OnStar Module is disabled, this is a key safety feature, one of the reasons I purchased this vehicle.
2022 GMC Yukon XL electrical problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
4injuries
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of GMC Yukon XL in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2022 GMC Yukon XLs with the 6.2L V8 L87 engine consistently report sudden, complete loss of propulsion at highway speeds with no warning signs. These failures occur between 25,000 and 88,000 miles, sometimes on brand-new replacement engines. When the engine dies, all electrical systems fail—power steering, power brakes, and electronics all become inoperable. The transmission locks in Park and cannot be shifted to Neutral, making the vehicle nearly impossible to tow safely. Owners describe near-miss collisions and one engine failure in -17° Minnesota weather with children in the vehicle.
Beyond engine seizure, owners report chronic battery drain starting early in ownership, recurring without root cause identification. Several describe engine knock and high-idle conditions that dealerships initially claim to find nothing wrong with, later revealed to be cam and lifter failure requiring full engine replacement.
Additional electrical gremlins include transmission shift delays and unexpected Neutral engagement, instrument cluster blackouts with no speed or RPM display, and driver-side headlight/turn signal failure that worsened after a recall repair performed three times without resolution. One owner reports OnStar disabled and another sunroof leaking onto electronics despite multiple repair attempts.
GM acknowledged the engine defect (NHTSA Campaign 25V-274) but provides no repair—dealers report a 3,000-unit backlog on replacement engines. Owners say GM refused buyback or replacement and offered only a loyalty voucher. One replacement engine seized again at 500 miles.
Same GMC Yukon XL electrical reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Seizure / Loss of Propulsion
Engine seizes without warning while driving, resulting in complete loss of power and propulsion. Multiple owners report sudden engine shutdown at highway speeds with no warning lights or messages beforehand. Some report connecting rod bearing failure as root cause. Vehicle becomes difficult or impossible to restart; transmission locks in Park and cannot be shifted.
When: At highway speeds ranging from 25,000 to 88,000+ miles; one case at 42,000 miles on original engine; another replaced engine seized at 500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of engine power while driving; No warning lights or messages prior to failure; Engine will not restart after shutting down; Transmission locks in Park, cannot be shifted to Neutral; All vehicle systems become inoperable (no power steering, no power brakes, no electronics); Loud engine noise before failure reported in some cases
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 25V-274
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; dealer reports 3,000-unit backlog on replacement engines. One case involved replacement engine failing again at 500 miles. Multiple owners report 2+ engine replacements on same vehicle. Parts availability extremely limited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GMC acknowledged defect tied to NHTSA Campaign 25V-274 but no repair available. Some dealers performed fuel module replacement, battery replacement, or computer replacement with no resolution. GMC offered $5,000 loyalty voucher instead of buyback or replacement; dealer testing showed vehicle passing L87 engine propulsion recall test despite subsequent failure.
Battery Drain / Battery Failure
Battery dies unexpectedly while driving or after extended periods of non-use. Described as a chronic issue occurring repeatedly throughout ownership with no root cause identified by service departments.
When: At 25,404 miles (first incident); recurring throughout ownership; again at 88,013 miles after one year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dies while driving at highway speed; Vehicle dies at highway speed with all systems becoming inoperable; Battery dead after periods of non-use; Chronic battery drain with no identifiable cause
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement performed at owner cost in at least one case, even though battery was depleted from failed restart attempts. Service departments unable to identify underlying electrical cause across multiple visits.
Engine Knock / High Idle / Cam and Lifter Failure
Engine produces knocking noise and operates at abnormally high idle. Reported multiple times to service departments with no issues found initially. Eventually diagnosed as cam and lifter defect requiring full engine replacement.
When: Starting at 26,608 miles; reported at 37,265 miles when engine light came on; engine replaced after 08/30/23
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knocking noise; High idle operation; Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement performed; original engine had failed cam and lifters.
Transmission Shift Issues / Transmission Control Module Failure
Transmission exhibits delayed shifting, unexpected neutral engagement, and loss of communication with brake control module. Transmission control module requires recalibration or shows communication loss with other vehicle systems.
When: At 36,303 miles (delayed shifting); 38,183 miles (shifting into neutral multiple times)
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed shifting; Vehicle shifts into Neutral unexpectedly while driving; Transmission cannot be shifted out of Park after power loss; Loss of communication between transfer case and brake control module
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module reprogrammed at dealership; communication loss resolved without repair according to service invoice.
Instrument Cluster / Dashboard Display Malfunction
Instrument cluster goes completely dark with no speed, RPM, or signal information displayed. Display also experiences repeated screen-switching issues even after module replacement and software recall updates.
When: Starting at 26,608 miles; continues throughout ownership despite repairs and recalls
Symptoms owners cite: Digital gauge cluster suddenly blacks out with no information displayed; Dashboard displays change screens while driving; Display unable to show speed, RPM, turn signals, or other critical information
Repairs/costs cited: Telematics/display module replaced; software recall applied; display issues persist after all repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall performed (screen switching recall); module replacement performed; software updated; defect persists
Headlight and Turn Signal Failure
Driver-side headlight and turn signal stop functioning completely. Problem began before recall 22V-903 and worsened immediately after recall repair was performed. Dealership unable to determine root cause or guarantee repair effectiveness.
When: Before and worsening after GM recall 22V-903 repair
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side headlight complete failure; Driver-side turn signal complete failure; Turn signal and daytime running lights occasionally stayed on after vehicle shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Problem confirmed by dealership and documented in GM Case #74327012. Potential $600 part replacement suggested but not guaranteed to resolve issue. Recall repair performed three separate times but did not resolve problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V-903 repair performed three times; defect persists; potential part replacement cost estimated at $600
OnStar Module Disabled
OnStar safety feature disabled or non-functional, removing a key safety system that owner cited as reason for purchasing vehicle.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: OnStar module disabled
Sunroof Leak
Sunroof leaks repeatedly despite multiple repair attempts. Water intrusion damages electronics including wireless charger and screen.
When: Multiple occasions throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof leak; Water damage to wireless charger; Water damage to screen and other electronics
Repairs/costs cited: Leak repaired multiple times but continues to recur.
Running Board Malfunction
Running boards do not operate properly.
When: Beginning within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Running boards not working
Entertainment System Failure
Entertainment system does not operate properly.
When: Beginning within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Entertainment system not operating
Reverse Camera Failure
Reverse camera does not engage.
When: Beginning within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Reverse camera not engaging
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
the digital gauge cluster suddenly black out and do not show any information such as speed, rpm, signal, etc at all. this is very serious issue for driver and passenger safety.
The driver-side headlight and turn signal on my 2022 GMC Yukon stopped functioning completely. This issue began before GM recall 22V‑903 and worsened immediately after the recall repair was performed. The recall repair required three separate dealership visits because it was initially performed improperly, yet the problem was never fully resolved. During interactions with GM and the dealership,…
Had electrical trouble with your 2022 GMC Yukon XL?
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 electrical problem on the 2022 GMC Yukon XL?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2022/GMC/Yukon XL.
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.