125 of the
6,468 complaints filed about the GMC Yukon
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
125
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
6
Crashes
1
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
On July 28, 2026, while traveling on vacation with my family, our vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure. There were warning lights displayed for 30 seconds prior to the engine failure. On July 23, 2026, one day before taking the vehicle to the dealership, the following warning indicators appeared on the dashboard and then disappeared: “Service ESC,” “Service Traction Control,” and a flashing engine light. We took the vehicle to the dealership on July 24, 2026, because we wanted to be proactive and ensure that the vehicle was safe to operate. The dealership inspected the vehicle but reported that no diagnostic trouble codes were identified and no issue was found. We picked the vehicle up from the dealership on the evening of July 27, 2026. On July 28, 2026, while traveling on the highway approximately 2.5 hours from home, the same warning messages appeared on the dashboard again. Because we were traveling at highway speeds and vehicle speed management was becoming an issue, I immediately exited the highway and stopped in a parking area. I placed the vehicle in park, at which point the engine began idling extremely rough. I could feel the vehicle shaking while sitting in the driver's seat. I exited the vehicle to open the hood, but before I was able to do so, I noticed gray smoke coming from the exhaust. We located a GMC dealership approximately two miles away. Because of the vehicle's condition, we drove there slowly on the frontage road at approximately 15 mph and dropped the vehicle off for diagnostic inspection. The GMC dealership subsequently diagnosed the vehicle with catastrophic engine failure and recommended that the engine be replaced. The vehicle remains at the dealership and is available for inspection.We made a reasonable effort to have the vehicle inspected before our trip because we were concerned about the warning indicators and wanted to ensure that the vehicle was safe to travel.
NHTSA complaint #11756194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2021 Yukon Denali. Inspected by dealer under recall. Passed dealership test and new oil viscosity adjustment completed by dealer at 39k miles. Told no issues with vehicle continue to drive it. Today 4-14-26 on the interstate traveling 75mph the engine seized and lost all power. Instrument panel showed 0rpm as I coasted to a stop and the engine lost all power. I placed the vehicle in park on the shoulder and attempted to restart. Nothing! Engine would crank. Towed to Olathe gmc dealer and they took one looke at it , diagnosed it said it had all symptoms of total engine failure. Ordered me an engine and told 6 weeks out. Sent me home in a loaner. Service department told me They get one everyday sometime more than 1. They have hertz rental on standby for warranty loaner vehicle. I find it spilling that these vehicles come time to be sold. They’re all bad according to the service department. I also find it very frustrating that they park the broken defective vehicles at the very back of the dealer lot to hide the graveyard of 6.2’s from the public. My vehicle is under 5 year 60k warranty and engine is being replaced, but the tech could not share the extent of what would be replaced. All he mentioned was the block. Zero warning engine just went up like a grenade at 75mpg on the highway. Wife’s vehicle and left me stranded 2 hours from home on a work trip.
NHTSA complaint #11731242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had just pulled off from street light, hit button to turn auto engine shutoff off, all of sudden I lose power as if I'm in neutral, engines reving up but won't go. Then kicks in but with less power like gears will not shift. I get to my destination but car will not go in reverse.
NHTSA complaint #11722391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We are located in Henderson, NV and we were driving on the freeway in a construction zone with no emergency lanes when the vehicle lost all power to the engine going the speed limit. The engine had seized up which is a known problem with the 6.2L GMC motors. We have done all the recalls recommended by the manufacturer. The engine seizing, locking up , put our family in danger . We were luckily enough to be close to an offramp where people in other vehicles barley let us over so we can pull off the road or we would of been stuck in the middle of the highway with cars flying by us with little kids in the car. This is unacceptable and as much as this happening and GMC not fixing the issues, people are going to get hurt or killed. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN! . ThIS is a known issue with these motors and problems and GMC is putting bandaids on the situations when lives are in danger. Our truck is a 2023 GMC Yukon Denali with only 53k miles on it
NHTSA complaint #11711193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
