477 of the 6,468 complaints filed about the GMC Yukon are about the transmission — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2017.
477
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
12
Crashes
4
Fires
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle lost all power and shutdown coming off the highway. This all happened even after the heavier ow-40 oil was added from the initial engine inspection. Been waiting almost 2 months for a total engine replacement
NHTSA complaint #11758792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
While traveling on [XXX] from Houston back to San Antonio, my truck engine just blew up without any warning whatsoever. We purchased the truck with 3 miles on it, and we have only put 5,000 miles on it. New cars that cost early $100K shouldn’t be having engine failures like this. I’m lost for words now! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
GMC should be haulted from selling trucks with the 6.2L engine. My brand new 2026 GMC Yukon Denali engine imploded on the Interstate going 75mph that nearly killed my entire family. No warning, just out of no where died on the highway, with 4K miles on it. This is sadly going to get someone critically injured and when is enough going to be enough? GMC has some explaining to do, when they charge $85K-$100K for trucks that blow up as soon as you buy them.
NHTSA complaint #11755813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
GMC should be haulted from selling trucks with the 6.2L engine. My brand new 2026 GMC Yukon Denali engine imploded on the Interstate going 75mph that nearly killed my entire family. No warning, just out of no where died on the highway, with 4K miles on it. This is sadly going to get someone critically injured and when is enough going to be enough? GMC has some explaining to do, when they charge $85K-$100K for trucks that blow up as soon as you buy them.
NHTSA complaint #11755814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
About 6 times during higher speed operation 80+km/hr during a downshift, the rear wheels lock up causing panic from screeching tires and sudden deceleration. Extremely unsafe. The vehicle is in with the dealership and as suspected, they can't find any issues with codes or transmission pressures. We even have a sound recording of the tires locking up. Typical symptoms of the valve body failure. Hopefully there's parts available soon.
NHTSA complaint #11755336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle shudders at acceleration at times making merging onto highways and passing vehicles dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11754165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
GM performed a vehicle wide Over the Air reprogramming of the modules incorporated in the VIP/Global B electronics platform in April, 2026. Following that my vehicle became totally dead. Key fob would not unlock the vehicle. Had to use the metal key, open the drivers door. Opened the door, nothing moved. No lights, no movement from anything on the vehicle. Opened the hood, charged the battery and tried to crank it. Would not budge. Starter would not engage. Disconnected the negative battery cable. Tried again. Still would not budge. After an hour of so of trying and using jumper cables from our other vehicle, still would not budge. I disconnected the negative battery cable from the right front fender ground and reattached it. It then cranked. Drove the vehicle 30 miles at interstate speed. 8 miles in city traffic. Drove home and parked it in the garage. Drove it abput 10-12 days later to get breakfast. Parked it, locked it with the key fob. Came back after getting food, key fob would not work. Opened it with the button on the door handle. Got In tried to crank it. Would not budge. Disconnected the negative battery cable twice, before it cranked, but would not drive. Message in dash said vehicle could not be driven. Finally got it cranked. GM never advised that the battery must have a 70% charge at all times for the electronics to work. Owner's manual contains no such statement. Vehicle is defective to the extent that it will leave me stranded in wherever the battery power is less than 70%. Dangerous to get stranded at night on a lonely road or highway, away from cities with tow trucks and competent service personnel. Vehicle in shop 32 days before dealer advised resolution. Modules bricked requiring engine control module and telematics module replacement.
NHTSA complaint #11754040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
While traveling at highway speeds, my 2017 GMC Yukon SLE suffered a sudden, catastrophic Active Fuel Management (AFM) valvetrain lifter and camshaft collapse. This caused an immediate and highly dangerous loss of vehicle propulsion in live moving traffic on I-95, creating an extreme physical safety hazard for my family. General Motors has extensive, documented internal corporate knowledge of this severe design defect under Technical Service Bulletin TSB #18-NA-073.
