2021 GMC Yukon: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Transmission · NY

I was driving normally, going up a hill and the car skipped and lurched forward. Then when i touched the gas pedal the car would not accelerate but the rpms would increase. When I was able to pull over, the car would not reverse, the engine would rev when i pushed the gas pedal but it would not move. I drove it directly to a mechanic down the road and he believes the transmission is shot and agrees that it is part of the problems that GMC is having with its transmissions, and it seems as though my car should also be included. This was an extremely dangerous and frightening thing to happen to a car with no warning whatsoever. I was lucky not to have been in an accident.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Transmission · 88,000 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle jerked and the transmission shifted hard into 1st and 2nd gears. The message "Service Safety Restraint" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed valve body. The contact was informed that the valve body or the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · GA

I own a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL with approximately 81,000 miles. On 4 separate occasions, after coming to a complete stop in traffic and then attempting to accelerate, the vehicle violently jerks and shifts itself into park. I am not pressing the brake when this occurs. I must manually shift the vehicle back into drive in order to continue moving. This happens so fast, that I am only able to see a red outlined box that intermittantly flashes on the dashboard but I cannot see what it says before it disappears. The incident feels as though the vehicle has been struck from behind due to the abrupt force. This has occurred more than once and creates a dangerous situation in traffic, particularly when vehicle are behind me. The vehicle has been taken to a GMC dealership, which has serviced the vehicle since 2021. The dealership reports they were unable to duplicate the condition after driving approximately 60 miles and therefore cannot perform a repair. This issue remains unresolved. Given that the vehicle is shifting into park while in motion or during acceleration, I believe presents a significant safety hazard.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Transmission · TN

My Denali had no previous problems, I pull out of the driveway and I felt a hard Lunge forward without me pushing the gas. Almost like the car accelerated like a hard jerk. I pulled over because I thought I had been hit by another car. After checking no cars around, I pull back out and I felt it again a hard lunge forward. If someone would have been in front of me I would have hit the car in front of me without even pushing the gas. These GMC are dangerous and can’t trust my vehicle. After getting stranded on the road found out the transmission went out. My suv is now being repaired at GMC at my expense. Only had the vehicle 6 months. Recall the transmission.

Filed Jan 26, 2024 · Driver assistance · TX

20221 GMC Yukon Denali Suddenly comes to a stop ,” it brakes hard “ It acts like when you are almost gonna hit someone and brakes engage so hard. Jerks everyone to the front !no other lights coming on or anything else! For now it’s been doing it at slow speed , really don’t wanna experience it at a high speed , pls help these vehicles are so expensive to be dealing with this . This is my wife and kids vehicle

Filed Jan 9, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 67,150 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, upon accelerating from a light, the vehicle began to shake and decelerated and failed to accelerate and exceed 25 MPH. The vehicle accelerated, jerked, and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump control module needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V739000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 67,150.

Filed Aug 14, 2023 · Driver assistance · MS

I was driving on the interstate on a low speed and my SUV came to a complete stop with no notice. Nothing was in the road or close in front of me. Jerked me to the front and seat belt left a red spot on my neck from the seat belt, scared the crap out of me. I thought I was hit from behind. The is a hug safety concern that needs to be recalled and fixed immediately before it causes an accident.