While traveling at highway speeds on Interstate 5 in Oregon, my 2015 GMC Yukon Denali experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine failure with zero advance warning. The vehicle instantly lost almost all propulsion and power while surrounded by high-speed traffic, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard on a major interstate. The engine began making a loud, severe knocking noise, and I was forced to navigate across lanes without adequate power to reach the shoulder. The vehicle was towed and inspected by Point S in Creswell, OR, where diagnostics confirmed a P0300 random/multiple cylinder misfire, with cylinder 4 specifically misfiring. Using a stethoscope and scanner to isolate the failure, technicians confirmed a catastrophic rod knock failure at the bottom end of the engine. The vehicle was then taken to Sam’s Automotive Service, where a complete engine replacement was executed at a total out-of-pocket cost of $16,000. General Motors has a well-documented history of internal engine failures on these 6.2L V8 platforms, yet they have failed to issue a safety recall for vehicles experiencing this sudden, dangerous highway power loss.
2015 GMC Yukon: sudden loss of power
13 of the 530 complaints about the 2015 GMC Yukon describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 1
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
While driving my 2015 GMC Yukon Denali on the highway, the vehicle suddenly began shaking and lost power. I immediately exited the highway for safety and had to “nurse” the vehicle about two miles at 10–15 mph to reach home. The vehicle would no longer run afterward. A mechanic later diagnosed a lifter and camshaft failure. This is a known and common issue with GM 5.3L and 6.2L engines that poses a serious safety risk when it occurs at highway speeds. No warning lights or prior symptoms were present before the failure. I did not report it to the dealer, but the vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic for diagnosis. The vehicle is available for inspection.
Truck loss power turning off while making a turn into driveway with incoming traffic. Happen on several occasions. Diagnostic at dealership states high pressure fuel pump is leaking fuel internal making it run rich. the federal safety agency states this model truck has had previous recall.
The Yukon was driving normally and just lost power while driving 55mph on the highway. Then I got off the highway to pull over and check it out and the Yukon started shaking while running and in Park. The truck would not drive over 30mph without shaking and what sounds like misfiring.
With my child in the car, on a highway with no shoulder, I experienced lifter failure. It caused the vehicle shake and lose power with cars driving behind me at 55-60 MPH with nowhere to pull over. The engine just stopped as I was finally able to make it to a driveway safely. Problem was identified by dealership and my engine had to be rebuilt. I purchased the car second hand 3 months prior with no warning or symptoms. The car was inspected at the dealership by the extended warranty company rep. The extended warranty only cover a portion of the cost. The collapsed lifter cause damage to the camshaft and bent rods. The car only had 107,000 miles. If I were not able to pull off before the engine stopped, my daughter and I could’ve easily got rear ended on a Major state highway. The car was difficult to control due to the engine shaking the entire SUV.
2015 6.2l yukon lifter failure oil changed 2000 miles ago and lifter failed and possible cam damage due to AFM lifter failure vehicle has 115,000 Miles and Gm knows about these lifter failures that can blow engines and cause serious accidents due to rapid loss of power and controls that GM already knew paid alot of money as a certified pre- owned and failed to disclose lifter defects to their customers now at shop for complete inspection and now needs possible new engine when all service requirements were met now looking at thousands of dollars for repairs if known i would have not bought the vehicle. And deceiving GM customers , currently waiting for diagnostic in writing but the courts approved recall already from same issues on 2019 and newer but same lifters are in the same 2015 AFM system
Loss of power steering, loss of abs, loss of cruise control, loss of forward crash assist, loss of lane departure, lose of side detection, oil leak from oil cooler line connection leaking down engine, potential fire, parking sensor, arm rest phone charger short circuit potential fire, wires pinched off at hinge point of center counsel, trailer brake system, stabilitrac, all current errors make vehicle unsafe to drive, ongoing issues since purchase including service reports of the same issues from previous owner
My vehicle is currently in the shop getting the motor worked on for a bad lifter. From the information the mechanic provided me this is a common issue with the vehicles that have the Active Fuel Management system. They are seeing many of these vehicles have to come in and have very expensive repairs. My first quote I received was $16, 000, they told me I needed a whole new motor and this assessment cost me $365 and a rental car while they looked at the truck. Now it is in the shop again and the estimate is $6000 to machine the cams as there are metal shavings in my oil. I had to again rent a rental vehicle and have not had my truck for a week. This is the third mechanic that has seen multiple of these motors have to be replaced or repaired due to this issue. I kept up on my oil changes and other recommended car maintenance and so did the owner before me. I had my last oil change approx. a week before the loud ticking noise began, then my vehicle began to have a noticeable loss of power when driving and eventually began shuttering and my check engine light began to blink and I took it to the shop. A year ago I had to replace my tail lights. I was able to find where others were recalled by my VIN for some reason was not included in the recall. They started shorting out and working only part of the time which is very dangerous when stopping, especially at night. I had them replaced and paid almost $700 for the two back lights.
Pulling out onto busy road the vehicle make a loud noise and then failed to accelerate and lost power. It was three seconds before the vehicle then slowly accelerated. This continued to happen while driving. The dealer then advised that GM was aware of this issue and has not issued a recall to date. This loss of power was dangerous.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 gmc yukon. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stopped independently. The contact stated that the reduced power warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to henry brown buick gmc located at 1550 e. Drivers way, gilbert, az 85297, (480) 835-0900, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
The electric power steering assist may fail momentarily and then suddenly function again. This can cause difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing risk of a crash. Although there is a recall which describes exactly what is happening recall 18v586000 the dealer says there is no recall for my vehicle at low speeds when I back up or turn I lose power momentarily then it comes back
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 gmc yukon. While driving various speeds, the steering lost power without warning. The contact stated that the failure began after being repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v586000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to bruce lowrie chevrolet (817‑264‑7776, located at 711 sw loop 820, fort worth, tx 76134) where the recall repair was performed. The technician re-flashed the computer and stated that the recall was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact back to the same dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer...
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000...
- This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in...
- This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
- This service bulletin advises the technician of possible coolant entering the areas of the engine, either...
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
- What is wrong
- General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
- Risk
- The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC at 1‑800‑462‑8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.
Recall number 14V007000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2015 GMC Yukon loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2015 GMC Yukon?
13 of 530 owner complaints about the 2015 GMC Yukon (2%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2021.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2015 GMC Yukon?
There is 1 recall and 361 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2015 GMC Yukon
Headlights 20Jerking 13Brake failure 10Engine failure 9Check engine light 8Fuel pump 8Power steering loss 7Stalling 7Sunroof shattered 6Fire or smoke 5Misfire 5Steering lock-up 5Transmission failure 5
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