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GMC Yukon XL shudder problems

34 of the 2,462 owner complaints about the GMC Yukon XL describe shudder or vibration when accelerating, most of them for the 2016 model year.

owner complaints
34
worst model year
2016
typical mileage
65,350
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

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

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Check engine light came on and car was shuttering, and locks would lock and unlock. Took it in to dealership, they then said I needed a transmission flush. I did that and paid for it. I experienced the same issue, check engine light again, car turned off while heading out of town, pressed the push start and it turned right back on. Took it to the dealership again and they said wiring harness needed to be replaced did that and paid for it. Issues continued, now the doors are locking and unlocking, I could now not back up, almost as if the back was locked up, gears would not shift. Took it to the dealership again and they now said the transmission needed to be replaced. We did that and paid for it, the issue has resolved, after several trips to the dealership and expenses later. Wanted to have this documented, for any other who may having this issue. Could have been worse had the car not turned back on right away while driving out of town. *CVT Transmission Service: vehicle has a shudder when driving, recommend a transmission flush *Transmission Valve Body: Found fault code P0776 (Transmission Control Solenoid Valve 2 Stuck Off) I do see there is a transmission recall although when I put my VIN it does not indicate the recall for my vehicle

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Transmission · GA

1. My vehicle is having transmission issues with shuddering and shifting. M5U RPO code 8L90 transmission. 2. My safety and the safety of others is a concern if the transmission is not working as intended my vehicle could be at risk an accident that could be avoided. 3. The problem has not be reproduced or confirmed by a dealer I work on my own vehicles and I am going to repair this issue myself if able. 4. There are no trouble codes on my vehicle when scanned with an OBD2 scanner.

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · IL

Vehicle is equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 engine. Prior to receiving the dealer service for Recall 25V‑274, the vehicle experienced a distinct highway vibration, powertrain shudder, and fluctuating/jumping RPMs on the highway. The dealer subsequently performed the recall remedy by updating the vehicle to the thicker 0W-40 oil specification. However, the underlying transmission torque converter had already suffered catastrophic failure due to the powertrain stress/shudder and required a complete transmission replacement at 84,000 miles. I am reporting this because the initial 6.2L engine defect and subsequent recall remedy overlap heavily with severe powertrain and torque converter failures at low mileage

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Transmission · GA

Vehicle is shuddering during acceleration and while changing gear during driving affected by either the transmission or power train

Filed Aug 8, 2026 · Transmission · MN

Transmission shudders and shifts very hard in lower gears. Going from drive to reverse the transmission shifts hard.

Filed Apr 29, 2026 · Engine · SD

we have had no issues with this vehicle at all. then one day notice a ticking in the area of the valve covers. Sounded to be more on drivers side. Thought maybe just the oil was low which has never happened before. Oil level was fine. I always change oil on regular intervals and there were no check engine lights and engine continued to run fine with no loss of power or ticking changing. It was our only vehicle so we had to continue to drive that day. Wife was driving and said vehicle shuddered and started sounding funny and check engine light came on she was able to drive back home. Now ticking is worse with a clucking rattling sound now coming from oil pan. After some internet searching it very much sounds like issues many others are having with the 6.2l GM engine.

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · Transmission · 177,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered. The contact stated that upon pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed into a parking space with assistance. Additionally, the contact stated that while her husband was test-driving the vehicle in the driveway by driving forward and reversing several times, the transmission locked up while depressing the brake pedal the thirteenth time. A mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission control module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 64,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and was losing automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that it was the second transmission failure in less than 2 months. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the manufacturer had recommended a diagnostic test on the engine. The diagnostic test had not yet been performed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

The vehicle has the L87 GM engine. It lost complete power and the engine seized up and would not start again. Fortunately I was able to roll into a neighborhood and get off the main road with no issues. The dealer has confirmed the seized engine and a replacement engine has been ordered with no ETA. There was no prior warning of the failure, besides a shuddering, like I was running out of gas, and then a lose of complete power.

Related recalls

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)Reported May 7, 2026 · 66 vehicles affected
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 bodyReported February 13, 2026 · 43,743 vehicles affected
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 bodyReported October 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles affected
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: driveshaftReported January 27, 2022 · 1,789 vehicles affected
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 transmissionReported January 2, 2013 · 54,686 vehicles affected
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 indicatorReported February 14, 2005 · 7,194 vehicles affected
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: driveshaftReported January 7, 2005 · 98,221 vehicles affected
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 shudder

Which GMC Yukon XL years have shudder or vibration when accelerating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2016 (14 complaints), 2017 (7 complaints) and 2021 (6 complaints).

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