2017 GMC Yukon Powertrain (other) 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

The 2017 GMC Yukon has serious transmission issues that GM continues to ignore, and it is going to get someone hurt. I was stopped at a red light, and when it turned green, I pressed the gas pedal but the car would not move. I pressed harder, and then it suddenly lurched forward about 30 feet. If there had been a car in front of me, I would have hit them and likely caused injuries. When I took it to the dealership, they said it needed a full transmission replacement, which was not covered. I had to pay out of pocket. I was only about $10,000 outside the warranty when it failed, and GM refused to stand behind their product or help in any way. I was already financing the vehicle and should not have had to pay for a new transmission on a car that was less than four years old with relatively low miles. This is not just my experience. Many others have had the same issue. GM knows about it and chooses not to acknowledge it. They are lucky no one has been seriously injured or killed because of it. Going to attach all of the proof of people "coincidentally" experiencing the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11730014

Incident

Aug 19, 2022

The 8-speed automatic transmission (Hydra-Matic 8L90) on this 2017 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3L V8 has failed. This is a repeat failure — the transmission was previously rebuilt in 2020 under a GM recall/service action for the same known defect affecting this transmission type. The transmission has now failed again in 2026, approximately six years after GM's prior repair. Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited hard shifting, shuddering during acceleration, and hesitation between gear changes — symptoms consistent with the known defect pattern documented across 2015–2019 GM vehicles equipped with this transmission. The failure was confirmed by a service center. The vehicle is currently not safely drivable. Safety concern: erratic and unpredictable gear changes, including sudden lurching and hesitation during acceleration, create a dangerous condition for the driver, passengers, and other vehicles on the road. GM has been contacted through their Customer Assistance Center (case opened). GM's initial position was that they cannot assist because the vehicle is out of warranty. However, this is a repeat failure of a previously repaired known defect. GM issued 13+ technical service bulletins on this transmission and has been aware of the root defect since at least 2018. A federal class action (Speerly v. General Motors, E.D. Michigan) covering this exact vehicle type and transmission has been certified and upheld by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The prior GM repair did not remediate the underlying defect.

NHTSA ID

11728048

Incident

Mar 2, 2026

Slipping Gears: Many Yukon Denali owners report experiencing unexpected gear changes or loss of power while driving. Hard Shifting: This problem manifests as harsh or abrupt gear changes, often accompanied by noticeable jolts when shifting from one gear to another. Unusual Noises: Grinding, whining, or clunking sounds when shifting There has been a class action lawsuit for this. I'm not sure why it has not been recalled in all states.

NHTSA ID

11717784

Incident

Aug 15, 2017

The contact own a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear while driving and remained stuck in gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that assistance would not be provided because the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11698166

Incident

Sep 28, 2025

Mileage

78,000 mi

WHEN I BOUGHT THE YUKON 3 YEARS AGO THE TRANMISSION WENT OUT WITHIN MONTHS, THEY REPLACED IT WITH A USED ONE, NOW IT IS STARTED TO DO THE SAME THING, IT WILL SLIP IN AND OUT OF GEAR, WHEN YOU GIVE IT GAS IT WILL JUMP INTO GEAR AT AN IDLE IT WILL DROP OUT OF GEAR, IT'S BEEN DOING THIS EVERY SINCE THEY PUT THE USED ONE IN, I NOITIED THEM THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL???? I HAD THE WORK DONE @ PAHRUMP VALLEY AUTO PLAZA. I'M AFRAID THAT WHEN IM AT A LIGHT IT WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR AND I WILL GET HIT. NO WARING LAMPS CAME ON AT ALL, IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE.

NHTSA ID

11697496

Incident

Sep 11, 2025

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

116k miles and the transmission went out. Spent almost 6k on a jasper to replace it. I don’t think I need to explain what happens when a trans goes out. It did all of those things.

NHTSA ID

11673777

Incident

Jul 5, 2025

I brought a 2017 Yukon GMC from a dealership. When I first drove it on a highway it began to pull and shake, to the point it slow down on the highway. Also the dashboard started to shake , vibrate on the highway. When I step on the gas on a local road ,the transmission is pulling to pick up speed. Took it to a Mechanic and explained to him what was going on he test drove it and told me it's the transmission. He also said this year truck " GMC" truck like this has bad transmission. I did my research and find out that it is true. I have a disabled mother that I take to her doctors appointment and I'm scared bto out her in this truck. This is a 1 vehicle and anytime the truck will just slow down or vibrate or shake. No check engine light comes on when it happens.ifni driving on A highway sometimes the check engine light will blink 3 to four times then go back out.