As of [XXX] , I witnessed a squealing sound coming from the rear end of my 2018 Denali Yukon XL truck. And it's affecting my braking. And it jerked when I changed my gears on my truck . And there are lights on in my dashboard on my truck. The engine light was blinking on and off and the traction control light was blinking on and off also. But the back driver side of the truck was squealing also. Please help me to resolve this situation. In the name of Jesus. Thanks again [XXX] and [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11709565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving in approximately 10°F weather after the vehicle had been parked outside overnight during snowfall in Chicago, the vehicle displayed a warning that said “Do Not Drive — Maximum Speed 43 MPH.” At the same time, the brake pedal became extremely hard and the vehicle had significantly reduced braking ability, requiring much longer stopping distance. This occurred without any brake warning lights beforehand. After the vehicle warmed up and was restarted, the message eventually cleared but then there was a new transmission warning and the check engine light went on. After driving for a long commute, eventually all warnings disappeared. I personally know another 2023 Yukon owner who experienced the exact same message and braking loss under similarly cold conditions, which suggests this may be a broader safety issue affecting this model year. Because this involved a sudden safety-system activation combined with temporary brake loss, there was a real risk of being unable to stop the vehicle safely or avoid a collision. My vehicle is within the year range of GM’s brake-system software recall N242447990 (eBCM brake fluid loss detection issue), and it is unclear whether my case is related, but the symptoms point to a potential systemic braking or electronic brake control problem in the 2023 Yukon. This issue warrants investigation due to the combination of: • Hard brake pedal • Reduced braking performance • Speed-limiting safety warning • No prior diagnostic warning • Occurrence in very cold temperatures A sudden loss of braking ability is a serious safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11704198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought my 2023 Yukon Denali Ultimate on or around August 9 2023, and I bought it brand new. On May 28 2024, around 30k miles, I was on the highway and could no longer accelerate. I luckily got myself into the breakdown lane before my car shut down & lost power, ended up being towed to the closest dealership. After 18 days at the dealership, I finally had my car back with a "new engine". Fast forward to November 25, 2025, I was on the highway again, my dash lit up telling me to "press start". As i figured that was not a good idea while driving in the fast lane on the highway, I did not. in a panic I got myself over to the breakdown lane where my car turned off. This time (November 2025), I still had power, but no car turnover. After 6 days of my car sitting at the dealership, they finally had the time to look at the issue. The Dealership did the recall and got the car started, but the car still had a funny sound that the mechanics didn’t like , so they were waiting to hear back from higher up people as to what to do. Today I got the call that they will be replacing the engine for a second time and I will not have my car back until the first week of January. There were zero warning lamps, Zero Symptoms, nothing. I am Lucky that the Highway wasn’t too busy in that moment, because there were many 18 wheelers on the road that day, and one almost swerved into my car missing it by about two feet while my dead car sat in the breakdown lane. Yes I called the state police, Yes one trooper kindly pulled behind me to ask if I was safe and had a tow on the way. But that truck that nearly plowed into my dead car could have prevented me from picking my [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] daughters up from school, forever . To say that I am disgusted with GM, is an understatement. They’re risking lives. I should not fear for my life, my kids lives in a new, "safe" vehicle. No pun intended, but this is highway robbery. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11702612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving on loop 20 overpass on Hwy 59 in Laredo Texas suddenly the engine lost power and started to skip and miss fire while a loud tapping noise was generated, due to the loss of power and skipping, alarms showed in the main console requiring immediate service to the engine, traction and braking sys, the lack of engine power place me in a very critical and unsafe situation wherein I was about to be rear collision by the vehicle behind me. This event happened on October 17th, 2025 . I brought the vehicle to Powell Watson Motors who is the GMC dealership in Laredo Texas for inspection but they refused to accept the vehicle due to the age of the vehicle. I feel this safety issue must me corrected and resolved in order to avoid accidents and deaths.
NHTSA complaint #11696097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased 2023 GMC Yukon on August 21, 2025 and after starting the vehicle on October 2, 2025 the whole instrument panel cluster malfunctioned, failed to turn on, currently does not work and is available for inspection upon request. The instrument panel cluster is all black, it shows glitching flashing white lines on the right side of it therefore being unable to read the speedometer, fuel gauges, tire pressure, oil life, engine temperature, etc.. Prior to the instrument panel cluster malfunction, there were no warning indicators. Being unable to view the instrument cluster, makes the vehicle hazardous & risky to utilize for me and my family. This vehicle has not been confirmed or inspected at this time.
NHTSA complaint #11694475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After less than 2000 miles, the OnStar module failed, which removed the capability for emergency assistance, GPS, advanced cruise control, etc. The part is on back order with no ETA, and it appears, based on my research, that this is a common problem with GM vehicles for the past several years. Not having the emergency assistance phone system available is an extreme safety issue, as there are many areas of the US that do not have adequate cell coverage to get assistance in an emergency. It seems as though GMC does not care.
