What 208 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Xl

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. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,549.

NHTSA ODI 11645620

While we were driving at a high speed all control of the vehicle shut down. There was absolutely no warning that this was going to happen to that anything in the vehicle was breaking down. We were able to get to the side of the road and the vehicle locked into N. From that point on the car did not work. After being looked at my GMC, they decided that it needs a new engine. It only has under 15K miles. We were told that some somehow pieces of metal were in the engine. Engines are currently on a national backorder and we have been without our vehicle for over 4 weeks. They have no expected date that this will be fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11645182

On [XXX], at approximately [XXX]., I was driving down a highway and my vehicle engine just stopped. The dash went blank, I lost power and steering and there was no warning. I had enough momentum to partially stop on the shoulder of the highway but part of the vehicle was still in the flow of traffic. It was a dangerous situation for sure, especially since I had my [XXX] son in the car with me. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership where I purchased it, they said it was a connecting rod failure and I would need a new engine. This was on [XXX] and I still do not have my vehicle, they said the engine was on backorder. I have been in regular contact with GMC customer service and they have been largely unhelpful and unwilling to explore any other option that me just waiting for an engine to come it. I am now in my 9th week without my vehicle. The way they have treated me is unacceptable and they have not even acknowledged the danger that this defect put me and my son. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11644567

While driving down the highway, the engine completely locked up upon diagnosis at the dealership we were informed that repairs could take 4 to 8 months

NHTSA ODI 11643809

On Jan. 19, 2025, while driving home, I started hearing a loud knocking noise from my engine. Lucky I was still on residential streets so I was able to safely pull over to a parking lot. I was planning to drive the 40 miles home on the freeway when my wife said it might not be safe. That was when I decided to drive to my sister's house. Only when I pulled into the drive way the check engine light finally came on. The next day, I had the vehicle towed to the dealership and they diagnosed that I needed a new engine. They did not go into specifics as to why I will need a whole new engine but they did tell me that this was common and that they had other vehicles waiting for an engine also. My vehicle has been sitting there since.

NHTSA ODI 11643813

Traveling at 65 MPH on highway when electronic dash went completely blank, audio on car stopped as did the engine! Steering of vehicle remained in tact so I was fortunate to be able to "coast" to the side of the highway. GMC Dealer has confirmed a total engine failure and stated they will need to replace the entire engine. There were no prior warnings, symptoms or problems with my vehicle prior to this incident.

NHTSA ODI 11643491

catastrophic engine failure

NHTSA ODI 11643147

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH on the Interstate with his family in the vehicle, the engine stalled, and the rear wheels locked up. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact and his family were left stranded in the middle of the Interstate. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the main bearing in the engine had seized, and the engine block needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, after retrieving the vehicle, while driving to the residence the failure recurred and the wheels locked up again. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the same failure as before. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11642821

Our Yukon Denali at around 34k miles lost power while in motion, it automatically put it in neutral and said try to restart. Rolled to a stop in a turn lane and when we tried to start ignition…nothing happened. On star was called and ran diagnostic, showing no issue. Towed vehicle to dealership and the engine seized up. 4 piston rods had broke and the engine needed to be rebuilt.

NHTSA ODI 11642332

Motor locked up and went into neutral on it’s on driving 60mph. I was able to restart the vehicle and then it completely shut down at red light in a main intersection.

NHTSA ODI 11641883

My vehicle was being driven by my Nanny and had my children in the car, the engine started making a strange noise so she was required to pull over on a busy highway bridge in Tulsa, OK. There was no warning of any issues with the vehicle before this incident. It then would not start and had to be towed to a GMC Dealership in Broken Arrow, OK. They informed me the entire engine is locked up and has to be rebuilt.

NHTSA ODI 11641984

Vehicle suddenly lost all power at speed, coasted to a stop. No waring indicators, stopped in a lane of traffic, speed limit was 55mph. Engine is now seized.

NHTSA ODI 11641691

While driving my 2023 Yukon Denali on [XXX] towards [XXX] , the check engine light came on and my truck stopped hard as if I jammed the brea but my foot was still on the gas and the RPM’s was moving. I was lucky that I was in the far right lane and there was no car behind me at the time or I would have caused an accident. I after 30 minutes waiting on the side of the road, I started up my 2023 Denali after letting it sit and put it in drive and drove 30 mph because I did not want to take the chance of my suv stopping abruptly again. I contacted a GMC Dealership and explained the situation and I told I am on my own and I would have to pay up to $10,000 for a engine and it would be no guarantee of being reimbursed by GM should I need a engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11641607

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. Had this incident happened on one of the many steep descents or curves with snow and ice, the outcome could have been disastrous. My wife has decided that if the vehicle does get fixed, she does not feel safe driving home in it. Reading online forums show that this is a very common occurrence and individuals are looking into a class action lawsuit against GM due to the safety issues associated with this. An individual passing by had a code reader and tried to reset the ECM but could not. I will include the report.

