Home · 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500 · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (211)Crash / fire / injury (2)Engine (137)Transmission & drivetrain (36)Electrical system (24)Engine & cooling (12)Brakes (11)Fuel system (11)Speed control (7)Driver assistance (6)Visibility & wipers (6)Backup camera & sensors (5)

11 of 211 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters

Jul 21, 2026SteeringEngineFuel system

The engine tries to die when in park. While stopped at a red light, it died and stated conditions not met to shift. Had to hit park button then restart it. This has happened 4 times. With & without auto start feature on

NHTSA ODI 11751858

Jun 18, 2026Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

Vehicle had previously undergone the GM 6.2L engine recall inspection on October 17, 2025, and was determined to have passed. On June 13, 2026, at approximately 80,390 miles, the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion while being driven with five children in the vehicle. The vehicle became inoperable and required towing. Dealer subsequently diagnosed engine failure and has ordered a replacement engine. This failure happened with out warning.

NHTSA ODI 11744974

May 6, 2026EngineFuel system

I was traveling with my family on the Ohio Turnpike. We were traveling west in our 2023 GMC Yukon Denali when we lost all propulsion and the engine seized. There was no warning lights or other symptoms prior to this incident on May 3, 2026. In fact, I had the vehicle in for the prescribed recall to test the engine for the known defect earlier in 2026. The vehicle passed that test and was given the upgraded oil change to presumably prevent the engine failure in the future. It did not work. Our safety and others on the turnpike were at risk while we were traveling at highway rates of speed with sudden loss of all propulsion. The vehicle was towed that evening to local GM dealer - Yark Chevy in [XXX] . Upon inspection on May 5, 2026, the dealership informed me the engine had seized and would be replaced by GM. They were unable to provide a timeline for this repair. I have the tow expense of $260.70 and now the uncertainty of when I might have a vehicle back. The safety of my family and all others traveling the Ohio Turnpike that date were at significant risk. The vehicle remains at Yark Chevy in Perrysburg, Ohio available for inspection upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11736003

Mar 16, 2026Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

My 2023 GMC Yukon Denali with the 6.2L V8 suffered a sudden loss of propulsion while traveling at approximately 70–75 mph on the highway with my wife and young daughter in the vehicle. The engine RPM dropped immediately to zero and the vehicle displayed a message instructing me to press start. I do not recall any meaningful prior warning lamps or symptoms before the failure. I did not hear a loud bang or other dramatic engine noise; the vehicle simply lost power and would not continue driving under engine power. I had to coast across lanes/shoulder to a stop, which created a serious safety risk to my family and other drivers because the vehicle lost propulsion at freeway speed without warning. After stopping, the vehicle would not restart. Pressing the start button produced only a click from under the hood and the engine would not crank. The vehicle was towed to a GMC dealership in Victorville, California. The dealer has since confirmed that the engine requires full replacement. The failure has therefore been confirmed by an authorized GMC dealer and the vehicle should be available for inspection through that dealership/manufacturer if requested. This is especially concerning because this vehicle was already part of the known GM 6.2L recall population and had supposedly passed the recall inspection/remedy before I purchased it. Despite that, the engine still failed catastrophically only about 1,355 miles into my ownership. Purchase mileage was approximately 26,343 and failure occurred at approximately 27,698 miles. Based on what the dealer told me, the failed component/system is the engine assembly.

NHTSA ODI 11724749

Jan 28, 2026EngineFuel system

2023 Yukon Denali has now broken down twice, leaving myself and my family (husband and children). This last time was on Friday 1/16/26 while we were out of town, the car began malfunction and then we had complete engine failure while drive 70mph down the highway, again, leaving my family stranded on the side of the road, on a busy highway, in an unsafe environment in the winter.

NHTSA ODI 11713912

Jan 27, 2026EngineFuel system

Engine Failed 1400 miles from home on 6.2L Engine - Days after getting L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion Recall Service. Recall Service Completed on 12/1/2025 - Cap and Oil Change done - Full Engine Failure on 12/22/2025. 12/1/2025 - L87 Engine Recall Service Done at GMC Dealership - Quincy IL 12/16/2025- Check Engine Light came on - went to same Dealership - Cleared it told me I was fine to drive across country 12/22/2025 - Full Engine Failure on GMC Yukon Denali

NHTSA ODI 11713551

Jul 29, 2025EngineFuel system

Driving on the highway and the engine completely shut down. The car was automatically placed into neutral and I coasted off the highway to a nearby gas station. The car was taken to the dealer, and they confirmed that it requires a brand new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11676972

Jul 6, 2025EngineFuel system

There is a safety recall but it has not yet been resolved, risking lives.

NHTSA ODI 11671417

May 19, 2025EngineFuel system

Recall for engine propulsion. Say that there is no remedy yet. I have read the warnings about what may happen and I am terrified to drive the vehicle. GM says to contact the dealer, dealer says to contact GM. No one wants to take initiative. If they cannot fix the car, they should buy the car go back so I can get something different. I have been driving an old car around because I’m am afraid of this one. Please help me.

NHTSA ODI 11661977

Apr 30, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

My engine failed while I was driving & I had no warning. It was very scary & dangerous. Luckily I was in an area where I could get off the road quickly. It started skipping then lost power. I basically coasted off the road & had to call for help. It was making a bad knocking noise. This happened 2 weeks ago on April 16. It has been sitting at Glynn Smith.GMC dealership since. I was told by the service manager that the engine failed & I will need a new engine. the engines are on back order now. I fear they will replace it with the same problem. I see the recall this week but will changing the oil viscosity really fix it?? Doubtful. Someone is going to get killed or hurt from this problem. I do not want the same issue to happen with a new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11657726

Mar 10, 2024Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

Vehicle shuts off and goes into neutral at highway speeds I am reaching out because it has happened to me three times in a seven month old vehicle and also five family members with Yukon Tahoe, Escalade same issue is very very dangerous please, I beg you take this very seriously and contact me so I could verify to you the other owners that I’ve had the same issue, but have not went far enough to make a complaint. I will prove it to you with other owners, same problem, where the vehicle just shuts off.

NHTSA ODI 11576457

Working with the data? Download all 211 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500 verdict →