INCIDENT 1: Internal Engine Failure & Excessive Oil Consumption Component / System Failed: Engine Internal Components (Piston Rings, Valve Guide Seals, Spark Plugs) Failure Description: Excessive oil consumption (1.5 to 2.0 quarts burned every 2,000 miles) leading to heavy oil-fouling on spark plugs #5 and #7. Required complete cylinder head, oil pan, and piston teardown to replace all pistons, rings, connecting rod bearings, lifters, guides, valve guide seals, and spark plugs. Safety Risk: Severe internal engine oil consumption and plug fouling create an immediate risk of engine misfires, unexpected loss of power, or catastrophic engine failure while driving at highway speeds. Dealer / Repair Shop Confirmation: Confirmed by Dealership Service Department via oil consumption tests, spark plug inspection with oil dye, compression tests, cylinder leak-down tests, and physical teardown. Warning Symptoms: Low oil warning lamp illuminated; continuous need to top off oil between routine maintenance services. Inspection Availability: Vehicle and replaced components are available for inspection upon request.
GMC Yukon XL loss of power problems
181 of the 2,462 owner complaints about the GMC Yukon XL describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2023 model year.
- owner complaints
- 181
- worst model year
- 2023
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 71,511
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 74Check engine light 36Knocking 27Won't shift 9Stalling 9Power steering loss 8Jerking 8Won't start 7
Trouble codes mentioned
P2135 2P0300 2U3018 1P2635 1P2534 1P2138 1P1516 1P129F 1P0777 1P018B 1
What owners say
INCIDENT 4: Fuel Injector Internal Short (Cylinder #6) Component / System Failed: Fuel Injection System / Cylinder #6 Fuel Injector & Wiring Harness Failure Description: Cylinder 6 fuel injector failed due to an internal electrical short circuit, causing immediate engine misfires and severe power reduction. Repair required replacing the Bank 2 fuel rail, four fuel injectors, and the injector wiring harness. Safety Risk: Immediate engine shuddering and abrupt drop in drive power while operating in active traffic creates a serious loss-of-acceleration hazard and heightened risk of a rear-end collision. Dealer / Repair Shop Confirmation: Official diagnosis confirmed by Service Center Technician via electronic diagnostics verifying the internal electrical short circuit. Warning Symptoms: Check Engine Light illuminated simultaneously with engine shaking and sudden power loss; no prior symptoms existed before the failure. Inspection Availability: Confirmed via technician diagnostics; Check Engine light illuminated along with four other warning lights- car had to be towed to dealership to be fixed
The contact owned a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off and lost power in the middle of traffic. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that the emissions warning light and the drivetrain warning light were illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to pay half of the cost of the engine repair. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with lifter and rod failures. The contact stated that the manufacturer was aware of the 6.2L engine failures. The failure mileage was 9,000.
# Formal the federal safety agency Safety Complaint **2022 GMC Yukon — Catastrophic 6.2L Engine Failure, Sudden Loss of Power at Highway Speed, and Inadequate GM Response** I am filing this formal safety complaint regarding the catastrophic failure of the 6.2L V8 engine in my 2022 GMC Yukon, which has approximately 59,000 miles. The vehicle is associated with GM's 6.2L engine safety recall N252494000 (the federal safety agency 25V274). ### Sudden Engine Failure at 75 MPH — Serious Safety Risk While traveling approximately 75 miles per hour on the highway, our GMC Yukon experienced a sudden and complete engine shutdown **without any advance warning**. There were no indications that the engine was about to fail. The vehicle unexpectedly lost engine power while we were traveling at highway speed, creating an extremely dangerous situation for everyone in the vehicle and potentially for surrounding motorists. **Our family, including three young children with special needs, was placed at serious risk because of this sudden and unexpected engine failure.** The incident occurred approximately 70 miles west of [XXX], leaving us stranded in approximately 90-degree weather. We were also towing a trailer containing essential medical equipment required by one of our children with special needs. The sudden engine failure created an immediate highway safety hazard, followed by the additional concern of being stranded in extreme heat with medically vulnerable children and essential medical equipment that we could not transport with our disabled vehicle. ### GM's Failure to Assist With Medically Necessary Equipment Following the breakdown, we contacted General Motors for assistance. Despite explaining that our trailer contained medical equipment necessary for one of our children's care, GM would not assist us with moving the trailer. I find this response extremely concerning. Our family was already dealing with a frightening and potentially dangerous situation caused by the sudden failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA
I was driving and the Engine light started blinking. the car started to lose power. i had to pull off the road. the blinking stopped and then i was able to get home. I had it towed to the dealership, where they told me this was a known issue with the AFM valve train system. this is a known issue and I was not made aware of it and continued to drive my car with my children inside of it. had i known, i could have had it assessed for the potential issue. But now, IT IS TOO LATE! I am now being told i need to pay $17,000 to replace my engine. something that could have been avoided if i had known to watch for any issue. but i was never warned. and now i have no car, still have car payment and no help from GM, GMC or anyone else. I know you cannot help me get this fixed, but maybe you can prevent this from happening to someone else.
Sudden catastrophic engine failure during operation. Was climbing a hill and suddenly started losing power, almost instantly a written warning popped up on my screen saying engine oil over temp, idle engine. We started pulling off the road, engine started rattling, then shut off before we could come to a complete stop. At this point i was checking the gauges and all were at normal operating temperatures, but as I sat there watching the temperature gauge began to rise rapidly with the engine off. The engine was seized and had to be towed.
Body control Module failed causing the vehicle to lose all power. Battery shorted out to 6 volts. Required a tow.
While driving there was a noise that started in the engine area. The vehicle was going 55-60 mph at the time it started. It became more and more frequent. The check engine light came on just before the engine completely seized up and lost all power. Dealership is saying there is definitely internal engine noise and engine failure.
Driving when vehicle locked up, engine stopped, lost all power steering and ability to control. Ended up stranded in the middle of the road unable to move it out of roadway
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.
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
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
- Risk
- If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 06V289000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Yukon XL loss of power
Which GMC Yukon XL years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2023 (35 complaints), 2021 (33 complaints) and 2022 (32 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the GMC Yukon XL?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 18 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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