GMC Yukon XL Complaints (2016)

202 consumer complaints on file.

#11773150October 23, 2026
ENGINE
While driving at about 35-40 mph, vehicle went into limp mode and then stalled. Vehicle would not restart until hours later after being towed. When vehicle started there is the sound of a rod(s) knocking in the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765007September 17, 2026
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked up. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V256000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure but stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 108,346.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761928September 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN
1. My vehicle is having transmission issues with shuddering and shifting. M5U RPO code 8L90 transmission. 2. My safety and the safety of others is a concern if the transmission is not working as intended my vehicle could be at risk an accident that could be avoided. 3. The problem has not be reproduced or confirmed by a dealer I work on my own vehicles and I am going to repair this issue myself if able. 4. There are no trouble codes on my vehicle when scanned with an OBD2 scanner.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746486June 25, 2026
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
After my child had thrown up all over the car seat her father had taken her inside to clean up and I took the car seat apart to throw the pieces into the washer to clean them. The harness strap did not come out fully clean so I contacted Graco for a replacement piece and I was told that they don’t replace those and that the strap being removed totaled my car seat. It has a woven material tab that goes up through the hard plastic base and locks in by opening itself. It’s essentially a T in the material so it can be folded to go back through the hard plastic base. I was told that since the manual doesn’t provide instructions regarding that piece that I should know it’s not to be removed. No where in the manual, on the car seat or on the strap says it’s not to be removed. I did not damage/break/cut any pieces to get it in or out of the car seat. I was a mom in a panic trying to clean the car seat as quickly as possible so I could tend to my sick child. There were no warning signs telling me anywhere not to remove it. I don’t want other parents to do what I did and have a totaled car seat that they continue to use. I did not have the manual at the time of removing the pieces for cleaning but I have since located the PDF and read through all 96 pages.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732911April 22, 2026
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
My wife was driving down the highway and out of no where there was a loud taping sound, the vehicle started running real bad (skipping), the vehicle lost power and she lost control of the steering. As a result, she ran off the road into a ditch. this is a known concern with the 6.2 liter engines and all signs are pointing to lifter failure. She could have ben seriously injured and GM is responsible for this.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732277April 19, 2026
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 8L90 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. 93,000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727109March 25, 2026
ENGINE
I am submitting this complaint to report what I believe to be a serious and systemic safety defect involving GM 6.2L engines equipped with fuel efficiency systems such as Active Fuel Management (AFM) or Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM). I have experienced catastrophic engine failure in two separate GMC Yukon Denali vehicles with nearly identical symptoms, which strongly suggests a broader design defect rather than isolated mechanical issues. My first vehicle, a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL, developed significant engine performance problems consistent with known lifter and camshaft failures widely reported in GM vehicles using these fuel efficiency systems. Due to ongoing reliability concerns and the financial burden of potential repair, I was forced to trade this vehicle at a loss. My second vehicle, a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL equipped with the same engine platform, suffered sudden and catastrophic engine failure in February 2026. This failure occurred abruptly and without meaningful prior warning, rendering the vehicle inoperable and creating a potentially hazardous situation. Sudden engine failure of this nature presents a significant safety risk, particularly if it occurs at highway speeds or in heavy traffic. An oil service had been performed on this vehicle in December 2025 at a Jiffy Lube franchise. After the failure, an independent service provider documented that the oil fill cap had been left loose. However, the Jiffy Lube franchise and its insurance carrier have denied responsibility, asserting that the engine failure is attributable to known defects and reliability issues associated with GM’s fuel efficiency engine systems. As a result, both the manufacturer and the service provider are denying responsibility for a catastrophic mechanical failure that has serious safety implications. This leaves consumers exposed to sudden engine failure risk with no meaningful recourse. Based on my direct experience with two separate vehicles exhibiting similar catastroph
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719971February 23, 2026
ENGINE
AFM system failed resulting in engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719051February 19, 2026
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was test driving the vehicle after some and as I was test, driving it, the steering lot up on me. Luckily, I was entering a residential area when it occurred down the street from my residency; in which I was able to drive it to my residency, during that short ride, you could smell a burning smell coming out along with some crackling noises. I had to get the vehicle towed a week later to the mechanic shop where they fix one of my engine problems and verified that I needed a new power steering unit and gave me a quote, I couldn’t afford the word and started doing research and came across the recall for the power steering within my vehicle year, make and model. I replaced the power steering unit, but I’m having a difficult time celebrating the system..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717371February 11, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
My vehicle has been in 16 times since I bought it the most recent incident is for the engine which started about six months ago. It’s been in since then for other issues concurrently with this one it hesitates like it’s getting stuck in sand before it wants to go first the mechanic told me he didn’t sense it but the thermostat was stuck open so they fix that. Second time it went in they thought it was some sort of a filter and some other components I’m not sure. Again it was not fixed then my son and I were out in Minnesota freezing cold night in November and go and drive and then when again it was the drive train this time that got fixed a month ago about a week ago it starts making a noise like there’s too much snow in the tires. I get my car washed every few days but I got it washed again and that didn’t fix it so it’s in the shop again and I’m paying for a rental again. I have the Walser guard thank the Lord because it’s paid for itself about 15 times over. I’ve gotten two transmissions, an air conditioner, two sensors the arm that other people have complained about I don’t know exactly the name of it the trailer component that you plug into also blew out my seven way and I had to have my seven way wire fixed so I’m nervous about plugging that back in. My dad passed away and I spent $70,000 of my inheritance by this car. I should’ve flushed it down a toilet instead. Everybody makes fun at work that this car is literally gonna kill my kids and I because every other day it feels like we’re stuck on the side of the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713229January 25, 2026
