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GMC Yukon XL won't shift problems

35 of the 2,462 owner complaints about the GMC Yukon XL describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2023 model year.

owner complaints
35
worst model year
2023
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    2
  • 2024
    4
  • 2023
    10
  • 2022
    8
  • 2021
    3
  • 2019
    1
  • 2017
    2
  • 2016
    3
  • 2015
    1
  • 2005
    1

Often reported together

Check engine light 11Loss of power 9Engine failure 8Knocking 5Misfire 3Harsh shifting 3Won't start 2Stalling 2

Trouble codes mentioned

P0776 3P0700 3P0747 2P18A1 1P1881 1P06DD 1P0303 1P0300 1

What owners say

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 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 Oct 23, 2026 · Engine · NC

While driving at about 35-40 mph, vehicle went into limp mode and then stalled. Vehicle would not restart until hours later after being towed. When vehicle started there is the sound of a rod(s) knocking in the engine.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · LA

On 9/11/26 the Yukon XL flashed a check engine light and message stated to service within 7 business days. 30 seconds later the power shut off and barely coasted to the side of the highway. Engine would turn over but not start. Could not shift into neutral b/c wouldn’t start. Error message: ECM - Engine and Transmission SystemP102AThe Engine and Transmission System is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the Fuel Management System used to maintain, control and monitor fuel consumption. If the check engine light is flashing, a misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could damage the emission control system on the vehicle. Please reduce vehicle speed, avoid hard accelerations, avoid steep uphill grades, and reduce any cargo loads such as a trailer.Service within 7 days Had vehicle towed to dealership. Was repaired and picked up on 9/25/26. Paid for new battery over $400.00 On 9/29/2026 Yukon XL would not shift into reverse. The error message on the car stated. TCM - Engine and Transmission SystemP2718. Odometer: 76117 Miles

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

6/16 Vehicle issues while driving home from work. Rough idle, multiple check engine lights coming on, Multiple warnings display on dashboard. Vehicle in limp mode from work to home. 6/20 While driving in Roanoke rough idle began. Vehicle check engine light appeared, limp mode only lasted for less than 30 seconds before it went back to normal. 6/23 Vehicle issues began again while driving to work. Pulled into parking lot, turned vehicle off and restarted. Vehicle seemed back to normal. Made appointment through GMC App for first available on 6/29. Leaving work vehicle check engine lights came on again and went into limp mode. 26,764 miles. Drove straight over to Hart GMC (2 miles away) and dropped it off. 6/30 Picked up Vehicle at Hart GMC. Miss fire on cylinder #3. Replaced spark plug #3 and cleared all dtcs codes. 8/6 Oil Change with Consumption Test started 29,072 miles 8/28 Engine Oil Low-Add Oil alarm. Instructed by dealer to not tamper with Test. Must drive 2000 miles before returning vehicle to validate consumption test. 29,728 miles 8/30 Pulling into drive way rough idle began. Vehicle check engine light appeared, limp mode, multiple lights. Scanned with OBD2 scanner- P0303 code. Misfire cylinder 3. 8/31 Vehicle towed from home to Hart motors 29,860 miles. Scanned by service showing P0300 codes along with other codes. I have documented all events with this engine since owning. Concerned the engine would run out of oil before validating consumption test (2000 miles). Dealer told me to keep driving even if it says add oil. Engine historically 2 qts low when add oil warning flashes.

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Engine · FL

While driving in passing lane on interstate highway at approximately 65 mph engine lost power. Dashboard warning "vehicle in neutral" message appeared. "Press start" message appeared. Tried to start the engine but did not start. Slight downhill while on highway and had to make it to right shoulder since no shoulder on left side of highway. Glided across 2 lanes to right lane and luckily an exit came up while still gliding slightly downhill. Exited ramp and got off highway to an empty parking lot. Put vehicle in Park. Since engine failed, power steering was normal as was all electrical components. Once stopped, vehicle was not able to be shifted into Neutral. Message " unable to shift to Neutral under conditions " appeared. Vehicle had to be towed with rear wheels on dollies since it was stuck in Park. Was very lucky to get vehicle across lanes of traffic and off highway to a safe location. Had vehicle towed to nearest GMC dealership where it was diagnosed as internal engine failure covered under recall for this particular engine. (6.2 liter).

Filed Aug 23, 2026 · Engine, Suspension · IN

Vehicle shifted into neutral while driving down the highway, extremely dangerous. Would not shift into gear and could not accelerate. Was able to pull over and the vehicle would not restart. Had to have the vehicle towed to a dealership. Dealership found a blown fuse, problem happened again twice and the dealer could not find the problem. This was July 28th, 2026. On August 20th, while in cruise control, slight ringing noise began, then a loud thump, then a loss of oil pressure. Unable to do anything other than pull over on an interstate with my family. Again, very dangerous. The vehicle would not restart and could not be shifted out of park. Had to have the vehicle towed again. Have also had at least 8 recalls on the vehicle. Unbelievably dangerous situations with my family, aside from inconvenient and expensive.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · VA

While driving about 70 mph in the express lanes, the vehicle suddenly lost power and drifted like it went into neutral. There were no warning symbols. The vehicle could not restart even while coasting. After stopping, it locked itself in park and would not shift out of park. My family and I were trapped on the express lanes for over an hour in a dangerous location. The vehicle stayed stuck in park even on the tow truck. The dealer confirmed metal in the oil filter, a blown main fuse, and knocking when starting. The recall inspection and remedy were already done, but the failure still happened. The vehicle is undriveable and the required recall repair cannot be completed because the replacement engine is on backorder with no ETA.

Filed Jun 19, 2026 · Engine · IL

Vehicle started making a knocking noise. Made a service appointment. While on the highway, engine suddenly died causing the vehicle to shift into neutral. After stopping on the shoulder, vehicle locked into Park and would not shift back into neutral or start again for tow truck driver. Towed to nearby dealer who said the engine is beyond repair and has to be replaced. Estimated time to get engine and replace is 4 to 6 weeks.

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Engine · GA

On May 6, 2026 while driving on the interstate, the vehicle automatically shifted into Neutral, and lost all engine power. The vehicle would not shift back into drive or even 4x4 neutral to be towed. The vehicle was towed to Sam Boswell GMC in Mt Dora, FL. The engine had seized up, and there were metal shavings in the oil filter which indicated a catastrophic mechanical engine failure.

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 won't shift

Which GMC Yukon XL years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2023 (10 complaints), 2022 (8 complaints) and 2024 (4 complaints).

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