2023 GMC Yukon: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Engine · NC

Heard a ticking sound whenever I was driving down the street then all of the sudden it got louder & SUV suddenly put itself into neutral. I was barely able to pull onto side of road to try and switch gears when hazard lights went on by themselves. Car wouldn’t turn on or start and whenever I tried again the check engine light appeared. Got the SUV towed to local, nearest GMC dealership who just called and said it was the engine failure and needed to be replaced.

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Engine · OH

2023 Yukon Denali, 6.2 Engine. Owner complied with first GM recall and the engine passed inspection. 8/16/26 Engine started making a knocking sound. 8/17/26 Yukon was taken to the dealership and diagnosed as complete engine failure. There were no warnings indicated on the dash. Yukon is currently still at the Dealership with no repair date issued. Today is 9/3/26. I have contacted GM regarding a possible buy-back. GM said they would email in 24-48 hours. I have not heard from GM and it is now 72 hours since my initial phone call.

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Transmission · TN

L87 recall was completed on 10/22/2025. On August 8th 2026 the engine developed a loud knock. It was taken to the dealership on 8/31/2026 after inspection it was determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. There was no warning lamps that indicated there was an issue with the engine. The vehicle was still driveable when it was taken to the dealership. If the engine had completely failed while on the highway it could have caused a major incident.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

My 2023 GMC Yukon AT4 with the 6.2L V8 has experienced multiple serious engine-related failures. The original engine previously was making a whining / knocking noise, then seized and required complete engine replacement under a GM recall/campaign involving 6.2L engine failures. The replacement engine later developed a lifter/valvetrain failure and required lifter replacement. The vehicle is now again exhibiting a pronounced rhythmic mechanical knocking/tapping noise, primarily during cold starts after sitting for an extended period. The noise occurs on most cold starts and has been documented in multiple videos. The vehicle is currently at a GMC dealership for inspection. I provided the dealer with several videos clearly demonstrating the noise. The dealer has stated that it has not yet been able to reproduce the condition and is attempting additional cold-start testing. The exact cause is currently UNKNOWN. No consistent warning lights or dashboard messages have appeared with the current knocking condition. My concern is that this vehicle has already experienced a catastrophic engine seizure, followed by internal valvetrain/lifter failure in the replacement engine, and is now again exhibiting abnormal mechanical engine noise. I am concerned this may indicate another developing internal engine failure that could potentially result in engine seizure or sudden loss of power while driving, including at highway speeds or in traffic. The vehicle and engine remain available for inspection, and multiple video recordings of the recurring cold-start knocking are available.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · PA

On August 22, 2026, I was driving my 2023 GMC Yukon Denali with the 6.2L V8 at highway speed when the vehicle began struggling to maintain power while climbing a hill. The engine then developed a noticeable knocking sound. Shortly afterward, the engine shut off completely while the vehicle was moving, causing a sudden loss of propulsion. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop, but the engine would not restart. The electronic transmission also would not shift into Neutral and displayed a message indicating that the conditions required to shift were not met. Because the vehicle could not be shifted out of Park, the towing company had difficulty loading and unloading the vehicle. The failure occurred during normal highway driving and created a significant safety concern because the engine shut down without warning while the vehicle was in motion. I am aware of the federal safety agency Recall 25V‑274 / GM Recall N252494000 involving certain GM vehicles equipped with the 6.2L L87 engine, as well as the federal safety agency Engineering Analysis EA25-007 concerning engine failures and loss of propulsion. At the time of this complaint, the dealership has not yet confirmed the specific mechanical cause of my vehicle’s failure. The vehicle is being taken to an authorized GMC dealership for diagnosis. I am submitting this complaint because of the sudden engine failure and loss of propulsion while traveling on a highway.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Engine · GA

While driving down [XXX] in [XXX] engine had a major failure causing the loss of power and control of the vehicle going interstate speed. Luckily no accidents and no injuries or fatalities. All the these vehicles using the 6.2L engines made by GM should be bought back by GM at full purchase price. A few months ago my vehicle underwent the recall procedure and passed. So the recall process is incomplete and shows no real problem solving procedures, These vehicles are a ticking time bomb to all the owners and fellow motorists. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 28, 2026 · Engine · AL