NHTSA ODI 11641544

On [XXX], while driving on the [XXX] Highway with my family, the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral and I lost control of the accelerator pedal. I safely changed lanes and pulled over to the shoulder. Once in park, the vehicle never started again. We were stranded on the side of the road until my husband and a tow truck returned to collect my family and tow the vehicle to the Fairbanks dealership. The engine was diagnosed as an engine failure requiring complete engine replacement. We are a military family and were on orders to move our household on [XXX]. We did not have any other option but to trade in the vehicle and purchase a new one. Had I been driving on a road that did not have a shoulder or the traffic too congested to safely change lanes, my family could have been in significant danger for a motor vehicle accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11641295

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display an image, compromising the back-over prevention system. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 800.

NHTSA ODI 11641422

January 16, 2025: Driving down the interstate near Atlanta Ga going 75 MPH, our 2023 Yukon Denali with 28,585 miles on it, abruptly started gearing down. The vehicle would not accelerate, it was coming to a stop on its on. Traffic was very heavy and it was a very scary situation. After managing to get the vehicle barely off the interstate it totally lost power and would not start. The vehicle was towed to the local GMC Dealership and within 30 minutes they told us the engine had locked up. We had to get a rental car to continue our trip and haven’t had much luck, so far, getting reimbursed. As of today February 6th, GMC cannot give us an estimated repair date as our engine is on back order!

NHTSA ODI 11641032

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal clicking sound from the engine compartment. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact arrived at the destination and checked under the engine compartment and saw engine oil covering the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact had recently had an oil change performed by the dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was informed that the oil filter was not tightened correctly and refilled the reservoir and replaced the oil filter. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after returning to his home state, the contact heard the clicking sound and checked the oil dipstick. The contact stated that the dipstick was not reading any oil in the engine. The contact checked under the vehicle, however this time there was no visible sign of an oil leak. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that oil needed to be added. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking as if it was going to stall. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11640573

Engine failed on highway while my wife was driving with 3 kids aged 5 and under. Had to pull over on shoulder. Called GMC roadside and they said they would be there in 2 hours. Then a police officer came by, told her she was in too dangerous of a spot and that the police would be towing the vehicle in 20 minutes if she didn't move it. Police then towed the car while my wife, on the shoulder of a busy highway, had to frantically move the 3 kids and their car seats into a friends car. Got car towed to GMC and they did a full engine replacement. No warning lights, no signs of malfunction, and car had about 4k miles on it at the time.

NHTSA ODI 11640653

Driving at a slow rate of speed turning onto my road the engine started making a loud knocking noise, I could actually feel the knocking through the steering wheel and seat. Loss of power due to the problem. No warning before the issue started. Had to have vehicle towed to my local dealer. They are currently looking into the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11640487

Engine ticking at start up and acceleration, shuddering, rough idle, potential lifter issues. This has been going on since i bought the vehicle brand new, just now finding out about potential engine failure.

NHTSA ODI 11640075

Engine Failure at 19K 14Months old 6.2L 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate "EVERYONE IS HAVING AN ISSUE THESE ENGINES COMING APART" LOW MILAGE

NHTSA ODI 11640081

On [XXX] driving to Las Vegas Nevada from Garden Grove California, coming down the hill north on [XXX] just 12 miles from state line our GMC shut off and went into Neutral. The Engine completely shut off and we were lucky to pull over on the side of the road with no power. Our Vehicle was towed to Auto Nation GMC in Henderson NV. The Vehicle is still there due to no engines available. My GMC case number is [XXX]. I have agreed to a repurchase from GMC and accepted their offer, however now they are stalling. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11639898

While driving, with no preliminary warning, the engine shut down and I lost power. System showed a "PRESS START" message on the dash. I coasted to a stop blocking traffic on a neighborhood street. After two weeks at dealership, I was notified it was engine failure, and I need a new engine. As of now, engines are on back order and there is no ETA.

NHTSA ODI 11639089

While driving at highway speed we experienced a bearing failure that let to an engine replacement. The engine was subsequently replaced for galling from the piston arm. No warnings or engine malfunction notices occurred prior to the incident. It is my understanding there is an investigation into this specific problem with the 6.2L GMC engine. We were fortunately able to exit the freeway and immediately stop the vehicle to avoid any further safety risks.

NHTSA ODI 11638779