What 18 owners told NHTSA about the 2026 GMC Yukon

The center screen (infotainment), which shows controls for cabin climate (A/C, heat) and many more functions of the vehicle fails to turn on at random times. It is available for inspection. The external air temperature is in the upper 90s; temperature inside the car’s cabin is easily 115 or higher. This makes safe operation of the car not possible. Additionally passengers cannot occupy the vehicle safely at these extreme temperatures. The problem has been reproduced by dealers. UNKNOWN whether the components have been inspected by the manufacturer. No warning lamps or lights.

NHTSA ODI 11747012

Engine failed at 12, 430 miles. Dealer said it required a new engine. This happened on 06/06/2026 and I am still without my very expensive vehicle. There were no wanring lamps or other engine failure notificatioins before this occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11746300

**Incident / vehicle info:** - **Year / Make / Model:** 2026 / GMC / Yukon (Elevation) - **Date incident began:** ~mid-March 2026 - **Odometer / mileage:** under 1,000 - **Component:** Back Over Prevention: Rearview Camera (and/or Electrical System / Visibility) - **Crash? Fire? Injuries? Deaths?** No / No / No / No - **Vehicle still owned:** Yes - **Dealer or manufacturer contacted?** Yes — servicing dealer Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet (Charlotte); GM Customer Care cases 101763052 and 102071761 - **Description (paste this — ~1,700 characters, under the ~2,000 limit):** My 2026 GMC Yukon Elevation experiences intermittent total failure of the center infotainment/display screen, beginning around mid-March 2026. The failure is heat-related and intermittent: the screen functions on cool days, and on hot days it fails the vast majority of the time, unpredictably, after the vehicle heat-soaks in the sun. When it fails, the entire screen goes dark and I lose the backup camera and surround-view cameras, all HVAC/climate controls, audio, navigation, and most secondary controls. Steering, brakes, and engine are unaffected. This creates two safety hazards. First, loss of the rearview camera image eliminates rear visibility when backing — the exact risk FMVSS 111 is intended to prevent — raising the chance of a backover crash. Second, loss of all climate control in extreme heat endangers occupants in North Carolina summer temperatures, and a blank, unresponsive screen is a driver distraction. Here's everything in copy-paste form for the NHTSA complaint. **VIN:** 1GKS2BKD1TR227930 **Incident / vehicle info:** - **Year / Make / Model:** 2026 / GMC / Yukon (Elevation) - **Date incident began:** ~mid-March 2026 - **Odometer / mileage:** under 1,000 - **Component:** Back Over Prevention: Rearview Camera (and/or Electrical System / Visibility) - **Crash? Fire? Injuries? Deaths?** No / No / No / No - **Vehicle still owned:** Yes - **Dealer or manufacturer contacted?** Yes —

NHTSA ODI 11743636

So the ultimate failure is from a catastrophically failed crankshaft journal thrust bearing. Which could be caused from one of two things: 1) The crankshaft thrust bearings they are putting in these motors are made with inferior materials, probably cheap Chinese crap or 2) The crankshaft end play tolerance was never set properly, giving the crankshaft the ability to move forward and backward in the engine more than it was designed to. Which will over time beat up on the thrust bearing until it fails. In either case it would result in the same progressive issue showing itself. It will start as a squeak here and there. Which, as the soft thrust bearing material is unable to hold the proper oil film thickness for lubrication, will spiral into more and more heat being sent into the adjacent components, plus the buildup of metal particles being sent through the entire engine oiling system. Which will then start killing connecting rod and crankshaft bearings one by one. If the engine survived to this point, it’s now a ticking time bomb. It is either going to just seize up and not run anymore or the exciting route would be a connecting rod breaks and makes a window sized hole in the side of the engine block.

NHTSA ODI 11741409

My engine with less than 5,000 miles died (engine was blown). While driving on highway engine died and wheels locked and almost caused a major accident. I had to get a tow and bill cost me 700.00. GMC is giving me the run around. Dealer stated that engine will need to be replaced. GMC is doing nothing to assist me, I have a car note with no truck GMC is the biggest scam.

NHTSA ODI 11740744

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH the engine seized. All the warning lights illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part being backordered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 11740294

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased, the contact stated that, because of the open recall, the vehicle was not released to the contact. The contact referenced the open recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V304000 (Wheels) however the parts were unavailable. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced any failure.

NHTSA ODI 11738546

While operating my 2026 GMC Yukon AT4 (VIN [XXX] ) on [XXX] Pelahatchie, Mississippi, the panoramic moonroof spontaneously shattered at highway speed. No impact, no debris strike, no external cause. The failure produced a violent report and showered tempered glass into the cabin, forcing an emergency stop on the shoulder during heavy commercial truck traffic — a serious secondary-collision risk caused directly by the failure. I spent hours roadside clearing glass and duct-taping the open roof aperture to make the vehicle minimally drivable. Nighttime wind forced an unplanned overnight stay in north Alabama before a multi-hundred-mile drive back to Washington, DC with the vehicle compromised. In DC, I was forced to park the visibly compromised vehicle in a high-foot-traffic area with work valuables that could not be removed, then drive 20 miles to the dealer in heavy rain the next morning — exposing cabin, electrical systems, child seating positions, and headliner to water intrusion. The shattered glass fell directly above the second-row positions where my [XXX] and [XXX] daughters ride daily. They were not present. Had they been, close-range tempered glass would have created serious risk of injury to face, eyes, and airway, plus driver-distraction crash risk at highway speed. The vehicle is approximately [XXX] weeks old. This is the second manufacturing safety defect in under one month — the first a second-row driver-side captain's chair latch defect, filed separately. Replacement moonroof glass is on national back order until ~June 1, 2026; the vehicle will be out of service over six weeks. NHTSA's 2017-2021 panoramic sunroof investigation closed without action despite thousands of similar complaints. The pattern continues into the 2026 model year on GM's flagship full-size SUV. I urge NHTSA to track this and similar reports across the 2025-2026 Yukon, Tahoe, Suburban, and Escalade for a defect investigation. GM Case #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11738557

