2026 GMC Yukon Xl Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon XL Denali. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the engine seized. There was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway in the middle lane. The local Police arrived and assisted with directing traffic. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted by email and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

NHTSA ID

11765285

Incident

Jun 5, 2026

Mileage

5,000 mi

The contact owned a 2026 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly turned off and lost engine power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and was then towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed the engine failure. The failure mileage was 1,800.

NHTSA ID

11764137

Incident

Sep 14, 2026

Mileage

1,800 mi

Computer screen is black 90% of the time. During this vehicle has no back up cameras, no control of air conditioning, no control of heat or defrost, no heated seats, no mapping system, no vehicle safety display of tire pressure, oil life, brake life, no ability to control radio. These features cannot be turned on with manual push buttons as they are controlled thru the computer screen. 2 complaints to GMC have resulted in them stating they have no fix as it is a software issue. They have refused dealer request to replace the computer. As a [XXX] with health issues, the vehicle has sat parked due to no air conditioning. With NNY winter weather approaching, vehicle is unsafe without heat or defrost. Vehicle was purchased on XXX and problem was immediate. I find it amazing that GMC has had 9 months to resolve and they do not have a single competent software engineer! GMC case #XXX issued on XXX6. Buy back denied as GMC states it does not meet NYS Lemon law because vehicle is drivable. I disagree as I feel it is unsafe. GMC case # XXX opened on XXX. On XXX I was notified by phone from GMC that Tech case was being closed as they have no way of repairing. Again, requested new computer but was immediately denied as they continue to use software excuse. GMC rep. stated it is my responsibility to periodically contact a GMC dealership to see if a repair is available. All GMC correspondence has been by phone as they will not put anything in writing. Meanwhile I have an $ 80,000 vehicle that I feel is unsafe heading into snow and cold. NYS AG complaint was a waste of time as they determined I should hire an attorney and take GMC to court. I do not want to risk my safety or anyone else on the road. Common sense tells me if my home computer had a blank screen, I would have to replace it! On XXX I left vehicle at NYE GMC in [XXX] for 5 days. They confirmed there is no fix, they confirmed screen is black majority of the time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11763128

Incident

Jan 9, 2026

The L87 engine seized and receiving a full engine replacement now

NHTSA ID

11762825

Incident

Aug 19, 2026

The shark fin antenna has a plastic cover that is only held on by 4 plastic clips. Hi winds or car wash can compromise the cover by breaking at least two of the plastic clips allowing air to get underneath the cover and then the cover falls off. I consider this a safety issue due to the fact that if your on a highway and it comes off it can crash thru another vehicle’s windshield causing a collision with other vehicles or cause serious injury to the occupants of the vehicle it strikes. I looked online and it seems to be happening to numerous GM vehicles with it falling off.

NHTSA ID

11762173

Incident

Sep 3, 2026

Filing as a proactive data point for the ongoing NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Engineering Analysis (EA26005) regarding GM 6.2L L87 engine failures. Vehicle is a 2026 GMC Yukon XL AT4 equipped with the 6.2L V8 and 10-speed transmission. The vehicle currently has approximately 2,800 miles and operates perfectly with no mechanical symptoms, ticking, or loss of propulsion. As an active preventive measure against internal component contamination, early engine oil changes were performed at 700 miles and 1,700 miles by a certified franchise dealer (Alpine Buick GMC). The engine continues to use the factory-specified 0W-20 oil viscosity. A magnetic oil drain plug has been installed to monitor for premature ferrous bearing and crankshaft debris at future service intervals. This report is submitted to ensure 2026 model year data running 0W-20 oil is officially documented within the federal investigation scope.

