Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 26% | 3,000 miles |
| 2025 | 7 | 12% | 31,000 miles |
| 2024 | 13 | 12% | 24,000 miles |
| 2023 | 46 | 19% | 37,000 miles |
| 2022 | 29 | 16% | 39,000 miles |
| 2021 | 55 | 16% | 75,000 miles |
| 2020 | 15 | 41% | 118,000 miles |
| 2019 | 13 | 22% | 111,000 miles |
| 2018 | 18 | 25% | 101,000 miles |
| 2017 | 50 | 24% | 50,000 miles |
| 2016 | 40 | 14% | 88,000 miles |
| 2015 | 54 | 9% | 15,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 5% | 104,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% | 33,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% | 98,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% | 129,000 miles |
| 2008 | 13 | 5% | 102,000 miles |
| 2007 | 28 | 5% | 74,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 8% | 78,000 miles |
| 2005 | 14 | 10% | 45,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2003 | 11 | 4% | 43,000 miles |
| 2002 | 10 | 5% | 51,000 miles |
| 2001 | 14 | 6% | 75,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 5% | 76,000 miles |
| 1999 | 16 | 7% | 100,000 miles |
| 1998 | 8 | 10% | 98,000 miles |
| 1997 | 15 | 11% | 140,000 miles |
| 1996 | 8 | 11% | — |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to return to normal operation. The message "Shifting to Neutral" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,303.
2026 Yukon Elevation with 3,957miles. I was driving down the road and pulled into the turn lane at an intersection. Vehicle cut off with the Auto Start/Stop function and would not start back up. I continued and tried to restart the vehicle but would not start; I was blocking the lane with cars continuously going around me. Vehicle stated service transmission on the display- I was unable to put it into neutral to push it out of traffic; You are only allowed to put it into neutral when crank and couldnt get the accessory mode to come on without the vehicle trying to start. I called the local police department and they sent an officer to direct traffic until a tow truck showed up. Both observed the vehicle not starting. There were no symptoms prior to the vehicle cutting off, only once auto start/stop initiated did the vehicle not restart. …
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power and came to a complete stop in traffic. There was no warning light illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle failed to shift into gear, and the "Service Transmission" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact expressed concerns that the failure could have resulted in a crash or created a safety risk to the contact and the contact's children while occupying the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,765.
I bought a brand new 2025 GMC Yukon AT4 3.0 Diesel on 8/16/25 (had 213 miles on). A month later, with only 2000 miles on the vehicle, I was driving down the road and got a warning "reduced acceleration, drive with caution". Car would hardly accelerate. Had it towed to the dealer on 9/22/25. They found metal shavings in the engine oil. Said there was a quarter inch play around the camshaft (manufacture defect). Told me I need a completely new engine. It's now 12/2/25 and I still don't have a car, and mine hasn't been repaired.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond, with the vehicle sputtering. The contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road as the transmission shifted into neutral. The vehicle was shifted into park and turned off. The contact then attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact then towed the vehicle to the dealer, and a diagnostic test was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a red traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. The message "Conditions not Available to Change Gear" was displayed. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The contact stated that several days later, while pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. The vehicle was restarted and was then towed to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated and failed to exceed 10 MPH. The message "Reduced Acceleration" was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown transmission part needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer for 11 months. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral and stalled in the middle of the highway. An unknown message was displayed. In addition, after restarting the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission then shifted into neutral(N) independently after driving for several miles. The contact stated that the vehicle would not crank and was towed to a local dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into neutral and was towed while in park(P). The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the local dealer for further investigation. The contact related the failure to GM investigation: PE25001. …
Related recalls (9)
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
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.
Remedy: 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
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.
Remedy: 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…
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
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.
Remedy: 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.
Show 4 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
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…
Remedy: 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
Remedy: 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.
Power train › Manual transmission › Shift pattern indicator
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…
Remedy: 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
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.
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the shift cable and install a lock clip.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Yukon years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (55), 2015 (54), 2017 (50), 2023 (46) and 2016 (40) model years. Transmission complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for GMC Yukon transmission problems?
Yes — 9 recalls, including 26V-289 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), May 7, 2026); 26V-085 (valves/valve body, Feb 13, 2026); 24V-797 (valves/valve body, Oct 24, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Yukon transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (65 mentions), followed by the axle assembly (8).
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.