My 2026 GMC Yukon AT4 (VIN [XXX] ) has a manufacturing defect in the second-row driver-side captain's chair. The C-clamp / latch mechanism that secures the seat to the floor was depressed (partially released position) at delivery on [XXX]. I was able to manipulate the latch enough to work but the release trigger then would not depress to release the seat back from a tumble position. My [XXX] daughter's car seat usually sits in this seat. This is safety-critical for two reasons. First, the second-row captain's chair is the anchored platform for my child's car seat. A seat not fully and correctly latched to the floor compromises the LATCH and tether load path that every car-seat manufacturer's certified installation depends on. Second, a captain's chair that will not fold or tumble blocks emergency egress for third-row occupants in a crash, fire, or rollover, and blocks rescue access to a trapped child in the second row. This appears to implicate FMVSS 207 (Seating Systems) and FMVSS 225 (Child Restraint Anchorage Systems). The vehicle is approximately 16 weeks old and was sold to me with this defect present from delivery. This is one of two manufacturing safety defects on this vehicle within thirty days; the other is a spontaneously shattered panoramic moonroof (NHTSA #11738557) on [XXX] in Mississippi, filed separately. Both defects involve the same area — directly above and at the seating position where my [XXX] daughter rides daily. The vehicle is at the dealer awaiting parts (moonroof on back order to ~June 1, 2026; over six weeks out of service). I urge NHTSA to track this complaint and similar reports on the 2025-2026 full-size SUV platform for consideration of a defect investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11738572

The vehicle experienced repeated failures involving the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System, and Check Engine system. Warning indicators for the ESC, traction control, and check engine illuminated while operating the vehicle. The issue has occurred on two separate occasions. The first incident occurred on May 4, 2026. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection and repair, and the dealership advised that the issue had been corrected. However, the same problem reoccurred on May 7, 2026. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership service department, and the malfunction was confirmed. The affected components and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. The failure created a significant safety concern because the ESC and traction control systems are critical safety features designed to assist with vehicle stability, traction, and driver control, particularly during emergency maneuvers or adverse road conditions. The warning indicators raised concerns that the vehicle could unexpectedly lose stability assistance, traction management, or engine performance while driving. This placed the driver and others at risk because the vehicle’s ability to respond safely during normal or emergency driving conditions could have been compromised. The repeated recurrence of the issue, even after dealership repair attempts, raises concern regarding the reliability and effectiveness of the corrective action performed.

NHTSA ODI 11738120

vehicle lost power on highway with my sons family in the car. Vehicle was towed to dealer from which it was purchased . outcome was the motor failed and a remedy could be months out with gm only offering a 35/a day rental from enterprise which no vehicle that compares can be rented at that cost.

NHTSA ODI 11730379

Nothing has happened yet. However, after only 308 miles… my 2026 Denali is knocking and ticking very loud. Why? How is this possible? We’ve only had it 2 weeks! I have only driven it 5-6 times in the past 14-15 days, too worried that this might happen. But I was reassured by the dealership it wouldn’t. But here I am now. I am so disappointed. Being a Disabled Vet I thought we could have something that we both liked. Now I am upset because I feel betrayed and lied to. I did a video but it’s too large to upload so I can’t get it under 10MB.

NHTSA ODI 11729324

Engine starting clicking during highway drive then engine failed mid-drive and engine was trying to restart on its own mid drive. Vehicle totally stalled out in the street, with numerous attempts the engine did not start. Total mileage on car was 2,900.

NHTSA ODI 11726546

Motor blown up, truck shut off while driving. Loss of all power.

NHTSA ODI 11725518

The engine started a soft, cyclic tapping sound intermittently on 2/28/26 while I was out of town on a trip. No alerts showed on the GM systems app. On 3/1, while driving home from the trip, the car started hard braking at cruising speed and the engine died and would not restart. I had the car towed to the closest GM dealership and have been told the engine locked up. I just rolled 6000 miles and showed 18% oil life from the original engine oil it came with from the factory. I had been watching the engine problems for years now and waiting for them to be resolved before buying a new GM; only to be lied to that the issue was resolved. Now they're going to install yet another defective engine.

NHTSA ODI 11722970

2026 Yukon Elevation with 3,957miles. I was driving down the road and pulled into the turn lane at an intersection. Vehicle cut off with the Auto Start/Stop function and would not start back up. I continued and tried to restart the vehicle but would not start; I was blocking the lane with cars continuously going around me. Vehicle stated service transmission on the display- I was unable to put it into neutral to push it out of traffic; You are only allowed to put it into neutral when crank and couldnt get the accessory mode to come on without the vehicle trying to start. I called the local police department and they sent an officer to direct traffic until a tow truck showed up. Both observed the vehicle not starting. There were no symptoms prior to the vehicle cutting off, only once auto start/stop initiated did the vehicle not restart. Vehicle will be sent back to the dealership tomorrow to resolve this issue. I have dash cam footage of the incident and photos of the display on the screen.

NHTSA ODI 11721306

Engine failure while driving 75 miles per hour in highway in brand new Yukon Denali. 3,000 miles and got a “decreased acceleration” warning. Then couldn’t accelerate and loud knocking noise from the engine, likely a lifter issue. I will have to get a new engine according to GMC. Unbelievable. Recall was for 2021-2024, but my 2026 is havin the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11716485

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to return to normal operation. The message "Shifting to Neutral" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,303.

NHTSA ODI 11715578