We have 42000 miles on this truck and bought 1 year old. Unit has been maintained well and looks new. Recently had the 10 speed transmissions fluid changed under normal maintenance. It was not burnt, turning more burgundy and dealer said it was a good and proper choice. Afterwards we noted a shudder and thought they made error or forgot to tighten something. Took truck back in for additional fluids and they had driveline associate drive. He said torque converter was going bad, and also warning these transmissions go bad unexpectedly and lock up. We have GMPP EXTENDED WARRANTY. Dealer requested replacement of torque converter and warranty required Field Tech due to price of repair. Field Tech drove truck, found metal in fluid and pan, and declined warranty repair and suggested more time was required. Essentially in hopes to push truck out of warranty coverage.
2020 GMC Yukon transmission problems
15 complaints (41% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 41%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
GMC Yukon transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 GMC Yukon transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- 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
What 2020 GMC Yukon owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and the transmission malfunctioned, causing the wheels to lock up and the check engine warning light to illuminate. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission clutch and pressure control solenoid had failed. The contact was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V289000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Complete transmission failure at 82,000 miles. Well maintained vehicle, not used for towing or heavy hauling. Required complete replacement. Traveling at highway speeds and-according to repair facility- valve failure caused transmission to overheat a stripped gears, causing complete failure. Vehicle was unable to shift into any gears and was left inoperable. Required towing assistance and replacement.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer had not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 44,000.
Severe transmission shuttering destroyed my transmission and I need a new one according to a local body shop and a GMC service center. This is a KNOWN issue with these 10 speed transmissions, but they will not recall the ones from this year, they only recalled newer models. Car has been inspected by a local autobody shop, a 3rd party warranty company, and a GMC dealership service center. Shuddering causes severe shaking while driving between 25-65mph. No lights or other symptoms, just started occurring randomly. Purchased car Feb 2025, brought it in to local auto shop November 2025 and they could not get a transmission for months. They stated one was set to be delivered by GMC Feb 6th 2026 and they day before arrival GMC called them saying it was back on back order. Called the dealership in April 2026 and they stated they were not backordered. Had vehicle transferred to dealership service center and they say it’s still on national back order with no ETA. I have been waiting for over 6 MONTHS for a new transmission. This car has been undrivable for almost longer than I have been actually able to drive it.
The 2020 Yukon started to have serious loss of speed and decelerating issue when the vehicle would slow down and down shift to a lower gear. The issue with this is that once it downshifted it woul not engage in a gear again and leave me stranded on the road. I had to turn off the car and restart it for it to reengage in a gear enough to get it moving again and sometimes I had to try more than once to get it moving once it no longer wanted to engage in a gear. So in the 10 mile drive, I was left stranded at least 15 times. Each time I had to restart and restart again for the vehicle to engage in a lower gear. Once moving, it would sometimes it would engage in a higher gear and sometimes it would not. Thank goodness I wasn't traveling on the highway when this happened. Beware to anyone if this was to happen on the highway while in the middle lane while in traffic. And the check engine light never turned on and thus no code to help detect the issue. Took it the day before to have it looked at and was told nothing was wrong with it since there was a code and they could not duplicate the issue I described. WHAT?? They reset some transmission computer setting but it only made it worse by the next day. Now this 6 yr on 2020 GM Yukon is at the dealership service department requiring a new transmission for $7200. Said that the transmission fluid was showing particles of stuff and color was 'burnt', I think. Transmission fluid was changed at it's regular check up time so that didn't cause the issue and nor should it have bits and pieces in it and discolored. Is there any recourse to GM and it's crappy transmissions??
Transmission started slipping a little and then literally stopped working all with in an hour. And was doa in the parking lot.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact became aware that the vehicle continued to move forward while shifted into Park, Neutral, or Reverse. The contact stated that the message "Transmission Overheating" was then illuminated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 119,000. The contact declined to provide the VIN.
The contact's wife owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a tune up. The contact stated that upon picking up the vehicle and driving, the transmission was slipping in and out of gear. Additionally, the contact stated while at a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved; however, the vehicle hesitated to respond, and the vehicle jerked while responding. The contact stated that the vehicle slowly picked up speed, and the transmission was slipping in and out of gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that his wife had noticed that the vehicle made an abnormal sound while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter had failed. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,267.
Vehicle started jumping and switched into 4WD while reversing. There was no inclement weather or slipping to prompt this. Service 4WD warning had been showing intermittently for a week or two and service appointment had been scheduled. At service appointment, confirmed that 4WD switch was faulty and needed to be replaced.
Questions about the 2020 GMC Yukon transmission
Does the 2020 GMC Yukon have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the transmission of the 2020 GMC Yukon, 41% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2020 GMC Yukon transmission problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2020 GMC Yukon transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 26V289000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Yukon have bad transmission?
The GMC Yukon model years with the most transmission complaints are 2021 (55 complaints), 2017 (48 complaints) and 2023 (47 complaints).
Other 2020 GMC Yukon problems
Engine 13Brakes 3Driver assistance 3Electrical 2Fuel system 2Seat belts 1Tires 1Wheels 1
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