GMC Yukon overheating problems

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Engine · 175,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the radiator and the water pump were previously replaced due to an overheating failure. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine made a knocking sound. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed with engine lifter failure. The contact replaced the spark plugs on several occasions; however, the failure persisted, and oil contamination was found on the spark plugs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

I am reporting a serious safety defect and unreasonable delay in addressing it under safety recall N252494000 (L87 Engine – Loss of Propulsion). My GMC Yukon has an illuminated check engine light and is now also overheating. According to GM’s own customer service r, this can lead to knocking, unusual engine noises, hesitation, high RPMs, abnormal shifting, reduced propulsion, and sudden loss of propulsion while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. I have contacted multiple dealerships for urgent repair: Cappllino GMC Keller Chevrolet Joe Basil All three have advised me that they do not have enough technicians to get my vehicle in for repair. Each has urged me to continue driving the vehicle despite the active check engine light and recall, and all have refused to provide a loaner vehicle. I have also contacted GMC Corporate directly for intervention. Instead of providing a loaner or expediting repairs, they have only offered post-repair rental reimbursement (up to $44/day after a repair order is opened). This leaves me with no safe transportation option. I have been told I can “drop off” the vehicle, but I have no alternative way to get home or to work. GMC and its dealerships are putting my safety (and the safety of other road users) at serious risk by directing me to continue operating a recalled, overheating vehicle with an active check engine light while refusing to provide any loaner or timely repair. My vehicle has 34,700 miles and is nearing the end of its warranty coverage, which raises additional concerns about potential delay tactics. Please review: The L87 engine defect and related check engine/overheating issues in GMC Yukons. GMC’s handling of this recall, including widespread failure to provide loaners and instructions to customers to keep driving defective vehicles. I authorize the release of my contact information to GMC to assist with the investigation. Attachments I can provide: Screenshots of communications with GMC

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · MI

Complete transmission failure at 82,000 miles. Well maintained vehicle, not used for towing or heavy hauling. Required complete replacement. Traveling at highway speeds and-according to repair facility- valve failure caused transmission to overheat a stripped gears, causing complete failure. Vehicle was unable to shift into any gears and was left inoperable. Required towing assistance and replacement.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

Engine overheated and performed an emergency shutdown while driving through Atlanta on my way to vacation with my family. We lost propulsion and had to cross 5 lanes of traffic to find a shoulder to pull over to. The engine shut down and we were left stranded 500 miles from home with our 3 children in a boiling car. The vehicle was inspected and passed the recall test 6 weeks prior to this incident. After the first failure we attempted to extend our power train warranty to which we were told it had too many miles by GM. The GM dealership and service center where the vehicle was towed confirmed the engine needed to be replaced and GM confirmed it falls under their extended warranty. However, GM refuses to cover any additional expenses incurred from their engine failure.

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Engine · 52,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence, the contact exited the vehicle and discovered white smoke coming from the exhaust and started to smell coolant and then discovered that the coolant level was low. The contact added coolant, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The contact’s husband and son, who were knowledgeable about vehicles, had self-diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the head gasket or the lifters might need to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions and the contact consistently added coolant; however, the check engine warning light was illuminated every 300 miles once again. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown the federal safety agency Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was an unknown internal issue with the engine that was possibly associated with coolant leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Engine · DE

I purchased a new 2020 GMC Yukon in May of 2020. Between May 2020 and November 2025 the vehicle was routinely serviced on or before the due date recommend by the manufacturer. I had not experienced issues with the vehicle until November 2020 when the check engine light abruptly appeared and the vehicle began driving very rough. I immediately took the vehicle to the local mechanic who identified two codes (P0300 and P050D) related to the engine issues. The vehicle was towed to the dealership due to the fact that I was instructed it was unsafe to drive long distances without additional diagnostics. The dealership disassembled the engine and found coolant leaking into cylinder six. There were no cracks or otherwise clear means of entry for the coolant into the engine. The dealership instructed us that we would need a complete engine replacement. Upon further research of this issue, it was uncovered that a Service Bulletin had been issued for this very issue. The reference number is 20-NA-166, updated March 2024.

