What 147 owners told NHTSA about the 2024 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500

My engine quit in the middle of a intersection on 2-25-25 with approximately 20,777 miles and has been in shop waiting on a new engine ever sense and they can not tell me when the new engine will be in. I have call GM and get no time line on new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11653818

The car has made a high pitched metallic rattle on cold start ever since I received it. I have taken it into the dealership multiple times for this and have had the lifters in the engine replaced but they never addressed the other noise, which I have video evidence of. The car died at 24,740 miles on the odometer in the middle of a highway in the middle of nowhere. The vehicle started to feel like it was braking on acceleration, there were no warning lights. The vehicle just lost acceleration power and I had to coast to the shoulder. Luckily I had time to pull over without interference from other traffic. Once on the side of the road I tried to crank the car again and a very loud metallic sound happened that sounded like I threw a wrench in a fan. The car lost electrical power very shortly after. I called onstar for help and she asked if I could shift the car into neutral which I could not. They had problems finding anyone that wasn’t hours out that could come tow my car and suggested that I try to find an alternate method of transportation since a wrecker service probably wouldn’t transport my entire family. Uber was not around to get me, Lyft was not around to get me and there was no taxi service. I had to rely on the local fire department to rescue us as it was hours with myself, my two children and my dog on the side of the road in 90F heat. Once at the dealership they confirmed it was indeed a catastrophic engine failure and I am currently waiting months for a back ordered engine with a rental I’m paying partially out of pocket for, in a car that’s entirely way too small for my family with no ETA on the engine in sight. I know multiple people personally who this has also happened to, same exact scenario and same exact engine just different model years.

NHTSA ODI 11653587

1) The engine began making unusual noises. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer. It is currently at Zimbrick Eastside in Madison Wisconsin. 2) The problem was noticed prior to my family being put at risk only because I noticed the noise happening while we were parked. 3) The problem has been confirmed. The dealer is doing a complete engine replacement. However, as of today, it has been at their location for over 30 days. 4) To my knowledge the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer or any other 3rd party representatives. As of today, there has been no correspondence between myself and the manufacturer. 5) There were no warning lights, messages or symptoms prior to the problem. The problem first occurred on Saturday [XXX]. The vehicle has 19462 miles and we are the first owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11653727

Sent vehicle into dealership for a knocking noise turns out the lifters. They drove the vehicle 1 mile only to have the engine seize. I have been without a vehicle for 6 weeks with no engine available

NHTSA ODI 11653560

While driving down the interstate the vehicle lost power without warning and gave a command to "press start to resume" tried to do that but nothing happened. Eventually we were able to get over to the shoulder of the interstate which was super busy in Atlanta. Once we stopped, we shut off the vehicle and it started back up, and we proceeded to get back on the interstate, when the same thing happened. We stopped again, waiting a few minutes and were able to get back on the interstate and complete out trip without any issues. 3 days later while driving on the interstate again, the vehicle had a weird winding noise coming from it. Once I was able to get off the instate the engine was knocking very loudly and had no power. Got the vehicle to our home and had it towed to the dealership the next day. Dealership gave the diagnoses that a new engine, radiator and engine coolant lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle had 2,248 miles on it and was purchase 2.5 weeks prior. No eta on when we will have a new engine and our vehicle back.

NHTSA ODI 11652495

-3800 Miles on GMC Yukon/Engine Failure -Driving vehicle down highway and it just quit, would not turn over engine made a clunky rattle noise and nothing, no warning no lights nothing. Definitely a Safety issue as no way to get it off the road! -Dealer took engine apart and said Valve broke off and put a hole in cylinder and ruined the engine block, says we need a new engine, can't get one from GM for estimated 7 Months!!

NHTSA ODI 11652027

The engine locked up while driving down my driveway at 5mph. It’s at the dealership awaiting a new engine install that is on back order.

NHTSA ODI 11652197

On multiple occasions, more recently 03/28/2025, the windshield wipers would stop working. On 3/28/25 in pouring rain at night the front windshield wipers were working and then stopped. The rear window continued to work. I finally found somewhere to safely pull over and check fuses for front and back wipers. They were both good and I even swapped the fuses for front and back and the back wipers continued to work while the front would not. This continued on our our trip in rain and even the next morning the front wipers would not come on. An hour later driving (with the wiper switch in the OFF position) the front wipers came on. I switched the switch to on and they were functioning. This has happed several time in the 6 months of new ownership with the dealership denying they have ever heard of such a problem. As we arrived to our destination and telling the story to the other families we were meeting another family there said they just had the same exact problem on their 2024 Yukon denali on the trip too. This put 2 families in a very dangerous situation. As I google this problem there are multiple reviews of individuals with this same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11651681

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.

