Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. This special coverage covers if an engine failure occurs in the vehicle as a result of the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after May 23, 2025, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation code
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 GMC Yukon XL engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 GMC Yukon XL have filed 96 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles 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 →
Failure mileage
Complaints
96
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Yukon XL | 21 |
| 2021 Yukon XL | 102 |
| 2022 Yukon XL | 85 |
| 2023 Yukon XL (this page) | 96 |
| 2025 Yukon XL | 9 |
| 2026 Yukon XL | 10 |
1crash
What stands out
Engine accounts for 51% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 96 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
Under Field Actions N252494000, N252494001, the service procedure includes performing a PICO test on vehicle engines within the identified suspect VIN population. If the engine passes the PICO test, the engine oil will be changed from 0W20 to Mobil 1 Supercar 0W40 dexosR. From that point forward, the engine must use 0W40 dexosR oil products for all future oil change services.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition that could cause the engine coolant control valve to fail an onboard vehicle diagnostic test. If this condition were to occur, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, and a diagnostic trouble code will set. Additionally in some cases, the engine cooling fans may run after the engine is switched off. Dealers are to replace the engine coolant control valve as necessary. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer concerns of engine related shudder.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe sudden, complete engine failure occurring without warning at highway speeds—stalling, loss of power and steering, and inability to restart or shift into neutral. Most failures happened between 10,000 and 65,000 miles, with multiple occurring within weeks of a GM recall service (recall 25V274000 for the 6.2L and 5.3L engines). The pattern is consistent: no check engine light, no sounds, then the engine shuts down and the transmission locks, trapping the vehicle in traffic.
Dealers confirm metal shavings in the oil pan, seized bearings, and collapsed valve lifters as causes. One owner's engine contained no oil despite a full dipstick reading two days earlier with no visible leaks. Another passed the recall "PICO test" on December 28, 2025, then lost all power three weeks later on a busy road with six family members aboard.
Engine replacement takes 3 to 8 weeks or longer due to parts backlogs; dealers reported 5+ vehicles waiting for engines and replacement engines failing immediately. Owners cite out-of-pocket costs—$3,450 for miscellaneous charges despite "goodwill" repairs, $100+ Lyft rides after roadside breakdowns, and insufficient $44/day rental allowances. Some owners received replacement engines with identical part numbers, raising concerns the new engines contain the same design flaw. One family needs three engine replacements in under two years.
Same GMC Yukon XL engine reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Catastrophic engine seizure with loss of power at highway speeds
Engine seizes completely without warning, rendering the vehicle unable to restart or shift into neutral. Occurs at highway speeds (typically 55–75 mph), causing sudden loss of propulsion and steering assist, trapping owners in traffic or on dangerous roadways. Owners report no prior warning lights or check engine codes. Metal debris in oil pan and seized bearings/lifters confirmed by dealers.
When: Mileage typically 10,000–65,000 miles, most failures in first 2 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving; Complete loss of power and propulsion; Vehicle shifts to neutral on its own or cannot be shifted to neutral; Dashboard displays 'Press Start' or 'Restart Vehicle' message; No restart possible; electrical system still operational; Steering becomes difficult or locked; Metal shavings or debris found in oil pan by dealers
Codes mentioned: P0300 (random misfire), Seized bearings, Collapsed valve lifters, Damaged camshaft lobes
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required, taking 3–8 weeks or longer due to backorder; parts shortage widely reported. Some replacement engines failed again within days to weeks. Owners report out-of-pocket costs for miscellaneous charges ($3,450 mentioned in one case). GM offered $44/day rental reimbursement, insufficient for family vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V274000 (L87 engine) issued; remedy included oil change to 0W-40 and new oil cap. Some owners report passing recall inspection ('PICO test') shortly before catastrophic failure, indicating recall remedy did not prevent defect. Recall parts were unavailable for extended periods after recall issuance. GM offered extended warranty (10 year/150k miles per one owner's claim). Some owners refused repair or buyback; GM reportedly unresponsive to demands.
Valve lifter collapse and camshaft damage
Valve lifter (typically on cylinder 5 or 6) collapses, causing shattered lifter pieces and metal debris to circulate through engine, damaging camshaft lobes, pushrods, valves, and bearings. Results in severe misfire, rough idle, and loss of power. Affects both 6.2L and 5.3L engines.
When: Occurs between ~10,000 and 68,000 miles; some after recent oil changes or shortly after recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Loud chatter, knock, or clanking noise from engine; Rough idle and loss of power during acceleration; Check engine light and traction control light activation; Pulsating power loss; Engine runs rough 1–2 days after oil change
Codes mentioned: P0300 (random misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Requires removal of cylinder head, replacement of lifter, camshaft, pushrods, valves, gaskets, and seals. Costs cited include $8,500+ for full repair and $3,450 in 'miscellaneous charges' despite 'goodwill' repair claim. Repair took 2–5 weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some repairs covered as 'goodwill' warranty repairs, yet owners still charged thousands for miscellaneous items. No recall issued specifically for 5.3L lifter failures, though 6.2L covered under recall 25V274000.
Bearing failure and metal debris in oil
Main bearings fail or spin, causing metal shavings and shards to accumulate in oil pan. Discovered during oil analysis or inspection following rough running. Renders engine unsafe and non-operable; full replacement required.