Filed Nov 7, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Driving out a town 400 miles away, with a young passenger in my car on [XXX] in rush hour traffic, i started hearing a slight ticking sound then moved into a full blown knock on my drivers side ( I recorded it). within minutes, my oil light came on and my dash notification reading "engine overheating idle" with the knocking really load. I had to cross 3 lanes to traffic quickly to get to the shoulder of the road, which was NOT a safe place. I smelled smoke and cut the the engine off. I popped the hood to see that there was now no coolant (that is all I knew to look for). I immediately called OnStar Roadside assistance. 2 hours later, I was towed to a local hotel room. Car completely dead. not lights, couldn't lock it, nothing. I had to pay a large fee (almost $2k) to have my car towed back to NC from AL not to mention having rent a rental car to get us home. the car is now at a GMC dealership in Monroe NC. of course the Powertrain extended warranty doesn't cover the Battery replacement, belt replacement and water pump replacement so now I'm out of pocket $1300 just to get those install to be able to try and start the engine to further diagnose if my I have complete engine failure AND without transportation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 4, 2025 · Electrical · VA · 1 injury

The wireless charging pad in the vehicle below the climate control system. Yes, it is. The charging component malfunctioned and overheated the back of my phone when it was set in the console while driving. I had no intention of charging my phone, but instead place my phone down while driving. When I picked up my phone at a stop light, I laid it in my inner thigh when the light changed. The burning was so intense and unexpected I swerved into oncoming traffic and lost control, momentarily of the vehicle. I have recreated the incident in a controlled environment myself and the issue is still active. I am happy to have the issue confirmed independently. I gave notice to the dealership after it happened with no concern or further investigation. No, the vehicle has not. No, no warning at all. In fact this is my 3rd GMC Yukon since 2016 and all 3 have had the wireless charging pad, I have had the same phone as my last one. I never had an issue or experienced anything like this.

Filed Jul 3, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Vehicle equipped with 6.2l v8 engine. Have been experiencing hesitation upon acceleration, decrease in power/reduced performance, trouble starting, abnormal shifting (particularly from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th gear) for about two months. On two separate occassions(once about 1yr ago and the second time about a week ago) during normal use of the vehicle, the car started to shudder and the CEL began flashing. Both times I immediately pulled over and shut off the vehicle. Fluids were good, car has never overheated, regular maintenance has been performed as well. When I turned the car back on, the light was off and didn't show any signs that there was an issue. Two days ago during normal use of the car at about 35mph, a loud knocking/ticking sound started. I was about 1/8 mile from my destination so I attempted to make it there. Driveway is uphill and when I accelerated to get up the hill the sound got much louder and ticking was twice as fast. Shut off the car, let it cool, and knocking sound was just as bad the next time I started the car. Had the car towed to prevent damaging the vehicle further. This car is financed and i have three payments left on the 54 month contract. Today i reached out to the dealer about the issue and asked if I should bring my car to their service dept. I explained how i have been experiencing most of the issues that GM has identified as warning signs that indicate a potential engine failure and I was told theres no way my car has a recalled engine and the guy laughed at me when I tried to give him the information I found on the federal safety agency website. Not really sure who I'm supposed to call to get some help with this issue.

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Transmission · DE

My 2018 GMC Yukon SLE has a Transmission Failure and a engine oil coolant failure. The issues occurred while driving when the vehicle had to go into limp status to prevent the transmission from complete failure. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership 2x and they changed the fluid once and replaced the thermostat the second time. Neither case fixed the vehicle, it is currently in the shop for transmission and radiator w/ engine oil cooler replacement - $8200 The vehicle has been inspected by Aamco of Dover, DE and is awaiting inspection by warranty company 3rd party inspector. There are no warnings before the system is overheated and goes into limp status and at that point an alarm sounds in the car.