NHTSA complaint #11753782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission was shifting hard, with severe vibrations and shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who confirmed the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the failure was confirmed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the failure occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the manufacturer had issued a special coverage associated with the failure but offered no assistance. There was no fault code retrieved associated with the previous software update that was performed under the recall campaign. The failure mileage was 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #11753505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted from first gear to second gear and the vehicle intermittently stalled. The contact shifted to park and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle was shifted into drive and returned to normal operation. The failure reoccurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11752455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that there was an abnormal moaning and grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The contact became aware of the uneven wear on the tires. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle previously had an alignment and fluid flush performed. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: 21-NA-028 – (Rear Differential Moan/Chatter). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
NHTSA complaint #11750859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and the transmission malfunctioned, causing the wheels to lock up and the check engine warning light to illuminate. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission clutch and pressure control solenoid had failed. The contact was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V289000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 118,000.
NHTSA complaint #11749486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
On June 25, 2026 my 2023 GMC Yukon Denali with 53,456 miles was brought to an authorized GMC dealership after displaying a Service 4WD warning light and exhibiting a groaning noise when shifting into Drive and Reverse. The vehicle was diagnosed with the following brake system fault codes: P25A2, C0511, C0517, C1595 and C1596. These codes indicate brake control module failure and wheel speed sensor faults which are safety critical components. The dealership confirmed these findings but stated the repairs are not covered under the GMC powertrain warranty. Given that these are safety critical brake system failures on a nearly new vehicle with only 53,456 miles, we contacted GMC Customer Care on July 1, 2026 to request coverage under goodwill warranty as we believe these failures constitute a manufacturing defect. A case was opened however after 7 days no case advisor has been assigned and no decision has been made despite two promised timelines not being met. The brake system failures on a nearly new vehicle represent a serious safety concern as these systems directly affect the vehicle's ability to stop safely. The vehicle has been at the dealership since June 25, 2026 and remains unrepaired.
NHTSA complaint #11749116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Complete transmission failure at 82,000 miles. Well maintained vehicle, not used for towing or heavy hauling. Required complete replacement. Traveling at highway speeds and-according to repair facility- valve failure caused transmission to overheat a stripped gears, causing complete failure. Vehicle was unable to shift into any gears and was left inoperable. Required towing assistance and replacement.
NHTSA complaint #11748691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle experienced a sudden and rapid mechanical failure of the 6-speed automatic transmission (6L80 model) within a span of less than two weeks. The light did not come on until the transmission was past salvage. The failure escalated rapidly from initial minor slipping to a severe loss of vehicle propulsion. A loss of acceleration while driving poses an immediate crash hazard, as the vehicle cannot safely maintain speed with surrounding traffic or accelerate out of dangerous situations. The failure required towing and a complete out-of-pocket replacement of the transmission unit at 116,374 miles to restore safe operation. The manufacturer has failed to issue a safety recall despite widespread failures of this component causing unexpected power loss on public roadways.
NHTSA complaint #11748498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the inspection station for an inspection, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission had seized, and the vehicle failed to move. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred immediately after an unknown device was attached to the vehicle while being inspected. The contact informed the inspector of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,637.
NHTSA complaint #11747485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer had not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 44,000.
NHTSA complaint #11747108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission is acting funny. Stuck in low gear /not shifting at low speeds. Vibration sometimes at higher speeds when shifting gears. 8 9 10 gears.
NHTSA complaint #11746869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission abruptly failed after only 110k well maintained miles
NHTSA complaint #11746604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Engine overheated and performed an emergency shutdown while driving through Atlanta on my way to vacation with my family. We lost propulsion and had to cross 5 lanes of traffic to find a shoulder to pull over to. The engine shut down and we were left stranded 500 miles from home with our 3 children in a boiling car. The vehicle was inspected and passed the recall test 6 weeks prior to this incident. After the first failure we attempted to extend our power train warranty to which we were told it had too many miles by GM. The GM dealership and service center where the vehicle was towed confirmed the engine needed to be replaced and GM confirmed it falls under their extended warranty. However, GM refuses to cover any additional expenses incurred from their engine failure.
NHTSA complaint #11746548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.