2017 GMC Yukon Engine Problems

While traveling at highway speeds, my 2017 GMC Yukon SLE suffered a sudden, catastrophic Active Fuel Management (AFM) valvetrain lifter and camshaft collapse. This caused an immediate and highly dangerous loss of vehicle propulsion in live moving traffic on I-95, creating an extreme physical safety hazard for my family. General Motors has extensive, documented internal corporate knowledge of this severe design defect under Technical Service Bulletin TSB #18-NA-073.

NHTSA ID

11753782

Incident

Jul 25, 2026

Engine blew at less than 80,000 miles

NHTSA ID

11731310

Incident

Jan 12, 2025

My engine starting making a knocking/ticking noise out of no where. I was traveling alone on the highway so I stopped to check it. I got to a gas station and google searched it and it came up that the LS 6.2 engine that is in my vehicle was recalled on other models because of this issue. I did have a mechanic look at it as well and he agreed it is that same issue that was recalled in other models.

NHTSA ID

11731050

Incident

Apr 12, 2026

My truck lost power while I was driving. Took to a shop and they found that a had a bad lifter. I have all of my service records from the GMC dealership where I had my vehicle serviced on a regular basis.

NHTSA ID

11711960

Incident

Dec 17, 2025

I started noticing issues with my transmission around 55,000 miles on it. It first started with no noticing that it wouldn’t gear down when it needed to, and then when it finally did gear down, it would really jerk the vehicle. I started calling GMC then and questioning and putting in a claim. Just went back-and-forth four months. Now it was getting worse to where I could feel the transmission slipping it wouldn’t kick into upper gear or lower gear. Again, I was still calling GMC and reporting these issues. I was told to take it and have a transmission oil change, which I did costing me $300. I still noticed this problem and I continue to call. I kept being told that they would have somebody call me back which nobody ever called me back to find out specifics. I took it to a GMC garage have them put it on a machine, and I was told that it needed a new transmission and this wasn’t something GMC was covering. This new transmission cost me $6200 and was done on 1/5/25. Please remember this vehicle only had 64,000 miles on it, which is absolutely ridiculous to need a transmission at this mileage. I again had called in January 2025 reporting this and was told someone would call me back and never heard from them.

NHTSA ID

11707493

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

Sitting at stop light engine began running rough and smoke coming out. CEL came on and began flashing, pulled over and had it towed. Diagnosis was PO300 misfire, dead miss on cylcinder 4, cylinder plug 4 is fuel fouled, cois is fine has good spark- caused by failed lifters. Needs engine replacement. Vehicle always serviced, garage kept and in mint condition with 89K miles.

NHTSA ID

11704828

Incident

Nov 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the lifters were previously replaced in 2021 at the manufacturer's expense. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine was running rough. The vehicle was taken to an unknown auto part store, where it was diagnosed with an engine cylinder malfunction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine had experienced lifter failure or a more severe failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by the dealer, and that the manufacturer might help in covering the cost of the repair. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: EA25007 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 81,638.

NHTSA ID

11704527

Incident

Sep 15, 2021

Mileage

81,638 mi

My vehicle started making a knocking sound and eventually died on me. I barely made it to a repair shop to check out my vehicle, but had to get it towed back to my home from the repair shop after they told me my engine failed. This happened around 118,000 mileage. I found out that this issue is very common and needs to be addressed for this year and model vehicle. It could have ended very badly for me as I was on the interstate when it happened. Now, my vehicle is sitting and I am unable to use it. Engine would cost me over $12k for cost and repairs.

NHTSA ID

11694709

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

Full engine failure

NHTSA ID

11681496

Incident

Aug 15, 2025

Engine Failure while driving, almost causing me to wreck on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11666540

Incident

Sep 30, 2024

[XXX] Please call me to discuss this matter on my GMC Vehicle. [XXX] Yukon GMC This might not be your department but lead me to the right area local, federally or NHTSA so I can discuss these issues in detail Issues I have had that are not normal and maybe need to be on a recall or on consumer alert list for major defects on major components Brakes losing total traction had to be fixed unannounced (recall) Rear Tail lights giving up , had to be replace (Recall) AC system failing had to be replaced Paint completely fading on hood prematurely Transmission failure, had to be overhauled Engine Failure with need of Lifters All the above high cost to fix and having no vehicle in the interim . These issues have been during the warranty and now out of warranty. Other cars do not have these many issues. [XXX] [XXX] On Friday, April 25, 2025 at 01:05:11 PM EDT, [XXX] [XXX] > wrote: Attention Mary Barra I am very disappointed that my 2017 Yukon has engine failure now (lifters issue). I am expecting to get help from your office and see what you can do to resolve this matter . I have owned multiple vehicles including Mercedes SUV and BMW SUV with no problems like this.. I have had nothing but problems for just over 100k miles vehicle that is still considered fairly new . Most vehicles offer warranties up to minimum 100k longer than yours especially with engine failure Please contact me to discuss this and see if you can cover the issue at hand . I am not sure who i need to be contacting to resolve this issue with the local automobile dept, recalls, lemon law or any government agency that deals with this issue. I would like to resolve this issue whereby i am satisficed to purchase a vehicle like this in the near future. Currently the vehicle is at your dealership. The car was built with defects. VIN [XXX] Please call me at the below number. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11659552

Incident

May 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the abnormal ticking sound had gotten louder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and to several independent mechanics; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.