My car started making a knocking noise under the hood 2 days prior to it breaking down (6/19 & 6/20). On 6/21/26, I was driving down the interstate WITH my kids in the car and it shut down on its own. Lights came on my dash and the vehicle quickly slowed itself down and when I pulled over to a complete stop, the vehicle shifted into neutral and shut off. I was not able to crank it back up and had to pay a tow company $243 out of pocket to tow it to our local dealership in town. My insurance only covers $200 for towing. I am a week without a vehicle and just found out Friday (6/26) that a new motor will have to be ordered but it is on back order with no idea on when it may arrive. I cannot get an answer from GM or my local dealership on if a rental will be provided. I cannot make 2 car payments but I also have a job and cannot proceed without having a vehicle to drive. This has put me in a bind for a week already with no solution in sight. I expect GM to fix my problem asap since it is theirs to fix!!

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Engine · MS

Engine knocking vechile had loss of power. Had towed to dealer. Throwing all kinds of codes 6.2 L v8. Truck passed GM crap test in September and here we are at 59,000 with a blown motor. Lucky it did not go out under power and kill me or my small kids and family that was going to vacation with this truck the next day

Filed Mar 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NY

I just survived a terrifying incident that proves the current GM 6.2L (L87) engine "recall fix" is a dangerous myth. Living with the "Ticking Time Bomb" I bought my 2023 GMC Yukon AT4 brand new, but for the last two years, I haven't truly "owned" it—it has owned me. Every long-distance trip with my family was filled with anxiety. I constantly worried that I’d be the next one stranded on the side of the road while my neighbors' and friends' 6.2L engines were seizing all around me. I traveled with fear that I’d be coming home in a rental car. The False Security of the Recall When the recall finally arrived, I thought the nightmare was over. On Sept 15, 2025, my dealer in Newburgh, NY, inspected the truck at 48,000 miles. They told me my engine "passed," switched the oil to 0W-40, and issued me a 150,000-mile extended warranty. I realized then what I know for sure now: 0W-40 oil is a band-aid, not a cure. GM used thicker oil to "cushion" a physical manufacturing defect in the crankshaft and bearings just to avoid the multi-billion dollar cost of engine replacements. They traded my family’s safety for their bottom line. The Catastrophic Failure Last Friday, March 13, 2026, the "fix" failed. I was traveling 70 mph uphill on I-84 with my **newborn baby** and two other kids in the back. Without warning, the engine seized solid. I lost all propulsion in heavy traffic and had to fight to get my children to the shoulder. We sat in the freezing cold for over an hour while traffic flew by us. An extended warranty is worthless when your engine dies in a high-speed traffic lane with an infant in the car.

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · AL

My engine failed while I was driving & I had no warning. It was very scary & dangerous. Luckily I was in an area where I could get off the road quickly. It started skipping then lost power. I basically coasted off the road & had to call for help. It was making a bad knocking noise. This happened 2 weeks ago on April 16. It has been sitting at Glynn Smith.GMC dealership since. I was told by the service manager that the engine failed & I will need a new engine. the engines are on back order now. I fear they will replace it with the same problem. I see the recall this week but will changing the oil viscosity really fix it?? Doubtful. Someone is going to get killed or hurt from this problem. I do not want the same issue to happen with a new engine.

Filed Mar 30, 2025 · Engine · FL

New Denali less then 1 year old had lifter problems and needed lifters replaced and a camshaft. Started knocking while driving on the highway and tough to travel 4 lanes to get off the road. This is a serious issue.Very concerned because of widespread problems. I hope the federal safety agency does the same thing they did with Kia regarding the 2.o turbo engines. My last car was a Sorento 2.o turbo with defective engine. Kia agreed to a lifetime warranty for that failure. Luckily they did because mine failed and they replaced the engine. Once replaced I bought the Yukon. Bame similar issue. I hope a settlement included lifetime warranty. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 19, 2025 · Engine · MN

On Jan. 19, 2025, while driving home, I started hearing a loud knocking noise from my engine. Lucky I was still on residential streets so I was able to safely pull over to a parking lot. I was planning to drive the 40 miles home on the freeway when my wife said it might not be safe. That was when I decided to drive to my sister's house. Only when I pulled into the drive way the check engine light finally came on. The next day, I had the vehicle towed to the dealership and they diagnosed that I needed a new engine. They did not go into specifics as to why I will need a whole new engine but they did tell me that this was common and that they had other vehicles waiting for an engine also. My vehicle has been sitting there since.