144 of the
3,132 complaints filed about the GMC Yukon XL
are about the fuel system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2021.
Was driving the vehicle at 70 mph on the highway without any issues for several hours and suddenly the vehicle lost power and had no propulsion. It went into neutral automatically and the engine shut off while driving. Thankfully I was on a downward slope and could steer the vehicle off the very busy highway. Once safe, I tried to restart the car but the engine would not start or turn over. Roadside assistance came to help as well as a flatbed tow truck. It was taken to a nearby GMC dealer but it remains completely dead despite the battery being fully charged and all of the electronics working. No known error codes are showing up. It’s an L87 engine and was part of the GM recall. The recall work was completed in Nov 2025.
NHTSA complaint #11758876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2021 GMC Yukon. While driving on the highway during a long-distance trip from [XXX] to [XXX], my vehicle suddenly experienced a serious loss of power, drivability issues, and loss of propulsion. The vehicle began shaking violently, slowing down unexpectedly, and struggling to maintain speed while in active highway traffic at highway speeds. At the time of the incident, the vehicle displayed a warning message indicating “Conditions Not Correct for Shift” at approximately 127,506 miles. Shortly after, the vehicle set diagnostic trouble code P0011, which relates to the engine and transmission system not performing as expected and indicates an issue with the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system affecting engine timing and performance. The vehicle also entered a reduced performance state, and I was advised through the vehicle’s warning system to reduce speed, avoid hard acceleration, and avoid heavy load conditions. Despite following these precautions, the vehicle continued to run poorly and became increasingly unsafe to operate in highway traffic. This created a serious and potentially life-threatening situation, as I was traveling in fast-moving traffic and the vehicle lost normal propulsion and stability. I had to carefully maneuver out of active traffic lanes to avoid a potential collision. The vehicle eventually required roadside assistance/towing due to its inability to operate normally. Diagnostic trouble codes and warning messages were present at the time of failure. After the incident, I checked my VIN through the NHTSA recall system and discovered that my vehicle has three unrepaired safety recalls. Of particular concern is: NHTSA Recall Number: 25V274 GM Manufacturer Recall Number: N252494000 This recall involves certain GM vehicles equipped with the 6.2L V8 L87 engine and describes a manufacturing defect in the connecting rod and/or crankshaft components that may result in engine damag INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
NHTSA complaint #11757435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Our lifters in cylinder 3 were replaced after failing at 40,000 miles. The exact same lifters broke again at 77,000 miles.both events caused engine failure.
NHTSA complaint #11757144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car just died while going 55mph on the highway. Complete shutdown but luckily both the steering and brakes worked. After stopping it wouldn’t start again. I had my three children in the car aged [XXX], [XXX], and [XXX]. It was a horrific experience. GMC did some repairs to the engine that took over two months and then the car had a few more warnings pop up just a few weeks later. GMC now says there is a misfiring in one of the positions. I’m terrified of driving this car with my children as I don’t know when it will shut off again and how bad it will be! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11752591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On July 14, 2026, I experienced a serious fuel system failure with my 2023 GMC Denali. That morning, I filled the vehicle with a little over 20 gallons of fuel at a gas station approximately two miles from my home. Later in the day, I made a short trip to my neighborhood swimming pool, roughly 1.5 miles round trip, with no unusual noises or warnings from the vehicle. Approximately two hours after returning home, I entered the vehicle to run an errand. When I shifted into reverse and began backing out of my carport, I immediately heard a scraping noise on the concrete. I stopped the vehicle and inspected underneath. At that point, I discovered that the entire fuel tank had fallen out of the vehicle and was resting on the ground. I contacted roadside assistance, and the vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership informed me that the fuel tank support straps were missing, which allowed the tank to detach and fall. I personally searched along all the routes I had driven earlier that day and did not locate any straps or debris. The tank itself showed no impact damage, suggesting it dropped cleanly rather than being torn loose by road contact. Although the vehicle is relatively new, my bumper to bumper warranty expired in September 2025, and I was charged for the repair. I have included photos taken before and during the tow, as well as the dealership’s invoice. I am extremely concerned about the safety implications of this failure. If the tank had fallen while I was driving at interstate speeds (approximately 70 mph), it could have caused a catastrophic fire hazard, loss of vehicle control, or danger to other motorists. I do not know how long the vehicle had been operating without fuel tank straps, nor why there were no warnings or indications of a structural issue. I also question why the dealership did not treat this as a manufacturing or assembly defect, given that fuel tank straps should not detach under normal use. ...RAN OUT OF CHARACTERS...
