What 208 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 GMC Yukon Denali

am filing a formal complaint regarding my 2023 GMC Yukon Denali, which experienced a catastrophic engine failure while I was driving on the highway with my family. The sudden failure created a dangerous situation, placing both my family and me at significant risk. As a result of the breakdown, I was forced to pay $260 out of pocket to have the vehicle towed to the dealership. After inspecting the vehicle, the dealership advised me that the engine requires complete replacement. There was no indication that the engine was going to go. Thankfully there was a shoulder on the highway and we were able to pull over. This could have caused an accident could've been fatal.

NHTSA ODI 11750642

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 5-10 MPH on a city street and approaching a stop sign, the vehicle experienced a failure and became inoperable. The contact stated that while the driver was attempting to restart the vehicle, the battery warning light and engine warning light illuminated, and the "Low Battery - Start Engine" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed directly to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure but provided an estimate for the valve springs inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was working with the dealer to determine how to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 71,481.

NHTSA ODI 11747346

My car started making a knocking noise under the hood 2 days prior to it breaking down (6/19 & 6/20). On 6/21/26, I was driving down the interstate WITH my kids in the car and it shut down on its own. Lights came on my dash and the vehicle quickly slowed itself down and when I pulled over to a complete stop, the vehicle shifted into neutral and shut off. I was not able to crank it back up and had to pay a tow company $243 out of pocket to tow it to our local dealership in town. My insurance only covers $200 for towing. I am a week without a vehicle and just found out Friday (6/26) that a new motor will have to be ordered but it is on back order with no idea on when it may arrive. I cannot get an answer from GM or my local dealership on if a rental will be provided. I cannot make 2 car payments but I also have a job and cannot proceed without having a vehicle to drive. This has put me in a bind for a week already with no solution in sight. I expect GM to fix my problem asap since it is theirs to fix!!

NHTSA ODI 11747033

Engine knocking vechile had loss of power. Had towed to dealer. Throwing all kinds of codes 6.2 L v8. Truck passed GM crap test in September and here we are at 59,000 with a blown motor. Lucky it did not go out under power and kill me or my small kids and family that was going to vacation with this truck the next day

NHTSA ODI 11745810

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

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine became inoperable, causing the battery to discharge. The contact further stated that no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a seized engine; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

NHTSA ODI 11743048

Completed the oil change requirement in the recall for the 6.2L but engine blew while driving on I-10 while doing 75mph. 50k miles. Completely left stranded on major highway with family in car and vehicle flying by. GM needs to be held accountable. Their fix is not a fix.

NHTSA ODI 11741484

Ok so my first issues were with the vehicle stalling while driving in gear. Happened a few times intersections off-ramps etc…and the car would roll to a stop. Luckily no one killed. Again happened a few times. Went to dealer they “fixed”it. Then it happened a couple other times…scary shit…went to dealer then they“Fixed” it again. Happened again I didnt bring it back. By this point I was carrying a 10 millimeter wrench in the glovebox to disconnect the battery so the body computer would reset. Car would start after cycling the power from the battery terminal. And Those were my electrical problems …As far as mechanical problems I brought car in for the recall notice “ the pico test’ . Went for the recall oil change /test/per the recommendations.300 miles later car engine failure at 70 miles an hour on route [XXX] south wife driving. She started crying doesn’t want anything to do with this car. Too many incidents… safety of my family at risk. Please help. FYI i am a mechanic / car electrician [XXX] so could probably be much more descriptive if need be Tow trucks Ubers rental cars etc… shit show. Engine died April 16 so car has been at a dealer in [XXX] for 31days. I have dealer receipts and some play by play video of a few of the incidents INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11738914

I am filing this complaint regarding my GMC Yukon Denali, currently at Greg Lair GMC in Canyon, Texas, for GM Safety Recall N252494000, NHTSA Campaign Number 25V274, L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion. My vehicle has been at the dealership for over two weeks for this recall, which in my case requires a complete engine replacement. I have been advised the repair may take another 4 to 5 weeks. During this time, neither General Motors nor Greg Lair GMC has provided a comparable loaner vehicle or adequate transportation. This is not routine maintenance, elective service, or damage caused by me. My vehicle is unavailable because of a GM safety recall involving potential engine damage, engine failure, and loss of propulsion. The burden of this manufacturer issue should not be placed on the customer. I was told GM only can reimburse $44 per day for a rental. That amount does not reasonably cover a comparable vehicle to a Yukon Denali and may not even cover a basic rental in the current market. A compact sedan or small vehicle is not an acceptable substitute for a full size SUV. I pay for and rely on a Yukon Denali because my family needs the seating capacity, space, size, safety, and functionality of a full size vehicle. My family has more people than seats available in many compact vehicles. Being forced into a smaller vehicle is not only inconvenient, it creates a safety and functionality concern. If this recall is widespread and repair times are expected to take several weeks, General Motors should have ensured that dealerships had access to comparable loaner vehicles or adequate rental authorization. I should not have to compromise my family’s safety, transportation needs, work obligations, or daily responsibilities because of a manufacturer safety recall and complete engine replacement. I am requesting that this complaint be documented and reviewed. General Motors and Greg Lair GMC should provide a comparable full size SUV loaner, arrange and pay for a full size SUV

