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 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 GMC Yukon have filed 116 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 34,000 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
116
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Yukon | 20 |
| 2020 Yukon | 9 |
| 2021 Yukon | 143 |
| 2022 Yukon | 73 |
| 2023 Yukon (this page) | 116 |
| 2024 Yukon | 79 |
| 2025 Yukon | 22 |
| 2026 Yukon | 5 |
What stands out
Engine accounts for 55% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 116 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
The 2023 GMC Yukon's 6.2L L87 engine is failing catastrophically with no warning, on highways and city roads alike. Owners describe sudden, complete loss of power while driving 40–80 mph; the vehicle shifts into neutral, stops running, and won't restart. One owner's engine quit with 3,600 miles on it. Another's gave up after being cleared by GM's own recall inspection, then failed three weeks later while towing.
Metal shavings in the oil—a hallmark of bearing wear—are common findings at the dealership. Some owners report their engines seized after the recall oil-change remedy, contradicting dealer assurances the fix was safe. A few have experienced total failure twice: first engine replaced under warranty, replacement engine failed again months later.
Oil starvation appears in multiple complaints. Dipsticks show empty oil levels between service intervals, with no visible leaks underneath. Dealerships refill or blame improperly installed oil filters, but the problem recurs.
The timing is treacherous. Families with young children stranded on shoulders in darkness and rain. A mother with a two-week-old infant lost propulsion in the center lane of heavy traffic. Owners losing power while merging or passing, forced to fight the vehicle across lanes with failing power steering. One owner's engine quit on a mountain road where sudden failure could have meant rolling off a cliff.
GM's recall remedy—switching to thicker synthetic oil and performing an inspection—hasn't stopped failures. Engine backlogs stretch 6–12 weeks. Owners report GM customer service denials, disputes over warranty coverage, and $4,000 credit offers for $100,000+ vehicles rendered undriveable.
Same GMC Yukon engine reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022 · 2024 · 2025
Failure modes owners describe
Catastrophic engine seizure / connecting rod bearing failure
Complete engine lockup, typically involving crankshaft bearing seizure or spun rod bearings. Metal shavings found in oil pan indicate bearing or crankshaft wear. Engine seizes while driving, causing total loss of propulsion and inability to restart.
When: Between 3,600 and 55,000 miles; many failures occur under 25,000 miles on vehicles under 2 years old
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power at highway speeds (55–80 mph typical); Vehicle shifts into neutral or park involuntarily; No restart capability after shutdown; Metal shavings visible in engine oil; Loud knocking or clicking noise from engine (preceding failures in some cases); Burning smell from engine compartment; Check engine light (sometimes flashing, sometimes absent)
Codes mentioned: Metal shavings in oil, Crankshaft bearing damage, Rod bearing spun or seized, NHTSA Campaign 25V-274 (Recall L87 6.2L engine), NHTSA Recall 24V-266, NHTSA Safety Recall N252494000, N252494003
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required. Owners report 4–12 week wait times for replacement engines due to supplier backorder. Some owners cite costs around $90k–$115k vehicle value loss. Replacement engines (new build vs. remanufactured unclear in many cases) sourced through dealership warranty process.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued recalls (25V-274, 24V-266, N252494000, N252494003) acknowledging rod-bearing damage and crankshaft manufacturing defects from supplier. Initial remedy was oil-viscosity upgrade (0W-40 synthetic) and PicoScope testing. Many owners report passing recall inspection, then experiencing failure months later. GM Customer Satisfaction Program (N232413430, N232414720) referenced; some owners denied reimbursement claiming out-of-warranty status despite documentation showing in-warranty failures. $4,000 credit offered in at least one case. Engine replacement covered under warranty when failure occurs.
Excessive oil consumption leading to oil starvation
Engine oil level drops dramatically between service intervals, causing starvation and bearing wear. Some owners report dipstick reading empty with no visible oil leak. Pattern suggests internal oil burning or bypass issue.
When: Typically detected between oil changes; documented at 3,000–25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dipstick reads no oil despite recent fill; No visible oil leak under vehicle; Clicking or rattling noise on acceleration; Check engine light (sometimes absent); Vehicle shaking or hesitation during acceleration; Loss of power or reduced acceleration
Codes mentioned: Oil starvation, Internal oil burning, Metal shavings in oil
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships typically refill oil or replace oil filter (if improperly installed). Recurring failures in same vehicle after multiple refills suggest underlying bearing wear or internal engine defect. No permanent repair reported in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Initial remedy under recall included oil-viscosity upgrade to 0W-40 synthetic. Some owners report being advised that thicker oil was sufficient to resolve issue. GM has not issued extended service intervals or additional diagnostics for this condition in the narratives.
