A GMC flagship, the 2024 Yukon full-sized SUV was launched with major technology upgrades and a refreshed interior. According to the automaker, it combines “unmatched performance, bold design, and advanced technology to meet the demands of today’s discerning drivers.” It may be a status symbol, but complaints to the NHTSA about the SUV indicate that there are major problems with the vehicle’s engine.
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Most Common Problems
As of mid-April 2025, only one of the complaints about the 2024 GMC Yukon to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) was about the engine. This complaint was filed as an electrical system problem, but it aligns with other engine-related complaints, stating that the truck suddenly lost power and shifted to neutral.
Other components and systems that are mentioned are exterior lighting, powertrain, and vehicle speed control.
Additionally, there is one recall that affects nearly half a million (449,671) General Motors (GM) vehicles including the 2024 GMC Yukon. Issued as a hydraulic service brakes issue, it warns that the electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. The problem is that if drivers aren’t warned, they might drive the vehicle with low brake fluid. The danger is that this can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of the Yukon crashing.
The engine issues cited in complaints are generally major and include engines seizing and bearings failing.
Engine Failures
In March 2025, an owner from Wisconsin noticed “unusual noises.” These noises happened while the vehicle was parked! While the dealer confirmed that the Yuknon needed “a complete engine replacement,” 30 days later, no replacement was available.
Another March 2025 complaint, this time from California, talks about a 2024 GMC Yukon Denali shaking violently and ultimately shutting down in the middle of the road. Days later, GMC confirmed that the engine had seized and they needed a new one.
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An owner from Missouri experienced a bearing failure that caused the engine to knock and make loud noises. The engine was replaced and GMC installed another engine that was also doing the same thing 150 miles after it was replaced. “My family’s safety was put at risk because the motor could have locked up or exploded with us in the car causing a crash or possible fatality.” At the time of the complaint, the owner was waiting to hear what the automaker would do about the second engine that needed to be replaced. “The lack of notification from GMC could cause drivers to be hurt by not knowing their car is failing.”
An owner from Austin, Texas reports that his wife was traveling with their children in the middle of a highway when the Yukon lost power. “She was unable to restart the car or change the gears. She had to call the police to help and they ordered a tow truck to have the car towed. The car had been in for an oil change 2 days prior at the dealership. We had the car towed there and they confirmed the engine needed to be replaced. Looks like we can add this to the laundry list of other GM trucks with the same issue.”
Loss of Acceleration
A Texas owner reported an engine fault in their Yukon, describing a persistent “high-pitched metallic rattle on cold start” from day one. The dealership only replaced the lifters, failing to address other issues. At 24,740 miles, the vehicle “died in the middle of a highway in the middle of nowhere,” feeling as if it was braking during acceleration before losing power. The metallic noise and power loss continued. Stranded with two children and a dog in the heat, the owner was told the vehicle suffered “catastrophic engine failure” and is now waiting months for a backordered engine, while driving an undersized rental partially paid out-of-pocket with no ETA.
A similar issue, filed under the electrical system, came from a Missouri owner. In January 2025, their Yukon “suddenly quit accelerating and flipped into neutral.” Forced to pull over with the entire family, they couldn’t restart the vehicle and called OnStar for a tow. Though the dealer made repairs, the problem reoccurred a week later while approaching a stoplight — this time four hours from home on a weekend.
In New Jersey, another owner reported “total engine failure” at just 12,307 miles. The engine shut off without warning on the interstate, displaying a message: “Press start.” The vehicle coasted to the shoulder and was towed to a dealership, where it was diagnosed with a failed L87 V8 engine. The owner was told two other vehicles were already waiting for the same engine replacement.
What to do if your 2023 GMC Yukon is a lemon?
If your 2024 GMC Yukon has ongoing issues that affect its safety, functionality, or value, it might qualify as a lemon. Lemberg Law offers a free case evaluation to help determine your options.
Under the law, if your vehicle is a lemon, the manufacturer must cover your legal fees. This means there is no cost or risk to you. We’ve helped countless drivers obtain buybacks, replacements, or financial compensation, and we may be able to assist you as well.
Getting started is easy. All you have to do is complete our online contact form or call our Helpline for a free consultation.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