NHTSA complaint #11692360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving the vehicle it randomly looses engine function decreasing speed rapidly. The check engine light comes on and it says engine power reduced along with traction-off and stabilitrak- off. There was a safety recall 14V-614 that pertains to the chassis electronic module. I have had multiple shops look at the problem the last being a GMC dealer who replaced the accelerator pedal for the 2nd time but did not fix the issue. This issue began in early 2024 and vehicle has sat in driveway not being driven every since.
NHTSA complaint #11669271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The information screen on the gauge cluster sometimes will stop working. This is dangerous as It is the only part that shows if the vehicle is in Park, Reverse, Nuetral, or drive. It also is the only part that shows the vehicles fuel level, blinker, cruise control, temperature and other warnings and controls. This is a common problem for the 2015- xxxx Yukon and Tahoe.
NHTSA complaint #11668183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There currently is a serious recall on this vehicle and there is no remedy available. I’ve called the dealership and they confirmed this information. The service department claimed the sales department may be able to help me and then sales said it was a service dept issue. I have children who have been placed at risk as they have been traveling in this vehicle since April 2024.
NHTSA complaint #11666399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while a friend was driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. Additionally, the vehicle had previously experienced a loss of braking while driving with the cruise control activated. The contact stated that while driving at a slower speed, the vehicle lurched forward, striking a gate, and causing damage to the front bumper of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed of the NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 16,000.
NHTSA complaint #11648956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We were driving down the interstate at around 70mph and without warning - the vehicle shut off. The engine stopped running and the vehicle put itself in Neutral. The headlights and electrical all shut off and the only message on the display was to push start to restart the vehicle. Luckily, we were able to safely maneuverer out of traffic without being hit by other vehicles. Our vehicle was able to be restarted once we came to a complete stop and put the car in park. We are having he vehicle towed to our local GMC dealer to have it evaluated. The issue only happened one time.
NHTSA complaint #11644535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving the 370 miles from Fairbanks to Anchorage with our family and dogs, our vehicle shut down completely with no warning. The drive is through a very remote section of Alaska. While passing a slower vehicle, our Yukon completely shut down, to include the all controls including the dash and lights. We were unable to complete the pass, leaving us in direct line with on coming traffic with no ability to speed up to get around the other vehicle. The other vehicle, not knowing we had lost all power, continued driving the same speed and eventually we were able to get back into the proper lane and coast to a stop on the side of the 2 lane highway. The vehicle would not start and with the temperatures outside at 12 degrees it got chilly fast. Luckily we travel with all of our winter gear. Had this incident happened on one of the many steep descents or curves with snow and ice, the outcome could have been disastrous. My wife has decided that if the vehicle does get fixed, she does not feel safe driving home in it. Reading online forums show that this is a very common occurrence and individuals are looking into a class action lawsuit against GM due to the safety issues associated with this. An individual passing by had a code reader and tried to reset the ECM but could not. I will include the report.
NHTSA complaint #11641544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Recurring System Problems: My vehicle continues to exhibit intermittent system failures, causing unpredictable and potentially dangerous driving conditions. These issues have included: engine stalling, braking issues, electronic system malfunctions].
NHTSA complaint #11638185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
[XXX] while driving on [XXX] myself and my family in our 2022 yukon 6 lane highway 65 mph the engine lost power with no warning at all and left us with no power steering ,or brakes. This was in heavy traffic with other vehicles on our right and left side. I was able to put 4 way on and carefully move to the right lane and then barely to the burm. Vehicle would not restart and the sound of it was of rattle and groan. yukon was towed to the nearest dealer and we were told it was a bad engine of either bearings or rods. We were very lucky to not having an accident and harm my family or other persons on the highway. When a new engine was installed it ran for ony 15 minutes and also was defective for the same issue. Vehicle was returned to us on 12/14/24 and we were denied any additional warranty. At this point i have no confidence in the vehicle or General Motors. We took a financial loss when we traded the vehicle because of the major problems thru no fault of ours. The dealer would offer nothing as far as extending the warranty nor would GMC customer service that we filed a formal complaint # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11637035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There are several incidents reported regarding ongoing assessment with GMC interplay activity I have noticed this have become a dangerous drive ability inside acceleration controls Governor sets whiling driving engine play transmission shifts this have gone beyond everyday practices during drive times this have been very noticeable during anyone time RPM gauges constantly disrupted radio functions remote controls are at play many problems are being serious illegal assessed during drive compulsive fuel guagement.I have been placed at dangerous risk by interplay noticability. Now slight tick sounds after full services sparkplug and wire as tuneup oil changes fuel services and coolant same recurring problems continued after serviced alignment services.controls are very strong
NHTSA complaint #11610673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.