When: Typically within 25,000 miles; some after recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise from engine area; Metal shavings found in oil pan; Excessive metal on oil filter element; Rough running and loss of power; No warning lights until near failure
Codes mentioned: Metal debris confirmed via oil analysis
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement. Parts backlog caused 3–8 week delays. One owner reported engine had no oil when checked by dealer, despite full dipstick reading 2 days prior with no visible leaks or low-oil warning.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for bearing failures. Owners informed engine replacement is only solution; no timeline provided due to parts shortage.
Oil starvation and rapid oil loss without warning
Engine loses significant oil (2–3 quarts) without visible leaks, leading to piston and component failure. Low oil warning light does not activate or activates too late. Oil dipstick readings do not reflect actual oil level, creating false sense of security.
When: Within 3,000–4,988 miles after oil change; one case at 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil warning light appears suddenly; Oil level dramatically low upon inspection; No visible leaks under vehicle; Pistons and internal components damaged from oil starvation; No prior symptoms or warning lights until catastrophic stage
Codes mentioned: Low oil warning (activation after damage already done)
Repairs/costs cited: Requires replacement of pistons and associated components. One case involved 4 pistons requiring replacement after only 3,000 miles; repair took 3 weeks. Another case involved no oil in engine requiring full replacement despite fresh dipstick reading 2 days prior.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. One owner was told by dealership that recall repair personnel had 'reset the oil indicator improperly,' leading to delayed warning. GM has not acknowledged systemic oil-loss issue.
Repeated engine failure post-recall and post-replacement
Engine fails after passing recall inspection and service work, or replacement engine fails within days to weeks of installation. Indicates recall remedy does not address underlying defect and replacement engines may have same flaw.
When: 2 weeks to 6 weeks after recall service or engine replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Same symptoms as original failure (stalling, loss of power, rough running, metal in oil); Occurs despite passing 'PICO test' or recall inspection; Second failure while driving or shortly after pickup from dealer
Codes mentioned: Same codes as original failure (metal debris, seized bearings, lifter issues)
Repairs/costs cited: Requires another full engine replacement; one owner reported 6-week repair window for second replacement. Replacement engines have same part numbers as originals, raising concerns they contain same design flaw.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V274000 remedy (oil change and cap replacement) did not prevent subsequent failures in multiple cases. GM has not changed replacement engine part numbers or design. One owner reported GM 'still refuses to discuss' whether new engine addresses known issue. One vehicle required three engine replacements.
Engine stalling and loss of power on highway with inability to restart or downshift
Engine suddenly stalls while driving at highway speeds (55–75 mph) without prior warning. Vehicle cannot be restarted, and transmission cannot be shifted to neutral, trapping vehicle in traffic lane. This creates severe accident risk.
When: Typically 15,000–50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall with no prior symptoms; Dashboard displays 'Press Start' or restart message; Accelerator becomes unresponsive (no effect when depressed); Vehicle cannot be shifted to neutral; Steering becomes difficult or locked; All electrical systems (lights, dash) remain functional; No check engine light prior to failure
Codes mentioned: Engine seizure confirmed post-failure
Repairs/costs cited: Towing required (standard tow trucks struggled because vehicle would not go into neutral; some owners report frame cracking during tow). Full engine replacement, 3–8 weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Roadside Assistance sometimes unavailable or delayed for hours. Rental cars offered at $44/day (insufficient for large families). GM claimed certain VINs 'not affected' by recall despite identical symptoms. No proactive outreach or buyback offered except in rare cases.
Synthesized from 96 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
2023 Gmc Yukon XL SLT 5.3 Liter V8 engine As i was crusing on hiway my engine gave up lost of power knocking noise and check engine light appeared on dash it was a very serious matter when you are on hiway and engine fails on you ive gotte the car diagnosed it had known issue like the rest of GM trucks and suv Lifter failure/camshaft/push rods complete engine had to be either replace or…
Engine failure at 38k miles No service lights on dash. GM says 4 months to get replacement motor with very little help on getting rental car
While traveling on the interstate my vehicle shuttered and lost power we went to a friend’s neighborhood and the vehicle stalled when we pulled in no lights had come on until then and a knock had started. With no where to pull over I finally got the vehicle started and drove it straight to our friends house and left in on the side of the street. I had to take there vehicle home and called ONSTAR…
The vehicle has experienced numerous losses of power, it has nearly stalled during normal operation, there is a horrible knocking noise coming from the engine. I have had the vehicle into the dealership who state they are unable to recreate the issue, and since the vehicle has been turned off the recorder shows noting either. They have performed an inspection and changed the oil, but the vehicle…
The vehicle underwent a recall inspection on September 8, but on October 2, the vehicle still experienced a serious engine failure. The vehicle was undrivable, and the dealer inspected it and opened a TCA case. However, General Motors stated that it had passed the recall test and was not covered under special warranty, and asked me to pay $5,000 for vehicle repairs. I believe this is an engine…
Had engine trouble with your 2023 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 engine problem on the 2023 GMC Yukon XL?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 96 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?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 22,000 and 63,077 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 22,000; a quarter make it past 63,077. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2023/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.