I am filing this complaint against McKinney Buick GMC, located at [XXX]. I own a 2009 GMC Yukon XL. On XXX, I paid McKinney Buick GMC for repair services under Repair Order/Invoice #XXX. Following the dealership's service, my vehicle began experiencing serious mechanical problems, including engine misfires, rough and unstable idling, and jerking and shaking while slowing down. I became concerned that these problems could be related to the dealership's previous repair work. I returned the vehicle to McKinney Buick GMC and specifically requested that the dealership inspect the vehicle and investigate the problems. However, the dealership kept my vehicle for several days without performing the requested diagnostic inspection or making any repairs. I eventually had to retrieve my vehicle without the problem being resolved. I also requested a complimentary loaner vehicle or rental assistance while my vehicle was being held by the dealership, but my request was refused. I paid for the original repair service and expected the dealership to take responsibility for investigating problems that developed afterward. Instead, I was left without a resolution and had to take my vehicle back in the same unresolved condition. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
GMC Yukon XL jerking problems
53 of the 2,462 owner complaints about the GMC Yukon XL describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 53
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $7,000
- typical mileage
- 74,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 12Loss of power 8Hesitation 7Harsh shifting 7Engine failure 5Slipping 4Misfire 4Transmission failure 3
Trouble codes mentioned
P0777 1P0747 1
What owners say
On the freeway in the middle of nowhere Denali jerked, went into neutral, and stopped completely. Needed to get towed and it was complete engine failure. Dealership needed to completely replace engine and radiator
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was covered under an unknown recall repair. The vehicle was released back to the owner; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling roughly and jerking abnormally. In addition, the contact stated that the drive to the residence was not a smooth drive. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where a technician performed a ride-along. The contact stated that the engine seized three times during the ride along. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced a second time. The contact stated that when the vehicle was released, the rear bumper was damaged. Additionally, while attempting to start the vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The vehicle remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
1.XXX XX— GM Recall Notification (Recall No. N252494000) I received official notification from General Motors of Recall N252494000 affecting my vehicle. I brought the vehicle to [XXX] as directed to have the recall remedy performed. 2. XXX — First Report of Engine Propulsion Issues I reported engine propulsion concerns to Jim Ellis. This was my first formal complaint regarding the performance of the vehicle following the recall remedy. 3. XXX — Oil Type Change Performed by Jim Ellis Jim Ellis performed an engine oil type change, switching to 0W-40 oil, and advised me that this change would serve as the fix for Recall N252494000. I accepted this remedy in good faith. 4. XXX — Low Oil Warning Light Activated Approximately nine months after the recall remedy, and well before the end of the recommended oil life cycle, the low oil warning light activated on my dashboard. This is abnormal and indicative of excessive oil consumption. I returned to Jim Ellis, who performed a fresh oil change and placed my vehicle on a 6,000-mile oil consumption test — an acknowledgment that an oil consumption problem exists. 5. XXX — Active Engine Misfires, Jerking, and Flashing Check Engine Light While operating my vehicle on Sunday, May 31, 2026, I experienced severe engine jerking and misfires. The check engine light began flashing — not steady — which I understand to indicate an active and serious engine misfire event. I was genuinely concerned for my personal safety and immediately parked the vehicle. It has not been driven since. 6. XXX — GM Corporate Case Opened I contacted GM Customer Care and was assigned Corporate Case Number INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle keep jerking in and out of gear the issue almost made me crash due to the harsh conditions Took to repair they stated this is a known problem. That is what worries me now
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle reversed inadvertently and then jerked forward to accelerate. The contact added that the battery was drained but the failure was not the most important to report at this time. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The issue reoccurred the same day. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
First incident April 9 2024 not even a month after purchased. Vehicle dashboard lit up light a Christmas tree all warning lights while driving on highway. Vehicle shook and sputtered and turned off. The vehicle was serviced explanation given was loose spark plugs on a new vehicle. 2nd incident roughly month after recall repair for engine propulsion campaign. February 26 and 27 2026 . While driving the following lights came on Engine failure ,Brake failure , Service Transmission now unable to shift soon. I was terrified because I could not control the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership. The answer to the issues was Battery failure. Third incident April 17th 2026 I driving on highway 70 miles check engine light comes on flashes dashboard goes dark. Vechicle sputters and shut down. I restarted the vehicle the warning on the display disappeared and the vehicle restarted. I reached returned the vehicle again to the dealership because the problem resumed slowing down even though I’m depressing the gas. Vehicle is shifting and dragging. Resulting unexpected lurching. My vehicle has been at the dealership since end of April 2026 it remains there currently. My representative stated a code indicating misfiring has appeared 18 times. Also everyday my vehicle keeps saying software update even I installed the update and it says complete. I know GM is not updating my vehicle software everyday. That indicates there is a computer issue as well. My anxiety level is through the roof at this point. I complained before about this same failures in a Cadillac Escalade prior to it lurching forward and crashing. I filed a complaint before February 2024 . There is something really wrong with GM engines and software. I know I’m not the only one experiencing these problems
My car lost all power on a bridge and started jerking me forwards and backwards. High RPMS and eventually lost reverse. Code number p0777. Seems aligned with the newest transmission recall, but my vin is not listed.
I noticed vehicle jerked a couple times when it shifted gears while driving. Shortly after, reduced power mode light came on. Vehicle did not shift past lower gears and had no reverse. Took to local dealership, they said it needed a transmission valve body overhaul. This is a known problem with 2022 gmc yukon xl, however, they said it was not associated with my vin. This cost me almost $2,000 out of pocket to repair.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked as if the brake pedal was depressed and failed to accelerate as intended, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The message "Reduced Acceleration - Drive with Care" was displayed. The contact stated that when the vehicle was stopped, the gear shifter was shifted into reverse, but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that there was a failure with the transmission valve. The contact was informed that the transmission valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Related recalls
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
- Risk
- Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on May 7, 2026.
Recall number 26V289000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
- Risk
- Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N252536750. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on February 12, 2026.
Recall number 26V085000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- Risk
- Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Recall number 24V797000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
- Risk
- Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020; Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Recall number 22V036000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
- Risk
- As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1‑800‑630‑2438. Cadillac owners may call 1‑866‑982‑2339. GMC owners may call 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 13V001000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.
- Risk
- The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V055000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Some pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles equipped with a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture, resulting in immediate loss of hydraulic power steering assist. On certain vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, the same condition can result in loss of power assist for braking after the reserve pressure is depleted.
- Risk
- An inoperative pump can cause increased steering effort, and in hydro-boost equipped vehicles also increased braking effort, but does not completely eliminate the ability to steer or slow the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the hydraulic pump. The campaign began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V005000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Yukon XL jerking
Which GMC Yukon XL years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (8 complaints), 2023 (8 complaints) and 2017 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix jerking or lurching on the GMC Yukon XL?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $7,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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