-Transmission started to slip when shifting above 2000rpms -Engine light came on and took to dealership -Error code confirmed for valve body, valve #3 failure -New valve body installed after order but also failed as I left the dealership -New valve body currently on order
GMC Yukon slipping problems
43 of the 5,028 owner complaints about the GMC Yukon describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 43
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 80,000
Is there a fix? There are 9 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 8Jerking 7Loss of power 5Harsh shifting 4Check engine light 4Hesitation 3ABS 3Whining noise 2
What owners say
Seems to be not accelerating properly as if the propulsion is not there. Also, when switching gears it seems as if it is slipping or missing to keep up with the propulsion. Lastly, riding with windows down on the highway alongside the concrete median, I can hear like metal clanking or rubbing against one another. Also, I get an oil change at George Ballas GMC on [XXX] and 3 weeks later truck says change oil soon. AND YES THEY RESET THE OIL LIGHT AND I DROVE IT FOR 3 WEEKS AND THE LIGHT POPPED ON!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle experienced a sudden and rapid mechanical failure of the 6-speed automatic transmission (6L80 model) within a span of less than two weeks. The light did not come on until the transmission was past salvage. The failure escalated rapidly from initial minor slipping to a severe loss of vehicle propulsion. A loss of acceleration while driving poses an immediate crash hazard, as the vehicle cannot safely maintain speed with surrounding traffic or accelerate out of dangerous situations. The failure required towing and a complete out-of-pocket replacement of the transmission unit at 116,374 miles to restore safe operation. The manufacturer has failed to issue a safety recall despite widespread failures of this component causing unexpected power loss on public roadways.
Slipping Gears: Many Yukon Denali owners report experiencing unexpected gear changes or loss of power while driving. Hard Shifting: This problem manifests as harsh or abrupt gear changes, often accompanied by noticeable jolts when shifting from one gear to another. Unusual Noises: Grinding, whining, or clunking sounds when shifting There has been a class action lawsuit for this. I'm not sure why it has not been recalled in all states.
Transmission started slipping a little and then literally stopped working all with in an hour. And was doa in the parking lot.
I started noticing issues with my transmission around 55,000 miles on it. It first started with no noticing that it wouldn’t gear down when it needed to, and then when it finally did gear down, it would really jerk the vehicle. I started calling GMC then and questioning and putting in a claim. Just went back-and-forth four months. Now it was getting worse to where I could feel the transmission slipping it wouldn’t kick into upper gear or lower gear. Again, I was still calling GMC and reporting these issues. I was told to take it and have a transmission oil change, which I did costing me $300. I still noticed this problem and I continue to call. I kept being told that they would have somebody call me back which nobody ever called me back to find out specifics. I took it to a GMC garage have them put it on a machine, and I was told that it needed a new transmission and this wasn’t something GMC was covering. This new transmission cost me $6200 and was done on 1/5/25. Please remember this vehicle only had 64,000 miles on it, which is absolutely ridiculous to need a transmission at this mileage. I again had called in January 2025 reporting this and was told someone would call me back and never heard from them.
traction control system ESC system Suddenly and without warning, multiple warning lights started flashing including check engine. The vehicle lost power and traction. There was a loud knocking and metallic whining sound. The vehicle began to vibrate and struggled to move forward and felt like the wheels were slipping. The loss of these functions was alarming because it was dark, we were in a construction zone, and my 15-year old daughter was driving having recently earned her driver's permit. The car following us almost rear ended us. It was such an abrupt engine failure it scared me and my daughter.
At the time an oil change is needed, there is a warning light that says "low oil pressure and low oil." There also has been a "slipping" of the engine at around 60mph. GMC dealer states it is a torque converter. I am worried that the engine will fail or stall while driving The fuel pump control module has been replaced. Motor is not covered under the current motor recall and taking vehicle to transmission shop to have it checked as well
Start transmission was replaced by dealer at 75 miles. 2nd transmission was replaced at 175 miles transmission was humming and slipped at around 30 to35 mph this was around April of 2024 August 1 2025 while driving at 45 dash board lit up went flashing and suv slowed dramatically down to 30 mph Got to dealership and they kept the vehicle for about a week and returned it with it being supposedly fixed. About mid October while driving at 60 mph it shut down again almost causing a wreck went to 30 miles per hour again. Hurt my wife’s neck when it reduced speed so quickly. Took back to dealership and I told them this car is dangerous this was with about 20 k miles Been in shop was told it is scanning with 22 repair codes we have not had the car for 5 weeks and are trying to work with gm and dealer to get us out of it. But as of this report no progress. On interstate in city traffic this car will hurt or kill many people. I’m refusing to let my family or myself drive it. There is no warning when it will flash lights in dash and reduce speed. Also the front crash sensors went out and are currently not working we have all service records and paperwork that has been done including maintenance records We were given vehicle back with no warnings. I went to Nita’s and ran vin and it still shows issues. We are still making payments but driving a loaner car. The car is dangerous. I advised the dealer the first time it happened. I didn’t want it back. My wife went and got it and it sis it the second time and now she agrees it is dangerous contacted GM and they want to fix it but dealer implies they can’t ?..
The transmission failed at 59,700 miles. The transmission will shift up and down by itself. The transmission is revving up when trying to pass and the vehicle will go limp for a few seconds and then the gear with kick in really hard. In stop and go traffic the transmission slips constantly and could cause an accident due to the limp mode.
Related recalls
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
- Risk
- Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on May 7, 2026.
Recall number 26V289000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
- Risk
- Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N252536750. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on February 12, 2026.
Recall number 26V085000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- Risk
- Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Recall number 24V797000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
- Risk
- Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020; Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Recall number 22V036000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
- Risk
- If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of injury to bystanders. If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is being driven, the vehicle would lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14192.
Recall number 14V374000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series and model year 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (feature code MYC). The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.
- Risk
- If the line is not securely seated and transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot surface and cause a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑866‑694‑6546 or GMC owners may contact GMC at 1‑866‑996‑9463. GM's number for this recall is 14121.
Recall number 14V152000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
- Risk
- As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1‑800‑630‑2438. Cadillac owners may call 1‑866‑982‑2339. GMC owners may call 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 13V001000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.
- Risk
- The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V055000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The transmission shift-cable lock clip can back out of its installed position resulting in a loss of cable adjustment. When the shift lever is placed in the "park" position, the "park" indicator light may not illuminate.
- Risk
- The vehicle can move unintentionally if the driver does not notice that the indicator light is not on and does not apply the parking brake.
- Remedy
- Dealers will adjust the shift cable and install a lock clip.
Recall number 95V139000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Yukon slipping
Which GMC Yukon years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (7 complaints), 2020 (5 complaints) and 2016 (4 complaints).
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