Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | 66% | 4,000 miles |
| 2025 | 17 | 61% | 34,000 miles |
| 2024 | 60 | 82% | 24,000 miles |
| 2023 | 164 | 73% | 49,000 miles |
| 2022 | 127 | 73% | 61,000 miles |
| 2021 | 158 | 69% | 73,000 miles |
| 2020 | 26 | 55% | 70,000 miles |
| 2019 | 38 | 56% | 106,000 miles |
| 2018 | 15 | 27% | 70,000 miles |
| 2017 | 26 | 18% | 55,000 miles |
| 2016 | 28 | 14% | 97,000 miles |
| 2015 | 27 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% | 150,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 15% | 116,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 6% | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 11% | 120,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 17% | 136,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 6% | 117,000 miles |
| 2007 | 11 | 11% | 119,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 17% | 128,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 13% | 29,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 7% | 116,000 miles |
| 2002 | 16 | 13% | 89,000 miles |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% | 69,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 4% | 180,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon XL Denali. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the engine seized. There was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway in the middle lane. The local Police arrived and assisted with directing traffic. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted by email and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The abnormal sound disappeared after the engine had warmed up. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, there was a tapping sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated and then turned off. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the tapping sound was louder and more persistent. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while out of state. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was approximately 33,500.
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was a catastrophic engine failure caused by the thrust bearing. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 25-NA-307; as a possible cause for the failure. The failure mileage was 16,184.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), the contact was informed that the vehicle passed the inspection and no repair was needed. However, the vehicle experienced engine failure approximately seven months later. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver pulled over, restarted the vehicle, and resumed normal driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the following morning, where the Electronic Control Module was replaced under warranty; however, the failure recurred while driving 70 MPH three weeks later. No warning light was illuminated. The driver pulled over, restarted the vehicle, and resumed driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH and shut off. …
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon XL. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact's wife noticed an abnormal knocking sound before the engine seized. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P0305 (lifter on cylinder 5); was retrieved, and the intake valve detached and damaged the camshaft. The contact was informed that the lifters and related parts, camshaft, and the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to the metal shavings found in the oil. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact received notice of NHTSA ID Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, he and his wife observed noises emanating from the engine compartment. On another occasion while driving and coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled, and a "transmission unable to shift" message appeared. The gear selector was placed in park (P), and the vehicle was restarted, after which it drove normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but it was not diagnosed due the manufacturer only allowing certain vehicle to be repaired at this time, even with the failures that had transpired, and no repairs were made at that time. The contact stated that while driving home in pitch darkness at approximately 30 MPH on a windy road, the vehicle stalled. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was covered under an unknown recall repair. The vehicle was released back to the owner; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling roughly and jerking abnormally. In addition, the contact stated that the drive to the residence was not a smooth drive. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where a technician performed a ride-along. The contact stated that the engine seized three times during the ride along. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced a second time. …
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the…
Engine and engine cooling
On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip May fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2006. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC trucks at 1-866-996-9463.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM's full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Yukon XL years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2023 (164), 2021 (158), 2022 (127), 2024 (60) and 2019 (38) model years. Engine complaints make up 73% of all complaints for the 2023.
Is there a recall for GMC Yukon XL engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 25V-274 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Apr 24, 2025); 06V-289 (engine and engine cooling, Aug 3, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Yukon XL engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (11 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (3).
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.