not a recall and they…
Driving down the highway and brake pedal became hard to push down almost causing us to wreck. Keep seeing there was a recall for the brake vacuum pump and also brake assist warning came on. Also when driving low speed like in parking lot it takes a while for vehicle to come to a complete stop
Had brakes trouble with your 2017 GMC Yukon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2017 GMC Yukon?
It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 42,000 and 76,000 miles, with the median around 55,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,000; a quarter make it past 76,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/GMC/Yukon.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.