What 211 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500

The brake system control module, engine control module, and vehicle stability control system have repeatedly failed across 24 months and 9 repair attempts at two authorized GMC dealerships in Tennessee. As of March 17, 2026 the vehicle has 27 active diagnostic fault codes including U160F and U1610 (brake system control module lost communication on both CAN buses), U1611 (engine control module lost communication), and C2A0A (vehicle stability control disabling inhibited). All components are available for inspection at Beaman GMC in Antioch, Tennessee where the vehicle currently remains in an undrivable condition. Safety risk: Vehicle has stalled on the highway with my family including young children in the car. Brakes have randomly engaged over 100 times with nothing around and also failed to engage when needed. Stability control is disabled. These are active safety failures confirmed by GMC's own diagnostic scans. The problems have been confirmed by both Darrell Waltrip GMC and Beaman GMC across 9 visits. GMC's own Technical Assistance Center (Case XXX) was involved and could not resolve the defects. The vehicle was returned with more active codes than at drop-off after 57 consecutive days in GMC custody. Two unresolved GMC safety recalls are open on this vehicle — L87 engine loss of propulsion (N252494003) and brake fluid leak detection failure — directly related to the reported defects. Warning codes have been present and documented since October 2023 beginning at 1,381 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11728908

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle experienced a malfunction associated with a failed Over-The-Air (OTA) software update affecting electronic control modules. The (ECM), (BCM), and related electronic systems appeared to lose stability during operation. The vehicle attempted to reboot while being driven and displayed multiple system warnings. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?While driving, the vehicle began malfunctioning and attempting system reboots. The dashboard flickered, warning lights, and the vehicle exhibited unstable behavior. During a prior event, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and abrupt deceleration. This created a risk of loss of vehicle control, particularly in traffic. I have small children in this vehicle, and the unpredictable electronic behavior while in motion posed a significant safety concern. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealership confirmed that a previous event was caused by a failed OTA software update. The vehicle has since malfunctioned again while driving and has been taken back to the dealership for further inspection. The dealership has acknowledged module instability and opened a TAK case with the manufacturer. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by GMC1 dealership. A case has been opened with GM Customer Care. No police or insurance reports. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? 9 days prior to the first major malfunction, the check engine light illuminate. On April 1, the check engine light re-appeared and the vehicle attempted to reboot again while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11728473

Vehicle lost steering and brakes suddenly. Many errors on screen such as: Brake System Failure, ABS Failure, ESC Failure, Traction Control Failure, Maximum Vehicle Speed 43mph. Was able to slowly get home with no power assisted brakes. Did not drive it any more until it was taken to dealer 2 days later and the dealer could not replicate the errors. Dealer was able to see stored error codes; however, they could not verify any errors in any of the modules or computer. Dealer wants us to take it back and wife is scared to drive it due to no fixes or repairs. Loss of brakes and steering is NOT a situation to ask an owner to 'bring back when it happens again"

NHTSA ODI 11705535

While driving in approximately 10°F weather after the vehicle had been parked outside overnight during snowfall in Chicago, the vehicle displayed a warning that said “Do Not Drive — Maximum Speed 43 MPH.” At the same time, the brake pedal became extremely hard and the vehicle had significantly reduced braking ability, requiring much longer stopping distance. This occurred without any brake warning lights beforehand. After the vehicle warmed up and was restarted, the message eventually cleared but then there was a new transmission warning and the check engine light went on. After driving for a long commute, eventually all warnings disappeared. I personally know another 2023 Yukon owner who experienced the exact same message and braking loss under similarly cold conditions, which suggests this may be a broader safety issue affecting this model year. Because this involved a sudden safety-system activation combined with temporary brake loss, there was a real risk of being unable to stop the vehicle safely or avoid a collision. My vehicle is within the year range of GM’s brake-system software recall N242447990 (eBCM brake fluid loss detection issue), and it is unclear whether my case is related, but the symptoms point to a potential systemic braking or electronic brake control problem in the 2023 Yukon. This issue warrants investigation due to the combination of: • Hard brake pedal • Reduced braking performance • Speed-limiting safety warning • No prior diagnostic warning • Occurrence in very cold temperatures A sudden loss of braking ability is a serious safety defect.

NHTSA ODI 11704198

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance sensor failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the failure occurred while exiting a parking space. The contact stated that the images on the screen displayed a wider distance between the two vehicles. The contact stated that because of the failure, the passenger’s side rear bumper crashed into the front driver’s side bumper of another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. In addition, the contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance sensor and the back-over prevention camera system were not functioning as intended. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while reversing and while driving forward. The contact stated that the images were displayed at an incorrect distance. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11690420

The vehicle was crawling to a stop in preparation to park in front of my garage door. When I move my hand across the steering wheel, my hand must have come in contact with the toggle/scroll for the “resume speed” function of the cruise control. The vehicle abruptly began accelerating towards my house. I was able to press the brake pedal to deactivate and stop the vehicle safely. I note that in the past week, perhaps even two, the cruise control has not been used. The vehicle is driven 2-4 trips a day.

NHTSA ODI 11572450