NHTSA ODI 11737148

I am filing this formal complaint to report a series of catastrophic, life-threatening mechanical failures involving my 2023 GMC Yukon. This vehicle has become a weapon on the road, exhibiting erratic behaviors that nearly resulted in a multi-vehicle fatality on a high-speed highway.1. High-Speed Power Loss (Highway Failure while my wife was traveling at 60 MPH in heavy highway traffic, the vehicle’s transmission spontaneously and without warning disengaged and shifted into Neutral. This caused an immediate and total loss of motive power. In a split second, my wife was left piloting a 6,000-pound unpowered projectile in the middle of high-speed traffic. By the grace of God alone, she managed to navigate to the shoulder without being rear-ended. This is a clear "Sudden Loss of Motive Power" defect that poses an immediate threat to life. 2. Unintended Directional Movement (Reverse Shift) Following a total engine replacement—a repair that took over 45 days—the vehicle has now developed a new, terrifying defect. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle spontaneously engaged in Reverse. This unintended movement occurred without driver input, creating a high risk of pedestrian strikes and intersection collisions. 3. Systematic Failure and Dealer Evasion The vehicle previously exhibited "ghost shifts" into Park and Neutral at low speeds. Despite my repeated warnings to the General Motors service department, I was dismissed until the engine ultimately failed. Furthermore, the dealership has been inconsistent and evasive regarding the serial numbers of the replacement components, leading me to believe that unsafe or defective parts are being recycled into these vehicles. General Motors is aware of these powertrain defects, yet they continue to allow these "death traps" to remain on the road. My family will not be the "crash test dummies" for GM’s manufacturing negligence

NHTSA ODI 11736909

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

While my husband was driving me and our 2 kids getting off of the highway, we experienced catastrophic engine failure. The engine just shut off with NO warning. It went in to Neutral and then park and shut off and would not turn back on. We were stranded on the side of the road in the dark while it was raining. We waited on an active roadway for 1 hour for a tow to come. It was towed to the dealership. The dealership reported that the engine is blown and that they ordered a replacement. I have a case open with GM who has confirmed the engine replacement is under warranty but what is to say this won’t happen again with the new engine ? The vehicle is not safe.

NHTSA ODI 11734687

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-72 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power, and the engine seized. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 45,504.

NHTSA ODI 11733503

On April 7, 2026, I was driving my 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate on the interstate at approximately 70 mph, accelerating to pass a car so I could get off on my exit. Without warning, the dashboard displayed "Engine shut off, press start button" and the engine lost power. I coasted off the interstate to the shoulder safely. I was alone in the vehicle. I thought it was a battery issue and had a coworker attempt a jump. The vehicle would not restart. I called Moses GMC of Huntington, WV, and they dispatched a tow through GMC Roadside Assistance. I waited approximately 2 hours on the shoulder for the tow. After the tow, Pete, the Moses GMC service manager, called and said nothing was wrong with the vehicle, that it only needed an oil change. He said it started right up and he drove it into the bay. Moses performed the oil change. When the technician test drove it afterward, the engine fully shut down on the hill leaving the dealership property. My husband Zach happened to drive past and saw the Yukon stopped with hazard lights on at the top of the exit. Pete called that evening and said, "I think there actually is something wrong with it." On April 10, 2026, Pete confirmed the failure is the GM 6.2L V8 L87 engine defect covered under NHTSA Recall 25V-274 (connecting rod/crankshaft manufacturing defect). Full engine replacement required, estimated 6-7 weeks. This vehicle was previously inspected by Moses GMC under Recall 25V-274 in August 2025 and cleared at that time, approximately 8 months before the April 7 shutdown. Vehicle had ~38,000 miles, garage kept, full maintenance records, no prior engine issues or warning signs. No crash, no injury, no other vehicles involved in any of the three failure events.

NHTSA ODI 11733280

Loss of propulsion due to engine failure after recall repair completed.

NHTSA ODI 11732401

My engine has metal flake in it and once which is a sign of engine failure. I reported it to GM they said it was a normal amount and to keep an eye on it the next day toil change. They issued a recall on the 6.2L motors and they have not on the 5.3L motors and this one is doing the same thing. I want to get ahead of the ball before my engine give out on the highway but GM is treating it like it’s not a big deal.

NHTSA ODI 11729547

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

Months ago I took my car to the dealer for the engine failure recall and they said there were no issues and changed the oil to a higher viscosity oil. Today I was driving and my engine failed while turning onto a busy road and took multiple tries to get started. It finally started and the engine light was flashing. The dealer told me th flashing engine light was bad and to not drive at all. I pulled over and had it towed to the dealer. The engine light stopped flashing. The dealer said they pulled a code on the computer and would look at it. They had my car for a full day so far and have said they can't find an issue. I do not feel safe having my family in this car when the engine can fail and they say nothing is wrong. I am lucky that I wasn't hit at the location it failed at.

