2016 GMC Yukon XL: complete transmission failure

6 of the 202 complaints about the 2016 GMC Yukon XL describe complete transmission failure.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

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

Complete transmission failure by model year

2024
1
2023
2
2022
2
2021
8
2020
3
2019
1
2018
3
2017
11
2016
6
2015
6
2012
1
2011
1
2008
1
2004
2
2003
1
2002
1
2001
1
2000
1

What owners say

Filed Apr 19, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Transmission failure on 8l90 8 speed transmission. 93,000 miles.

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

The car started to have issues shifting when driving- automatic transmission. It would jolt or shudder to try to shift. I was at a light intersection attempting to turn left to go on the on ramp of a highway, it attempted to shift as I sped up from a stop and it got stuck and started making a sound as if you were to press the brake and gas at the same time, similar to that, a car was coming in my direction at the same time and it finally clicked into gear. Absolutely terrified me, my father in law came and switched me vehicles and took mine to the dealership where it stayed for 3 days and they diagnosed it saying it needed a new transmission, quoting us at $11,000. Obviously we can’t afford that. We had all the filters and lines of the transmission cleaned. And now it’s just gotten worse and worse. That was the first time it happened. Now it’ll shudder like that any time it’s switching gears at any speed. Another time since then, it got stuck in the same situation after pulling out of my kids school driveway, it got stuck and wouldn’t click, when it finally did it started shaking uncontrollably in the street and thankfully I live two streets over and made it to my street before it just shut off on its own. I coasted it right into the front of our house and then it would not come back on, at this time we searched the internet over and over to find try to find an easy fix. We let it sit before it came back on. This is our family vehicle. I’ve seen that many many people have this exact issue with this exact same year and model. Its not coincidental and It’s extremely unsafe. Especially with kids in these vehicles. I’m terrified one day when it gets stuck or shuts off we will get hit.

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Transmission · OH

I bought 2016 Yukon XL 9/2020. At 74k miles (2022), the transmission was replaced by warranty. Now (2025), at 126k miles, the transmission needs replaced again. This can’t be normal.

Filed Feb 16, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · NC

Merging onto highway and my car would not get up any speed . Was almost crushed by a tractor trailer. If I hadn’t had a long merge lane I could have been killed . Apparently my transmission failed. This is certainly a safety issue . Your car should not just quit! .called dealer and they said the problem is known but gmc is not doing anything about it! Please help 75,000 $ car should last !

Filed Sep 8, 2020 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · MD

We were on our way back from pittsburg, pa to maryland and the transmission started slipping when we stopped in kent island at chick fil a. The vehicle stopped moving completely and would not move forward as we were turning into the drive thru. We had to have the vehicle towed to a gmc dealership in easton, md. Upon their evaluation of the vehicle, we were told that the torque converter came apart and damaged the transmission. When I asked how and why the torque converter came apart, they stated that they would have to take the entire engine apart to figure that out. We were told by the gmc dealership that our 2016 gmc yukon xl now needed a new transmission. We purchased this vehicle in december 2015 (brand new). Because our power train warranty expired at 60,000 miles, it was not covered. The new transmission costs us $5300+. We were shocked that this took place, as this was purchased new and we have kept up on all the maintenance. It is very disturbing to have purchased a new transmission for a vehicle that is only 4 years old. In doing some research, this seems to be an ongoing issue for gmc. A recall should be issued and a refund should be issued to those who have paid out of pocket for this expense. I do thank the gmc dealership in easton, md for quickly repairing our vehicle, especially since we had an upcoming trip. Ladonna was wonderful and I commend her and the entire dealership for handling things swiftly.

Filed Aug 31, 2019 · Engine, Steering · 189,000 miles · FL

The transmission went out, the engine is making a noise and a service center said lots of gm's vehicles are having the same problem the power steering system also stop working and I have to replace it