My brother and I were on our way home from Phoenix to Las Vegas, driving about 70 mph when my 2022 GMC Yukon Denali suddenly shifted into neutral. We pulled over and had to restart the vehicle. We started driving again and a few minutes later the car shifted into neutral for the second time. We pulled over, restarted the car, drove for about a minute and it happened a third time. There was complete loss of control of the vehicle, thus we had no choice but to pull over again. The vehicle completely seized up and would not start again. The car issued a warning stating, “hot oil temperature.” It then issued another warning, stating “low battery,” though all the lights and power were working. The car issued available for inspection at Liberty GMC in Phoenix where I had to have it towed by my AAA. We then had to rent a U-Haul to retrieve the items stuck in the back of my car, which was our reason for the trip in the first place. This situation put us in a dangerous and very unsafe position, as it was dark outside and we had no choice but to maneuver to the side of the road quickly, as cars were flying by on the highway. The engine failure has been confirmed by Liberty GMC, where the car is still sitting and awaiting engine replacement. The vehicle has only been inspected by GMC service at Liberty GMC, to my knowledge. There were no warnings prior to failure. The warnings I mentioned above only happened after the fact.
GMC Yukon engine failure problems
413 of the 5,028 owner complaints about the GMC Yukon describe engine failure, most of them for the 2023 model year.
- owner complaints
- 413
- worst model year
- 2023
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,000
- typical mileage
- 52,000
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 68Knocking 68Check engine light 68Stalling 33Won't start 24Misfire 20Won't shift 11Overheating 8
Trouble codes mentioned
P0300 3P0016 3P0615 1P050D 1P0430 1P0420 1P0340 1P0305 1P0304 1P0301 1
What owners say
Car with $13000 miles had sudden engine failure. Have heard numerous other new Yukons have had this issue.
Engine Failure. While driving on the highway at a speed of approximately 70 mph the engine made a noise and the vehicle lost power. The safety factor is that i was on the highway with trucks and busses in which i had to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and call for police assistance. No warning lamps. Vehicle was towed and inspected by the dealer in which i was informed that the engine bearings had locked up. The vehicle needed a new engine.
While stopped in a parking lot. I returned my vehicle to drive home, and the car would not start. I had it towed to the dealer. They did a diagnostic inspection for "crank-no-start ". Two trouble codes: P0340 intake single camshaft ignition sensor circuit and P00C6- fuel rail pressure load during engine cranking. Performed diagnostic checks and suspect a broken timing chain and timing tensioner that causes the bottom of the engine to free spin while the top 0.5 does not. These engines are known as interference engines, and anytime there is a mismatch between the top 0.5 and the bottom 0.5, there is the potential for catastrophic failure due to the design of the valve train and bottom 0.5 of the engine. The technician suggested a full engine replacement. I went to the dealer and spoke with the Service Manager, Greg, and he stated that he would reach out to GMC because the VIN number was not part of the recall, although the YEAR/MAKE/MODEL is. I also reached out to GMC to open a claim. To date, I have not heard back, and they have not yet accepted responsibility for replacing the engine.
