GMC Yukon XL Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 314 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the GMC Yukon XL across 24 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (49). The words owners use most often: “valve body” (7% of reports).
- 314power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- $4,950typical repair cost reported by owners
- 49%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Valve body: mentioned in 22 of 314 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the GMC Yukon XL at $4,950, and half of them between $850 and $7,200.
Based on 13 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 98 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 314 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 4 an injury.
GMC Yukon XL power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Yukon XL | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2025 Yukon XL | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2024 Yukon XL | 11 | 15% | — |
| 2023 Yukon XL | 39 | 18% | 67,000 |
| 2022 Yukon XL | 32 | 19% | 90,000 |
| 2021 Yukon XL | 49 | 21% | 66,000 |
| 2020 Yukon XL | 13 | 28% | 104,500 |
| 2019 Yukon XL | 15 | 22% | 78,000 |
| 2018 Yukon XL | 9 | 16% | 125,000 |
| 2017 Yukon XL | 36 | 24% | 36,352 |
| 2016 Yukon XL | 33 | 16% | 60,000 |
| 2015 Yukon XL | 35 | 11% | 71,000 |
| 2012 Yukon XL | 1 | 8% | 248,000 |
| 2011 Yukon XL | 4 | 9% | 91,000 |
| 2009 Yukon XL | 1 | 4% | 14,500 |
| 2008 Yukon XL | 2 | 3% | 20,000 |
| 2007 Yukon XL | 5 | 5% | 75,000 |
| 2006 Yukon XL | 1 | 6% | 180,000 |
| 2005 Yukon XL | 3 | 7% | 122,000 |
| 2004 Yukon XL | 4 | 5% | 10,900 |
| 2003 Yukon XL | 3 | 3% | 60,930 |
| 2002 Yukon XL | 9 | 9% | 46,000 |
| 2001 Yukon XL | 4 | 3% | 47,400 |
| 2000 Yukon XL | 2 | 3% | 97,209 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)Do not drive
Model years: 2018, 2019, 2026
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software; power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
Model years: 2022
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body; power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Model years: 2021
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2021
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission; steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Model years: 2013
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:manual transmission:shift pattern indicator
Model years: 2005
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2000
Problem: Some pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles equipped with a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture, resulting in immediate loss of hydraulic power steering assist. On certain vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, the same condition can result in loss of power assist for braking after the reserve pressure is depleted.
Risk: An inoperative pump can cause increased steering effort, and in hydro-boost equipped vehicles also increased braking effort, but does not completely eliminate the ability to steer or slow the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic pump. The campaign began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On 9/11/26 the Yukon XL flashed a check engine light and message stated to service within 7 business days. 30 seconds later the power shut off and barely coasted to the side of the highway. Engine would turn over but not start. Could not shift into neutral b/c wouldnât start. Error message: ECM…
Replaced the transmission two times at about $14,000. Need a new motor with an estimated replacement of $10,000.
The car suddenly started bucking while driving on I95 at about 75 miles per hour. We were able to coast off highway and when finally towed to a dealership we were told we needed a new engine. The vehicle at the time had about 57,300 miles. It was very scary to be on a dangerous highway with tractor…
The vehicle was being driven from work to home on the interstate, when a loud ticking/knocking noise was heard while exiting the interstate. The motor lost power when trying to accelerate while pulling into our driveway. It was noticed that the "Service Transmission" light came on as well. It was…
Rear wheel lock up for a slight second and then down shifted and revved way up to high RPM then went into reduced power. then slowed down and had to drive about 15 miles an hour. to shop mechanic.
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Yukon XLs have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 314 owner complaints about power train for the GMC Yukon XL. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Yukon XL power train?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the GMC Yukon XL?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,950 (half paid between $850 and $7,200), from 13 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the GMC Yukon XL?
The most frequent phrase is “valve body”, in 22 of 314 complaints.
Other GMC Yukon XL problems
- Engine problems (688)
- Electrical System problems (340)
- Exterior Lighting problems (285)
- Service Brakes problems (236)
- Air Bags problems (196)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (103)
See all GMC Yukon XL problems.