I purchased a new 2020 GMC Yukon in May of 2020. Between May 2020 and November 2025 the vehicle was routinely serviced on or before the due date recommend by the manufacturer. I had not experienced issues with the vehicle until November 2020 when the check engine light abruptly appeared and the vehicle began driving very rough. I immediately took the vehicle to the local mechanic who identified…
2020 GMC Yukon engine problems
moderate 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
total engine failure with 90,000 miles on the car.
We purchased the vehicle used in April 2025 with 79,851 miles. All service records were documented via Carfax. Vehicle was in impeccable condition. We drove it for approx. 8,000 miles until July 10, 2025, when a loud knocking sound started coming from the engine - approx. mileage 87,600. We drove the vehicle home 350 miles. The knocking sound continued and got slightly worse. We drove it to the…
While driving to Lake Placid, NY, I experienced sudden loss of propulsion as I was driving approximately 60 mph. I was able to brake and pull over to the shoulder. I was not able to restart the vehicle - engine was dead. We were flat bed towed to a garage in Lake Placid where it was confirmed that the engine was inoperable. The vehicle is now at. GM dealer in Potsdam, NY. I believe this engine…
I took my vehicle to a dealer to repair something unrelated to the engine. They said the oil pan was leaking and pulled the pan to discover the crank shaft bearings were failing. The vehicle has 53,765 miles at this point. This appears to be the same defect being recalled on the 2022 through 2024 models.
Had engine trouble with your 2020 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 2020 GMC Yukon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 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 9 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 52,000 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/2020/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.