VEHICLE: 2021 GMC Yukon, 5.3L V8 (L84). VIN: [XXX]. Mileage at failure: approximately 88,000. Component: Engine. INCIDENT DATE: XXX While I was driving on a highway, the engine began to misfire and I heard a ticking noise. The check engine light then began flashing, indicating a severe misfire. I pulled off the highway immediately to a rest area. The vehicle was towed to a GMC dealer. The dealer's diagnosis suspected failed valve lifters, and the repair orders call for a misfire diagnosis with the Bank 1 cylinder head removed, and replacement of the camshaft, lifters, and related parts. This failure caused sudden loss of engine performance at highway speed. The engine began smoking. My family and I were in the vehicle, and we were fortunate there was a safe place to stop. I believe this is a known defect. GM Service Bulletin PIP5776, "Misfire Due to Collapsed Lifter," covers 2021 GMC Yukons with the 5.3L L84 engine. It describes a misfire with a bent pushrod leading to a collapsed lifter or a lifter that comes apart, and it attributes the cause to an internal lifter concern. Many other owners of GM V8 trucks and SUVs have reported the same failure, and a class action over the AFM/DFM lifters has been pending against GM in federal court in [XXX] since 2021. I bought this vehicle new and have maintained it. This is the second time this vehicle has left my family stranded on a highway. In 2024, a separate known issue left us, including three children under [XXX], on the side of a major highway about 7 hours from home. GM repaired that issue. For the current failure, GM has not agreed to cover the repair. It has offered $5,951.39 toward an engine replacement, which would leave me responsible for $13,886.59 plus teardown labor. I am filing this complaint so the federal safety agency is aware of this failure, which can cause sudden loss of power on the highway. GM case number: XXX. Dealer: Fred Beans Buick GMC, [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
After the original engine failed the recall inspection, it was replaced as part of GM's recall program at 40k miles. At 50k miles with the new engine (so only 10k miles into the new engine), the engine completely locked up and shut down while my son was driving the car on the interstate. We had to get it towed to the nearest dealership, and two weeks later, we are still waiting on the engine to be replaced again under warranty. I have completely lost faith in this car as I will now be on my third engine in 50k miles, and it is very dangerous if this thing can just shut down again while driving as they clearly have not solved the issue of these failing engines.
Bought 2021 GMC Yukon Denali new. Transmission failed at 70,000 miles. Engine has now failed at 111,000 miles. Both diagnosed at Capital GMC Atlanta, GA. Cost to replace transmission $8k (GMC paid half). Cost to replace engine $12k (GMC offered no assistance). Engine failure not related to current engine recall/investigation on GMC 6.2L V8 engines. This failure was on the top vs on the bottom (current recall).
Was operating Yukon on st route 5 doing 55mph when the Yukons engine blew up and the vehicle shut down on me in the middle of the road.
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 72,499. After three months, the vehicle experienced an engine failure, and a worker at a third-party automotive parts distributor and recycling center discovered that the original engine's mileage was 160,000.
2024 GMC Yukon, L87 6.2L V8 VIN: [XXX] This complaint concerns the L87 6.2L engine and the federal safety agency Engineering Analysis EA26005 regarding engine failure following the remedy for Recall 25V‑274. My vehicle underwent the GM recall inspection, including the Pico test, and passed the inspection. The engine was therefore not replaced. Since completion of that inspection, I have continued to obtain abnormal used-oil-analysis results showing excessive and increasing engine wear metals. At the most recent oil change, I cut open the engine oil filter and found visible metallic swarf/debris embedded in the filter media. I have retained the oil filter media and have photographs documenting the metallic debris. I also have the previous oil-analysis reports documenting the wear-metal trend. The engine has now developed a loud knocking noise. Because of the knocking noise, documented abnormal wear metals, and visible metallic debris in the oil filter, I no longer consider the vehicle safe to operate due to the possibility of sudden engine failure and loss of propulsion. The significant concern is that this vehicle passed GM's Recall 25V‑274 screening procedure but appears to be developing the same type of internal engine deterioration that the recall was intended to identify and prevent. I am requesting that the federal safety agency associate this complaint with Engineering Analysis EA26005 and review this case as a possible post-remedy failure of the Recall 25V‑274 inspection procedure. Supporting evidence available includes: • Used-oil-analysis reports showing excessive and increasing wear metals • Photographs of metallic debris/swarf in the oil filter media • Retained oil filter and filter media • Dealer repair and recall records • Mileage and oil-change records • Current loud engine knocking noise The vehicle is presently not being driven because of the potential for engine seizure or sudden loss of propulsion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
- Risk
- Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Recall number 25V274000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
- What is wrong
- General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
- Risk
- The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC at 1‑800‑462‑8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.
Recall number 14V007000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
- Risk
- If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 07V521000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Yukon engine failure
Which GMC Yukon years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2023 (111 complaints), 2021 (80 complaints) and 2022 (58 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the GMC Yukon?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,000 (median of 23 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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