2015 GMC Yukon Xl Powertrain (other) Problems

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH to work, the vehicle shifted into neutral and into low and failed to drive at about 20 MPH. The check engine light was flashing. The front collision was unavailable. The contact left the vehicle at a gas station. Upon research, the contact located NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V374000 (Power Train), which was similar to the failure. The local dealer was contacted, who confirmed there were no open recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted via chat, who referred her to the local dealer and manufacturer service center. The contact informed her to confirm the coverage with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 283,000.

NHTSA ID

11742098

Incident

Jun 4, 2026

Mileage

238,000 mi

Transmission shuttering between 50-65 MPH.

NHTSA ID

11727866

Incident

Mar 3, 2017

The transmission shifts hard in low gears. I have done research, and it seems like this is a common problem that a vast amount of these vehicles have. I honestly think that this is has to be looked into for a recall. There is countless information on the web with videos, other owners, and transmission businesses explaining about it.

NHTSA ID

11694623

Incident

May 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the transmission shifted hard from first to second gear while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent and several internal parts of the transmission were replaced, and the Transmission Control Module (TCM) was also replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the repairs had not addressed the cause of the failure. The contact was informed that the failure was likely related to the transfer case. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.

NHTSA ID

11682839

Incident

Jan 13, 2024

Mileage

161,000 mi

LOUD NOISES STARTED UNDER THE CAR AND EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE, THANK FULLY ANOTHER PERSON HELP US MOVE THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTHING HAPPENED

NHTSA ID

11660860

Incident

May 2, 2025

My transmission is causing a lot of shaking and hard shifting and it's very detrimental to my physical and psychological health. I am a disabled veteran with back problems and every time my Yukon shakes (almost every single shift) it hurts my back and makes it difficult to do anything. This is a very, very common issue with this year make and model but nothing seems to be getting accomplished. GM needs to remedy these issues as a recall since most of us can't afford the $5000-$12000 that this type of repair is going to cost us and GM knows that this is an issue. I can't continue to risk my family's health and safety with this vehicle and it needs to be fixed immediately!

NHTSA ID

11660633

Incident

May 26, 2023

As I was driving on the highway the check engine lights pops on and the engine starts stalling. The stability track light also came on and the truck was hard to maintain and drive. The truck has been maintained and serviced on a meticulous schedule. This is not the first major problem we have experienced with the truck, we had to do a full transmission replacement on the truck at an 118,000 miles mark. Me and my family have been the only drivers and owner of the vehicle and mostly on put highway miles. I am so frustrated and disappointed in the workmanship and quality of our vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11653977

Incident

Mar 4, 2025

Transmission failed and was replaced by GM dealership under warranty at 20,670 miles after rough shifts and jerking and lurching movements when driving and when putting vehicle in gear. Truck would also roll if on a hill in Park. Now at 53,438 miles, the same dangerous problems are occurring with only 33,000 miles on the replaced transmission and after inspection, the dealership says the transmission needs to be replaced again. Appears GMC transmission is faulty and dangerous to drive and needs replacement very early in cars lifespan and a transmission should not need replacement so early especially when maintained correctly. Transmissions should last more than 20,000 or 30,000 miles before failing. Estimate for new transmission is $10,000. Called GMC customer service and said nothing they can do out of warranty. Dealership inspected and confirmed problems both times. Check engine light appeared the 2nd time indicating transmission failure but not the first time.

NHTSA ID

11635141

Incident

Nov 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission jolted before the vehicle accelerated as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted; however, the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The contact stated that unknown repairs were performed on the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle remained at the residence and had not been driven since the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11634461

Incident

Sep 19, 2024

The radiator was replaced under PI1513F in 2020. I am currently experiencing the same coolant leak and thermostat issues. Coolant leaked into 4th cylinder and blew head gasket

NHTSA ID

11600949

Incident

Jul 10, 2024

Vehicle jumps when put in drive or reverse

NHTSA ID

11576078

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

While driving our GMC Yukon XL, the vehicle will begin shuttering, losing power, slip gears, or unable to shift gears. On one occasion, the vehicle lost was unable to accelerate and maintain speed causing my wife to quickly respond by changing lanes and pulling off on the shoulder of a road, in a very dangerous situation, all while coasting without engine power. Two independent mechanic shops have reported that the torque converted failed and had sent metal fragments throughout the transmission, and ruining the transmission. Both mechanics recommended a new transmission.

NHTSA ID

11552667

Incident

Oct 27, 2023

Please help us with the 8 speed transmission problem associated with these vehicles. I am having the second transmission installed as I’m typing this. To my knowledge this is a very problematic transmission. The service guy at Champion Chevrolet in Johnson City, TN said there were 2 more experiencing the same issue. When I research online it is thousands with the same problem. Please help us!!