NHTSA ID

11759989

Incident

Aug 27, 2026

Engine blew at 8,762 miles in the middle of the night with 3 small kids in the car. Currently 41 days waiting for a new engine. We were driving and it started making a clapping sound like something was caught underneath. We had to drive a could miles to find a safe place to pull over. If we increased speed, the clapping increased and it slowed when we slowed. Hauled it to the local dealership and they said it was the engine. The dealership it was purchased at says the same thing. There was no warning. After a couple of miles of the clicking/clamping sound, the car started to shake and then died. There were no warnings or light on the dash of any signs of distress until it died. It was a couple of miles before we even had a safe place to pull over on the side of the highway. Going 70mph on a highway that is posted to be 70mph with 3 kids in the car, in the middle of the night, put my family’s life in danger along with other cars behind us. Clearly safety and quality isn’t GM’s top priority. This is our 5th Yukon. Our 13th General Motors vehicle. To say we are disappointed is an understatement when we have been devoted to GM for over a decade.

NHTSA ID

11759273

Incident

Jul 14, 2026

I purchased my vehicle from GMC on April 13th and had approximately 4,500 miles on it. It was sold as new and drove it for about a week at 4,994 miles on the highway. During this time, it shifted from drive to neutral , but the vehicle was towed back to the dealership. Upon inspection, it was diagnosed with a seized engine.

NHTSA ID

11758829

Incident

Apr 28, 2026

This is a follow-up to my previous complaint - 11716917. My second engine, which was installed after my first engine failed after approximately 5,000 miles, also failed. It failed after approximately 5,200 miles on it. I picked up the vehicle after the first engine replacement on 2/19/26 and the second engine failed on 5/18/26. It failed as I was driving to work - I was able to exit the highway and pull into a parking lot. From there I had the vehicle towed to a dealership and they confirmed that the engine had failed and needed a total replacement. This is a 2026 Yukon XL Denali Ultimate with the 6.2 L87 engine. I want to make sure the NHTSA is aware that I’ve now had two complete engine failures and am on my third. I have no confidence in the vehicle and have no reason to believe that my third engine will last. GM has refused to do anything about this vis-a-vis extending my warranty or replacing my vehicle or buying it back.

NHTSA ID

11758688

Incident

May 18, 2026

9 months into ownership, with 24,000 miles I had complete engine failure pulling into an intersection. Slamming into park while moving and shutting down. This is a known issue with the GM 6.2 liter engines but I specifically waited to order a 2026 as this was far outside the recall window GM had in place for this known issue and was led to believe the issue was fixed going forward. The car was towed to a GM dealer and sat for 39 days for a complete engine replacement. Now, a week after it has been returned it has sputtered and shut off as I am coming to a stop requiring a restart, not unlike stalling a manual transmission car. I think your agency needs to expand the investigation far further to include 2026 models. This is a 90,000 dollar brand new family hauler that I am supposed to trust my wife and kids are safe in. Now I cannot even trust it will safely take her through an intersection. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ID

11758602

Incident

Jul 3, 2026

Unknown brought my car in on July 24, 2026. They reported they do not know what is wrong with the engine, but stated GM is not letting them take it apart and told them to replace the engine. While the car was parked and during acceleration, my car was making a weird noise that got louder during acceleration. A few days prior to this happening, while driving on the highway, my car's emergency lights came on. I had to pull over to turn it off.

NHTSA ID

11755802

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

The large central infotainment touchscreen (which controls climate control/AC, navigation/maps, audio, backup camera, and all primary vehicle functions) has repeatedly failed by going completely dark/blank without warning on my 2026 GMC Yukon Denali XL purchased new on [XXX]. The screen has gone dark on three separate occasions. First failure occurred prior to [XXX]; vehicle was taken to Champion GMC (7885 W Grand River Rd, Brighton, MI 48114) for repair and returned to me. The screen failed again shortly after. Second repair attempt was made on 06/22/2026; vehicle was returned and the screen failed again immediately. The vehicle is currently at Champion GMC for a third repair attempt as of 06/29/2026. Safety risk: Loss of the screen eliminates access to the backup/rearview camera, speedometer display, climate controls (heat and AC), navigation, and warning indicators — all while operating the vehicle. There is no warning, message, or dashboard indicator prior to each failure. The screen goes dark suddenly and without notice. The problem has been confirmed and repair attempted three times by Champion GMC. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. The component is available for inspection upon request, as the vehicle is currently at the dealership INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11747253

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

I lost all sound on my 2026 GMC Yukon XL with only 150 miles on it. Apparently this is a common issue that needs a recall.