NHTSA ODI 11728192

Was driving approximately 70 miles per hour on the highway. While driving the vehicle just stopped in the middle of the highway after going 70 miles per hour. Was unable to put car in park. Car just shut off. Four police cars had to surround car due to being stuck in the middle of the highway with my small child in the car. Took an hour to get a tow truck. Being told our engine is now completely shot.

NHTSA ODI 11726597

The 6.2L motor in my GMC Yukon failed due to the camshaft and stalled me in an intersection on a highway. Had to shut the lanes down to get towed. Lost all power and couldn’t do anything but sit in the road. Just did a PICO test and it “passed” but failed 3k miles after the recall was done.

NHTSA ODI 11726210

On 3/3/2026 during the night-time hours, I was traveling on the freeway in my 2023 GMC Yukon at over 65 MPH when I received a notice from the instrument cluster stating that the battery was low and oil pressure was low. Before I could pull over to a safe location, the Yukon turned off while in motion. My wife and two children were in the vehicle. The Yukon stalled in the number one lane of the off-ramp. I had to remove my children and wife from the vehicle while in the roadway on busy throughfares and in darkness. I attempted to jumpstart the Yukon, but efforts were unsuccessful. The Yukon was towed to the dealership where I purchased it purchased from. The Yukon was returned to my custody on 3/10/2026 stating it was an issue with the battery. While driving the Yukon home it began to bog down and stalled out in-front of my residence as it was being driven by my wife. After arriving home (night-time), I went to check the Yukon, and it started with no issues. I drove the Yukon to see if the errors would occur again. While driving the Yukon on the freeway, the Yukon RMPs indicated close to redline and I received a notification from the instrument cluster stating to turn the vehicle off (traveling at about 70-75 MPH). Once again, I was unable to pull off to a safe location before the Yukon turned off on its own while still in motion; I attempted to jumpstart the Yukon but attempts were unsuccessful. The Yukon was towed again to dealership. On 3/11/2026 I was advised that the engine had seized and on 3/13/2026 I was advised by GMC the engine needed to be replaced (this was covered under powertrain warranty). The approximate milage of the vehicle is at about 42,200.

NHTSA ODI 11725410

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

I just survived a terrifying incident that proves the current GM 6.2L (L87) engine "recall fix" is a dangerous myth. Living with the "Ticking Time Bomb" I bought my 2023 GMC Yukon AT4 brand new, but for the last two years, I haven't truly "owned" it—it has owned me. Every long-distance trip with my family was filled with anxiety. I constantly worried that I’d be the next one stranded on the side of the road while my neighbors' and friends' 6.2L engines were seizing all around me. I traveled with fear that I’d be coming home in a rental car. The False Security of the Recall When the recall finally arrived, I thought the nightmare was over. On Sept 15, 2025, my dealer in Newburgh, NY, inspected the truck at 48,000 miles. They told me my engine "passed," switched the oil to 0W-40, and issued me a 150,000-mile extended warranty. I realized then what I know for sure now: 0W-40 oil is a band-aid, not a cure. GM used thicker oil to "cushion" a physical manufacturing defect in the crankshaft and bearings just to avoid the multi-billion dollar cost of engine replacements. They traded my family’s safety for their bottom line. The Catastrophic Failure Last Friday, March 13, 2026, the "fix" failed. I was traveling 70 mph uphill on I-84 with my **newborn baby** and two other kids in the back. Without warning, the engine seized solid. I lost all propulsion in heavy traffic and had to fight to get my children to the shoulder. We sat in the freezing cold for over an hour while traffic flew by us. An extended warranty is worthless when your engine dies in a high-speed traffic lane with an infant in the car.

NHTSA ODI 11724451

On September 4, 2025, I brought my 2023 GMC Yukon Denali in for the product safety recall regarding the engine. My engine passed the recall inspection and I was given an oil change with high grade synthetic oil. This past Saturday, March 7, 2026 as I was driving in Tampa Florida with my [XXX] son, my Yukon experienced catastrophic engine failure and I lost all propulsion control. The car went into neutral and I pulled along the side of the road safely to avoid an accident. As I put my car into park, the engine shut off completely and would not turn on again. There was no clicking sound and no attempting to turn over. I contacted roadside assistance and they sent a towing company to bring my Yukon to Century Buick GMC in Tampa Florida. The symptoms of what happened are similar to those of the recall. The dealership is replacing the engine however this is a critical safety issue as my son and I could have been severely hurt and or killed. Please investigate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11723577

The engine failed and had to be replaced with less than 70,000 miles on it. There has already been a recall associated with these vehicles where a part is either replaced or special oil has to be used. It does not seem that the fix prevents the engine from failing.

NHTSA ODI 11720131