2016 GMC Yukon: jerking or lurching

Filed May 9, 2025 · Transmission · 143,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle jerked, then briefly lost motive power before the engine seized. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the most recent failure. Days before the failure, the vehicle jerked while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Transmission · IN

Transmission shudders, lurches forward uncontrolably, and hard shifts

Filed Feb 15, 2025 · Transmission · AZ

Without warning, giving vehicle low consistent pressure on gas pedal to move forward slowly (2-3mph) vehicle rpm jumped up then suddenly shifted and vehicle jerked forward in a school zone. Behavior continued and vehicle was ultimately towed.

Filed Jun 21, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

In my experience of transmission failure with my 16’ GMC YUKON, there was no warning. I had not experienced any issues with the slipping or jerking feel when accelerating or braking as described in the class action law suit. My vehicle had 105k miles, I took it in for regular maintenance including having the transmission flushed as I was told to do so for preventative maintenance. The transmission failed when I was traveling on the interstate with my family and I came upon some traffic so I applied the brake and the whole vehicle bucked and jerked as it shifted into down gear. I was traveling at 30-35 mph in the traffic and the whole time I felt a slipping motion in the car. I made it to a gas station, refueled, and tried to restart my journey. As I leery the gas station accelerating to get back on the interstate, the vehicle would not accelerate above 35 mph and the RPMs we’re to the max. At this point, my vehicle was in drivable. No prior warning, no issues that had been occurring over time, this all happened the same day. I towed my vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer where the problem was identified as a failed transmission in need of replacement and failed ABS braking system. The cost came at $6800.

Filed Feb 22, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX

The largest issue was today, 2/22/2022, when I was driving doing 56 miles per hour it felt like it wouldn't accelerate. Then all of a sudden, the wheel kind of jerked right and the car shifted down all on it's own and I was doing 25 mph. The check engine light came on immediately after the violent jerking happened. I was on a 4 lane highway and had to immediately pull over onto the shoulder. It was jerking forward and back as I was trying to pull over on a freeway where the speed limit is 70 mph!!! I had my 80-year-old mother in the car with me. AND YES!! It put us both at great risk! I had to call a tow truck and they towed it to a dealership 9.8 miles away. When I talked to the Assistant Manager, he said that there were 3 other GMC Yukon 2016 that had come in today - ALL WERE 2016 GMC YUKON MODELS WITH 125K MILES. My GMC has 124,700 MILES all with Transmission problems. This can't be an anomaly. So I got online and there are many, many complaints about this transmission. As a matter of fact, it appears in 2019 there was a Class Action Lawsuit about this very thing. I will not know until tomorrow for sure what the issue is - because the dealership could not get to it today. However, something significant happened. As a side note, recently I had an electrical problem where sensors, etc are all saying need to be serviced and none of them are working. I had appt today at 10:30 am to have them check this. On the way there, the violent jerking and sudden downshift and check engine light came on. I was scared to death and so I pulled over and called a tow truck. The dealership did not tell me this is a common issue, nor was I aware. The dealership told me if it is in fact the transmission - cost is $6,000!!! I need someone to contact me to discuss this. Thank you, [XXX]phone - [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Oct 11, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I purchased my car brand new. After one week I notice my car jerking when shifting gears. I took the car back to the same dealership I brought it from, the service manager told me thats how it changes gears from 4 cylinder to 8 cylinder. So me believing in the service manager, I went along with him. Well after having different people ride with me they asked me what is wrong with your nee car? Why is it shifting gears so hard. So I took it back in to dealership I talk to same service manager that my car is jerking and making a loud noise . Well lets just say I got the run around. Then 6 months later I took it back and forth multiple times for same problem. Now this time my turning signals we blinking on and off, whenever I washed my car or it rained. Then my front headlights were doing the same thing, then the back tail lights were going on and off. Now onto my heated and A/C seats were not working. Then my interior lights wete staying on, monitor display was shorting out. Now it 2020 and my hood and top of the car are oxidizing. I thought I paid $80k for this car and this what happens!! I park in the garage too! There is alot more problems to add, but not enough space to put down. Im dealing with the gmc headquarters now. My car is a lemon!!

