At around 7pm on Sunday October 18th I was driving on an interstate at about 80mph in the far left lane (of 3 Lanes) when, without any warning whatsoever, the engine power completely shutoff and the car went into neutral. The dash screen said to start the engine due to no power or low battery. I hit the start button and all the lights including all controls, blinkers, dash lights shut off. So with no blinkers, no lights, no power brakes, no power steering we were coasting in the fast lane of a usually unsafe stretch of an interstate at night. Luckily, I was able to navigate without any power to the right shoulder (lucky this was a stretch that had a shoulder) and coast to a stop. I had my wife and 4 kids in the car with me. The car was dead and said the engine battery was low. When the engine start button was pushed nothing happened, car was dead with no heat. We called onstar and requested a tow and were able to order a Lyft ride for my wife and 4 kids. The Lyft driver came to pick them up on the adjacent frontage road and they had to run across the grass median to get into that car, there was no other option to get them off of the unsafe shoulder. I stayed with the car with no power while cars and 18 wheelers speed by me while sitting on the shoulder without any lights or flashers. A highway patrol officer pulled up behind me and when he tried to open the passenger door he was unable to . I was LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR! Luckily the door unlock eventually worked and the door opened. The Patrol office stayed behind me on the shoulder of the interstate while we waited for a tow truck since it was such an unsafe situation. Due to the vehicle not being able to be put into neutral or any gear, it required a specific type of tow truck that was hard to find on a Sunday evening. It was towed to a dealer and diagnosis is catastrophic engine failure with full engine seize. Needs a full engine replacement. Assuming this is part of the massive recall on 6.2L V8 engines. SCARY!
2023 GMC Yukon XL: engine failure
88 of the 230 complaints about the 2023 GMC Yukon XL describe engine failure.
- owner complaints
- 88
- of this car's complaints
- 38%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,106
- typical mileage
- 62,974
- recalls
- 1
Engine failure by model year
What owners say
vehicle keeps stall and loose power , I've been to the dealer many times and they replaced many parts (paid out of pocket)and the problem still , so after all of that and the struggle for months that i need to replace the engine . so i did replace the engine that cost me over 6k (out of pocket) and the problem is still , i went back and forth to the dealership and couldn't figure it out or reimburse me for anything.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing engine failures and was undergoing its fourth engine replacement. The contact stated that during each failure, abnormal noises were heard before the engine blew. The vehicle was towed to the dealer after each incident, and the dealer diagnosed that the engine blew and metal shavings were found in the engine oil. After the most recent engine replacement, the engine failed again during a dealer test drive after 9 miles. The manufacturer was formally notified of the recurring failures. The failure mileage was 67,000.
I have suffered 2 engine replacements on this SUV and Im still under 50,000 miles on the car. One of the times I was traveling at highway speeds in a passing lane when it failed. I was with my children at this time and we barely got off the road to a safe place. After talking to GMC, they are unwilling to help me with anything. I have received 2 new engines from them but nothing else. Between both repairs, my car was in the shop about 3 months.
The car suddenly started bucking while driving on I95 at about 75 miles per hour. We were able to coast off highway and when finally towed to a dealership we were told we needed a new engine. The vehicle at the time had about 57,300 miles. It was very scary to be on a dangerous highway with tractor trailers speeding past and have NO control over the vehicle.
As I was driving on the highway the engine stopped without warning. I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder, but it took me a minute to figure out what happened. There were no engine warning lights in advance of the failure. It was concerning because I was traveling home alone with my 2 dogs and it was very hot. The vehicle had a prior Safety Recall performed regarding this issue, but the engine failed anyway. GM did replace the engine under warranty, but I am hearing that replacement engines are also failing, and I am worried this engine will fail outside the current warranty.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired under an oil consumption-related recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Vehicle passed previous recall for engine defect related to complete engine failure, GM switched oil viscosity. Recall performed 10-16-25. Complete engine failure diagnosed at dealer 9-4-26, related to exact malfunction that sparked recall.
Engine failure
Catastrophic engine failure and sudden loss of propulsion on a highway after completing GM's OW-40 oil recall remedy.
After engine passed check for possible replacement because of recall, engine failed 5000 miles after. Even though I have a new engine now, there is no warranty coverage other than the lower part of the engine. I am already having misfire issues.
My vehicle had a previous engine recall that was “fixed” per the dealership recommendations. However, I succumbed to total engine failure last week at 70000 miles with my 2 little kids in the car on an interstate. My engine needs replaced.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have...
- Under Field Actions N252494000, N252494001, the service procedure includes performing a PICO test on...
- Condition that could
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer...
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
- This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000...
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- 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 2023 GMC Yukon XL engine failure
Is engine failure a common problem on the 2023 GMC Yukon XL?
88 of 230 owner complaints about the 2023 GMC Yukon XL (38%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2023.
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the 2023 GMC Yukon XL?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,106 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2023 GMC Yukon XL?
There is 1 recall and 128 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2023 GMC Yukon XL
Loss of power 35Check engine light 29Stalling 17Won't start 13Knocking 10Won't shift 10Jerking 8Oil consumption 8Wipers 7Adaptive cruise 6Brake failure 6Misfire 6Warning lights 5
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