NHTSA ODI 11651056

Engine lost power and I had no acceleration. It happened out of nowhere at 70+ miles per hour.

NHTSA ODI 11650890

V8 6.2L ENGINE on [XXX] at approximately [XXX] exactly 10 months after purchasing the Denali at 9,484 miles my Denali started to make loud noises and when we got to the stop light [XXX] and [XXX] in Long Beach California the Denali started to shake violently and ultimately shut down in the middle of the road. My daughter and I were traveling on the way home from the doctor’s office and when Denali shut down, I called AAA, and they advised me to call 911 since Denali locked up in park and could not get it in neutral to push the truck to the side of the road. This was very dangerous as vehicles were speeding past us. We stayed in the vehicle until an officer arrived. Then about 15mins later the tow truck arrived and made the area safe with cones and flashing lights. I did put my hazard lights on but in the middle of the day it was very hard to see. AAA was able to disengage the parking to neutral as he mentioned that he just towed another Denali off the road. This is a huge concern for my family and me. I didn’t get to see how he did it because I was with my daughter safe in the Tow Truck. AAA then towed the truck to Penske GMC in Cerrito Auto Square and arrived at 1:48pm. Service advisor then said to leave at garage door and will assess the vehicle tomorrow morning. Albert, the Service advisor, proceeded with giving me paperwork for the Denali and an Enterprise rental car that was located across the street. We had to walk because the shuttle was down (another concern). Albert the service advisor called me the next day [XXX] and advised that the first auto technician suggested the motor seized up. I was advised to wait until the Engine Specialist assessed the motor. Albert the service advisor calls me March 5,2025 @ 11:15am and Engine Specialist did confirm that the motor did seize up and will need a new one. The motor will take approximately 2 weeks to arrive and 3 days to install. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11650948

The motor is randomly revving at braking so far only under 10 miles an hour. Yesterday it stalled twice on me and cut off braking under 10 miles an hour. I had to come to a complete stop while restarting the vehicle. Definitely has me worried if it happens on the highway or higher speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11650158

Driving on highway. The vehicle jerked and started to make squeaking, clunky sounds. Gas stopped flowing to the vehicle. Then the vehicle became inoperable. No warning light or alerts or sounds occurred before or after. It was a complete surprise.

NHTSA ODI 11650190

While driving in traffic at 65mph, the engine stopped running, car went into neutral and there was no power for brakes or steering. I luckily made it to the side of the road. Vehicle was towed to my dealer ( Cardinal Buick GMC, Belleville, IL), where after 3 days they informed me that the engine was ruined, 2 main bearings were damaged and 4 of the 8 connecting rods were damaged. GM made the decision to replace the motor, but no time frame was given, I was told 2 to 3 months. The dealership did give a loaner car. My Yukon Denali was 1 year and 4 days old with 15, 882 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11650040

On March 3, 2025, my 2024 GMC Yukon had a rattle/knock. The engine quit running and would not restart. The Yukon had to be towed to the dealership for diagnosis and repair. The dealer indicated that the engine required replacement due to metal shavings and bearing damage. The Yukon had 6450 miles when the failure occurred. The engine was replaced. This vehicle was purchased new in September 2024. This failure occurred while on the road at a traffic light and the Yukon could not be moved out of the traffic lane. Sheriff notified to provide scene safety while waiting for tow vehicle and during loading onto tow vehicle. No traffic accident occurred. There were no warning lamps on the dash or warnings on my phone app immediately prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11649603

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while a friend was driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. Additionally, the vehicle had previously experienced a loss of braking while driving with the cruise control activated. The contact stated that while driving at a slower speed, the vehicle lurched forward, striking a gate, and causing damage to the front bumper of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed of the NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 11648956

Today while exiting an off ramp. I stopped for traffic signal. Truck immediately lost power and shifted to neutral. I placed my 4 ways 1. Put the people back in park restarted the ignition truck fired up. This is concerning as i've never had a vehicle with five thousand miles brand new shut off on me.

NHTSA ODI 11648515

The contact's wife owns a 2024 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at 80 MPH, several warning lights flashed on the instrument panel as the engine shut off. The vehicle's speed abruptly decelerated as the contact was nearly hit by an 18-wheeler traveling close behind the vehicle. The contact managed to coast the vehicle as best as possible off to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and a diagnostic was performed which showed that the engine had failed. The contact stated that both he and his son suffered emotional trauma as a result of the sudden failure; however, neither has yet to seek medical treatment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was offered a new engine despite the contact's request for a vehicle buyback. The contact stated that he did not feel safe driving the vehicle and feared for both his and his family's life as a result of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11648120

The vehicle one week after purchasing has had a tapping noise coming from engine and a rattling noise as well that you hear from the inside of vehicle. I have taken vehicle to two separate GM dealers. The first being where vehicle was purchased and they did not log in visit and basically said nothing could be done until engine breaks. The second dealer was only able to duplicate the rattling noise but had no loaner for me and advise would contact GM for next steps since a complaint has been filed. As of today nothing has been done. The second dealership also confirmed orange peel on paint and nothing either.

