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2022 GMC Yukon XL: engine knocking or ticking

18 of the 176 complaints about the 2022 GMC Yukon XL describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
10%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 205 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · KY

The vehicle was being driven from work to home on the interstate, when a loud ticking/knocking noise was heard while exiting the interstate. The motor lost power when trying to accelerate while pulling into our driveway. It was noticed that the "Service Transmission" light came on as well. It was towed to the Chevrolet dealership in Bardstown, KY where they did diagnostic testing and stated that the motor had "locked up" and will have to be replaced. The service person at the Chevrolet dealership stated that the transmission could have been affected also because the service transmission light was on as well. We are lucky the loss of power and the engine locking up did not occur on the interstate where multiple people could have been injured. The ticking/knocking and the complete engine locking up occurred within a 5 minute time span. The check engine light and service transmission lights did not come on until the vehicle coasted into our driveway. The vehicle had participated in the recall of putting a higher viscosity oil in by the Chevrolet dealership.

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Engine · OH

No warning the car made a loud clunk that shook the car. The engine began a severe knock with almost compete loss of power. The dealer confirmed the entire engine had to be replaced. I was told my car passed the PICO test recall and only required an oil viscosity change. There is something very wrong here. These engines are not right. I have handicapped twins and have zero confidence it won't leave my family stranded.

Filed May 19, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

My 2022 GMC Yukon XL with the 6.2L L87 engine was previously subject to the federal safety agency Recall 25V‑274 / GM Recall N252494000 for L87 engine loss of propulsion. The recall was closed by the dealer as “PicoScope Inspection — Engine Passed / Update Engine Oil Type,” with the oil/cap/filter remedy. The vehicle was later brought back to the dealer for engine noise/knocking, check-engine light, and engine oil light/oil warning concerns. The dealer has now confirmed that the dipstick was not picking up oil, the oil level was severely low, the oil condition was severely degraded, and abnormal engine noise was heard. My VIN also shows active GM Special Coverage N252494003 through 1/15/2032 or 150,027 miles. The dealer previously stated that the underlying PicoScope pass data from the recall inspection is no longer available to the dealership after submission. This is not the first oil-related concern. During a prior service visit in September 2025, around the same time the L87 recall was completed, the dealer documented an engine oil low message and an upper oil pan leak causing the low-oil message. I am concerned the L87 engine may be failing after the recall remedy was previously marked complete, creating a risk of engine failure or loss of propulsion while driving. I am also concerned the current engine/oil/noise condition is being treated as customer-pay/out-of-warranty before the root cause is fully diagnosed or reviewed by GM under Special Coverage N252494003.

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Engine · LA

Engine failure with the 6.2 engine. My engine failed the Pico test in July of 2025 with 66k miles. The entire engine was replaced and I was told this would “fix” the engine issue. On April 25, 2026, my engine failed while I was driving at highway speeds. The engine was knocking and I pulled over as I could not accelerate it. I had it towed and was told by the dealership that the rod bearings failed and I would need an entire new engine. 9 months and 10k miles after a brand new engine was installed. This will be the third engine in this vehicle since I’ve owned it. GM’s “fix” for the 6.2 recall is not a fix. It’s pushing the problem down the road, risking lives by putting people in vehicles with known engine failures and no true fix.

Filed Apr 18, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · VA

I am submitting a complaint regarding a serious engine failure in my 2022 GMC Yukon XL equipped with the 5.3L engine (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle has experienced a complete failure of the lifters and camshaft. Prior to the failure, there were noticeable engine performance issues, including abnormal ticking noises, rough operation, and loss of power. The condition worsened rapidly, ultimately resulting in the engine becoming inoperable. This failure presents a significant safety concern, as the sudden loss of engine performance or power could occur while driving at speed, increasing the risk of a crash. The vehicle is currently not drivable and requires extensive engine repair or replacement. Given the severity of this issue and the potential safety risks, I am requesting that this complaint be formally investigated. I understand that similar issues have been reported in vehicles with this engine, and I believe this may indicate a broader defect affecting reliability and safety. Please let me know if any additional information or documentation is needed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · OR