NHTSA ID

11743343

Incident

Jun 10, 2026

While operating the vehicle, I began to hear a metallic grinding noise originating from the center of the engine compartment. The sound was clearly audible within the cabin. Approximately one mile before the vehicle ultimately failed, the engine began to malfunction. As I slowed to a stoplight, the vehicle started to shake before shutting off abruptly and entering a coasting state. All electrical systems powered down and the vehicle would not restart. Shortly thereafter, heavy smoke began to emit both inside and outside the cabin, visibly coming from the hood and through the air vents. There was also a distinct burning odor. I attempted to restart the vehicle multiple times without success. The dashboard displayed the message: “conditions not suitable to shift.” Due to the vehicle becoming disabled on a curve and posing a safety hazard, I contacted the Sheriff’s Office for assistance to prevent a potential collision. Upon their arrival, it was noted that the engine compartment and hood area were exceptionally hot, particularly where the smoke was originating. The dealership has since confirmed they have also been unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle has been inspected by the GMC dealer and is currently pending further evaluation by a GM-certified mechanic to determine the root cause. Prior to this incident, there were no warning lights, system messages, or other noticeable symptoms indicating an issue.

NHTSA ID

11741588

Incident

May 30, 2026

Car Engine stopped , shut down on I 475 South Macon GA at 70 mph in left lane. Had to coast to right shoulder. Towed to Hutchinson GMC in Macon GA and it was determined the Engine had locked up. 2026 with 4200 miles, Purchased January 2nd 2026.

NHTSA ID

11739155

Incident

May 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while parked and occupied in the vehicle or driving at night he can only see out of the bottom of the windshield. a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed him they will call the dealer to take a look at the vehicle at night. The failure mileage was 150.

NHTSA ID

11736051

Incident

Apr 23, 2026

Mileage

150 mi

Catastrophic engine failure of 3.0l Diesel engine with only 2000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11735729

Incident

May 2, 2026

On 3/14/26, on I-75 in Troy, Michigan at 70mph the vehicle, with 4000k miles on the odometer completely shut off. I pushed to restart the engine and it would not restart. My whole family was in the car and we were on a curve. I was able to coast to a flat shoulder. The vehicle would not restart or shift out of park. OnStar took seven hours to tow the vehicle. The dealer is installing a new L87 6.2L engine. I do not have the vehicle back yet. I received an economy car as a loaner. The dealer says GM will not extend the factory warranty despite the engine replacement. My family could have been easily killed.

NHTSA ID

11734291

Incident

Mar 14, 2026

I was on the Highway and had the vehicle on cruise control, the super cruise was not available the entire trip. Suddenly a warning came on saying that supper cruise was not available please take the wheel, the truck started slowing down drastically while I’m doing 70mph which is the speed limit. I put my foot on the brake to disengage the cruise control but that did not work. I had to push the cancel button on the wheel to take it off. This has happened to me twice while on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11732919

Incident

Apr 18, 2026

In the 2026 Yukons, almost all physical buttons have been replaced by the giant center touchscreen. When starting my vehicle, about a third of the time the screen will not come on, and can’t be turned back on by any means. It will randomly come back on after a few more trips/restarts. This renders several critical systems inoperable. All HVAC does not work, defrosters aren’t available, back up cameras and parking assist is not available, and control of any navigation functions or options (ie heated/cooled seats) are not possible. There are no physical buttons for these items, so there are no other options. Voice commands do not function properly when the screen is black, so no option there. After my third visit to the dealership and an open case with GM, they are finally authorizing a screen replacement. We will see if this fixes it. However, my previous explanations from GM pointed to a nebulous future software release, with no date or detail.

NHTSA ID

11729272

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

Engine failed with just 3,633 miles. Covert GMC is replacing the entire engine.

