2017 GMC Yukon transmission and drivetrain problems
87 of the 359 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 GMC Yukon name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 457 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 87 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 6 · 2019: 11 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 16 · 2026: 8
Half of the 33 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 24,000 and 85,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
359 complaints in all about the 2017 GMC Yukon, 8 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Yukon transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was alerted by other drivers that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed as a power train failure. The driver’s and passenger’s side taillights were replaced.
While sitting at a stop on a 9degree incline behind another vehicle I started to accelerate to move up to the stop sign. As I pressed on the accelerator the engine rpm's increased but the vehicle didn't move as if the transmission was not engaging, then without warning it jerked forward.
My 2017 Gmc Yukon denali continues to have a very loud shudder sound as you accelerate
Vehicle has hard shift from park. Most often when first driven of the day but also occurs when stopping for redlights or stop signs while traveling
8 speed transmission buffets at low rpm's between the speed of 40 and 80. The vehicle's transmission does not engage when cold. This has been an ongoing issue since the vehicle had approximately 25,000 miles on it
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications457 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2017 GMC Yukon names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 GMC Yukon
Source: the same files- brake problems 73 complaints
- engine problems 62 complaints
- electrical problems 53 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2017 GMC Yukon?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 87 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (24% of everything owners filed about it), and 457 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2017 GMC Yukon?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 3 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2017 GMC Yukon?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 48,000 miles; half of them between 24,000 and 85,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.