Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 GMC Yukon XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while idling, the vehicle started shuddering violently. The contact stated that while driving to the residence at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was pushed into a church parking lot. The contact's father used a scanner to scan the vehicle, and a DTC for engine misfire was retrieved. The contact's father replaced the spark plugs, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was blown. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic, where the engine was replaced. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact attempted to depress the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that a dealer and an independent mechanic were contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft was not aligned. The contact was informed that the independent mechanic would be able to align the camshaft; however, if the failure persisted there would be a cost for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated that the fuel injector had failed and the vehicle was experiencing the failure stated in TSB: N182198000 (Engine). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in TSB: N182198000. The manufacturer offered no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, there was a loud ticking and tapping sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a lifter failure caused by the AFM system and an engine misfire, and that the lifters, camshaft, and timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while stopped on several occasions, the accelerator pedal was depressed; and there was a loud clunking noise coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle violently jerked each time. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer seven times however, the failure was not replicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft, manifold, and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
The 'active fuel management/displacement on demand' lifters failed and caused the engine to run very poorly with a significant lack of power. This occurred while driving and could have caused a crash before I was able to get off the road and out of the way of traffic. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by an independent repair shop. The vehicle had to have the camshaft and all valve lifters replaced, as well as several valves that were damaged in the failure. The total cost to repair was just over $9000. The failure also caused the catalytic converters to become clogged, resulting in even further loss of power from the engine. There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure. It occurred suddenly as I was driving down the road. Searching online reveals this seems to be a common problem with GM 5.3 and 6.2l engines from 2010 onward. …
At stop light vehicle began to sputter, run rough, and make noise. I was less than a mile from my home, no check engine light on. I turned the vehicle off, used a scanner to have codes P0106 and P0506 show. I had vehicle towed to Complete Car Care. Misfire on multiple cylinders, 3 push rods bent, one valve spring broken. The right Cylinder head assembly had to be removed and replaced with 8 new push rods, 8 new lifters, gaskets, seals, and valve spring. Total cost $3304.79, the vehicle only has 69,801 miles on it. In addition one of the rear tail lights has a known issue (found out on google), intermittently goes out, was never notified. I took the car to Jim Hudson GMC to be told it would cost $475 plus tax because I did not come in early enough even though it is to be warranted up to 70,000 miles. …
At stop light vehicle began to sputter and make noise, I was very close to my home, no engine light on. Upon turning vehicle off and using a code reader codes P0106 and P0506 was on scanner. I had vehicle towed to Complete Car Care. Mis fire on multiple cylinders. Vehicle has 69,801 miles. 3 push rods bent and I valve spring broken. The right Cylinder head assembly had to be removed and replaced with 8 new push rods, 8 new lifters, gaskets, seals, and valve spring. Cost was $3304.79. In addition the rear tail light has been sporadic on and off, GM was to replace up to 70,000 miles. When I took it to them they stated the time limit had expired, yet I had not been informed until I did a google search. GM requesting $475 plus tax. I am concerned my vehicle has the same manufacturing defects as the GM motors being recalled with total engine failures.
I have a 2017 Yukon XL with 80,000 miles on it. Last year I was driving on the highway with my kids when it began to lose power and failed to accelerate. The issue was in the engine and I had to replace the entire engine for $8000 because it was barely past the warranty. Now one year later the car began to jerk and not shift while on highway and it is the transmission that is going to be replaced for $6000. The 2017 Yukon XL is a lemon and very dangerous for drivers. I spent $45k and should not be replacing the engine and transmission withing 6 years of it's age. Reading online these are common issues putting lives at risk.
Engine complaints in other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2017 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2017 GMC Yukon XL, 18% of the model year's 147 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 GMC Yukon XL engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 GMC Yukon XL engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.