NHTSA complaint #11752614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The engine in my 2022 GMC Yukon XL equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 experienced a sudden loss of power while traveling at interstate speed. The vehicle had previously received the GM L87 engine recall remedy. Despite the recall being completed, the engine failed, leaving me and my family in a dangerous situation. The vehicle is currently at a GMC dealership and is available for inspection upon request. The sudden loss of engine power on a busy interstate created an immediate safety hazard. Traffic was traveling at highway speeds, and the vehicle rapidly lost the ability to maintain speed, increasing the risk of being struck from behind or being involved in a serious collision. My family was in the vehicle at the time, making the incident especially concerning. The GMC dealership has confirmed that the engine failure is related to the L87 engine issue and advised that the repairs will be covered under the applicable warranty/recall-related coverage. Additionally, after the original recall service was performed, an expanded recall was added to my VIN, further indicating that the original remedy may not have fully addressed the underlying defect. The vehicle is currently being inspected by the authorized GMC dealership. Prior to the engine failure, there were no warning signs indicating an imminent catastrophic failure. The recall service had already been completed, leading me to believe the vehicle was safe to operate. The engine nevertheless failed after the recall remedy, raising concerns that the corrective action may not be sufficient to prevent future failures
NHTSA complaint #11750436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving on highway at 80 MPH and accelerator stopped working and car turned off. We had to coast off toll rd and hope for the best. No warning and happened with our whole family in the car. I had a recall notice from manufacturer but last time I tried contacting manufacturer/dealer they said no resolution was available to repair recall yet and that I couldn’t drop off my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11748343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2021 GMC Yukon XL recently suffered a failure of its fuel pump control module. This occurred at just 44,000 miles, mere weeks after my manufacturer warranty expired in June of 2026. This issue goes far beyond a financial inconvenience or a matter of consumer reimbursement; it is a severe, life-threatening safety hazard that GM has failed to permanently resolve. My Experience: Sudden Power Loss While Towing The gravity of this part failure became clear during a recent drive. I configuration-matched this vehicle—a heavy-duty Yukon XL with a 6.2L engine and a 4x4 towing package—specifically for its capacity to safely haul heavy loads. While traveling with a trailer attached, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of engine power. Without warning, the engine sputtered and died. Had this occurred on a steep incline, a blind curve, or in heavy highway traffic, a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision would have been entirely unavoidable. Critical Safety Hazards and Concerns •Inability to Maintain Speed, Loss of Vital Assist Systems, & Compounded Towing Risks Systemic Failure and Inadequate Remediation What makes this situation entirely unacceptable is that this specific vehicle was already subject to previous GM safety campaigns regarding this exact component (including Safety Recall #N212332040 and subsequent Emission Recall #N252516900). GM is fully aware that their supplier produced defective modules that are prone to premature internal short-circuits. Yet, their remediation strategy has been entirely inadequate. By managing this through piecemeal, phased rollouts and limited VIN inclusion lists, they are leaving dangerous vehicles on the road until the point of failure. Drivers are effectively acting as crash test dummies, waiting for their engines to die in dangerous environments before GM acknowledges that their specific VIN was fitted with the defective supplier part.
NHTSA complaint #11748033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine stalled and the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the fuel pump power control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V739000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #11744517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Check engine light comes on and an alert says "acceleration reduced" dealer says the coolant control valve is bad but the engine never overheats but the fans are running max speed 100% of the time.
