Last updated: 2026-10-10
GMC Yukon Engine Problems
GMC Yukon engine problems center on sudden failure of the 6.2L V8, with lifter and bearing damage that can shut the engine off at highway speed.
- Owner complaints
- 679
- Share of all complaints
- 47%
- Crash / fire / injury reports
- 3 / 0 / 5
- Related recalls
- 1
Yukon engine complaints by model year
The 2021 model year has the most engine complaints, followed by 2023 and 2022. The 2024 year is well behind those but still well above the 2018 to 2020 group, which has the fewest from the older years. The 2025 and 2026 years show low counts, but they have had little time on the road, so that does not make them safer. Their early reports already include very low-mileage engine failures, on both the 6.2L and the diesel. Federal recall records tie one engine recall to the 2021 through 2024 years.
- 201825 · 3.3/10k sold
- 201938 · 5.1/10k sold
- 202022 · 3.5/10k sold
- 2021199 · 23.6/10k sold
- 2022126 · 15.3/10k sold
- 2023179 · 21.8/10k sold
- 202464 · 7.3/10k sold
- 202521 · 2.3/10k sold
- 20265
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under engine, engine and engine cooling. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.
What goes wrong
Sudden engine failure is the main complaint. On the 6.2L V8, owners describe a tick or knock, then misfires, shaking, and a loss of power. Dealers find collapsed lifters, damaged camshafts, or failed crankshaft and rod bearings, and many cases end in a replacement engine. Many owners say no warning light came on first. Heavy oil use is a second complaint. Newer trucks add another pattern: the 3.0L Duramax diesel has dropped into limp mode with metal in the oil.
The safety risk is real. Engines have quit at highway speed, at red lights, and halfway down an exit ramp. Some owners lost power steering and power brakes, and some trucks would not restart or shift into park. Crash reports appear for the 2020, 2022, and 2023 model years, and one 2022 owner reported an injury after a second power loss. No fire reports appear in any year. Most failed trucks were towed in and needed a new engine.
Symptoms owners report
Sudden shutdown while driving
The engine cuts out at highway speed or at a light, often with no warning light. Owners coast to the shoulder, lose power steering and brakes, and the truck often will not restart. Dealers usually find a failed engine.
Ticking, knocking, and misfires
A tick or knock that grows with throttle is the common early sign. It can come with a flashing check engine light, shaking at idle, and hesitation. Dealers find collapsed lifters, worn camshafts, and metal shavings in the oil.
Bearing failure and metal in oil
Owners report spun rod bearings and failed crankshaft thrust bearings. Dealers find metal in the oil pan or filter. Some engines seize outright. A few engines failed after passing the recall inspection, and some replacement engines failed again.
Diesel limp mode
On the 3.0L Duramax diesel, a reduced acceleration warning appears and the truck slows sharply, sometimes to 15 or 45 mph. Dealers report metal in the oil from a thrust bearing and replace the engine, sometimes with the turbo.
Heavy oil consumption
Owners report burning about a quart every 1,000 miles on 2021 models and about a quart every 2000 miles on 2024 models. Others report frequent low-oil warnings and topping off. Some replacement engines also burned oil.
Coolant loss and white smoke
Some 2020 owners report coolant disappearing again and again, white exhaust smoke, a coolant smell, and a check engine light. They suspect a head gasket or lifter problem. One 2019 owner found coolant in the engine days after a lifter repair.
When the problems start
Failures come at every age. On 2018 to 2020 models, dated failures fall between about 53,000 and 118,000 miles. On 2022 and 2023 models, owners report failures from about 12,577 to 66,000 miles. On 2024 models, reports cluster around 11,000 to 24,000 miles, with one at 3,321. Diesel and 6.2L failures on 2025 and 2026 trucks show up between about 500 and 7,600 miles.
Repairs and recalls
Most failed engines are replaced. Owners report quotes close to $15,000 for a new engine and up to $26,000 on a 2020. A lifter and camshaft job on a 2020 ran about $8,000. Lifter repairs sometimes fail again. Federal recall records list 25V274000 for 2021 to 2024 models with the 6.2L V8, citing possible connecting rod or crankshaft defects. Dealers inspect the engine and repair or replace it as needed. Passing vehicles get higher viscosity oil. Owners report parts shortages, waits of weeks for replacement engines, and some paying out of pocket when their VIN was outside the recall. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repair cost for the model at $747.
Checking a used Yukon for engine problems
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm whether recall 25V274000 applies and whether the repair was completed.
- Ask for service records showing regular oil changes, and whether any engine, lifter, or camshaft work was done.
- Start the engine cold and listen for ticking, tapping, or knocking that grows with throttle.
- Check the oil level and look for metal flakes on the dipstick or in the oil.
- On a 2021 to 2024 6.2L, ask for dealer paperwork on the recall inspection and oil change.
- Have a shop scan for stored misfire codes and test drive at highway speed for shaking.
1 engine recall cover the GMC Yukon. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
GMC Yukon Engine Problems: common questions
- Which GMC Yukon years have the most engine problems?
- Owner complaints are highest for 2021, 2023, and 2022. The 2024 year also has a notable count. The 2018 to 2020 years have fewer. The 2025 and 2026 years show low counts, but they are new and have had little time to collect complaints.
- Is a recall covering Yukon engine problems?
- Federal recall records list 25V274000 for 2021 to 2024 Yukons with the 6.2L V8, for possible connecting rod or crankshaft defects. Owners of 2018 to 2020 trucks say their VINs fall outside any recall. Check your VIN to be sure.
- Is it safe to drive a Yukon with a ticking engine?
- Owners say failures often come with no warning light, and engines have quit at highway speed. Crash reports exist. A ticking, knocking, or misfiring engine should be inspected by a dealer before further driving, especially on the highway.
- How much does a Yukon engine repair cost?
- Owners report about $8,000 for lifters and a camshaft and quotes from close to $15,000 up to $26,000 for a new engine. Trucks under warranty or covered by the recall may be repaired at no charge, but owners report long waits.
- Do new Yukons have engine failures too?
- Yes. Owners of 2025 and 2026 trucks report failures within the first few thousand miles, on both the 6.2L and the 3.0L diesel. Dealers replaced engines, and some owners report waits of nearly a month for repairs.
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