NHTSA ODI 11647402

On February 14, 2025, my brakes went completely out in the school carline while picking up my youngest daughter. After the incident happened, I saw a light that read "Service ESC." This private elementary school is next-door to a private high school. There were students, teachers, and parents walking in this area at this time. I had to maneuver through this carline and away from faculty, students, and parents with no breaks. No individual was injured or killed but it could have been a very serious accident. I called GMC asking for help but was told through a chat line to bring the vehicle in for service. I was finally able to get my Yukon to the service department where after a few days it was determined my brakes failed and they were replaced. One day after I received the vehicle back from service, there was a horrible noise while driving but no lights showed on the dashboard, so it was returned to the same service department. They found metal shavings in my oil and I was told the lifters had collapsed and the engine failed. At this time, I have not heard from GMC and my vehicle is still in the service department.

NHTSA ODI 11646954

The engine had a bearing fail causing the engine to knock and make loud noises. The engine has been replaced and is at GMC corporate investigation center. GMC installed another engine that is also doing the same thing 150 miles after it was replaced. My families safety was put at risk because the motor could have locked up or exploded with us in the car causing a crash or possible fatality. Yes the problem was found at the dealer and caused them to investigate which is when they found the failing bearing. Yes, GMC corporation has the failed components and identified the engine needs replaced. They have yet to comment on the second engine that needs replaced. There are no warning lights to identify this issue, The lack of notification from GMC could cause drivers to be hurt by not knowing their car is failing.

NHTSA ODI 11646377

The engine of my 2024 GMC Yukon Denali failed unexpectedly at 45 MPH, shutting off without warning and shifting into neutral. My wife, three passengers, and two dogs were in the vehicle, which coasted to a stop. After several attempts, it restarted, and the check engine light illuminated. Alpine Buick GMC confirmed catastrophic engine failure, requiring replacement of the engine, radiator, hoses, and other parts. The vehicle remains at the dealership, and the failed components are available for inspection. This sudden shutdown posed serious safety concerns. My wife lost control over acceleration and power steering, increasing the risk of an accident. Had this occurred on a highway or in traffic, the consequences could have been severe. This raises concerns about the engine’s reliability and potential risks to other drivers. Alpine Buick GMC confirmed the engine failure and the need for full replacement. I am the sixth customer awaiting this repair, indicating a broader issue. The estimated wait time for an engine is two weeks to three months, creating a significant disruption. Inspection by Manufacturer, Police, or Insurance The vehicle has been inspected by dealership technicians but not by GMC representatives, police, or insurance adjusters. I am open to further inspections to determine the cause and assess whether a recall or corrective action is necessary. No warning lights or symptoms appeared before the engine shut down. The check engine light illuminated only after restarting on the third attempt. The absence of prior alerts suggests a flaw in the vehicle’s diagnostic system. Expedited Engine Replacement – Given the safety risks, I request priority replacement. Investigation into Failure Cause – GMC should assess whether this is a manufacturing defect. Review of Similar Cases – If widespread, a recall or service bulletin may be necessary. Better Communication – Regular updates on repairs and GMC’s actions are needed. I expect prompt action to resolve

NHTSA ODI 11645968

We were driving from another part of town back to our home on a very busy road, when our 2024 Yukon Denali Ultimate stopped working. My wife, who was driving, was able to turn onto a side road and stop the vehicle on the side of the road. The SUV would not start at that point. It was towed via a flatbed trailer to Ray Miller GMC, where it was determined that the engine had seized. I bought it at Howard Bentley GMC. They had it brought to them. GM only is offering an extended warranty even though the engine is being replaced, and the vehicle has inherently lost value. Luckily, Howard Bentley is giving me my money back towards a new 2025 Yukon AT4 Uktimate.

NHTSA ODI 11644861

engine shut down while driving... complete engine failure was the cause

NHTSA ODI 11644205

I purchased my new GMC Yukon XL in October 2024. In February, with about 9,000 miles on it, I was approaching a highway intersection and beginning to brake. My vehicle put itself into Neutral, and then shut off -- while I was still moving. No dash lights came on, except for a message stating that I needed to press the brake and restart my vehicle. I took my vehicle into the dealership where I purchased it and they kept it for 8 days. They were unable to reproduce the issue and didn't do anything to mitigate the problem except for doing a "radio update" and adding lubricant to a window track. I was told I have to wait until it happens again and try to record it.

NHTSA ODI 11643882