Last updated: 2026-07-26
Ford Expedition vs GMC Yukon: Reliability Compared
Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon
Choosing between the Ford Expedition and the GMC Yukon? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The GMC Yukon currently leads with an average score of 68/100 compared to 61/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon Generations Compare?
Verdict
The GMC Yukon is more reliable than the Ford Expedition, scoring 68/100 vs 61/100.
The GMC Yukon demonstrates a stronger reliability profile compared to the Ford Expedition, with a higher average reliability score of 68/100 versus 61/100. The Yukon also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate at 11.1 per 10,000 sold compared to the Expedition's 27.5. While both vehicles share common issues with the power train and electrical system, the Ford Expedition's higher recall count of 84 over nine years and greater estimated annual repair cost of $861 highlight its relative disadvantage. Overall, the GMC Yukon stands out as the more reliable choice in the full-size SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1GMC Yukon costs $114 less per year to repair
- 2GMC Yukon has 28 fewer total recalls
- 3GMC Yukon has 16.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Ford Expedition vs GMC Yukon: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Expedition | GMC Yukon |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 61/100 | 68/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 84 | 56 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 27.5 | 11.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $861/yr | $747/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 15% | 16% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 (1 tied) | 6 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon?
The GMC Yukon and Ford Expedition exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Yukon experiencing a higher incidence of engine-related complaints at 571, compared to the Expedition's 164. Conversely, the Expedition faces significant issues with the power train, accounting for 679 complaints and 5 crash-linked incidents, whereas the Yukon has 218 complaints and 1 crash-linked incident in this category. Both vehicles show notable concerns with their electrical systems; however, the Yukon has a higher number of crash-linked electrical complaints (4) compared to the Expedition's 2. While the Expedition has a higher total number of complaints, the Yukon's engine issues appear more severe, particularly with crash implications.
| Component | Ford Expedition | GMC Yukon |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 11.2Above Avg | 1.8Low |
| ENGINE | 2.7Low | 4.7Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.9Low | 1.1Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2.3Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 1.2Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.6Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Expedition or GMC Yukon?
How Does Ford Expedition vs GMC Yukon Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Expedition | GMC Yukon | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 71/1001R / 6C | 82/1000R / 11C | GMC Yukon |
| 2025 | 71/1005R / 27C | 76/1001R / 52C | GMC Yukon |
| 2024 | 68/1007R / 68C | 68/1002R / 45C | Tie |
| 2023 | 67/1008R / 62C | 61/1008R / 329C | Ford Expedition |
| 2022 | 61/10012R / 106C | 62/1009R / 248C | GMC Yukon |
| 2021 | 57/10012R / 214C | 55/10025R / 410C | Ford Expedition |
| 2020 | 52/10016R / 370C | 71/1005R / 59C | GMC Yukon |
| 2019 | 53/10011R / 455C | 71/1002R / 95C | GMC Yukon |
| 2018 | 52/10012R / 358C | 68/1004R / 108C | GMC Yukon |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Ford Expedition scored 71/100 and the 2026 GMC Yukon scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Expedition vs the GMC Yukon?
Ford Expedition vs GMC Yukon: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Expedition more reliable than the GMC Yukon?
- Based on our data, the GMC Yukon is more reliable with an average score of 68/100 compared to 61/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Expedition or the GMC Yukon?
- The Ford Expedition has more recalls (84) compared to the GMC Yukon (56). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Expedition or the GMC Yukon?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Yukon has a lower complaint rate at 11.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.5 for the Ford Expedition. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Expedition or the GMC Yukon?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the GMC Yukon is cheaper to maintain at $747/year versus $861/year for the Ford Expedition.
- Is the Ford Expedition or GMC Yukon safer?
- Both the Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue