My 2025 GMC Yukon AT4 Ultimate (VIN [XXX]) has started its engine by itself at least three times when nobody commanded a start. Two of those unattended starts happened while the vehicle was parked in a closed residential garage, which creates a serious carbon monoxide risk to people in the home. I now park it outdoors until the cause is found. The most recent incident was XXX at 7:08 a.m. Central time. Occupants were asleep and nobody started it; both key fobs were accounted for. The myGMC app history shows a successful remote Start at 07:08 AM that none of us sent, followed by two failed Stop attempts at 07:21 AM ("Yukon not responding. Use key to start manually and restore connection."), which I sent after learning it was running. I reported this to OnStar (case XXX) on XXX. OnStar said it could see multiple start attempts persisted through the app but could not see which device or account sent them. The case was escalated to GM's senior technicians, who were unable to trace the source of the start commands. A GM call on XXX was dismissive and did not resolve the issue. The vehicle can still start remotely with no explanation of where the commands come from. Dealer: Royal Buick GMC, Vestavia Hills, AL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
GMC Yukon key fob problems
14 of the 5,036 owner complaints about the GMC Yukon describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical mileage
- 39,600
By model year
- 20252
- 20241
- 20231
- 20222
- 20211
- 20161
- 20153
- 20083
Often reported together
Door locks 6Transmission failure 1Steering noise 1Stalling 1Overheating 1Misfire 1Hesitation 1Fuel pump 1
What owners say
GM performed a vehicle wide Over the Air reprogramming of the modules incorporated in the VIP/Global B electronics platform in April, 2026. Following that my vehicle became totally dead. Key fob would not unlock the vehicle. Had to use the metal key, open the drivers door. Opened the door, nothing moved. No lights, no movement from anything on the vehicle. Opened the hood, charged the battery and tried to crank it. Would not budge. Starter would not engage. Disconnected the negative battery cable. Tried again. Still would not budge. After an hour of so of trying and using jumper cables from our other vehicle, still would not budge. I disconnected the negative battery cable from the right front fender ground and reattached it. It then cranked. Drove the vehicle 30 miles at interstate speed. 8 miles in city traffic. Drove home and parked it in the garage. Drove it abput 10-12 days later to get breakfast. Parked it, locked it with the key fob. Came back after getting food, key fob would not work. Opened it with the button on the door handle. Got In tried to crank it. Would not budge. Disconnected the negative battery cable twice, before it cranked, but would not drive. Message in dash said vehicle could not be driven. Finally got it cranked. GM never advised that the battery must have a 70% charge at all times for the electronics to work. Owner's manual contains no such statement. Vehicle is defective to the extent that it will leave me stranded in wherever the battery power is less than 70%. Dangerous to get stranded at night on a lonely road or highway, away from cities with tow trucks and competent service personnel. Vehicle in shop 32 days before dealer advised resolution. Modules bricked requiring engine control module and telematics module replacement.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 22V617000 (SEAT BELTS), 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), and 22V903000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The vehicle was serviced under Customer Satisfaction Program: N242436631. However, the failure occurred. The contact stated that after the serial data gateway module was updated, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart with the key fob, and the doors failed to unlock with the key fob. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the dealer refused to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 177,000.
2022 GMC Yukon AT4 was brought into the dealership for the service recall on the engine. No issues and received the 0W40 "fix". Approximately 4-6 weeks later, I was traveling on the interstate at approx. 75MPH when the truck completely shut down mid-passing with a code stating "conditions for not for shifting" and I was lucky enough to get the truck to the shoulder of the road without being struck by another vehicle as the truck "shifted" to neutral and would not do anything. Once the truck was in park, it shut off and I was unable to get it started again. Received multiple codes (key fob battery needs replacing, battery low, etc.) while stuck on the side of the interstate for several hours until I was able to get it towed (at a charge of $500) to my dealership. It then sat in the parking lot for 3 days for diagnosis pending TAC deciding whether to tear the engine down or replace it. It was determined to meet the recall qualifications and the dealership has ordered a replacement engine and was told they would start at a estimated 4 week repair time but would probably take closer to 6-8 weeks. Dealership has provided a rental at no cost to me but did not refund my towing costs associated with the repair.
I am filing a complaint regarding a potential safety defect in my 2024 GMC Yukon Denali (approx. 25,000 miles), which has been in the dealership’s service department for about 30 days due to a faulty valve body in the transmission system. There is currently no estimated date for repair completion due to a lack of available parts. This is the second time the vehicle has been in the shop for the same unresolved issue. Earlier in 2025, I brought the car in due to driveability concerns and error messages appearing on the dash, but the dealership dismissed it and claimed I had “turned the vehicle on wrong,” despite it having a push-button start. The problem persisted until June 2025, when they finally diagnosed the valve body failure. This issue directly affects drivability and vehicle safety, particularly during acceleration and gear shifting. I am concerned that General Motors is aware of widespread valve body and transmission failures in these vehicles, yet continues to produce and sell new units while failing to ensure parts are available to support timely repairs. It is unacceptable that a major safety-related transmission issue can sideline a relatively new vehicle for over a month with no resolution in sight. GM’s lack of urgency in addressing this defect suggests a disregard for consumer safety and reliability. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate this issue as a potential pattern of safety defects in GM’s full-size SUV transmission systems.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the automatic door locks inadvertently engaged when the contact was exiting the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was running, and the key fob was in the ignition. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to unlock the vehicle with the spare key fob. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,965.
Air intake stayed on after shutting vehicle off and locked. It seemed it was in auto start mode from the key fob. Now it is hesitating to go and struggling to switch gears. Local mechanic is unable to pinpoint issue. Will bring to GMC dealership next. The rear camera intermittently works. If you open and close it sometimes it will fix it. USB ports intermittently work. Both taillights had to be replaced due to intermittently going out. Both front heated seats only work on top.
FUEL PUMP POWER CONTROL MODULE SKU NUMBER 13537053 brand new GMC denali less than 9000 miles had serviced for 5 previous recalls drove for a week. Truck completely shut down on road no power will cause serious or death if person is on highway as engine turns off and car shuts down due to electric shift cant put car in neutral not even with key from key fob so if get vehicle towed cant even shift into neutral big fail on gm part and will cause major issues as vehicle just shuts off do to this issue no service light. Major accident waiting to habit and back ordered parts on a expensive machine
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc yukon. The contact stated the seat heater on the driver's side front seat was not heating up properly. The vehicle was taken to rhoden gmc however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to h&h chevrolet (4645 s 84th st suite a, omaha, ne 68127; (402) 339-2222) for an issue with the infotainment system. The contact was informed there was a electrical short in the wiring and that the antenna needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that since the repair, the instrument panel failed to illuminate normally for short periods of time. Additionally, the blind spot indicator activated independently. The contact also stated that there were issues with the keyfob while attempting to lock the vehicle. The radio screen was also overheated. The contact also stated that while using the heated steering wheel, the cruise control failed to function as designed. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and was being repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
The door lock actuator works intermediately. I can't always unlock or lock the door with the key fob and there is not a manual entry.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
- Risk
- If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 (Cadillac), 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Recall number 14V827000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
- Risk
- If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), and 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
Recall number 14V614000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 buick, lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 buick enclave; cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; saturn outlook; and model year 2009 chevrolet traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (hwfs). A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor distortion to considerable melting of the plastic around the hwfs fluid chamber.
- Risk
- It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 10V240000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 buick lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; my 2007-2008 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, saturn outlook; and my 2008 buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system. A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire.
- Risk
- This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on september 12, 2008. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080; cadillac at 1‑800‑982‑2339 or http://www.cadillac.com; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 or http://www.saturn.com, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9436; or hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493; or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V441000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Yukon key fob
Which GMC Yukon years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (3 complaints), 2015 (3 complaints) and 2022 (2 complaints).
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