This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer concerns of engine related shudder.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 GMC Yukon engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 GMC Yukon have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Yukon | 7 |
| 2014 Yukon | 3 |
| 2015 Yukon | 20 |
| 2016 Yukon | 22 |
| 2017 Yukon (this page) | 20 |
| 2018 Yukon | 19 |
| 2019 Yukon | 20 |
| 2020 Yukon | 9 |
| 2021 Yukon | 143 |
When does it fail?
Of the 20 engine complaints filed for the 2017 GMC Yukon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Lifter failure dominates complaints. Owners report ticking or clicking from the engine, rough idle, misfires, and in multiple cases, complete engine failure requiring replacement—all before 100,000 miles. Some units show prior lifter work done at manufacturer expense, but subsequent failures are denied coverage. One owner's dealer couldn't source a replacement engine, citing how widespread the problem is. Another needed a full engine swap at 89,000 miles after a cylinder-4 misfire caused by a failed lifter.
Transmission issues run second. Low-speed jerking and hard downshifts are common; some owners experience daily occurrences where the engine revs high but the vehicle won't move, then suddenly jolts forward with tire spin. One owner had transmission fluid changed for $300 with no improvement, then faced a $6,200 replacement at 64,000 miles—not covered by manufacturer.
Rough idle and misfire also appear frequently, with one dealership citing fuel injector failure and quoting $2,000+ for replacement. That owner cited NHTSA Service Bulletin DCS5097, which supposedly covers the issue but only in 13 states.
Engine knocking and fuel-pump regulator failures round out the complaints. One owner researched a knocking noise and found it was recalled on other GM models with the same LS 6.2 engine but not on the Yukon. Another reported a failed high-pressure fuel pump regulator causing gas leak and white smoke, noting the same failure triggered recalls on other GM vehicles but not this one.
Same GMC Yukon engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Lifter Failure
Valve lifter(s) fail, causing metal-to-metal contact and severe engine damage. Owners report lifters sticking or degrading, sometimes requiring replacement twice over the vehicle's life. Some units show prior lifter work not disclosed at sale. Failures trigger ticking/clicking noise, rough idle, misfire, limp mode, and in several cases total engine failure requiring replacement.
When: Between 53,000 and 130,000 miles; some owners report prior replacement at manufacturer expense
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking or clicking noise from engine; Rough idle; Engine misfire (especially cylinder 4); Loss of power or limp mode while driving; Check engine light (CEL) and stabilitrack light illumination; Engine stalling
Codes mentioned: PO300 (random/multiple cylinder misfire), Cylinder-specific misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement $5,000–$6,200 range cited; prior replacements done at manufacturer expense in some cases but not others. Some dealers unable to source replacement engines due to widespread nature of problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Action EA25007 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); prior manufacturer-paid lifter replacements in some cases; refusal to cover subsequent failures under warranty; no official recall issued for 2017 Yukon
Misfire and Rough Idle (Fuel Injector Related)
Engine misfires and runs rough at idle, especially at cold start. Check engine light illuminates and sometimes flashes. One owner reports complete engine stall. Dealership diagnosis points to failed fuel injectors; parts are chronically back-ordered. One owner cites NHTSA Service Bulletin DCS5097 covering the issue but notes special coverage only applied to 13 states at time of report.
When: Unclear exact mileage; one owner purchased vehicle in March (year not stated) and immediately experienced issues
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle at cold start; Misfire at stoplights and random times; Engine stall; Check engine light on and sometimes flashing; Vehicle unable to pass smog inspection with CEL on
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific codes not provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $2,000+ for complete fuel injector replacement; parts on back-order with extended lead times (6+ weeks reported)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Service Bulletin DCS5097 exists but special coverage limited to 13 states; dealership acknowledged problem is common
Transmission Shift Harshness and Jerking
Transmission shifts harshly, especially during deceleration and low-speed acceleration. In one case, transmission fails to engage gear promptly, then jolts vehicle forward with wheel spin. Owner reports symptom onset at 55,000 miles and worsening over four months; another owner (narrative #1) experiences daily occurrences of high RPM with no movement then sudden violent jerking. One owner references GM class action lawsuit over transmission issues.
When: Starting 55,000 miles and worsening; another case starting 106,000 miles with daily occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shifts when decelerating; Jerking and jolting during acceleration from stop; Transmission slip (won't engage upper or lower gear); Delayed gear engagement followed by violent jerk; High RPM with no forward motion then sudden engagement with tire squeal
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid change ($300) did not resolve issue; complete transmission replacement quoted at $6,200 at 64,000 miles; manufacturer refused warranty coverage in at least one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner references potential GM class action lawsuit; dealership claimed no recall existed; manufacturer did not follow up on owner complaints
Engine Knocking and Ticking Noise
Engine produces abnormal knocking or ticking sound from the engine compartment, occurring at startup and during various driving speeds. In one case, owner researched and found identical noise signature was recalled on other GM models with LS 6.2 engine, but 2017 Yukon not included in recall. Sound intensifies over time.
When: Occurring up to 181,000 miles; appears to be intermittent early but progressive
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal knocking or ticking noise from engine; Sound present at startup and during driving; Sound progressively louder over time
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Cause could not be determined by dealer or multiple independent mechanics; vehicle not repaired; no diagnosis completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes identical noise was recalled on other GM models with LS 6.2 engine but 2017 Yukon excluded from recall
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Regulator Failure
High-pressure fuel pump regulator fails, causing fuel leak and engine running issues. Owner reports reduced engine power, fuel smell in cabin, white smoke from engine, and delayed ignition. Check engine light illuminates. Owner notes several other GM makes and models have recalls for this exact failure, but 2017 Yukon excluded.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Gas leak; Fuel smell in vehicle cabin; Reduced engine power; White smoke from engine; Delayed ignition; Check engine light
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states several other GM makes/models have recalls for this issue; 2017 Yukon not included in any recall
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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.
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…
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.
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,…
Had engine trouble with your 2017 GMC Yukon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2017 GMC Yukon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 91,015 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/GMC/Yukon.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.