2017 GMC Yukon: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Transmission · GA

The 8-speed automatic transmission (Hydra-Matic 8L90) on this 2017 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3L V8 has failed. This is a repeat failure — the transmission was previously rebuilt in 2020 under a GM recall/service action for the same known defect affecting this transmission type. The transmission has now failed again in 2026, approximately six years after GM's prior repair. Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited hard shifting, shuddering during acceleration, and hesitation between gear changes — symptoms consistent with the known defect pattern documented across 2015–2019 GM vehicles equipped with this transmission. The failure was confirmed by a service center. The vehicle is currently not safely drivable. Safety concern: erratic and unpredictable gear changes, including sudden lurching and hesitation during acceleration, create a dangerous condition for the driver, passengers, and other vehicles on the road. GM has been contacted through their Customer Assistance Center (case opened). GM's initial position was that they cannot assist because the vehicle is out of warranty. However, this is a repeat failure of a previously repaired known defect. GM issued 13+ technical service bulletins on this transmission and has been aware of the root defect since at least 2018. A federal class action (Speerly v. General Motors, E.D. Michigan) covering this exact vehicle type and transmission has been certified and upheld by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The prior GM repair did not remediate the underlying defect.

Filed Feb 13, 2026 · Transmission · VA

Slipping Gears: Many Yukon Denali owners report experiencing unexpected gear changes or loss of power while driving. Hard Shifting: This problem manifests as harsh or abrupt gear changes, often accompanied by noticeable jolts when shifting from one gear to another. Unusual Noises: Grinding, whining, or clunking sounds when shifting There has been a class action lawsuit for this. I'm not sure why it has not been recalled in all states.

Filed May 8, 2025 · Transmission · CO

My 2017 GMC Yukon SLT,, has been having shifting problems, including hard or delayed shifts, clunking, jerking, and even sudden jolts when downshifting.Rough or jerky shifts, particularly during acceleration and deceleration, a delay in engaging gears, especially when shifting from park to drive or reverse. Transmission shifts are very rough in slow traffic with as much as one to two-second delays in shifting into gear with a loud thump. It is so rough that it feels like someone may have ran into your back bumper. It is also bad enough that it startles the driver, and it could be a safety issue

Filed Jul 10, 2023 · Transmission · OH

At traffic light in drive position, shifting drags when accelerated and hard shift jerk , slipping gears or driving and not shifting at all

Filed Nov 22, 2022 · Electrical, Transmission · LA

First problem started back in May.. it’s went downhill ever since. Hard shifting was happening. GM dealer said I needed a new transmission. Found out from local repair shop that I needed a torque converter ($600) multiple transmission fluid changes (apparently many issues for A Lot of people) changed that. Then had to change Valve Body & TCM. ($540) everything started working but not 100% did a full tune up having multiple misfires constantly then shuttering when idle. Also replaced ECM ($200+)After changing all spark plugs, wires, oil, etc. the AC was having issues had been having issues for months. Kept adding Freon had to replace AC Condenser (works great now, was told by repair shop that’s also very common in these year models. Condensers are all weak in the same spot) just recently October 2022, my instrument cluster started going haywire. Gauges going off and on screens going blank. Had Alternator and battery tested both test fine. No loss of power but when hitting the start/stop vehicle would continue to run and lock and unlock when it wanted. Husband took the alternator out to have it tested again. They tested 3x 1st. Good, 2nd Error, 3rd Bad ( it was overcharging at 16.5V) replaced Alternator ($290) gauges still going haywire, like before it is only sometimes, when they do it’s bad bad.. but I can also drive to town and back 20-30 miles and not the first issue. Just left GM with a new Battery Distribution Fuse Block ($153) because of course it can’t just be a regular ($8-10) mega fuse, hopefully this will fix my issue. We pay too much money for this vehicle to have all of these issues & none be under warranty. I’ve been having the TAILLIGHT ISSUES as well ever since I purchased the car in 2018. When I received the recall on the taillight it was 6 years up to 72,000 & of course my vehicle had 79k miles on it at that time so that’s wasn’t covered.

Filed Sep 24, 2020 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · AR

Vehicle has hard shift from park. Most often when first driven of the day but also occurs when stopping for redlights or stop signs while traveling.

Filed Sep 12, 2019 · Transmission · 100 miles · TX

I purchased my 2017 yukon denali in 2017. Since the day I bought it I have noticed a problem with appears to be the transmission. I will be at a stop then I accelerate and the car has a hard shift forward. It tends to pull forward all of a sudden but very violently. I have taken in my yukon to the two gmc delerships in my area several times. They have serviced it and even performed a transmission flush but still the problem has always continued. I have been dealing with this yukon problem for two years now. Its so dangerous to drive.