The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a bystander warned the contact that there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was running rough, and failed to properly accelerate, with a rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with crankshaft failure and lifter failure. The contact was informed that the lifters and crankshaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
GMC Yukon XL fire or smoke problems
21 of the 2,462 owner complaints about the GMC Yukon XL describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 104,648
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20241
- 20231
- 20221
- 20214
- 20201
- 20192
- 20163
- 20154
- 20081
- 20042
- 20001
Often reported together
Check engine light 5Misfire 3Wipers 1Stalling 1Slipping 1Loss of power 1Fuel pump 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the check engine warning light started blinking. The contact pulled over and became aware that the vehicle was shaking. The vehicle was turned off and restarted; however, the failure persisted, with smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); but the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the camshaft needed to be replaced and that cylinder #8 was damaged and had detached. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,204.
I was test driving the vehicle after some and as I was test, driving it, the steering lot up on me. Luckily, I was entering a residential area when it occurred down the street from my residency; in which I was able to drive it to my residency, during that short ride, you could smell a burning smell coming out along with some crackling noises. I had to get the vehicle towed a week later to the mechanic shop where they fix one of my engine problems and verified that I needed a new power steering unit and gave me a quote, I couldn’t afford the word and started doing research and came across the recall for the power steering within my vehicle year, make and model. I replaced the power steering unit, but I’m having a difficult time celebrating the system..
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon XL. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated, and after 15 seconds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine, causing the engine to seize. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but declined to repair the vehicle because the failure was not associated with the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
12/16/25 (evening): Warnings began cycling across the screen: 1) Service ESC, 2) Vehicle Leveling for Stability, 3) Rear Axel System Off, 4) Engine symbol began flashing, and 5) Service Traction Control. I felt vibration/bouncing while driving as well. 12/17/25 9 AM: Took 2021 GMC Yukon Denali to GMC dealership. They ran a computer scan and reported a misfire, but nothing else appeared to be wrong. They told me that sometimes a low battery can cause the warning lights and messages to cycle. They recommended that I keep driving it and return if the warnings appeared again. 12/17/25 9:18 AM: I left the dealership. I drove 4.5 miles, and all the same warning lights came back on. When I pulled into a parking lot, it smelled like my engine was on fire, and dark smoke was coming from my rear exhaust pipe. I called a flatbed tow truck and had the car returned to the dealership. Mileage: 52,285 GMC 2021Yukon Denali XL 6.2L V8 engine Well-maintained with regular oil changes. The dealership told me there was a lifter failure and that the engine could be damaged and would need to be replaced if the cam, pushrods, etc., were damaged. They also told me I was out of warranty by less than 60 days. The dealership said my warranty expired in October 2025, even though my vehicle is a 2021 with only 52,285 miles. They just informed me that the left lifter was replaced at 6,000 miles and that they will replace the right lifter. I am concerned about further damage down the road, given the recalls on the GMC 6.2L engines.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 68 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally, with a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that lifter #7 had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that all the lifters were replaced. The contact stated that approximately 5 days later, on October 2, 2025, while reversing, there was a burning odor with black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the warranty only provided the replacement of 2 head gaskets. After 7 days of having the vehicle, while driving approximately 68 MPH, the vehicle started shaking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was also idling roughly. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic and was diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The fuel pump was replaced; however, the vehicle was idling roughly, and there was an intermittent misfire in cylinders #1 and #6. The dealer was unable to identify which cylinders needed to be replaced. The contact discovered information of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Misfiring, blue smoke and black smoke coming out the tail fight engine problem 6.2 L87 engine
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was grey smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic for a second opinion, and it was diagnosed and determined that the engine and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unstated recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Driving a company vehicle [XXX], heavy smoke started coming from under the drivers side dash. Unhooked battery, the smoke stopped. I had vehicle towed to a local garage. They advised the engine wiring harness and other wiring had caught on fire. They couldn't repair it. On [XXX]. I had the vehicle towed to the local GMC dealer in Bedford, VA. At first they said they could fix it, then around 7/3/24 they said the couldn't fix it, charging several hundreds of dollars. On July 5/2024 I had the vehicle towed to a GMC dealership in Lynchburg, VA who I had check with and said they could fix it. The first part of September 2024, this dealership advised me the couldn't fix the vehicle. I had the vehicle tow to our companies office in Lynchburg. The dealerships are saying they can't get the needed wiring harnesses. Our insurance company had sent an adjuster to the GMC in Bedford, VA. No warning lamps came on before the smoke. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the transmission started to slip out gear and the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact's wife had not observed any warning lights. The contact’s wife drove the vehicle back to the residence and while attempting to place the vehicle in park(P), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was idling roughly with white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact drove the vehicle to a different independent mechanic who performed an engine pressure test and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
- Risk
- If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 (Cadillac), 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Recall number 14V827000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
- Risk
- If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), and 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
Recall number 14V614000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 buick, lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 buick enclave; cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; saturn outlook; and model year 2009 chevrolet traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (hwfs). A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor distortion to considerable melting of the plastic around the hwfs fluid chamber.
- Risk
- It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 10V240000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 buick lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; my 2007-2008 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, saturn outlook; and my 2008 buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system. A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire.
- Risk
- This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on september 12, 2008. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080; cadillac at 1‑800‑982‑2339 or http://www.cadillac.com; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 or http://www.saturn.com, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9436; or hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493; or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V441000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Yukon XL fire or smoke
Which GMC Yukon XL years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (4 complaints), 2021 (4 complaints) and 2016 (3 complaints).
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