2017 GMC Yukon: shudder or vibration when accelerating

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 Jul 31, 2024 · Transmission · TN

Tremendous transmission shudder prevented me from properly accelerating from a stop light thereby causing a dangerous traffic backup issue in a congested area.

Filed Jun 20, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · WV

My vehicle began shuddering during acceleration and would violently jerk forward after gas pedal was engaged with decreased power in forward acceleration and increase in rpm. This last a couple of weeks. Now, my vehicle is completely broke down and at a GM certified service center. The Service manager states torque converter completely went out and the transmission is burnt up. The mileage is at $61,000, so GM warranty won’t cover it and the company that holds the extended warranty I purchased hasn’t been able to be successfully contacted. There is a “service” bulletin but no recalls and a class action lawsuit (that I’m not a part of) but no recall. My vehicle completely lost power going 50mph on a busy road without warning. This needs to be a recall due to this dangerous circumstance.

Filed Mar 11, 2021 · Suspension, Transmission · MD

My 2017 gmc yukon denali continues to have a very loud shudder sound as you accelerate.

Filed Dec 1, 2018 · Transmission · 9,000 miles · FL

The transmission or torque converter are shuddering how do we fix, how do I protect family, will the transmission fall out on highway can I keep driving and be safety with family?