2024 GMC Yukon XL Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden loss of engine power while driving, in many cases followed by a confirmed need to replace the 6.2L V8 engine. Reports cluster on the highway at speed and often arrive without a prior warning light, and several owners mention failures after the vehicle had already been inspected under a related recall. A smaller group describes transmission shifting concerns, camera and electrical faults, and fuel injector problems.

1. 1
   Engine

   Sudden engine failure / engine replacement

   • 49 complaints (65%)
   • median 24,000 mi at 2.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning while driving at highway speed, sometimes with a brief knock or shake beforehand, after which the vehicle coasts, shifts to neutral, or will not restart. Complaints state that dealers diagnosed internal damage such as failed bearings, a seized engine, or cylinder wall damage, and replaced the engine; several owners report long waits for a replacement engine and repeat failures after a new engine was installed. Some owners say a low oil pressure message appeared at the time of failure, and a few mention earlier oil loss with no visible leak. Reported across a wide mileage range in the sample, from roughly 9,000 to about 60,000 miles, most often at highway speeds and in many cases with no warning beforehand.

   Recall 25V2740004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the engine recall inspection and oil change were completed and get the paperwork, since some owners report failures after passing that inspection. Have a mechanic check for engine noise, low oil level, and any stored codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle passed the engine recall only to have the engine blow at 33,000 miles. My vehicle was at the dealership for 52 days most of the time was spent waiting for the new engine. Dealership was amazing, GMC however is the worst. My new engine has about 1,000 miles on it and it stutters occasionally when the auto start turns on.”

   NHTSA complaint #11760596, filed 2026-08

   “2024 Engine failed while moving at 70mph out of state. De-accelerated rapid as I was changing lanes and was almost hit by two vehicles. Once of the interstate, I made it to the shoulder of an exit ramp that was a blind spot. Cars exiting to this ramp almost always had to veer to keep from hitting me. I purchased this vehicle in October 2024, never knew anything about a recall, was never disclosed to me about recalls. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11743170, filed 2026-06
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission harsh shifting and losing drive

   • 22 complaints (29%)
   • typically at 1.8 yrs old
   • filed 2025–2026

   Complaints describe harsh or shuddering shifts, delayed engagement, and in some cases the vehicle dropping into neutral or refusing to move out of low gears. Owners report the dealer pointing to the valve body or the transmission cooler lines, with some noting long waits for backordered parts. Others describe the transmission feeling like it stutters or surges during normal driving. Reported from low mileage up through the 30,000-mile range, sometimes shortly after other engine-related repairs.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at both low and highway speeds and note any shudder, delay, or hard shifts, and ask whether valve body or cooler line work has already been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While accelerating up to 55MPH, the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral without warning. We tried to shift it back into Drive, nothing happened. We pulled off the road to try and shift in a reduced speed and still nothing. We finally came to a stop and tried to shift it into Drive, still nothing. There was an error message: “conditions not correct for shift”. We place vehicle into Park, turned off the engine and tried to restart. The engine wouldn’t turn over. A police officer stopped and tried to jump the battery, nothing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11638219, filed 2025-01

   “Two weeks ago, while driving on the highway, our Yukon suddenly quit accelerating and flipped into neutral. We had to quickly pull over to the left shoulder with our entire family. We put the vehicle into park and tried to restart, which it wouldn’t do. We ended up having to call OnStar and having it towed to the nearest dealer. They “repaired it,” yet a week later, the same thing happened while pulling up to a stop light. This time we were 4 hours from home and on a weekend. While waiting for a tow truck, the police towed it to an impound lot. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11639238, filed 2025-01
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Camera and electrical glitches

   • 17 complaints (23%)
   • typically at 2.0 yrs old
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe backup and surround cameras going dark or becoming unusable for days at a time, with repeated dealer visits, software updates, and module or cable replacements that did not resolve it. Other complaints mention battery drain, multiple warning lights at once, and instrument cluster or infotainment faults. Described across the sample without a clear mileage pattern, appearing at low mileage and later in ownership alike.

   Recall 24V6740004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Cycle every camera and screen during the test drive and after a cold start, and ask whether any software updates or module replacements have been recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2024 gmc Yukon with less than 2,000 miles decided not to start one day. Had a tow truck come to the house and pick it up to take to a local shop to get a new battery. Replaced the battery and the battery shop delivered to car back to our house and was totally fine…the next day we went to start it and again the battery was toast. So, got another tow truck to deliver to the dealership and had it checked out, the dealership says there are 12 codes popping up and they can’t figure out why the batteries are not holding at this point. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11638980, filed 2025-01

   “Transmission appears to be lunging and shuttering. Dealer has indicated that the valve body need to be replaced or the vehicle could leave me stranded or without propulsion while driving. From my research this appears to be related to other safety recall and service campaigns for this type of vehicle and the transmission that I have in my vehicle. Also the camera system doesn't work correctly as it relates to parking assist and collision control. My repair dealership has stated they are having trouble getting GM to cover this repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #11713448, filed 2026-01
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine oil loss and consumption

   • 15 complaints (20%)
   • typically at 2.6 yrs old
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners report the engine using oil between changes, needing repeated top-offs and in some cases low oil warnings shortly after a fresh oil change. Several complaints mention an oil consumption test that was started but not completed, and others describe oil leaks that dealers could not trace despite dye testing. Some owners connect the oil loss to later engine damage. Mostly described in the first 20,000 to 40,000 miles, with some owners noticing oil use from early ownership.

   Recall 25V2740001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt smell, ask for service records showing oil additions or consumption tests, and look under the vehicle for drips.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Purchased a Gmc denali yukon ultimate xl june last year . 103 thousand. Bought it in for first oil change at 5500 miles the car has been leaking oil ,too, now its been back three times and still leaki9ng oil. Last week brought it back told service advisor itys leaking at the oil pan by the plu it drips everynight on the floor of my garage and I am put oil in it every two weeks. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11658887, filed 2025-05

   “Had my oil changed Wednesday and noticed a new noise. Brought to dealership, this particular year is known for 6.2 L engine failure but was told mine wasn’t in the recall. Well I was told today I have engine issues and they are replacing”

   NHTSA complaint #11737193, filed 2026-05

Buying note. Ask for the recall inspection and oil change records for the 6.2L engine and have an independent mechanic check for engine noise and oil use, since many sampled complaints center on engine replacement. A thorough test drive covering highway speeds and a full camera and transmission check will reveal most of the other reported concerns.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.