2016 GMC Yukon XL: jerking or lurching

8 of the 202 complaints about the 2016 GMC Yukon XL describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 129 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

2025
1
2024
3
2023
8
2022
4
2021
2
2020
2
2019
2
2018
5
2017
7
2016
8
2015
4
2009
1
2004
2
2002
3
2000
1

What owners say

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 Sep 17, 2024 · Transmission · VA

Transmission constantly jerks taking off under normal operating conditions from a stop, has a hard time staying into gear (hunts for gear) while cruising at highway speeds.slips/slams into gear when attempting to pass.

Filed Jan 12, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · 96,891 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and jumped forward. There was a loud sound coming from the engine. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate above 5 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a misfire on the lifter in cylinders #1 and #7. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the warranty coverage was declined. The manufacturer was contacted and declined a buyback. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 96,891.

Filed Dec 16, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Like many other complaints..when your driving and accelerating it jerks and try’s to change gears ect. Most recent issue is the temperature sensor went out and my fan was running on full speed. Well I got it fixed and within 2 months it has gone out again! Lastly, the paint on the hood and roof. When I bought the dealership fixed the hood and yet again it’s failing again..

Filed Feb 24, 2023 · Transmission · 134,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and diagnosed that there was a defect with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Filed Dec 19, 2022 · Transmission · MO

Without warning my 2016 Yukon Denali jerked so forcefully into drive it felt like we were hit from behind. It went into gear and sped into intersection and stalled. We were almost hit. This is a huge problem with2016 GMC's and they are aware of it. It is the 8 speed transmissions that are causing this. They refuse to help get it fixed. I think they should be forced to! I will be out thousands if I can even find a shop that can get that transmission., They are back ordered because so many failures.

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 Aug 26, 2019 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · WI

Vehicle began hesitating during acceleration. Problem occurred intermittently at first but now occurs each time the vehicle is driven. Check engine light comes on occasionally. This jerking causes safety issues when trying to increase speed. Many complaints are on line from other owners with same issue