Two weeks ago I heard a faint ticking sound. I had a professional look at it and they said that I had a cylinder sticking and to add an additive the next oil change. I still had 1,500 miles until then and so I did not do that. That noise stopped a day later. Last Friday, it started to tick again, and then it got very loud. I live rurally and was 45 minutes from home. The engine went from ticking to full clunking and very low power in just a moment. I luckily found a small engine shop to check the codes, but as I was parked there, the car would not go in reverse! He had to clear the codes to get it to go into reverse. I had to then slowly drive 45 minutes back to our small town. I drove to and immediately parked it at our local repair shop. It can not be driven now. The lights that came on were the Rear axle system off, forward collision system, service traction control, engine light flashing, and service ESC light. Not to forget that it would not go into reverse. Also the suspension system seemed to malfunction and not lift or lower the car.It seemed to clunk and try, but nothing happened. The whole car basically went down. I see there is a recall for this year or car, but my VIN is not included. I am hoping that it will be included as the repair shop is telling me it will be close to $10,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Engine · 60,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there were two loud pops followed by an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment, before the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearings. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2025 · Engine · NJ

On every cold start this vehicle blow dark gray smoke from exhaust. I hear some knocking in from the engine. I just bought this vehicle and find out later on it got some serious engine recall. I travel with my kids and put my kids lives on line, if engine fails while I am driving it.

Filed May 8, 2025 · Engine · 75,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle started shaking excessively and then lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the lifters and camshaft, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Apr 22, 2025 · Engine · AZ

On 1/3/25 the engine in my 2022 GMC Yukon XL Denali started making knocking noise while driving and then it happened again when turning on the engine. The check engine light came on, so I had the vehicle towed to the nearest GM dealership. When the dealership drained the oil they found metal shavings in the oil. The vehicle had roughly 44,000 miles on it at the time. This put my family and young children at risk as they were in the vehicle when this happened.

Filed Apr 21, 2025 · Engine · 48,044 miles · MT

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the main rod bearing had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired after three months. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 48,044.

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · LA

BATTERY: Vehicle died at highway speed 1/12/23 with 25,404 miles on it. Towed to dealership, battery died while driving. Vehicle would not start 12/01/24 at 88,013 miles, battery was dead. ENGINE: Reported engine knocking and high idle 1/30/23 with 26,608 miles on vehicle. In service department until 03/03/03 with no issues found. Took vehicle to another dealership service department 06/06/23 with engine knocking and high idle, no issues found. Received back 06/12/23. Filmed the engine noises and high idle on 06/22/23, engine light came on and returned to service department at 37,265 miles. Engine was replaced after a lengthy wait time for replacement. Cam and Lifters were the issue in original engine. Received vehicle back 08/30/23. MODULES: Reported the display changing 1/30/23 with 26,608 miles, service documents state related to telematics controls. They replaced the module. Vehicle had a delay in shifting, reported on 06/06/23 with 36, 303 miles. Transmission control module was out of calibration and was reprogrammed at a dealership service department. Vehicle shifted into neutral multiple times. Reported to service department 09/08/23 at 38,183 miles. The transfer case lost communication with the brake control module, but they started communicating again without repairs according the service invoice. Then there was a recall for the screen switching displays, which it has done the entire ownership, even after replacing the module. Turned into dealership for that recall, it was updated, the displays still change screens while the vehicle is in use.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanicalReported April 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

Recall number 25V274000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2022 GMC Yukon XL knocking

Is engine knocking or ticking a common problem on the 2022 GMC Yukon XL?

18 of 176 owner complaints about the 2022 GMC Yukon XL (10%) mention engine knocking or ticking. The model year with the most reports is 2021.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2022 GMC Yukon XL?

There is 1 recall and 205 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2022 GMC Yukon XL

Engine failure 76Loss of power 32Check engine light 25Stalling 11Won't shift 8Won't start 7Fuel pump 5Harsh shifting 5Oil consumption 5

All model years of the GMC Yukon XL

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