NHTSA ID

11728367

Incident

Mar 22, 2026

2026 GMC Yukon XL Denali, VIN [XXX] , 6.2L V8 L87 engine. At 3,168 miles, vehicle developed rough idle and knocking noise. Delivered to Sewell Buick GMC Dallas on 3/2/26. Dealer diagnosed crankshaft thrust bearing spun. Tech pinpointed bottom-end noise via stethoscope, found excessive metal debris in oil and oil filter. Engine teardown confirmed thrust bearing failure. Required complete engine replacement (GM #xxx), plus oil cooler/radiator, oil cooler lines, torque converter bolts, and all one-time-use parts due to metal contamination. Old engine serial [XXX] , new engine [XXX] . Repaired under warranty 3/9/26, RO #XXX. This is the identical failure mode that caused NHTSA Recall 25V-274 covering ~597,630 L87-equipped vehicles (MY 2021-2024). GM stated manufacturing improvements were completed by 6/1/24 and 2025+ models were not affected. My 2026 model year failure directly contradicts this claim and suggests the defect persists in current production. SAFETY CONCERN: Bearing failure causes sudden complete loss of propulsion at any speed. NHTSA investigation PE25001 notes most failures occur without warning. Loss of power at highway speed creates serious crash risk due to loss of ability to accelerate and reduced power braking/steering. Had this failure progressed further while driving with my family, consequences could have been severe. No crash or injury occurred in this instance. This 2026 model year failure indicates NHTSA's investigation scope should expand to include current production vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11725564

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

Engine lost power, making noises that sounded like an exhaust leak. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Advised the next day the main bearing had failed and engine needed to be replaced.

NHTSA ID

11723472

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

I am submitting supplemental information regarding Complaint #11716907 involving a 2026 GMC Yukon XL AT4 equipped with the Brembo brake package. Following my original submission, GM's Executive Resolution Office provided written clarification of its disclosure position. GM states that the spare tire compatibility limitation associated with the Performance Brake Upgrade is disclosed through a hang tag affixed to the spare tire/wheel assembly mounted beneath the vehicle; and the owner’s manual. GM has not indicated that this limitation appears on the Monroney label, buyer’s order, or delivery documentation. The hang tag provided to me as an example states that the original spare tire/wheel does not fit the front axle when the performance brakes are installed. It instructs that, in the event of a front-axle flat, the consumer must install the spare on a rear wheel position & move a rear wheel to the front axle; and stow the flat tire. The spare tire is mounted underneath the vehicle. The tag is attached to the spare assembly and exposed to road conditions. In my case, when the spare was accessed following a roadside flat tire event, only a small piece of yellow plastic remained. Additionally, no printed owner’s manual is provided at delivery. During my roadside event, the dispatched service provider was unaware of any two-wheel rotation procedure and attempted to install the spare directly on the affected axle. The incompatibility rendered the spare unusable at that time. My concern is that current owners of vehicles equipped with the Performance Brake Upgrade may reasonably assume that a “full-size spare” is compatible with all wheel positions. Unless the undercarriage hang tag remains intact and is specifically read at the time of a flat tire, the incompatibility and required rotation procedure is not apparent. GM has not indicated it intends to notify new or existing owners regarding the spare tire limitation and required rotation procedure.

NHTSA ID

11721069

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

On [XXX], I was driving on the highway with my family in the vehicle and the check engine light came on, then it started running roughly. I headed off the highway on an exit ramp and the engine died about halfway down the ramp. It wouldn't restart after that. This happened about an hour away from my house in Painesville, OH. I live in Erie, PA. I had to tow it to the nearest GMC dealer. They've since concluded that the engine failed and have ordered a replacement engine from GMC. The yukon only had about 4,900 miles on it. GMC has claimed that their engine problems were fixed for the 2025 and 2026 model years, or else I would not have purchased this vehicle. Obviously there are still major issues and the 2026 6.2L engines need to be recalled. I understand that there is an ongoing investigation into these issues: RQ26001. Please see that the investigators are made aware of this incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11716917

Incident

Jan 30, 2026