GMC Yukon XL harsh shifting problems

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Transmission · NY

My vehicle 2023 gmc yukon xl with 5.3 , I have about 145000 miles on my suv. This vehicle have known defect in valve body and transmission, its same as 2021-2022 models ( GM Special Coverage N242454441 ) gm has acknowledged and doing special coverage for those years , last night I was on highway speed and got harsh shifts and I recieved errors on my screen something saying limp mode , and check engine light , I had to immediately pull over and I scan the code ( I had obd scanner in car ) I got 2 coded p0700 and p0747 , both for transmission and upon checking this is known issue for valve body and transmission, gm dealer has refused a special coverage on my vehicle and said this isn't covered repair , all of the sudden going in limp mode on highway put me and others life in danger I could have been rear ended while moving to pull over.

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 Jun 17, 2026 · Engine · MA

I was driving vehicle and came up to a stop sign, once I was clear to go I stepped on the gas heard a clunking sound and the car shut off.

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI

I own a 2023 GMC Yukon Denali. In Nov. 2023, at about 4,000 miles, the vehicle suffered a complete engine and electrical failure at highway speed while I was traveling with my husband and three small children. It suddenly lost all power in the fast lane, including acceleration and engine function. Steering became extremely heavy, consistent with loss of power steering assist, and the electronics shut down. We had to guide the vehicle across traffic while coasting downhill to the shoulder beyond a guardrail. Traffic had to avoid us, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed and required a complete engine replacement under warranty. After that replacement, additional issues followed. There was an HVAC/defrost concern. In June 2025, the vehicle again became inoperable without warning while parked at a store. It would not start despite repeated attempts, including by a dealership representative. A diagnostic scan produced over a page of error codes, but the dealership could not identify a cause and stated the vehicle was safe. In Dec. 2025, the vehicle engine was inspected under a recall and I was told there were no issues. In Feb. 2026, the vehicle lost heat and was found to have no coolant despite regular maintenance and recent inspection. In Mar. 2026, at about 37,700 miles, the vehicle developed a loud clunking noise while driving. I stopped driving and returned it to the dealership, where I was told the engine had failed again and required another full replacement. The vehicle has now had two engine failures and three engines installed in less than three years. There were no warning lights or prior indications before these failures. I no longer believe this vehicle is safe or reliable for transporting my family.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Engine · CT

Car would not engage in reverse. Stranded and needed a tow into dealership. Also experienced rough shifting especially when accelerating in lower gears. Dealership said It needs a new Transmission Control Valve which is a known issue with my model and there has been a recall yet my specific VIN was not included in this recall!!! Dealer says the part needed is on backorder with no listed date of when it will be coming back in stock. Quoting me $3300 out of pocket to cover this repair once they can locate the needed part. No loaner car available and this is our main family vehicle!!! They called earlier to tell me they found the needed part at another dealer but it’s now going to cost me $600 more bc they had to buy it off the other dealership. What is happening!? This is not ok! My car should be covered under the recall!

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Transmission · MI

I was driving down the road and my vehicle went into limp mode, and I had reduced acceleration. I got to my destination then could not reverse the vehicle out of the parking space, reverse would not engage and allow me to have acceleration power. Because the parking space was on an incline we could roll backwards then drive forward, in limp mode, to a nearby mechanic. The vehicle diagnostic codes they got were: no reverse, p0700, p0776 and p18a1. They told us the repair needed would be to remove and replace the valve body assembly for $2,862.40. There were no warning lights that came on prior to the incident. Once the vehicle went into limp mode the check engine light came on. We had a Chevy dealer and got a second opinion at a transmission shop to check the transmission in December 2025, because we were concerned about a possible hard shift when shifting vehicle from park to drive, but both places concluded there were no problems. We now have had it towed to a transmission shop for a second opinion. It is available for inspection. We see a recall issued to other 2022 gmc Yukon xl that does not come up when we put our vin # in, but could possibly apply to our vehicle too is recall #: N252536750.

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 Jan 9, 2026 · Engine · IL

The car suddenly experienced engine failure while driving at highway speed (about 70 mph). The check engine light, as well as several other warning lights (Traction control, electronic stability control, etc) came on immediately before a metal-on-metal clunking sound and then loss of power. I was able to pull the car over to the side of the highway, and because of the clunking sound, felt it was unsafe to drive further and had it towed to a local dealer. The car has about 42,000 miles on it, in perfectly maintained condition, with all services performed at the Dealer per the recommended schedule.

Filed Jun 5, 2025 · Transmission · IL

Transmission issue - 2021 Yukon XL broke down 5/6/25 while driving with 2 of our children in the vehicle. the RPMs skyrocketed but the vehicle wouldn't go. was hard shifting and speed would not exceed 35ish MPH. message popped up on vehicle that said acceleration throttled and engine light came on. Took it to dealership and it is a known problem. Transmission needs a valve body replacement. This part is on national backorder for months. Spoke with the dealership on 6/5/25 and they still do not have an ETA. They ordered one on 3/19/25 that still has not arrived. I received a case number from GM but they are extremely unhelpful.

Filed May 13, 2025 · Transmission · IL

My transmission is causing a lot of shaking and hard shifting and it's very detrimental to my physical and psychological health. I am a disabled veteran with back problems and every time my Yukon shakes (almost every single shift) it hurts my back and makes it difficult to do anything. This is a very, very common issue with this year make and model but nothing seems to be getting accomplished. GM needs to remedy these issues as a recall since most of us can't afford the $5000-$12000 that this type of repair is going to cost us and GM knows that this is an issue. I can't continue to risk my family's health and safety with this vehicle and it needs to be fixed immediately!