Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% | 16,000 miles |
| 2023 | 7 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% | 4,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2016 | 6 | 2% | 32,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 0% | 21,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 7% | 109,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% | 119,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% | 95,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% | 85,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% | 69,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 145,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 3% | 64,000 miles |
| 2007 | 18 | 3% | 100,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 4% | 156,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2004 | 17 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% | 98,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 2% | 116,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% | 68,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% | 135,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving the 370 miles from Fairbanks to Anchorage with our family and dogs, our vehicle shut down completely with no warning. The drive is through a very remote section of Alaska. While passing a slower vehicle, our Yukon completely shut down, to include the all controls including the dash and lights. We were unable to complete the pass, leaving us in direct line with on coming traffic with no ability to speed up to get around the other vehicle. The other vehicle, not knowing we had lost all power, continued driving the same speed and eventually we were able to get back into the proper lane and coast to a stop on the side of the 2 lane highway. The vehicle would not start and with the temperatures outside at 12 degrees it got chilly fast. Luckily we travel with all of our winter gear. …
We are located in Henderson, NV and we were driving on the freeway in a construction zone with no emergency lanes when the vehicle lost all power to the engine going the speed limit. The engine had seized up which is a known problem with the 6.2L GMC motors. We have done all the recalls recommended by the manufacturer. The engine seizing, locking up , put our family in danger . We were luckily enough to be close to an offramp where people in other vehicles barley let us over so we can pull off the road or we would of been stuck in the middle of the highway with cars flying by us with little kids in the car. This is unacceptable and as much as this happening and GMC not fixing the issues, people are going to get hurt or killed. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN! . ThIS is a known issue with these motors and problems and GMC is putting bandaids on the situations when lives are in danger. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal, the engine started revving without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally independently accelerated. The contact state that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was in park(P). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
2021 Yukon Denali. Inspected by dealer under recall. Passed dealership test and new oil viscosity adjustment completed by dealer at 39k miles. Told no issues with vehicle continue to drive it. Today 4-14-26 on the interstate traveling 75mph the engine seized and lost all power. Instrument panel showed 0rpm as I coasted to a stop and the engine lost all power. I placed the vehicle in park on the shoulder and attempted to restart. Nothing! Engine would crank. Towed to Olathe gmc dealer and they took one looke at it , diagnosed it said it had all symptoms of total engine failure. Ordered me an engine and told 6 weeks out. Sent me home in a loaner. Service department told me They get one everyday sometime more than 1. They have hertz rental on standby for warranty loaner vehicle. I find it spilling that these vehicles come time to be sold. …
As of [redacted] , I witnessed a squealing sound coming from the rear end of my 2018 Denali Yukon XL truck. And it's affecting my braking. And it jerked when I changed my gears on my truck . And there are lights on in my dashboard on my truck. The engine light was blinking on and off and the traction control light was blinking on and off also. But the back driver side of the truck was squealing also. Please help me to resolve this situation. In the name of Jesus. Thanks again [redacted] and [redacted] .
I was driving my 2018 Yukon denali on a 3 lane interstate with GM's new adaptive cruise control turned on.. Another driver cut in front of me from the right. Adaptive cruise slammed on the brakes almost causing a rear-end accident by overcompensating. This happened more than once on a 2000 mile trip in different traffic conditions. In contacting my dealer, they called GM and were told it could not be fixed because of extensive supposed changes to the vehicle. However, other GM vehicles have a shutoff that would eliminate adaptive cruise and let you normally operate cruise control. I was then told by the dealer that I would need to contact GM directly. The case number is 8-4468390871. In pursuing this with several GM representatives, they claim there is no fix without extensive changes in software, wiring, and programming. …
My vehicle began shuddering during acceleration and would violently jerk forward after gas pedal was engaged with decreased power in forward acceleration and increase in rpm. This last a couple of weeks. Now, my vehicle is completely broke down and at a GM certified service center. The Service manager states torque converter completely went out and the transmission is burnt up. The mileage is at $61,000, so GM warranty won't cover it and the company that holds the extended warranty I purchased hasn't been able to be successfully contacted. There is a "service" bulletin but no recalls and a class action lawsuit (that I'm not a part of) but no recall. My vehicle completely lost power going 50mph on a busy road without warning. This needs to be a recall due to this dangerous circumstance.
The information screen on the gauge cluster sometimes will stop working. This is dangerous as It is the only part that shows if the vehicle is in Park, Reverse, Nuetral, or drive. It also is the only part that shows the vehicles fuel level, blinker, cruise control, temperature and other warnings and controls. This is a common problem for the 2015- xxxx Yukon and Tahoe.
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle sticking closed
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (GM)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve May intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator May apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of…
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Yukon years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (18), 2007 (18), 2004 (17), 2000 (8) and 2008 (8) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for GMC Yukon acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 96V-057 (vehicle speed control, Apr 4, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Yukon acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (6 mentions), followed by the cruise control (2).
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.