ENGINE
Driving after dark on a main street in St George Utah, the engine suddenly surged and then revved down. It felt like someone jamming it into 4WD. Traffic was tailgating me, and I was nearly hit. I could not pull completely out of the right lane. I put on hazard lights. Check engine light came on, and TCS light came on. I decided to get out of traffic & crawled forward about 30 yards into a Sinclair station lot, then backed it into a spot where a tow truck could get it. It was clearly not drivable. Called AAA and a driver was able to get to me within 1/2 an hour. Checked the AAA website for mechanics since I was merely travelling through St. George and had no knowledge of the area. Hawker's Automotive was listed first, with many excellent reviews. Tow truck arrived and driver loaded it on the JerrDan bed. I asked him to take me to the Hawker's garage location. I locked it and put the key in the overnight box with my name, number, and description. Next day the mechanics said lifter arm was collapsed. Needed tearing down, replacing and probably new camshaft. Gave me estimate for "estimated" repair of about $8,000 or new engine at about $12,000! This is a KNOWN GMC failure apparently. Recalls have been initiated on newer models, but every mechanic will tell you that this happens all the time to all the 6.2L, V8 engine at around 150,000. I bought it used at about 156,000 miles and have put about 5,000 miles on it. And changed the oil at purchase, and about 1,000 miles ago. I researched model and year before purchasing. All online reviews I found were positive. Nothing out there on this know manufacturing flaw. But now when I type in 'catastrophic engine failure 2016 Denali XL" many many reviews and videos state that it is a known problem to both GMC and NHTSA. I or someone could have been killed by such a dramatic loss of power! This is a SAFETY issue and NHTSA needs to review ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON FILE ALREADY. Thankyou
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711810January 19, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is a hesitation when trying to accelerate. The car will then slam forward and there is a rattling noise that the car also makes. This has almost caused accidents. I was driving in town which is where I do most of my driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707617December 29, 2025
ENGINE
The engine is the component that failed and is available for inspection. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center, and the repair quote is attached. There were no prior warning signs before the failure; the vehicle suddenly began making a knocking noise and experienced a loss of power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699390November 14, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, STEERING
While driving vehicle the vehicle appears to shut off as if someone is turning off the ignition. The steering control becomes stiff, power is lost and electronics flash and turn off and on. This has happened on multiple occasions and is intermittent during acceleration. The accessible grounds have been checked, battery checked and replaced, and alternator checked and verified to be charging appropriately. Several codes are present and have been cleared to return indicating low voltage issues with multiple systems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696843October 31, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car started to have issues shifting when driving- automatic transmission. It would jolt or shudder to try to shift. I was at a light intersection attempting to turn left to go on the on ramp of a highway, it attempted to shift as I sped up from a stop and it got stuck and started making a sound as if you were to press the brake and gas at the same time, similar to that, a car was coming in my direction at the same time and it finally clicked into gear. Absolutely terrified me, my father in law came and switched me vehicles and took mine to the dealership where it stayed for 3 days and they diagnosed it saying it needed a new transmission, quoting us at $11,000. Obviously we can’t afford that. We had all the filters and lines of the transmission cleaned. And now it’s just gotten worse and worse. That was the first time it happened. Now it’ll shudder like that any time it’s switching gears at any speed. Another time since then, it got stuck in the same situation after pulling out of my kids school driveway, it got stuck and wouldn’t click, when it finally did it started shaking uncontrollably in the street and thankfully I live two streets over and made it to my street before it just shut off on its own. I coasted it right into the front of our house and then it would not come back on, at this time we searched the internet over and over to find try to find an easy fix. We let it sit before it came back on. This is our family vehicle. I’ve seen that many many people have this exact issue with this exact same year and model. Its not coincidental and It’s extremely unsafe. Especially with kids in these vehicles. I’m terrified one day when it gets stuck or shuts off we will get hit.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691609October 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Faulty Transmission at 90,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682518August 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought 2016 Yukon XL 9/2020. At 74k miles (2022), the transmission was replaced by warranty. Now (2025), at 126k miles, the transmission needs replaced again. This can’t be normal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680537August 13, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The transmission is going out and it started with a shudder. The change for the transmission filter and oil was only a temporary fix. It also shifts hard or there is a delay in the shift.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677624July 31, 2025
ENGINE
We own a 2016 GMC Yukon XLT Denali with the GM 6.2 engine. On Saturday, July 26, 2025 our vehicle suddenly lost power and became undrivable in traffic. We had it towed to our GM dealership who still has the vehicle (Reiselman GMC- Springfield, TN) They called today and said the engine could not be repaired. They stated it had no compression in Cylinder 8. The said our only option was a new engine. THIS IS THE SECOND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE we have had. In November 2021 we experienced another CATASTROPHIC FAILURE when the vehicle suddenly lost power. The engine required a valve and valve spring and seal on cylinder #1. This is 2 major failures we have had which could have been dangerous had we not been able to get out of traffic. The vehicle currently has 116k miles. These types of major failures in a vehicle that has been serviced according to schedules and receives only typical local and commuter use is out of the norm. It is the first generation of GM's 6.2L engine and the sister engine to the one currently under major recall and no-sell orders. We believe that GM knows of these issues as we have spoken with other people who have had similar problems. The problems involve the valve train and the crank and pistons much like the recall on the later models. Please advise what we need to do to move our complaint through the system to see if we can get some relief on this matter. The dealer still has the vehicle so we don't have any paperwork yet on the latest incident. I will send the November 2021 information
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676773July 28, 2025
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
Chest clip does not remain clipped. It releases without pressing the release buttons.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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