Loss of power / reduced acceleration under load
Vehicle experiences sudden or progressive loss of motive power, difficulty accelerating, or automatic downshift of transmission without driver input. May precede complete seizure or occur independently.
When: At various mileages; can occur after passing recall inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden deceleration or inability to accelerate; Transmission downshifts on its own; Message displayed: 'Reduced Acceleration' or 'Press Start Again'; Vehicle unable to exceed 10 mph; Jerking or rough driving feel; Engine shut down followed by restart capability (before final seizure)
Codes mentioned: Reduced power mode, Transmission fault, Check engine light (not always present), NHTSA Campaign 25V-274
Repairs/costs cited: Software updates attempted in some cases without resolution. Transmission parts ordered but often backordered. Engine replacement recommended after diagnostics rule out transmission defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls address engine defect but do not prevent reduced-power episodes in owners' experience. Software updates offered but described as ineffective by affected owners.
No restart after engine shutdown
After engine shuts down involuntarily or owner attempts to restart, vehicle refuses to crank or start. Full electrical power may remain, but starter does not engage or engine fails to fire.
When: Occurs after loss-of-power events or spontaneous shutdowns
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not crank when start button pressed; No cranking sound, only electrical power; Full vehicle electrical systems operational (lights, screens, power steering); Automatic shift to neutral or park; No warning lamps preceding event
Codes mentioned: Engine seizure, Crankshaft locked, Connecting rod failure
Repairs/costs cited: Indicates complete internal engine failure. Requires full engine replacement. Tow trucks unable to shift vehicle into neutral for towing in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Engine replacement covered under warranty. No partial repair options reported.
Brake and steering power loss during failure event
When engine shuts down, loss of engine power reduces or eliminates power steering and brake assist, increasing stopping distance and steering effort. Vehicle still has normal braking and steering capability but requires greater physical effort.
When: During involuntary engine shutdowns at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Reduction in power steering response; Increased brake pedal effort; Difficulty steering vehicle to shoulder safely; Vehicle coasts or drifts across traffic lanes
Repairs/costs cited: Not separately repaired; resolves when engine replacement performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific mitigation mentioned by manufacturer. Owners note this increases crash risk during failure events.
Synthesized from 116 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Took my Yukon in for L87 engine recall. Advisor informed me my engine failed. No symptoms, sounds or messages appeared.’
My vehicle was apart of the GM L87 recall. I took it to the dealership and it passed the recall and received the remedy which was an oil change. Now about 3 months later, I was driving in the highway at approximately 70 mph when the vehicle lost power and shifted to neutral. I had to attempt to veer off the highway with no acceleration. Upon getting it to the side of the highway, it wouldn’t do…
In April 2022, I purchased a brand-new 2022 Yukon Denali from Roberts-Robinson Chevrolet GMC in Excelsior Springs, MO. Shortly thereafter, the first engine failure occurred in October 2022. The vehicle was towed to GMC AutoNation in Golden, CO, where it remained until repairs were completed in January 2023. Soon after the vehicle was returned, the second engine failure occurred in February 2023.…
I brought my 2023 Yukon in for the 6.2 GM inspection, and was told my engine was good, and the engine oil was changed. Approximately 3 weeks later the engine in the Yukon failed (seized) while I was towing my boat at 55mph, nearly causing an accident. I was able to pull the vehicle and boat to the side of the highway in a precarious location, which put me, my family and property in danger.…
The vehicle engine experienced a failure on the highway at very high speeds with no warnings leading up to this occurrence, same as many of the experiences of the customers with the 6.2L engines, which have been recalled for these defects. This GMC Yukon has the 5.3L engine, however, has the same defects as the 6.2L engine, excessive oil consumption and eventually engine failure. I am without a…
I was driving down 85 South bound at mile marker 16 the engine started messing up causing me and my family to be pushed over to the median. Once I was able to fight it over to the median it started smoking and i was afraid it was going to catch fire, so me and my family had to get out on the side of the interstate until help showed up and said it was safe to get back into the car. I had to use…
Had engine trouble with your 2023 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 2023 GMC Yukon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 116 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 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 25,734 and 40,000 miles, with the median around 34,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,734; a quarter make it past 40,000. 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.
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.