NHTSA ID

11478602

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

My GMC Yukon Denali xl has a defective transmission from the manufacturer thousands of other General Motors customers are experiencing the same issues since 2015 General Motors has still failed to issue a recall. This problem cause the truck to leap, lunges and sometimes accelerate as well as hard down shifts which causes sudden stops this also causing severe damage over time. There’s also defective paint peeling and fading from the manufacturer

NHTSA ID

11464891

Incident

May 1, 2021

Vehicle has a vibration in the gas pedal and shifts hard at times. The whole vehicle shakes. Even after I purchased a new set of tires I took it back twice thinking it was out of balance but that was not the case. Beyond aggravated with this vehicle and its issues!

NHTSA ID

11441061

Incident

Nov 8, 2021

1. When starting out for the day start yukon, wait about 30 sec for the system to do self check, put foot on brake, put in gear the yukon will jump forward sometimes and bang. 2. When driving and you are decreasing in speed, sometimes you will get a small increase in speed, then it will start slowing down, sometime easy or hard where it will push your body forward. 3. Driving time to merge with traffic, put your foot on the gas pushing down, the yukon will start to increase in speed, then stops responding, (just for a few seconds) then it will go fast and bang or just this is bad because the other cars are coming up fast, there have been times I had to goto the right again and get out of traffic because it took to long to go. I have complained about this many times the techs would look at it, stating there are bulletins out on this same issue, they would go though and reprogram the Trans, they would state drive it for 200 miles, and it should correct itself, and it would and be ok for a few months or longer, then start again take it back to dealer do the same thing, i ask them what's going to happen if i am out of warranty, then you will have to pay to have to reprograming its about $150.00. I stated why will i have to keep paying for this issue, if its not a good fix, its a band Aid fix..... So i was told by a tech take off the negtive battery cable for 30 mins, tis should help you out also. Now take it in for a oil change ask if there is any new updates, we will check for you , yes we see that your Trans temp sensor is bad and it will be $475.00 I stated wait i have been complaining about this for years, NOW I am Out of warranty I need to pay REALLY.... NO dont fix it yet, I am going to reach out to GM.

NHTSA ID

11437079

Incident

Jun 4, 2018

MY 2015 YUKON XL SLT TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A STUTTER WHILE GOING ALONG ACCELERATING BUT WOULD GO AWAY AS YOU DRIVE. UNFORTUNATELY THIS CAME TO AN ABRUPT END THIS PAST JANUARY WHEN I JUMPED IN IT AND WENT ABOUT 50 FEET AND THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND I COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT CUTTING IT OFF AND STARTING OVER WHICH ONLY CAUSED THE PROCESS TO REPEAT.. I HAD MY MECHANIC TOW IT TO THEIR SHOP AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I HAD A SECOND OPINION FROM THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THE CONCLUSION WAS THE SAME. THE VEHICLE HAD 162K ON IT AND I WAS EXPECTING IT TO MATCH WHAT MY PREVIOUS YUKON REACHED AND WAS STILL GOING. OVER $4K LATER WITH NEW TRANSMISSION, I'M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED THIS SOON.

NHTSA ID

11394399

Incident

Jan 15, 2021

Mileage

162,000 mi

I HAVE A 2015 GMC YUKON XL DENALI. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM GMC CERTIFIED DEALER IN JULY 2018, WITH 16,000 MILES. THE TRUCK IS GARAGED KEPT, AND GENTLY USED WITH ONLY 37,500 MILES. WHEN SOMETIMES DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOMETIMES SLIP (AKA STUDDER). WHEN STARTING (ENGINE IS COLD) AND SHIFTING INTO D, SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, OR SLAMS INTO 1ST GEAR. THAT CAN'T POSSIBLY BE GOOD FOR THE TRANSMISSION. OCCASIONALLY THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT HARD BETWEEN GEARS AT MODERATE SPEED. I HAVE JUST LEARNED THERE ARE SERVICE BULLETINS GOING BACK TO 2016 REGARDING COMPLAINTS FOR THE NEWLY DEVELOPED 8-SPEED M5U/8L90 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE LOCAL GMC DEALER HAS SERVICED THE TRUCK 4 TIMES IN PAST 2 YEARS AND NEVER BOTHERED TO ASK ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OR ALERT ME TO THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. GM & DEALER COLLUDED TO WITHOUT PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM ME TO CAUSE THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY TO EXPIRE, FORCING REPAIRS EXPENSE TO BE OUT-OF-POCKET ON THE CONSUMER. DEALER CHARGED ME $300 TO SWAP THE DRAIN AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SWITCH TO ANOTHER TYPE. IF THE DEALER HAD ALERTED ME TO THE ISSUE ON 1 OF THE 4 PREVIOUS SERVICE VISITS, THE SERVICE WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT NOW THAT THE TRUCK IS 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. GM AND THE DEALER HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE FOR YEARS, AND DID NOTHING.

