2016 GMC Yukon XL: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · AL · crash

My wife was driving down the highway and out of no where there was a loud taping sound, the vehicle started running real bad (skipping), the vehicle lost power and she lost control of the steering. As a result, she ran off the road into a ditch. this is a known concern with the 6.2 liter engines and all signs are pointing to lifter failure. She could have ben seriously injured and GM is responsible for this.

Filed Jan 25, 2026 · Engine · CO

Driving after dark on a main street in St George Utah, the engine suddenly surged and then revved down. It felt like someone jamming it into 4WD. Traffic was tailgating me, and I was nearly hit. I could not pull completely out of the right lane. I put on hazard lights. Check engine light came on, and TCS light came on. I decided to get out of traffic & crawled forward about 30 yards into a Sinclair station lot, then backed it into a spot where a tow truck could get it. It was clearly not drivable. Called AAA and a driver was able to get to me within 1/2 an hour. Checked the AAA website for mechanics since I was merely travelling through St. George and had no knowledge of the area. Hawker's Automotive was listed first, with many excellent reviews. Tow truck arrived and driver loaded it on the JerrDan bed. I asked him to take me to the Hawker's garage location. I locked it and put the key in the overnight box with my name, number, and description. Next day the mechanics said lifter arm was collapsed. Needed tearing down, replacing and probably new camshaft. Gave me estimate for "estimated" repair of about $8,000 or new engine at about $12,000! This is a KNOWN GMC failure apparently. Recalls have been initiated on newer models, but every mechanic will tell you that this happens all the time to all the 6.2L, V8 engine at around 150,000. I bought it used at about 156,000 miles and have put about 5,000 miles on it. And changed the oil at purchase, and about 1,000 miles ago. I researched model and year before purchasing. All online reviews I found were positive. Nothing out there on this know manufacturing flaw. But now when I type in 'catastrophic engine failure 2016 Denali XL" many many reviews and videos state that it is a known problem to both GMC and the federal safety agency. I or someone could have been killed by such a dramatic loss of power! This is a SAFETY issue and the federal safety agency needs to review ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON FILE ALREADY. Thankyou

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Engine · VA

The engine is the component that failed and is available for inspection. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center, and the repair quote is attached. There were no prior warning signs before the failure; the vehicle suddenly began making a knocking noise and experienced a loss of power.

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Engine · TN

We own a 2016 GMC Yukon XLT Denali with the GM 6.2 engine. On Saturday, July 26, 2025 our vehicle suddenly lost power and became undrivable in traffic. We had it towed to our GM dealership who still has the vehicle (Reiselman GMC- Springfield, TN) They called today and said the engine could not be repaired. They stated it had no compression in Cylinder 8. The said our only option was a new engine. THIS IS THE SECOND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE we have had. In November 2021 we experienced another CATASTROPHIC FAILURE when the vehicle suddenly lost power. The engine required a valve and valve spring and seal on cylinder #1. This is 2 major failures we have had which could have been dangerous had we not been able to get out of traffic. The vehicle currently has 116k miles. These types of major failures in a vehicle that has been serviced according to schedules and receives only typical local and commuter use is out of the norm. It is the first generation of GM's 6.2L engine and the sister engine to the one currently under major recall and no-sell orders. We believe that GM knows of these issues as we have spoken with other people who have had similar problems. The problems involve the valve train and the crank and pistons much like the recall on the later models. Please advise what we need to do to move our complaint through the system to see if we can get some relief on this matter. The dealer still has the vehicle so we don't have any paperwork yet on the latest incident. I will send the November 2021 information

Filed Oct 8, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · OH

Loses power randomly. More prominent at low speeds and turns. Has lost power going down the road, will turn back on. Stabilitrak lights and jerking steering wheel are more common. Will not always start right back up when it shuts all the way off/loses power. Loses clock but keeps radio stations. Had it scanned. Asked dealer about issues/recalls and information with nothing more than “this is not common” and “we need to schedule a time for you to bring it in”. Times were not soon and they made it seem like it is not an urgent/emergent situation. Would not agree to me being able to talk with a tech. Looked into this as it seems common but nothing definite. Bad battery cables seem prominent, grounding issues, electronic steering module, and a few others. Seems like a GM problem that is known but not being handled. Greatly disappointed after reading up on it. Many vehicles with similar problems had recalls. Not sure how that process works. I was told it depends where it was manufactured/assembled. Wife was able to get a video of it the other day.

Filed Jul 9, 2022 · Transmission · IL

2016 Yukon Denali Xl 4wd Shifts hard from 1st -2nd Shifts hard from 2nd -1st Random delay in accelerating from stopped (this is my main concern as i have 2 disabled child that almost gives them whiplash) 45-55 sometime feels like i am driving over. Rumble strips 45-55 has loss of power when attempting to pass a vehicle Local GMC dealer charged 300$ to change fluid to high performance & it still has same problems

Filed Jun 21, 2022 · Transmission · IL

Automatic 8 speed transmission shudder issues. Slipping, Jerking, clunking, delay, loss of power. Local GMC "replaced fluid as in latest service bulletin"

Filed Jan 12, 2020 · Acceleration · 42,000 miles · MD

We have had our 2016 yukon xl for almost 2 years. Last year we started experiencing episodes where the vehicle will shift down into reduced power mode with p0090 and p0091 as the fault codes. We have been working with the dealer, but once the vehicle has been turned off for about 20 minutes or so it clears and leaves no trace of an issue. This is extremely dangerous and recently shifted into reduced power leaving us only able to drive 35 miles per hour. We were on the highway in maryland with cars flying around us at ~80 miles per hour. We had all of our children in the car and were in the far left lane. The reduced power made it nearly impossible to get to the right shoulder safely. I have a friend with a new gmc sierra that has the same issue. He dropped it off at his dealer for 3 weeks and returned it finding any issues. This is very dangerous and needs to be addressed. All it will take is someone dying to turn it into a class action lawsuit.