Filed Jun 21, 2021 · Transmission · AL

Vehicle shudders, jerks excessively, and shifts erratically when accelerating. Had transmission serviced, fluid flushed, pan cleaned, transmission filter changed. Metal shavings were found in the pan and filter and covering magnet in pan. During flush metal shavings were recovered from oil cooler. Transmission continues to display same symptoms and rpms fluctuate during steady acceleration described as evidence of transmission slipping. Vehicle has not been serviced by dealer. No warning lamps or DTC indicated. Approximately 1500 miles after service during follow up inspection, metal shavings/debris were found in fluid on dipstick. All gm recommended parts and fluids used during service.

Filed Mar 11, 2021 · Steering, Transmission · 65,000 miles · FL

Our gmc yukon locked into 4wd while accelerating/driving (approx 15-25mp) the kids to school through the neighbourhood, jerked violently as though braking hard, and steering was extremely impaired. The "service 4wd" message appeared on our dashboard. The yukon is locked in 4wd, and extremely difficult to steer and maneveur. It jerks violenly when turning. We are unable to drive due to safety concerns.

Filed Dec 28, 2020 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · NC

While driving my children to practice my vehicle jerked us forward in a violent motion as if another car hit us and there was no one on the road. Afterwards the car slowed to about 5-20miles an hour and would not drive any faster. I stopped at the nearest intersection and the car would not move. I turned off the ignition and turned on again and was able to get out of the road to safety. This is a serious issue and I have already been to the mechanic to have the torque converter replaced. I have complained several times to no avail about this issue.

Filed Oct 2, 2020 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · TN

Vehicle began to shudder and jerk upon acceleration at 30k. Dealership changed fluid. At 60k vehicle continued to shudder and jerk upon acceleration and lurch forward or backward although brake was depressed. Initial, brief diagnoses reveals a bad torque converter. This issue was noted in 4 tsb. Tsb id #pip5337k, tsb id #pip5337f, tsb id #16-na-014, and tsb id #pip5337h. Now that my factory warranty has expired, gm maintains no responsibility for this problem-- although they saw it while covered under factory warranty for this same issue. Additionally, there is a current class action law suit with gm regarding this issue. The shuddering, shaking, jerking and hesitation is related to internal issues within the transmission and/or torque converter causing friction surfaces, hydraulic systems, and gears to not function properly, and resulting in metal shavings being circulated throughout the transmission. Over time, damage to the transmission and torque converter occurs. Consumers face escalating repairs that can include flushing the transmission of metal shavings caused by the defective transmission operation, and which eventually necessitate the replacement of components such as the torque converter, valve body, or the entire transmission. As such, the transmission defect endangers the drivers and passengers of the vehicles, and diminishes the value of the vehicles. Furthermore, the dealership acknowledges that metal shavings due to friciton could have passed through the system causing further damage but will not remove the transmission for full and throrough diagnoses.

Filed Jun 16, 2020 · Transmission · 121,000 miles · DC

Vehicle having issues with jerking and acceleration while in motion happened to vehicle in all settins highway street hills flat surface roads and turning. Took vehicle to be serviced notified by gmc dealer that torque converter crumbling inside of 2016-2017 yukon recommended to replace transmission due to crumbling and issues caused by crumbling . Crumbling not from accident or wear or tear in vehicle operations it appears to be a design flaw/manufacturer defect. Gmc will not acknowledge issue or failure. Online researched provided shows multiple failures of this issue torque converter replacement part $500 new transmission replacement is $5634.00 contacted gmc headquarters, customer service an dealership with no resolution. Dealership refuses to provide documents until I pay for repairs.original estimate cost of $5634.00 now escalated to 6300.00 for a replacement part that cost approx $500. Unethical, predatory, unfair.

Filed Nov 27, 2019 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc yukon. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle jerked and accelerated independently without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vacuum pump failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed to take the vehicle to a gmc dealer. The vehicle was later taken to jim taylor chevrolet (139 grimshaw st, rayville, la 71269, (318) 303-6475) where a driving test was performed; however, the technician could not replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v645000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.