NHTSA ID

11340942

Incident

Jul 22, 2020

Mileage

37,500 mi

THE YUKON'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAN GET VERY JERKY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD (FIRST 10-15 MINS OF DRIVING). CITY DRIVING SEEMS TO BE THE MAIN ENVIRONMENT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION JERKINESS OCCURS. THE JERKINESS STARTED SUBTLY AROUND 75,000 MILES, AND NOW AT ALMOST 100K MILES, THE ISSUE HAS ONLY GOTTEN MORE SEVERE. ACCELERATING FROM A STOP UPHILL AND AROUND TURNS ARE TIMES WHEN IT'S MORE PRONE TO JERK. THE BEST WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT WOULD BE A LAG IN GEAR SHIFTING CAUSED BY SOME TYPE OF DELAY THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. THE LAG HAS OCCURRED SO VIOLENTLY AT TIMES, IT FEELS LIKE I'VE BEEN IN A REAR-END COLLISION. I WOULD HESITATE TO ALLOW BABIES TO RIDE IN THIS CAR DUE TO THEIR INABILITY TO BRACE WHEN THESE JERKS OCCUR; THERE'S DEFINITELY ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE WHIPLASH TO A BABY. I WOULD SAY THE JERK HAPPENS 2-3 TIMES EVERY TRIP, EVEN IF I SLOWLY ACCELERATE TO PREVENT QUICK GEAR SHIFTS FROM HAPPENING.

NHTSA ID

11309043

Incident

Mar 10, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING THE FUMES FROM THE EXHAUST MAKE ME AND MY KIDS FEEL NAUSEOUS AND GIVING HEADACHES JUST FROM WALKING TO/AROUND THE TRUCK TO GET IN. WE ARE TAKING THIS TRUCK TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY. BEING THE 3RD DEALER WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO IN THE PAST YEAR. HAVE HAD MANY OTHER ISSUES OUT OF THIS VEHICLE AND JUST CANT SEEM TO GET THEM ALL FIXED. FOR SUCH A PRICEY VEHICLE YOU WOULDNT THINK THERE WOULD BE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. THE LIFT GATE IS POPPING NOT WANTING TO OPEN OR SHUTS ON YOU AS YOU WALK UNDER IT. THE WINDOW APPLIQUES ARE JUST SLOWLY FLYING OFF 1 BY 1. TRANSMISSION IS HARD SHIFTING IN LOW GEARS, DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. WE HAVE A HORRIBLE GRINDING/SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT THAT YOU CAN FEEL IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE BRAKES, WE HAD A MODULE REPLACED, BUT IT STILL FEELS AS IF WHEN PUSHING THE PEDAL IT LOOSES PRESSURE, CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS. THIS IS INSANE!!!!!! BOOUGHT THIS TRUCK JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!

NHTSA ID

11279279

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

85,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON XL. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION, SHIFTED INTO PARK, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT'S 12 YEAR OLD SON STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH HIS HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA ID

11242787

Incident

Aug 8, 2019

Mileage

121,000 mi

VEHICLE SPUTTERS WHEN DRIVING OFF FROM A START OR ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING ALSO WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AFTER BEING STOP IT FEELS LIKE THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS NOT IN SYNC WITH THE REST OF THE TRANSMISSION MAKING IT FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM BEHIND TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER THEY PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND A REFLASH OF THE COMPUTER IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT CAME BACK AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OR SO, DEALER STATED THAT ANOTHER RECALL WAS COMING IN MARCH OF 2019 (STILL WAITING) THAT WAS GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE POWERT TRAIN BELIEVE THE AFFECTED YEARS FOR GMC YUKON IS 2015, 2016, 2017 THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OUT THERE ABOUT THIS. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

NHTSA ID

11241261

Incident

Jan 17, 2019

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HILL ON LONG GRADES THE TRANSMISSION DROPS TO NEUTRAL OR VERY LOW GEAR AND ENGINE REVS DROP TO IDLE. THE GRADE BREAK DISENGAGES AND THE VEHICLE FREE WHEELS AND HENCE SPEEDS UP. THE ONLY WAY TO RE-ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION IS TO EXCESSIVELY REV THE ENGINE. THIS IS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE AT A SERVICE CENTER.

NHTSA ID

11241110

Incident

Jul 29, 2019

Mileage

71,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING UP NORTH IN 4WHEEL DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION CAM OUT OF GEAR I STOPPED THE VECHILE AND RESTARTED NOW THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND STEERING IS HARD TO STEER AND IT GOES IN AND OUT

NHTSA ID

11190131

Incident

Mar 19, 2019

TRANSMISIN PROBLEMS WE WHERE DRIVING AROUND THE CITY AT AT 30-40MPH WHEN THE GEARS WENT CRAZY IT ACCELERATED BY ITSELF RPMS WENT CRAZY IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISIN HAD GEARS IN PAN LOUD GRINDING THEN ALSO THE SEATS DONT VIBRATE WITH LAND DEPARTURE IT SHOWS SERVICE LANE DEPARTURE LAST WHEN DRIVI G AT SPEEDS LF 40-70 MPH THERE IS A STRONG VIBRATION IN FRONT MAKES ENTIRE TRUCK SHAKE TOOK TO DEALER ROTATED TIRES AND BALANCED ALLIGNMENT ALSO AND PROBLEM STILL THERE IDK WHAT TO DO

NHTSA ID

11115679

Incident

Mar 20, 2015

Mileage

50,000 mi