NHTSA ID

11669848

Incident

Apr 16, 2025

My 2017 GMC Yukon SLT,, has been having shifting problems, including hard or delayed shifts, clunking, jerking, and even sudden jolts when downshifting.Rough or jerky shifts, particularly during acceleration and deceleration, a delay in engaging gears, especially when shifting from park to drive or reverse. Transmission shifts are very rough in slow traffic with as much as one to two-second delays in shifting into gear with a loud thump. It is so rough that it feels like someone may have ran into your back bumper. It is also bad enough that it startles the driver, and it could be a safety issue

NHTSA ID

11659649

Incident

May 5, 2025

Transmission went out in August of 2023, had to have it rebuilt and costed 9,000. Safety was put at risk due to car sputtering to shift gears on the highway while traveling. Problem was identified by the dealership. No light indicators were on. Vehicle now has engine starting to come on periodically and when trying to diagnose it is giving fuel efficiency codes.

NHTSA ID

11657877

Incident

Aug 10, 2023

RPM’s started to fluctuate while driving with cruise on. Noticed no issue with shifting until torque converter grenaded blowing metal through the transmission 2 days later. Transmission has been replaced with GM reman by a GM dealer. New transmission lags going into gear when it’s cold and shifts hard. GM tech said this is common and no way to correct it without replacing it again.

NHTSA ID

11651733

Incident

Feb 27, 2024

Transmission jerks, shifts hard, loses power… Temp gets 199 just driving… Humming sounds, taken to dealer three time… 188,000 miles…

NHTSA ID

11651483

Incident

Sep 2, 2023

My transmission does not engage properly. From a starting position when I step on the gas the transmission lags and when it catches it slams / bangs into gear

NHTSA ID

11642126

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

Clutch in Torque Converter failed at just around 60,000 miles. Vehicle had a vibration issue shortly before & I thought maybe I got a poor quality tank of gas. Filled up with new gas and problem still there. Took it to my mechanic & he told me it was a complete failure which would require a new transmission or a rebuild on existing.

NHTSA ID

11640287

Incident

Jan 23, 2025

Transmission shutter causes the car to vibrate which could lead to transmission failure.

NHTSA ID

11631340

Incident

May 6, 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

Vehicle Malfunction Incident Report On [11/2724], while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle experienced a sudden and significant loss of power and gear shifting capabilities. The engine accelerated, but the vehicle struggled to move and shift gears, making it difficult to cross the intersection. After a short distance, the vehicle accelerated again, but there was no forward movement. The vehicle was subsequently parked in a nearby neighborhood, where it became completely immobile. Attempts to engage reverse or drive were unsuccessful. The vehicle emitted a loud noise, and a check of the transmission fluid and other fluids revealed no issues. After turning the engine off and restarting, the vehicle was able to engage drive, but it was limited to second gear. The vehicle then lost momentum again, making it difficult to reach home. It is important to note that no engine light illuminated during the incident, and there were no visible fluid leaks. All routine maintenance has been performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. A mechanic has inspected the vehicle and diagnosed potential transmission issues. Requested Action: We request a thorough investigation into the cause of this malfunction. We believe that a transmission issue is the likely culprit, but further diagnostic testing is necessary to confirm the exact problem. We have seen that this has been a reported issues with these vehicle and the manufacture has not done anything for recalls.

NHTSA ID

11627836

Incident

Nov 27, 2024

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

Transmission failed on the freeway with no signs signaling issue before hand at 109,000 miles. Also lane departure does not work often. And suspension gave out at 60,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11624297

Incident

Nov 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking and hesitating while shifting gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11623418

Incident

Oct 30, 2024

Mileage

140,000 mi

Tremendous transmission shudder prevented me from properly accelerating from a stop light thereby causing a dangerous traffic backup issue in a congested area.

NHTSA ID

11605720

Incident

Jul 30, 2024

I was stopped at a red light in the left hand turning lane and when the light turned green I proceeded to accelerate and the engine would rev but the car would not move forward so I continued to push on the gas when the car jolted forward Violently. I am lucky no one was in front of me because this would have cause a car accident. Turns out the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced which is a common issue for GM however they never owned up to it and refused to pay to for the cost of the replacement and I paid several thousands out of pocket. This is a major safety concern and could be potentially life threatening. GM should recognize this as a recall and take ownership of a failed transmission with less than 100,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11598386

Incident

Aug 8, 2022

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

The SUV was stalled after getting in D to drove forward and all of a sudden it’s started with a big jerk and moved forward It went driving ok for them rest of the day but it kept repeating the incident n and off until June 15 when it was stalled on a traffic light I was able to put the emergency flashers and drive it in reverse to a near by parking lot

NHTSA ID

11594564

Incident

Jun 10, 2024