2021 GMC Yukon XL: won't start

Filed Aug 23, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

Was driving the vehicle at 70 mph on the highway without any issues for several hours and suddenly the vehicle lost power and had no propulsion. It went into neutral automatically and the engine shut off while driving. Thankfully I was on a downward slope and could steer the vehicle off the very busy highway. Once safe, I tried to restart the car but the engine would not start or turn over. Roadside assistance came to help as well as a flatbed tow truck. It was taken to a nearby GMC dealer but it remains completely dead despite the battery being fully charged and all of the electronics working. No known error codes are showing up. It’s an L87 engine and was part of the GM recall. The recall work was completed in Nov 2025.

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

While driving on a two lane road, my vehicle put itself into Neutral without me doing anything and the engine stopped. All things powered down. The engine stopped. not propulsion, nothing. I tried to pull over to edge of road. Car would not start - no activity. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. My safety was put at risk by my car simply stopping while driving down the road. The dealership has confirmed the engine needs to be replaced. There was no warning of engine problems or ANY indicators.

Filed May 14, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · AR

Noticeable ticking from the motor, loss of power while driving and smoking. Took to dealership to for repairs. Lifters replaced on one side, within 30 miles after leaving dealership vehicle lost power and would not crank. Per dealership same issue with spun bearing and crankshaft. New lifters and crankshaft placed. While driving 3 weeks later vehicle shifted into neutral and lost power and hand to coast to side of the road. Replace battery and still would not crank, had to be jumped off and able to drive home. 3 codes were retrieved from reader.

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Engine · UT

Our family of 6 were traveling home on the Freeway, from a family road trip going about 75 mph. The engine revved up and then the entire car all electronics went black. And then flashed back on. A warning told me to "Start Engine" I attempted to, and it would not turn over. I was able to get to the shoulder to get us out of the hi-speed traffic. I put our hazards on, and the "Start Engine" warning popped up again. I attempted to start the engine again and it wouldn't turn over. All the warnings started to flash things like "check transmission, check battery.." etc. We asked our kids to stay buckled, because of the hi-speed traffic, and that it was dark outside, and we were in more of rural area. We called the nearest tow company, and had to wait about 30-40 minutes for him to get to us. The tow truck operator was not able to get the car in neutral to be able to get the Yukon on to the tow truck, he eventually got it on. The next morning the Service Tech called and said the car was completely dead when he got to it. Then, he called me later in the day and said he was able to look at the vehicle and run diagnostics and said the engine had seized. My car is less than 4 years old and had 66k miles. I had it serviced right before our family road trip at 64k miles. We have been the only owners and have always serviced it through GMC Service Centers Only. *Note*We had complained multiple times of a squeaking/chirping noise coming from the engine. Since we first received it. The service center kept the vehicle a couple of times overnight to try and diagnose. We had to pay for a new belt replacement, and the squeaking/chirping noise was never resolved. We wonder if this was a preexisting issue.

Filed Jan 16, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

I was driving on a normal local highway and my car started to slow and an indicator to 'press start' to restart the engine came up. I tried to do that and the engine wouldn't turn over. My car sputtered to a stop during rush hour traffic as I was able to drift over to side of the road. The car wouldn't start after that, waiting for 10-20 minutes and re-trying wouldn't work either. I had to have it towed and am now awaiting a fuel pump module that is on back order. No warnings to me that it would happen and I fear that this could have happened on the highway at high speeds, causing a crash. My car is a large SUV that takes a lot to stop, the car just sputtering and dying is unacceptable. I see my car wasn't included in the recall of this issue back in 2021, but I believe it was manufactured during the impacted window and I took deliver in May of 2021 of the new car. I think more cars should be recalled to prevent this from happening to other people. Very scary when it happens and the alternative situations it can happen in, especially for such a large vehicle that typically is carrying multiple passengers.

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · TX

While traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly and without warning lost power. All gauges remained in the normal range. After pulling on to the shoulder of a highway and turning the vehicle off, the vehicle would not start. After being towed the dealership, the vehicle would not power up. Dealership checked DTCS and found code P0016 Crankshaft Position Sensor and Intake/Single Camshaft Position Sensor Correlation. Dealership inspected wiring for chaffing and tested camshaft position sensor circuitry and all found in normal condition. Dealership followed document ID: 5646662 diagnostic procedure inspecting camshaft position sensor and camshaft actuator solenoid valve for incorrect installation or damage. While inspecting, dealership found internal engine bearing material in oil indicating internal mechanical failure. Dealership removed engine oil pan and #1 and #2 connecting rods and found bearings spun causing catastrophic engine failure. Crankshaft main bearing cap #3 also found discolored from extreme heat. Dealership then followed bulletin #22-NA-074 for replacement of engine oil, cooler lines and engine oil cooler after connecting rod and main bearing damage The vehicle only had 17,067 miles.