NHTSA complaint #11743664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1.XXX XX— GM Recall Notification (Recall No. N252494000) I received official notification from General Motors of Recall N252494000 affecting my vehicle. I brought the vehicle to [XXX] as directed to have the recall remedy performed. 2. XXX — First Report of Engine Propulsion Issues I reported engine propulsion concerns to Jim Ellis. This was my first formal complaint regarding the performance of the vehicle following the recall remedy. 3. XXX — Oil Type Change Performed by Jim Ellis Jim Ellis performed an engine oil type change, switching to 0W-40 oil, and advised me that this change would serve as the fix for Recall N252494000. I accepted this remedy in good faith. 4. XXX — Low Oil Warning Light Activated Approximately nine months after the recall remedy, and well before the end of the recommended oil life cycle, the low oil warning light activated on my dashboard. This is abnormal and indicative of excessive oil consumption. I returned to Jim Ellis, who performed a fresh oil change and placed my vehicle on a 6,000-mile oil consumption test — an acknowledgment that an oil consumption problem exists. 5. XXX — Active Engine Misfires, Jerking, and Flashing Check Engine Light While operating my vehicle on Sunday, May 31, 2026, I experienced severe engine jerking and misfires. The check engine light began flashing — not steady — which I understand to indicate an active and serious engine misfire event. I was genuinely concerned for my personal safety and immediately parked the vehicle. It has not been driven since. 6. XXX — GM Corporate Case Opened I contacted GM Customer Care and was assigned Corporate Case Number INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11741297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle suddenly began vibrating noticeably when idling and at low speeds. About 30 minutes after this started happening a warning lamp lit up. We drove the vehicle about 2 miles to a local auto parts store to get an initial computer diagnosis of the issue. The test resulted in a code of "P0304" which detected a cylinder #4 misfire and recommended a fuel injector replacement. We brought the vehicle to a local mechanic to get the issue further evaluated. After this evaluation, it was determined that the cylinder #4 misfire was related to a lifter failure. The mechanic explained that this situation could possibly have caused more damage, specifically to the camshaft, but that job was bigger than he was willing to take on. He recommended we get the vehicle towed to the dealership for further evaluation. He also informed us that this situation was common with the engine in this vehicle and GMC is aware of it. He directed us to some articles online that elaborated on the potential known issues related to the automatic fuel management (AFM) system and the related engine damage. The vehicle was towed to a local GMC dealership for evaluation. They found the failed cylinder #4 with associated lifter failure and damaged camshaft. We went forward with the repair at the dealership. We asked the dealership about the known engine issues with this vehicle. They acknowledged the widespread issues but informed us that our particular VIN has not been included in any recalls or safety notifications, so we were responsible for the repairs. The vehicle spent nearly 3 weeks at the dealership. One of the parts was on backorder due to a national shortage, which delayed the repair by about one week. That seems to imply that the parts involved in this repair are in high demand, which raises the question of this being a manufacturing/parts issue that may need to be investigated further.
NHTSA complaint #11739769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2022 GMC Yukon XL with the 6.2L L87 engine was previously subject to NHTSA Recall 25V-274 / GM Recall N252494000 for L87 engine loss of propulsion. The recall was closed by the dealer as “PicoScope Inspection — Engine Passed / Update Engine Oil Type,” with the oil/cap/filter remedy. The vehicle was later brought back to the dealer for engine noise/knocking, check-engine light, and engine oil light/oil warning concerns. The dealer has now confirmed that the dipstick was not picking up oil, the oil level was severely low, the oil condition was severely degraded, and abnormal engine noise was heard. My VIN also shows active GM Special Coverage N252494003 through 1/15/2032 or 150,027 miles. The dealer previously stated that the underlying PicoScope pass data from the recall inspection is no longer available to the dealership after submission. This is not the first oil-related concern. During a prior service visit in September 2025, around the same time the L87 recall was completed, the dealer documented an engine oil low message and an upper oil pan leak causing the low-oil message. I am concerned the L87 engine may be failing after the recall remedy was previously marked complete, creating a risk of engine failure or loss of propulsion while driving. I am also concerned the current engine/oil/noise condition is being treated as customer-pay/out-of-warranty before the root cause is fully diagnosed or reviewed by GM under Special Coverage N252494003.
NHTSA complaint #11738772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine failure occurred while driving with two children in the vehicle, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and stalled completely while in motion, with no prior warning lights, alerts, or messages. Prior to this failure, the vehicle had already failed the GM PICO test related to the known L87 engine issue, and the recommended corrective action was changing the oil to 0W-40 synthetic and replacing the oil cap. Despite that intervention, the engine still failed at approximately 49,000 miles. A sudden complete engine stall without warning while driving created a dangerous situation, particularly with children in the vehicle. This raises concern that the prior corrective action did not resolve the underlying defect..