NHTSA ID

11659323

Incident

Apr 6, 2025

Mileage

181,000 mi

Lifters failed

NHTSA ID

11652106

Incident

Jan 27, 2025

High pressure fuel pump regulator failed and cause gas leaking, reduced engine power and gas smell coming back in vehicle. It was also blowing out white smoke. It had delayed ignition starting. The engine light did come on. Several makes and models of GMC has had recalls for this problem. The 2017 GMC Yukon was not included for this recall and should have been.

NHTSA ID

11648123

Incident

Mar 13, 2025

I bought the vehicle in October 2024 ever since then I have been trouble with the differential, the automatic starter doesn't start the vehicle unless you are at least one feet away from the vehicle. I drove to work when I got off and got in my vehicle my check engine light was on. The vehicle was saying there was an issue with the battery, antilock braking system. I bought an extended warranty up to 150,000, I currently have 63,400 on my vehicle. Empire Buick GMC of White Plains has not been honoring my warrantee, I had to rent a car to get back and forth to work because of fear of riding the NYC subway.

NHTSA ID

11638671

Incident

Jan 17, 2025

Not even 100,000 miles on it and the engine blew. Started with a lifter issue. Everyone I talk to with Yukons and GMC in general say it’s a problem. Just a search on the internet shows that they all have this issue… a well maintained car should not have this issue and it’s clearly a GMC issue and it needs to be fixed. The repair shop can’t even order me a new engine due to this being a real problem all over with GMC.

NHTSA ID

11637458

Incident

Jan 4, 2025

the lifter is stuck an making a clicking noise an where on the high an truck cut off let it set for a minute then it crank by up an drove to a shop an they said it was a lifter stuck sounded like number 2 lifter this needs to be covered by gmc as a recall.

NHTSA ID

11633151

Incident

Dec 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The front of the vehicle was shaking. The contact stated that while at a stoplight with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle stalled but independently restarted. The engine warning light flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission and engine failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11629151

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Mileage

50,000 mi

I was taking my client to school. I stopped at the stop sign. When I pushed gas pedal to go, my truck did not go, it strained did a big jerk then went. The next morning it did the same thing & later on that day, it did it again. Two days later I had to stop at red light. When the light turned green I pressed the gas pedal & nothing. It did not go at all. I turned the ignition off and back on twice & put it in drive still did not go but was slowly going backwards. A by-stander stopped to assist me getting my truck out of traffic.

NHTSA ID

11624444

Incident

Nov 10, 2024

Lifters failed 2nd time at 130k miles. Driving on highway at 70mph cruise and engine went to limp mode. Multiple repairs. $5,000. Dealer sold it to me in 2020 with 80k miles and did not disclose prior lifter replacement. I know they did something as a head bolt is missing.

NHTSA ID

11620591

Incident

Aug 21, 2024

Tail lights went out. Lifters have been replaced TWICE! While stopped at red light, at take off the vehicles lunges forward. At low speed the vehicle will down shift on it’s own. 80k miles Recently while headed to work, the torque converter went out. 126k This is suppose to be a luxury vehicle and cost entirely to much to be a POS. I honestly thought I had a lemon but it seems to be a reoccurring issue in the entire fleet.

NHTSA ID

11595212

Incident

Jun 16, 2024

1.)Rear Brakes are not functioning properly. They still have pads but when you press down to pump the brake it fails. I was told by a mechanic that they other GMC vehicles have had recalls on this, but mine is not showing one. 2.)The suspension on this vehicle has never worked properly. It rides extremely rough. It has some special suspension in it from a shock perspective, but it feels as if it often fails. 3.) I had to replace the torque converter in this vehicle last year, and the fluid that runs through it. Apparently this is a known issue with no recall. 4.) the transmission slips when the vehicle shifts gears. It shifts hard. Also a known issue with no recall.

NHTSA ID

11591460

Incident

May 30, 2024

Lifters

NHTSA ID

11557608

Incident

Nov 19, 2023

The engine light has come on spuradically for the last 1.5 years and has been consistently on since May of 2023. This starting approx. 95,000 miles. During this time after starting the Yukon it is chuggy and missing, as I drive off it jerks and darts forward. Seems to be when I stop and start to go this happens, again engine light is always on...sometimes flashing. Starting 9/19/23 (106,000 miles) when slowing down to turn into a parking lot the engine revved high, no movement with the touch of the gas pedal and suddenly takes off with a jerk and a squeal of the tires. VERY SCARY. Since then I have experienced this DAILY, at least once a day. So far it is when I am going slow, either taking off and accelerating or slowing down. The engine and RPMS rev up and go high with no way of moving when touching the gas pedal then suddenly jerks and takes off with the tires squealing. I am also experiencing the transmission shifting VERY hard, mainly when slowing down. I am feeling very timid and scared to drive this vehicle...this is a seriously dangerous situation and can cause a serious accident or life! I believe this fits into the description of the GM Class Action Lawsuit filed over transmission problems. When I previously talked to the dealership they kept saying that there was no recall for the problems and to bring it in. I am not going to continue to get things fixed that do not fix this problem, as I have already. I know of a friend who has the same vehicle/year only a Tahoe and is experiencing the same problem and had work done at a dealership with no fix for their issue neither. Something has to happen with this problem from GM! The contact stated the issue has gotten worse pushing down the gas pedal rendering the vehicle immobile, then all of a sudden it jerks and shifts into gear jolting the vehicle forward.

NHTSA ID

11546067

Incident

Sep 19, 2023

service brake assist light, needed to press brake pedal harder to stop, a ticking noise coming from engine compartment.

NHTSA ID

11523118

Incident

May 19, 2023