2026 GMC Yukon Engine Problems

Engine stopped. Would not restart. I had it towed to dealership. They told me the engine is blown. There is only 7700 miles on the truck.

NHTSA ID

11764153

Incident

Sep 2, 2026

Engine failed on this 2026 GMC Yukon Denali.. It had only 18000 miles on it, it failed in middle of hwy in Indiana. Got it towed to dealership.. they haven’t touched it since last 2 days.

NHTSA ID

11763830

Incident

Sep 10, 2026

While traveling at highway speeds of approximately 82 mph in a 2026 GMC Yukon Denali (6.2L V8 L87 engine), the engine experienced a sudden, catastrophic internal failure and completely seized without warning. This resulted in an immediate, total loss of motive power, power steering assist, and power braking assist while surrounded by high-speed traffic. The sudden deceleration and lack of vehicle control created an extreme, life-threatening safety hazard, forcing an emergency maneuver across multiple lanes to reach the shoulder. Stranded on shoulder at night(pitch black) with lots of 18 wheelers passing.

NHTSA ID

11761517

Incident

Aug 31, 2026

-Transmission started to slip when shifting above 2000rpms -Engine light came on and took to dealership -Error code confirmed for valve body, valve #3 failure -New valve body installed after order but also failed as I left the dealership -New valve body currently on order

NHTSA ID

11760884

Incident

Aug 5, 2026

The engine issue was caused by a misfire in cylinder #5, which resulted in white smoke coming from the vehicle’s exhaust. While driving on the highway, the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate properly, creating a serious safety hazard due to the inability to maintain speed and safely respond to traffic conditions.

NHTSA ID

11760799

Incident

Aug 28, 2026

The engine issue was caused by a misfire in cylinder #5, which resulted in white smoke coming from the vehicle’s exhaust. While driving on the highway, the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate properly, creating a serious safety hazard due to the inability to maintain speed and safely respond to traffic conditions.

NHTSA ID

11760798

Incident

Aug 28, 2026

The engine issue was caused by a misfire in cylinder #5, which resulted in white smoke coming from the vehicle’s exhaust. While driving on the highway, the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate properly, creating a serious safety hazard due to the inability to maintain speed and safely respond to traffic conditions.

NHTSA ID

11760797

Incident

Aug 28, 2026

The engine failed at 5383 miles while driving on remote highway in Nebraska.

NHTSA ID

11760591

Incident

Jul 30, 2026

Driving down highway the engine made a squeeling noise. The engine shuttered and kept making noise then said to reduce speed. Then quit running all together.

NHTSA ID

11760278

Incident

Aug 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 MPH and approaching a stop in Nebraska, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact called the local dealer, and an appointment was scheduled. The failures persisted while waiting for the appointment. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The driver alerted OnStar about the failure. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with complete engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact no longer wanted the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and escalated the concerns. The failure mileage was approximately 4,700.

NHTSA ID

11759661

Incident

Aug 19, 2026

Mileage

4,700 mi

While we were visiting Canada, our GMC Yukon had fewer than 5,000 miles when its engine seized on the highway. The vehicle was taken to a GMC dealership in Canada. The dealer advised that the engine needed to be replaced, and it has now been replaced. We need to back to Canada to pick up the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11758951

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

While traveling on [XXX] from Houston back to San Antonio, my truck engine just blew up without any warning whatsoever. We purchased the truck with 3 miles on it, and we have only put 5,000 miles on it. New cars that cost early $100K shouldn’t be having engine failures like this. I’m lost for words now! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11758683

Incident

Jul 25, 2026

My yukon denali ultimate had only 3,788 miles on it and on 7/27 while merging onto a highway my vehicle made a sound like it was trying to shift into gear but couldn't and then while I'm pressing the accelerator pedal it's slowing down. There were tractor trailer and vehicles speeding up behind me but I couldn't speed up and I was able to pull over on the shoulder luckily and I'm thankful it did not cause an accident. My yukon would not start no matter what I tried and I ended calling a tow truck and had it towed to my local GMC delearship where I was informed that the engine had seized and they would order a new replacement engine. My yukon is still sitting at the dealership waiting for the repair.

NHTSA ID

11758609

Incident

Jul 27, 2026

GMC should be haulted from selling trucks with the 6.2L engine. My brand new 2026 GMC Yukon Denali engine imploded on the Interstate going 75mph that nearly killed my entire family. No warning, just out of no where died on the highway, with 4K miles on it. This is sadly going to get someone critically injured and when is enough going to be enough? GMC has some explaining to do, when they charge $85K-$100K for trucks that blow up as soon as you buy them.

NHTSA ID

11755814

Incident

Jul 25, 2026

GMC should be haulted from selling trucks with the 6.2L engine. My brand new 2026 GMC Yukon Denali engine imploded on the Interstate going 75mph that nearly killed my entire family. No warning, just out of no where died on the highway, with 4K miles on it. This is sadly going to get someone critically injured and when is enough going to be enough? GMC has some explaining to do, when they charge $85K-$100K for trucks that blow up as soon as you buy them.