NHTSA complaint #11738507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle drove normally earlier in the day with no major drivability concerns. Later, reverse gear suddenly stopped functioning and the engine would rev abnormally without the vehicle moving properly while in reverse. Shortly afterward, while driving, the vehicle displayed the warning message “Reduce Acceleration – Drive with Care” and began losing acceleration and propulsion. The vehicle would not accelerate normally and later could not exceed approximately 20-35 MPH. The condition created a significant safety concern due to sudden loss of acceleration and propulsion while operating in traffic. The engine RPM would increase abnormally while the vehicle failed to respond properly in drive and reverse. An independent mechanic inspected the transmission and found diagnostic trouble codes P0747, P0776, and P0700 related to transmission pressure control and valve body operation. Inspection also revealed significant metal contamination, sludge, and clutch material inside the transmission pan and filter. Reverse and 2nd gear were determined to be failed/burnt internally. The vehicle was later transported to an authorized GMC dealer for inspection. Dealer confirmed reverse gear would not engage even after adding transmission fluid. Vehicle is currently available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11737062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
*gas tank had become partially dislodged from the undercarriage. *Entire family was in vehicle at time of incident, including three small children. The safety of an entire family along with any others that may have been on the road, if the car would have combusted due to the gas tank which had just been filled to capacity. *vehicle has been at Mark Christopher GM dealership for over one month. *dealership service dept claims someone tried to steal gas tank. *Mercury insurance company claims mechanical failure. *No warning given from vehicle. We heard a dragging noise while we were driving, pulled over as soon as possible. Upon inspection, it was observed that fuel tank had begun to leak fuel from dragging on the freeway.
NHTSA complaint #11736218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle experienced a major engine failure involving the 6.2L engine. The failure appeared sudden and premature and is not consistent with normal wear and tear for a vehicle of this type. Prior to the failure, there were intermittent performance concerns and warning indicators suggesting potential engine or drivetrain issues. The vehicle had previously undergone repair related to similar concerns, indicating a possible recurring problem. The failure created a potential safety risk due to the possibility of loss of power while driving, which could increase the risk of an accident, especially at highway speeds or in traffic. The issue has been confirmed by a service provider, and the vehicle requires significant repair. General Motors has been notified but has declined repair assistance, classifying the issue as wear and tear. While no active recall is currently associated with this specific vehicle, similar vehicles with the same engine platform have documented issues, raising concerns about reliability and safety. The failed components are available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11731580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
March 29th 2026 my 2021 Yukon XL engine stalled while driving at 45mph (No prior warning lamps or messages, restart engine came on dash) causing me to immediately pull over and come to a stop still in traffic, it shifted my vehicle into park, I was in an in an un-safe spot and was stuck in park (conditions not correct for shift on dash) because my vehicle would not allow me to shift to neutral and push it to the side of the road, (could not jump start) Had towed to dealership and mentioned Engine Failure and Fuel pump control module Recalls but according to them it was a starter issue, I asked them to still check the fuel pump control module regardless. Picked up vehicle and a week later April 14th the exact same thing happened vehicle stalled while driving dash said Restart Engine while coasting (No prior warning lamps or messages) forcing me to pull over where it rolled to a stop and locked itself into park leaving me in unsafe conditions again. Had towed back to the same dealership and waiting to hear back from them.
NHTSA complaint #11731169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving in traffic on a 2 lane road with small shoulders, the engine stopped, dash indicated automatic shift to neutral, restart vehicle. vehicle coasted to a stop partially blocking the lane due to lack of shoulder and size of vehicle. Turned off ignition and attempted to restart. there was a click and the dashboard/electronics all went blank/off for several seconds then came back on. Attempted this 4 times with the same results. Called GMC roadside assistance for a tow to the dealership. The vehicle could not be shifted to neutral due to not being able to start. The tow driver had to forcefully pull the vehicle onto the flatbed with the vehicle still in park. I do not know what method was used to get the vehicle off the flatbed tow truck. Vehicle was partially blocking the roadway for an hour before the tow truck arrived leaving me vulnerable to a high speed crash. And leaving the tow operator open to an accident during the 30 minute loading Upon diagnostic the dealer informed me the engine has seized/locked up. All recalls for loss of propulsion were completed at 48,711 miles on September 7, 2025 passing inspection and dealer performing an oil change to 0W40 oil. Engine failure was 3429 miles after the recall was performed with 52,140 miles. There was no warning or difference in driving characteristics prior to failure. There was not a loss of oil pressure prior to failure according to dash gauges.
NHTSA complaint #11729551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.