This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer concerns of engine related shudder.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 GMC Yukon engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 GMC Yukon have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Yukon | 3 |
| 2015 Yukon | 20 |
| 2016 Yukon | 22 |
| 2017 Yukon | 20 |
| 2018 Yukon (this page) | 19 |
| 2019 Yukon | 20 |
| 2020 Yukon | 9 |
| 2021 Yukon | 143 |
| 2022 Yukon | 73 |
What stands out
Engine accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Eighteen complaints center on engine failure in 2018 GMC Yukons, the majority pointing to defects in the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. Owners describe sudden, catastrophic loss of power on highways, complete engine seizure, and loud mechanical noise (rumbling, clanking, lifter chatter) with little or no warning. One owner was bucking downward from 70 mph to 20 mph with white smoke pouring from the tailpipe. Another lost all power steering and brake assist on an interstate.
The common thread: AFM lifters stick, cylinders fail, and shops diagnose the problem as manufacturing defect. Owners report mileage ranging from 37,000 to 128,000 miles when failure occurred. Multiple owners note they found open class-action lawsuits and that 2019+ Yukons were recalled for identical engine and failure mode, but 2018 models were excluded.
Repair costs quoted by shops range from $14,750 to $20,000+ for engine replacement. GM's assistance was minimal—one owner received 10% ($1,475) of a $14,750 quote. Owners also report excessive oil consumption in some cases, with one dipstick bone-dry within 2,000 miles of service. Radiator leaks were noted at lower mileage (37,000–128,000 miles) and a dealer called it a common failure for the model year.
Same GMC Yukon engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
AFM lifter failure / cylinder de-activation system malfunction
Active Fuel Management system lifters stick, causing loss of power, rough running, and complete cylinder failure. Owners report the AFM system design is defective and causes cylinders to fail prematurely, often catastrophically.
When: Typically between 37,000 and 128,640 miles; some owners report bucking/bogging for a week before catastrophic failure
Symptoms owners cite: engine bogging down; bucking and nearly stalling while driving; sudden loss of power while driving; loud rumble and clanking from engine; rough running / rough idle; misfire trouble codes (e.g., cylinder 1, cylinder 4); white/large plume of smoke from tailpipe; loss of all engine power on highway; lifter chatter; engine seized
Codes mentioned: P0300 series misfire codes, cylinder-specific misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; shops report $14,750 to $20,000+ for new engine. GM offered 10% assistance ($1,475–$1,700) on one case. One owner paid $11,000 for engine plus $1,000 car rental. Four shops evaluated one vehicle and all concluded new engine needed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledged the issue in some cases but denied warranty assistance to owners outside the 3-year/36,000-mile window. One owner reports GM said if they pursued litigation, they must contact legal department. Some states (California, Georgia) have lemon-law provisions; GM reportedly offered vehicle replacement or engine replacement under warranty in those states. 2019+ models were recalled but 2018 was excluded despite identical engine and failure mode.
Valve train wear / camshaft and lifter damage
Cam and lifters wear excessively, requiring replacement. In one case, metal debris in engine was described as the worst the inspector had ever seen, suggesting internal destruction.
When: Between 48,000 and 128,640 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ticking noise from engine; reduced engine power; rough running; vehicle will not restart or loses power while idle
Repairs/costs cited: Cam and lifter replacement initially quoted; further inspection revealed entire engine replacement needed. One warranty company initially agreed to replace engine but then denied coverage when vehicle was driven (not towed) to dealership.
Engine seizure / connecting rod failure
Engine seizes without warning while driving. One narrative mentions connecting rod failure similar to current recall on 2021–2024 Yukons, suggesting a design or manufacturing defect unaddressed in 2018 models.
When: No specific mileage reported in most cases; one case at 48,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: complete loss of power on highway; engine stops / shuts down; no power steering or braking (loss of power steering assist and brake boost); no restart capability; no warning before failure (check engine light did not illuminate prior)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required. In one case, old engine had to be returned to avoid $5,000 core charge.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued recalls for 2019+ models but did not include 2018. Owner states the 2018 and 2019+ share the same engine and failure mode.
Excessive oil consumption / oil leakage
Engine burns or leaks oil at an abnormal rate. One owner reports oil light coming on within 2,000 miles of an oil change, with dipstick showing bone dry. Narrative suggests this is a known issue in other states where lawsuits have been filed.
When: Unknown exact timing; one case: 2,000 miles after oil change
Symptoms owners cite: oil light illumination; oil level dropping to bone dry between service intervals; engine burning oil
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports vehicle has been out of service since October 16 with no ETA for repair part (possibly rings or piston kit). No loaner or rental support from GM.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership told owner the light must be on or issue must be duplicated to trigger warranty consideration. No assistance reported from GM.
Radiator leak
Radiator develops a leak and requires replacement. Dealer reported it is a common failure for 2018 Yukon model year.
When: 128,640 miles on one vehicle; 37,000 miles on another
Symptoms owners cite: radiator leaking; no visible signs of leak prior to service inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In one case, GM offered a buyback when contacted; vehicle was not repaired. No other manufacturer response reported.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
I own a 2018 GMC Yukon Denali that keeps burning oil. I was told that the light had to be on or the issue had to be duplicated. I did an oil change and 2000 miles later the oil light came on. I was out of town so took picture of dipstick which was bone dry. The dealership GMC of Brandywine had my SUV. I am highly upset because in other states the started a lawsuit bit nothing in MD. If GM knows…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure due to lifter failure and bent push rod and needed cam replaced. It is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Could have been catastrophic if I didn't bring in for repair if the engine failed completely while driving. Has the problem been…
2018 Yukon Denali with 37,000 miles has developed a leak in the radiator and needs replaced
I was driving on I75 North, just North of Chattanooga. I was in the Center Lane. I lost all power to the vehicle. The engine stopped. I had no power steering, no power brakes, and was in heavy traffic. I managed to shift lanes and get it to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed in. Diaganostics were completed by a certified mechanic. The engine had seized. GM has several recalls on this…
My 2018 GMC Yukon blew an engine with only 81,000 miles. Had four shops including (2 GM dealerships) look at the vehicle, pictures, and findings and concluded the engine had blown. The vehicle had began running very rough while driving down the road at 45mph. The CEL showed a misfire in cylinder one. The spark plug was pulled and soaked in oil. A borescope was put down the hole and found oil…
driving the vehicle on a regular city street when the flashing engine light came on out of nowhere. immediately pulled off and had the vehicle towed to my dealership. result of the inspection, i have to replace my engine. as soon as i started researching the issue it is clear that this truck should be part of the GM recall. it is a known issue that GM slow played for years, but as of now this…
Had engine trouble with your 2018 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 engine problem on the 2018 GMC Yukon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 19 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 128,640 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2018/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.