GMC Complaints

I am filing this complaint regarding a serious and ongoing safety issue with my GMC Yukon Denali that began with a complete engine failure while driving on the highway with my entire family in the vehicle. While driving at highway speed (about 60–70 mph), the vehicle suddenly lost power and shifted into neutral on its own. While still moving, I tried multiple times to shift back into Drive so I could safely get off the road, but it would not engage. I was only able to coast partially onto the shoulder before the vehicle came to a complete stop, still partly exposed to traffic. The engine shut off and would not restart at all. It would not go into Drive or Neutral, and the vehicle was completely dead. And it had to be towed. The dealer later told me the engine had failed and that a new engine was installed. About a week later, I picked the vehicle up. Less than 20 minutes after leaving the dealership and getting back on the highway, smoke started coming from the vehicle and warnings appeared, messages that the engine was overheating and that I needed to stop the engine immediately. The vehicle was not drivable again and had to be towed back. I again had to arrange transportation home. A few days later, I picked the vehicle up again. Since then, I have had serious four-wheel-drive and drivetrain issues. The vehicle became stuck in 4 Low and I could not get it out for over a day. When it finally came out, the drive mode buttons stopped working correctly. Selecting 2 High sometimes puts it into 4 High, selecting Auto puts it into 2 High, and Auto mode no longer appears. Even when it shows 4 High, the steering is restricted cannot steer 100% to the right or left and the vehicle binds, pops, and jumps when turning. I believe this vehicle is unsafe and poses a serious risk.

My L86 Engine had 250,000 plus miles and the engine went out. So we decided to rebuild the engine due to the truck being paid off and the cost of a new engine is much cheaper than a new truck. After the first rebuild the engine last around 10K miles. We pulled the engine back apart to find out that the crank bearings were shot along with the brand new GM crank that was purchased. After doing research, there was no enough clearance between the GM bearings and the GM crank. Basically the same issue that the L87 is having. After doing more research it determined by the part number on the crank and the part number GM provides on their website that the L86 and the L87 (engine with current recall) take the same crank. Therefore my L86 due to GM only making the L87 crank now and it replaces the original L86 crank we had to replace the engine a second time. I believe this relevant to all the L87 issues and any L86s that are being rebuilt. We ended up having to purchase aftermarket crank bearings to get the correct clearance on the second new GM Crank that was purchased. Truck is now running good now.

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact also stated that while coming to a stop and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle lost motive power but unexpectedly lunged forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 85,695.

While parked, my [XXX] daughter was in the third-row bench seat. The seat belt became wrapped around her body/neck area. The seat belt entered its 'Automatic Locking Retractor' (ALR) mode and continued to tighten as she moved, pinning her against the seat. The locking mechanism would not release, and the belt became so tight she was unable to breathe. We attempted to manually release the buckle and create slack, but the retractor remained locked and continued to tighten. After several minutes of unsuccessful attempts to free her, we had to use a cutting tool to sever the seat belt to save her life as she couldnt breath, she has brusing where the seat bealt was tighten. The vehicle was stationary in a parking lot at the time. The car has not being inspected , there was not warning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2022 GMC Yukon AT4 was brought into the dealership for the service recall on the engine. No issues and received the 0W40 "fix". Approximately 4-6 weeks later, I was traveling on the interstate at approx. 75MPH when the truck completely shut down mid-passing with a code stating "conditions for not for shifting" and I was lucky enough to get the truck to the shoulder of the road without being struck by another vehicle as the truck "shifted" to neutral and would not do anything. Once the truck was in park, it shut off and I was unable to get it started again. Received multiple codes (key fob battery needs replacing, battery low, etc.) while stuck on the side of the interstate for several hours until I was able to get it towed (at a charge of $500) to my dealership. It then sat in the parking lot for 3 days for diagnosis pending TAC deciding whether to tear the engine down or replace it. It was determined to meet the recall qualifications and the dealership has ordered a replacement engine and was told they would start at a estimated 4 week repair time but would probably take closer to 6-8 weeks. Dealership has provided a rental at no cost to me but did not refund my towing costs associated with the repair.

2023 Yukon Denali has now broken down twice, leaving myself and my family (husband and children). This last time was on Friday 1/16/26 while we were out of town, the car began malfunction and then we had complete engine failure while drive 70mph down the highway, again, leaving my family stranded on the side of the road, on a busy highway, in an unsafe environment in the winter.

Vehicle can be completely off and windshield wipers are still going. So you have to pop the hood and pull fuse out. If you want to use them ( it starts raining, dirty windshield) you have to stop pop the hood and put fuse in. Has been in shop almost weekly repaired every part they could possible switch and still not repaired.

Visibility / Defogging / Defrosting issues are main safety concerns. Every winter for the last 3 years, the heater fails and blows only cold air. This is intermittent throughout the year, but recurring. With cold-weather driving conditions, it creates an unsafe driving experience when windshield and windows can't defog or defrost properly. The problem has been reported several times to the dealership and it was never fully resolved while under warranty. Each time I took the vehicle to the dealership for servicing with temporary adjustments. Dealership now states a heater module needs to be replaced at my expense although the same codes and part affected while under warranty. The component/part number needing replaced is part 85757074 (hybrid electric coolant heater module per dealership). There were several service vehicle warning lights and diagnostic codes were shared with dealership when dropped off for repairs.

I purchased my 2020 Yukon Denali on July 8, 2024 from Classic Buick GMC in Painesville, Ohio. The check engine light started going on and off a few months after purchasing the vehicle. When I called a mechanic he stated that I should wait until the light is on and then bring in the vehicle. In early May 2025, I took my vehicle to Mike’s Automotive in Middlefield, Ohio after the check engine light began coming on during extended drives (approximately five hours or more). The shop ran a diagnostic scan and advised that the oil pump needed to be replaced. Seeking another opinion, on May 14, 2025, I brought my vehicle to Classic Buick GMC Service, the dealership where I purchased my GMC Yukon. After diagnosing the vehicle, they advised that the check engine light was related to an Engine Oil Pressure Control Solenoid stuck in the off position (P06DD). This fix would cost $3,584. This fix would require the oil pump to be replaced as indicated by the previous repair shop. On May 29, 2025, I took the vehicle to Avenue Auto Clinic in Painesville, OH, where the oil pressure valve and sensors were replaced. The mechanic also advised that I change the oil every 3,000 miles, use OEM oil filters, and thicker oil. He also advised me to check the oil every 1,000 oil and add as needed. I do have to add oil approximately every 1,500 miles and I change the oil every 3,000 miles. I am concerned that my vehicle has the same engine-related defect as the Yukon engines currently under recall. Multiple mechanics have informed me that my vehicle is equipped with the same engine as those affected by the recall. I am requesting that my vehicle be added to the recall. Yes, my vehicle is available for inspection.

The engine has started using large quantities of oil. Not dripping oil, burning oil. I have been doing oil consumption studies with GMC for months now. It burned 7 quarts in 5,000 miles. The dealership tells me it is not part of the current recall on others with the same engine, make and model. It is doing the same thing as what the recall is for and my VIN number should be added to GMC’s recall list and the motor replaced. It is a serious safety issue for me and my children,