NHTSA ID

11755813

Incident

Jul 25, 2026

On July 30th 2026, I was Driving on the highway at about 75 miles per hour and the engine shut down. We were fortunate that we could pull over to the side of the highway. We had the truck towed to Oxendale gmc. Today 8/4/26 I was informed that in fact the engine needs to be replace. No warnings no symptoms, the truck just shut down while driving.

NHTSA ID

11754757

Incident

Jul 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was a wait for the replacement engine. The approximate failure mileage was 3,788.

NHTSA ID

11754742

Incident

Jul 27, 2026

Mileage

3,788 mi

Engine failed at 12, 430 miles. Dealer said it required a new engine. This happened on 06/06/2026 and I am still without my very expensive vehicle. There were no wanring lamps or other engine failure notificatioins before this occurred.

NHTSA ID

11746300

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

So the ultimate failure is from a catastrophically failed crankshaft journal thrust bearing. Which could be caused from one of two things: 1) The crankshaft thrust bearings they are putting in these motors are made with inferior materials, probably cheap Chinese crap or 2) The crankshaft end play tolerance was never set properly, giving the crankshaft the ability to move forward and backward in the engine more than it was designed to. Which will over time beat up on the thrust bearing until it fails. In either case it would result in the same progressive issue showing itself. It will start as a squeak here and there. Which, as the soft thrust bearing material is unable to hold the proper oil film thickness for lubrication, will spiral into more and more heat being sent into the adjacent components, plus the buildup of metal particles being sent through the entire engine oiling system. Which will then start killing connecting rod and crankshaft bearings one by one. If the engine survived to this point, it’s now a ticking time bomb. It is either going to just seize up and not run anymore or the exciting route would be a connecting rod breaks and makes a window sized hole in the side of the engine block.

NHTSA ID

11741409

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

My engine with less than 5,000 miles died (engine was blown). While driving on highway engine died and wheels locked and almost caused a major accident. I had to get a tow and bill cost me 700.00. GMC is giving me the run around. Dealer stated that engine will need to be replaced. GMC is doing nothing to assist me, I have a car note with no truck GMC is the biggest scam.

NHTSA ID

11740744

Incident

May 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH the engine seized. All the warning lights illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part being backordered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA ID

11740294

Incident

May 25, 2026

Mileage

10,000 mi

The vehicle experienced repeated failures involving the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System, and Check Engine system. Warning indicators for the ESC, traction control, and check engine illuminated while operating the vehicle. The issue has occurred on two separate occasions. The first incident occurred on May 4, 2026. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection and repair, and the dealership advised that the issue had been corrected. However, the same problem reoccurred on May 7, 2026. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership service department, and the malfunction was confirmed. The affected components and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. The failure created a significant safety concern because the ESC and traction control systems are critical safety features designed to assist with vehicle stability, traction, and driver control, particularly during emergency maneuvers or adverse road conditions. The warning indicators raised concerns that the vehicle could unexpectedly lose stability assistance, traction management, or engine performance while driving. This placed the driver and others at risk because the vehicle’s ability to respond safely during normal or emergency driving conditions could have been compromised. The repeated recurrence of the issue, even after dealership repair attempts, raises concern regarding the reliability and effectiveness of the corrective action performed.

NHTSA ID

11738120

Incident

May 4, 2026

Nothing has happened yet. However, after only 308 miles… my 2026 Denali is knocking and ticking very loud. Why? How is this possible? We’ve only had it 2 weeks! I have only driven it 5-6 times in the past 14-15 days, too worried that this might happen. But I was reassured by the dealership it wouldn’t. But here I am now. I am so disappointed. Being a Disabled Vet I thought we could have something that we both liked. Now I am upset because I feel betrayed and lied to. I did a video but it’s too large to upload so I can’t get it under 10MB.

NHTSA ID

11729324

Incident

Apr 5, 2026

Engine starting clicking during highway drive then engine failed mid-drive and engine was trying to restart on its own mid drive. Vehicle totally stalled out in the street, with numerous attempts the engine did not start. Total mileage on car was 2,900.

NHTSA ID

11726546

Incident

Mar 22, 2026

The engine started a soft, cyclic tapping sound intermittently on 2/28/26 while I was out of town on a trip. No alerts showed on the GM systems app. On 3/1, while driving home from the trip, the car started hard braking at cruising speed and the engine died and would not restart. I had the car towed to the closest GM dealership and have been told the engine locked up. I just rolled 6000 miles and showed 18% oil life from the original engine oil it came with from the factory. I had been watching the engine problems for years now and waiting for them to be resolved before buying a new GM; only to be lied to that the issue was resolved. Now they're going to install yet another defective engine.

NHTSA ID

11722970

Incident

Mar 1, 2026