2023 GMC Yukon XL Transmission Problems

Mileage when the problem started

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 GMC Yukon XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle experienced unexpected gear shifting. The check engine warning light illuminated and then disappeared when the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact used a handheld diagnostic machine and retrieved DTC: P0747. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

I am writing to express serious safety concerns regarding our 2023 GMC Yukon XL Denali, which has been in our possession for less than two years and has only 24,000 miles. On multiple occasions, while driving at high speeds on the freeway with our four young children, the vehicle unexpectedly lost power and shifted into neutral without warning. This occurred approximately four times on March 9, 2025, when we contacted OnStar for assistance. Despite their response indicating no alerts on their end, we were advised to reach out again if the issue persisted. Unfortunately, the problem did occur again on March 16th, which prompted us to contact OnStar and have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership for further evaluation. The service department has since informed us that the motor requires replacement. …

2023 GMC Yukon XL 6.2L V8 experienced progressive engine defects starting in first year. At 7,445 mi (Jan 2023), first dealer visit for engine issues. At 10,315 mi (Apr 2023), Cyl 2 fuel injector failed (internally open), vehicle TOWED to dealer, replaced under warranty. At 14,982 mi (Aug 2023), identical Cyl 7 injector failure (internally open), replaced under warranty. Two identical failures on different cylinders within 15,000 mi indicates systemic defect. By 30,409 mi (Aug 2024), dealer performed engine decarbonization due to carbon buildup from fuel injection issues. Dealer recommended additional decarbs at 38,077 mi and 42,577 mi. At 56,028 mi (Mar 2026), engine suffered catastrophic failure: piston ring failure causing excessive oil consumption and engine destruction, requiring full engine replacement. …

Following a catastrophic engine failure in my 2023 GMC Yukon XL Denali, I discovered that the vehicle could not be shifted into neutral once the engine failed. This prevented the vehicle from being moved out of traffic if it had stopped in an active lane. The inability to place the vehicle into neutral after a loss-of-power event creates a serious safety hazard, particularly on high-speed roadways. In the event of a failure occurring in traffic, occupants may be left stranded in a travel lane with no ability to push or reposition the vehicle, significantly increasing the risk of a rear-end or multi-vehicle collision. This condition occurred immediately following the engine failure and was not accompanied by any prior warning or instructions to allow safe vehicle repositioning. …

I am formally requesting a complete refund for my vehicle. It has only 6,300 miles, and the remedy provided for the recall does not adequately address the issue. The recall explicitly indicates defects in the engine components (rods/cam shafts) that may lead to a loss of propulsion. Merely inspecting the vehicle and adding thicker oil does not resolve the underlying problem; it only postpones the inevitable expiration of my warranty. Currently, there are no warning lights illuminated, as the vehicle is not driven frequently. The recall raises significant concerns, and GM should be taking more substantial measures than simply applying thicker oil as a solution. This approach feels like a temporary fix rather than a genuine resolution. I have communicated with the dealership, and have been informed there is currently no solution available for this matter. …

Vehicle shifted into neutral while driving down the highway, extremely dangerous. Would not shift into gear and could not accelerate. Was able to pull over and the vehicle would not restart. Had to have the vehicle towed to a dealership. Dealership found a blown fuse, problem happened again twice and the dealer could not find the problem. This was July 28th, 2026. On August 20th, while in cruise control, slight ringing noise began, then a loud thump, then a loss of oil pressure. Unable to do anything other than pull over on an interstate with my family. Again, very dangerous. The vehicle would not restart and could not be shifted out of park. Had to have the vehicle towed again. Have also had at least 8 recalls on the vehicle. Unbelievably dangerous situations with my family, aside from inconvenient and expensive.

My wife and I were traveling to Denver CO to pick up my son and grandson from the airport. The engine started to make a very exaggerated rattle. We found a dealership near our motel where we took the vehicle to and were told not to drive home that the engine needed to be replaced. We had to arrange our own transportation for both us and the vehicle 8 hrs back to our home in Rapid City, SD where our local dealership replaced the engine. The vehicle had approximately 65,000 miles when this occurred. Fortunately we were in a populated area when this occurred as there is a lot of very sparsely populated area between our home and Denver. This malfunction not only cost me a lot of money but also put my family at risk in unfamiliar areas.

On January 19, 2026, Recall 25V274 was performed on my vehicle, and this was not disclosed to me when I picked up the vehicle from the dealership, Courtesy Buick GMC in Louisville, KY. I only found out when I got home and read through all the service notes. I contacted the dealer on January 19 after I got home, asking for explanation and have not heard back. The Recall Remedy failed. Since the service, symptoms of hesitation, lack of propulsion and low MPG persisted. As of Feb 1, the vehicle has suffered a transmission failure and is unsafe. The dealer told me verbally everything was fine, and in the service notes from Jan 19, they noted vehicle as 'Operating as Designed and Within Spec' despite performing safety recall work."

While driving about 70 mph in the express lanes, the vehicle suddenly lost power and drifted like it went into neutral. There were no warning symbols. The vehicle could not restart even while coasting. After stopping, it locked itself in park and would not shift out of park. My family and I were trapped on the express lanes for over an hour in a dangerous location. The vehicle stayed stuck in park even on the tow truck. The dealer confirmed metal in the oil filter, a blown main fuse, and knocking when starting. The recall inspection and remedy were already done, but the failure still happened. The vehicle is undriveable and the required recall repair cannot be completed because the replacement engine is on backorder with no ETA.

I was travelling on the interstate at 75 miles per hour and the vehicle started slowing down and completely shut down. The engine warning light then came on and I had to coast to the side of the road. I was on the side of the interstate for about 45 minutes and the vehicle had to be towed. The repair shop informed me it was a complete engine failure requiring a new motor and that GM has an extended backorder time due to this being a widespread problem for these model years with the 6.2L gas engine. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and will be there for several months waiting on an engine.

Transmission complaints in other Yukon XL years