2017 GMC Yukon XL: jerking or lurching

7 of the 147 complaints about the 2017 GMC Yukon XL describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 5%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 100 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 Jun 12, 2025 · Transmission · VA

In May 2025, my vehicle suddenly started jerking, shaking, and almost stalled out while driving. I was on a busy 3 lane roadway with 6 passengers total. As I would try to accelerate, the power was significantly decreased. I felt it jerk between shifting several times. My check engine light came on. I was so scared that someone would hit my vehicle and injure us. I brought it to a GMC dealership. They said that my transmission failed, metal in the transmission fluid. How is this possible? Upon researching this problem, this is a common issue with the 2017 GMC Yukon Denali. There are class action law suits and lemon law lawsuits against GMC regarding this problem which causes major safety concerns. My vehicle has been well maintained with lots of service records to prove it. I have babied her and I’ve never towed anything. This transmission issue needs to be addressed and recalled. I need a new transmission which will cost between $5,000-$7,000. This is just horrible and disappointing regarding the quality and reported issues that are not being recalled by GMC.

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · Transmission · NY

While driving it will jerk into gear shifting is rough.

Filed Oct 25, 2024 · Engine · 20,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while stopped on several occasions, the accelerator pedal was depressed; and there was a loud clunking noise coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle violently jerked each time. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer seven times however, the failure was not replicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Engine · KY

I have a 2017 Yukon XL with 80,000 miles on it. Last year I was driving on the highway with my kids when it began to lose power and failed to accelerate. The issue was in the engine and I had to replace the entire engine for $8000 because it was barely past the warranty. Now one year later the car began to jerk and not shift while on highway and it is the transmission that is going to be replaced for $6000. The 2017 Yukon XL is a lemon and very dangerous for drivers. I spent $45k and should not be replacing the engine and transmission withing 6 years of it's age. Reading online these are common issues putting lives at risk.

Filed Jan 5, 2023 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while driving forward at a slow speed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle remained. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Oct 12, 2021 · Transmission · UT

We were on the freeway with my 4 small children. The freeway speed is 75 mph. The car had been jerking and hard shifting for over a week and I had it scheduled with a mechanic. As we were driving on the freeway, it lost total power as cars were going to the left and right around us. I was barely able to get it to the side of the road without being hit. This could have been tragic! I took it to the mechanic and the transmission is shaving a lot of metal (that was in the bottom of the pan). I have had to pay to have a whole new transmission redone. This is absurd with a car that is only 4 years old.

Filed Mar 25, 2021 · Transmission · 39,400 miles · GA

While sitting at a stop on a 9degree incline behind another vehicle I started to accelerate to move up to the stop sign. As I pressed on the accelerator the engine RPM's increased but the vehicle didn't move as if the transmission was not engaging, then without warning it jerked forward. I had to apply the brakes to keep from hitting the vehicle in front of me. I have also had problems with this vehicle transmission such as transmission flutter, harsh shifts in lower gears, etc etc.