2022 GMC Yukon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report engine problems, especially on the 6.2L V8: sudden loss of power, knocking or ticking, and in many cases an engine that has to be replaced. A second, smaller group of complaints describes excessive oil consumption and stalled engines with a low-oil warning, and some 5.3L owners say they see the same lifter trouble. Electrical complaints (OnStar module failures, instrument cluster and battery problems) tend to appear early, often under 10,000 miles, while transmission valve body problems show up around 30,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine failure and replacement (6.2L V8)

   • 81 complaints (44%)
   • median 45,500 mi at 3.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe the engine losing power at highway speed, sometimes with a knocking or ticking sound, sometimes with no warning at all, and the vehicle then stalling or refusing to restart. Dealers in these reports typically diagnose internal engine damage and replace the engine; several owners say the replacement itself later failed or made noise again. Some owners say the repair was done under a recall or a special coverage program. Most reports are between roughly 20,000 and 87,000 miles, often at highway speed.

   Recall 25V2740004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the 6.2L engine recall work (campaign 25V274000) has been completed and whether the engine or lifters have been replaced; get the service history in writing. Listen for ticking or knocking at idle and on acceleration during a test drive, and check oil level and condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The engine began making a metallic knocking noise while at idle and very soon after began to make the same noise under acceleration. This noise sounded very much like the onset of rod bearing failure. The vehicle was driven straight home and parked. We called the dealership the next day and made a service appointment. As I drove the vehicle to the dealership, the engine noise became worse and was clattering very loudly as I pulled into the dealership parking lot. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11742839, filed 2026-06

   “While driving my 2022 GMC Yukon with approximately 150,000 miles, the engine suddenly began running rough and I immediately pulled over. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. The dealer diagnosed a collapsed lifter and camshaft damage and recommended full engine replacement at a cost of about $9,450. The vehicle had no prior engine issues and most miles are highway miles. Sudden engine failure while driving creates a potential safety hazard due to loss of power. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11724636, filed 2026-03
2. 2
   Electrical system

   OnStar and electrical module failures

   • 42 complaints (23%)
   • median 28,500 mi at 3.7 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report the OnStar or telematics module stopping without warning, which disables emergency calling, remote lock and unlock, remote start and over-the-air updates. Others describe the instrument cluster going dark, dead batteries, or the vehicle shutting off while driving and needing a tow; dealers in some cases replaced the battery, updated software, or said the cause could not be determined. Often very early, under about 25,000 miles, though some reports come in near 64,000 miles.

   Recall 22V9030002 related service bulletins

   What to check: During the test drive, confirm OnStar and the MyGMC app connect and that remote lock works; check the instrument cluster lights up every time the vehicle is started.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On Star module quit working in our Yukon, which in turn makes it useless to have any of the safety features. On Star and GM know this is an ongoing problem, but no recall has been issued. Neither company will repair unless an $1100 fee is paid. Why install On Star if you know it will malfunction. Since there is a monthly service fee I think they need to make sure the vehicle has the correct parts.”

   NHTSA complaint #11717049, filed 2026-02

   “I am writing to report a failure of the telematics module in our vehicle. The module stopped functioning without any warning or notification on the dashboard. Our vehicle has only 64,000 miles and has never been involved in an accident, so this failure is unexpected. This issue has resulted in the complete loss of OnStar connectivity, meaning that automatic crash notification would not occur in the event of an accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11714994, filed 2026-02
3. 3
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption and low-oil warnings

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the oil warning light coming on well before the next oil change, with the dipstick reading low each time and, in some cases, metal shavings found in the oil. Some report using about a quart every 1,000 miles. Dealers in these complaints performed oil consumption tests, topped off oil, or replaced camshafts and lifters, and some owners say the problem continued afterward. Reported from around 18,000 miles up to about 87,000 miles, in everyday driving.

   Recall 25V2740001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the oil level and ask for records of oil consumption tests or top-offs between services; a fuel or burnt smell and low level shortly after an oil change are worth noting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the oil warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the engine oil level was low after a recent oil change. The contact added oil and took the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic confirmed that there was an oil consumption failure and topped off the engine oil. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11663341, filed 2025-05, 18,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message Completely Out of Oil was displayed on the instrument panel. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11645570, filed 2025-02, 32,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Lifter and camshaft failure, including 5.3L engines

   • 16 complaints (9%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 4.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe a stuck or failed lifter with camshaft damage, producing ticking, tapping or knocking, warning lights, and reduced power; some owners say the repair required camshaft and lifter replacement. Several owners of 5.3L vehicles note that the recall they are aware of covers only the 6.2L engine even though the symptoms sound the same to them. Spread from about 46,000 to 82,000 miles, and one report near 150,000 miles.

   Recall 25V2740002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether lifters or the camshaft have been replaced and whether the camshaft actuator service bulletin was applied; listen for ticking that changes with engine speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Experiencing a stuck lifter in the DFM module. After doing some research, it appears there are a bunch of other people that are dealing with the same issue. The only recall was for the 6.2L engine but not the 5.3L. It appears that both engines are experiencing the exact same issue and GM hasn’t done anything to help with it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11741114, filed 2026-05

   “Vehicle lifters failed early February 2024 while driving. Lifters were replaced and returned to us. One week later the entire engine seized while at 75 mph freeway. Vehicle currently in for repairs for 30+ days and still not fixed. Have had the Yukon in the shop 8 times for electrical, engine, computer failures all previously identified in complaints listed on this website. Family was put at risk on a known chronic engine failure as told by the service department and technician.”

   NHTSA complaint #11577851, filed 2024-03
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission valve body failure, limp mode and harsh shifts

   • 14 complaints (8%)
   • median 41,500 mi at 4.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe the vehicle dropping into limp mode, harsh or delayed shifts, and messages telling the driver to service the transmission, sometimes at highway speed. Owners say dealers diagnosed a failed valve body and that parts were on backorder, leaving the vehicle at the dealer for weeks; one describes a software update intended to keep the rear wheels from locking. Mostly reported around 25,000 to 32,000 miles, with one report near 58,000 miles.

   Recall 26V0850002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission control valve campaign (26V085000) was performed, and note any harsh shifting, shudder or delayed engagement on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Total valve body failure in the transmission at 30k miles. I was traveling with my daughter on the freeway at 65 mph and the vehicle went into limp mode. No indication of problems prior to this incident. Vehicle has been at dealer going on a month now. They have no valve bodies available, on a national backorder. They replace it with the valve body that is known to fail again. GM knows about this problem and the solution they offered was only a software upgrade so the back tires don't lock up when this happens. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11661592, filed 2025-05

   “While driving on the interstate at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration and stalled. I was forced to pull over. After stopping, the vehicle displayed a message to restart, but it would not start. All electronic accessories (lights, dash, etc.) remained functional, but the vehicle would not shift into drive or neutral. The message “Conditions Not Correct for Shift” appeared. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11727819, filed 2026-03

Buying note. The engine is the thing to look at hardest on this model year: ask for proof that recall 25V274000 and any transmission campaign work were done, and get oil-change and repair records. A pre-purchase inspection that includes an oil consumption check and a scan for stored engine and transmission codes is worth the cost.

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.