2021 GMC Yukon: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Transmission · WI

Had a valve body failure in mid XXX. The vehicle would not go into reverse and drove it in limp mode to a dealership about 5 miles away. Fortunately they were able to get a new valve body and repair it in one day. Cost was approximately $3,500 and not covered by warranty. The vehicle had about 110,000 miles on it at the time. This is a known defect on this vehicle and a recall should be initiated. Had we started our trip from [XXX] back to [XXX] before the failure occurred, we likely would have been stranded on the highway, or worse. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

Took car in to have it checked for recall on engine and have oil changed to new standards with WD40 was told the engine and car was fine “just use this new oil” A MONTH later was driving and engine would not shift come to find out our transmission was going out it was replaced thanks to our extended warranty (even tho it only had 98,000 miles on it) a week after a fuel pump was out and we had to pay to replace it. There were never check engine signs and no signs of the car having failure truly it ran great until the new oil.

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · 86,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a misfire coming from the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally before the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The traction control light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a lifter failure inside the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would independently activate Limp mode and would not accelerate past 30 MPH. In addition, the vehicle would not shift into the Reverse gear as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with error codes: P0777 and P18A1. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts being on backorder. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an Unknown the federal safety agency Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Transmission · MI

Loss of power while driving on highway, would not speed up. Shaky driving. Appeared to go into limp mode. Dealer informed me that the transmission valve body will need to be replaced. No prior messages or alerts, check engine light came on after power loss.

Filed Mar 15, 2026 · Transmission · MI

I was pulling out of my driveway when I noticed that my mailbox was blown open from a recent storm. I stopped and put it in reverse (well tried to) but the vehicle would not shift. Quickly I continued to drive to make a u-turn instead and at that point my vehicle would not drive normally. The rpms would not go up despite pressing the gas and the engine was reving very high.gm dealer said $700 to pull the transmission to determine the issue, but after my research I’m certain it’s the valve failure in the transmission just as it’s done the same to others. Why is this transmission not recalled, but the disel engines on the same model are? Seems as though it is a similar issue. I’m afraid to see what they will charge me as my vehicle has 76,000 miles and I’m told is outside warranty coverage.

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

I had just pulled off from street light, hit button to turn auto engine shutoff off, all of sudden I lose power as if I'm in neutral, engines reving up but won't go. Then kicks in but with less power like gears will not shift. I get to my destination but car will not go in reverse.

Filed Jan 12, 2026 · Transmission · AK

I live in Alaska. It was -13f. We were out and about and when I tried to leave and back up, the vehicle would not go into reverse. If it hadn’t been for a passing motorist my daughter and I would have been stuck there overnight, in negative temps. I was able to drive it home, in limp mode. Come to find out, it is the valve body on the transmission. That in cold temps the valve body can fail. After some research I found that it is a KNOWN issue with these vehicles and there has even been a “Urgent-Distribute Immediately” Service Update regarding the problem. Urging dealerships to review the VIN’s they have in their possession for the issue. I had the vehicle towed to a shop, where they confirmed the problem was the transmission valve body. They were unable to perform the work as it takes a qualified technician to replace. So it got towed to the closest GMC dealership. They have had it for two weeks now. They confirmed that it is a known issue and there have been no recalls. But they did tell me I was “in luck” because they stock that item so we won’t have to wait for a part. Not only is it going to cost me $3500 to replace something that is a know issue with this vehicle, but it could have ended in tragedy if no one would have come along when we were stranded. I urge you to make this a recall on these vehicles.

Filed Aug 8, 2025 · Transmission · AZ

the electronic solenoid in the valve body failed and it is available for inspection. it was struggling to shift on freeway at speeds of 65 mph and i would lose power. the vehicle was inspected by a gm dealership service man. there were no warning lamps when part started to fail, luckily when I parked the vehicle would not go into gear and then the warning light (check engine light) came on.

Filed May 16, 2025 · Engine · 94,558 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 55 MPH with two child passengers, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The driver was able to pull over safely to the side of the road. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the crankshaft fractured, causing metal shards to enter the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer and to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 94,558.

Filed Sep 2, 2024 · Engine · NC

[XXX] on [XXX] Yukon stalled mid-drive as we exited [XXX] toward [XXX] . This is the SECOND stall on this Yukon. I had reported the first stall on June 04-2024 [11594097]. This time it would not start at all, and locked into P. There was a strange noise coming from the engine when we were on [XXX].We were going 65mph. My husband told me to start recording a video so that we can capture the noise, within 1-min as we started to exit on [XXX] towards Wake Forest, the sound was getting louder, the car started shaking as we started to slow down towards the entrance to [XXX], the engine cut-off. It smelled like burning, there was no smoke but the smell was strong.  It would not start after multiple attempts, it would not shift it locked on P. At this point, the ENGINE LIGHT went on! Electric was still on, air conditioning turned off, no messages on the dashboard. The only warning was a metal like rubbing coming from the engine. I will upload this 16-min video to TikTok as a multipart series, since my multiple complaints have been falling on deaf ears! We called Gm Roadside for a  tow, they said to call 911. We called 911 about 4 times and they did not have anyone to come. Gm roadside assistance could not get AAA to come until 9:45pm. AAA called us around 9:40 informing us that the available tow cannot move this Yukon because it would not shift gear to N and it will require a specific tow truck. We called back GM roadside about 5 times, just run around with no solution and a lot of attitude and lack of concern! Finally the Raleigh police Supervisor arrived, minutes later a State trooper offered assistance. They wanted the car off the road, GM was still on the phone and put them on speaker with the officer. Finally the office requested their tow as GM FAILED to get a compatible tow truck, we paid out of pocket, CASH! The Police drove us home around 11:30pm! GM DID not have contracted equipment for their OWN Trucks! New lows for GM! Incredible! POST COVID INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (

Filed Dec 12, 2020 · Transmission · 1,200 miles · MI

Vehicle will not shift into gear from park. When it's in gear (you can hold the button to select a gear to move), but as soon as you release the button - it goes right back into park. It comes and goes. I've been stuck in my driveway. Stuck at the grocery store. Had it once surprise me at a stoplight and was almost rear ended - that time I needed to hold the button to escape to the nearest parking lot. Dealer, of course, was not able to replicate as they said the issue does not throw a code. I have video and pictures, which I have supplied. Sometimes the engine light comes on too. Dealership did say there were some service notes in the system regarding a similar problem, but that gm has yet to issue a tsb. I'm honestly worried this will cause a major accident and I don't trust having my family in the car. It's an $86,000 SUV. Unreal and so disappointing.