GMC Yukon Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 487 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the GMC Yukon across 32 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (52). The words owners use most often: “valve body” (6% of reports).
- 487power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 11mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 9related recalls
- $5,150typical repair cost reported by owners
- 46%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 31 of 487 complaints (6%)
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 at $5,150, and half of them between $3,700 and $7,150.
Based on 18 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2026), 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 168 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 487 complaints, 11 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 5 an injury.
GMC Yukon power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Yukon | 11 | 27% | 3,303 |
| 2025 Yukon | 7 | 13% | 30,765 |
| 2024 Yukon | 13 | 12% | 17,500 |
| 2023 Yukon | 46 | 19% | 35,198 |
| 2022 Yukon | 29 | 16% | 32,000 |
| 2021 Yukon | 52 | 15% | 75,000 |
| 2020 Yukon | 14 | 39% | 112,634 |
| 2019 Yukon | 13 | 24% | 111,000 |
| 2018 Yukon | 18 | 26% | 101,000 |
| 2017 Yukon | 48 | 24% | 50,000 |
| 2016 Yukon | 36 | 13% | 91,000 |
| 2015 Yukon | 46 | 9% | 9,000 |
| 2014 Yukon | 3 | 5% | 104,000 |
| 2013 Yukon | 5 | 4% | 40,000 |
| 2012 Yukon | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2011 Yukon | 7 | 4% | 98,000 |
| 2010 Yukon | 3 | 3% | 69,873 |
| 2009 Yukon | 4 | 4% | 83,500 |
| 2008 Yukon | 8 | 4% | 115,000 |
| 2007 Yukon | 21 | 5% | 74,000 |
| 2006 Yukon | 2 | 7% | 80,000 |
| 2005 Yukon | 8 | 9% | 50,000 |
| 2004 Yukon | 4 | 3% | 100,000 |
| 2003 Yukon | 8 | 4% | 38,900 |
| 2002 Yukon | 10 | 6% | 51,000 |
| 2001 Yukon | 13 | 7% | 49,248 |
| 2000 Yukon | 8 | 5% | 10,000 |
| 1999 Yukon | 14 | 7% | 98,500 |
| 1998 Yukon | 8 | 10% | 98,000 |
| 1997 Yukon | 15 | 11% | 140,000 |
| 1996 Yukon | 8 | 11% | — |
| 1995 Yukon | 4 | 4% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (9)
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)Do not drive
Model years: 2019, 2020, 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:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body; power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
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:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Model years: 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines
Model years: 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
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:automatic transmission
Model years: 1995
Problem: 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.
Fix: Dealers will adjust the shift cable and install a lock clip.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking violently. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving at a reduced speed…
I was driving normally, going up a hill and the car skipped and lurched forward. Then when i touched the gas pedal the car would not accelerate but the rpms would increase. When I was able to pull over, the car would not reverse, the engine would rev when i pushed the gas pedal but it would not…
Vehicle was impacted by the engine recall. After the recall repair attempt, the problem resurfaced and persists. The deal ship has the vehicle and has been down for nearly 7 weeks. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle and asked GM to write me a letter stating the vehicle is safe to drive with this…
Engine began to reduce RPMs while driving up an incline and was unable to maintain speed. Warnings came on for battery, oil, transmission failure, engine failure. Power ultimately failed and electric finally shutoff after short period of time. Was able to connect to Onstar and they got a tow truck…
My 2023 GMC Yukon AT4 is "hard shifting/jerking" during acceleration. This occurs approximately 5 times per week and I am starting to get safety concerns. I have had the transmission flushed (09/14/2026) and then had the diagnostic measured 09/23/2026, with the Repair Order stating "no problem…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Yukons have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 487 owner complaints about power train for the GMC Yukon. 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 power train?
Yes: 9 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?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,150 (half paid between $3,700 and $7,150), from 18 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the GMC Yukon?
The most frequent phrase is “valve body”, in 31 of 487 complaints.
Other GMC Yukon problems
- Engine problems (887)
- Air Bags problems (663)
- Electrical System problems (606)
- Exterior Lighting problems (460)
- Service Brakes problems (402)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (361)
- Structure problems (299)
- Steering problems (245)
See all GMC Yukon problems.