GMC Yukon transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027

528 of the 2,908 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Yukon 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2021 (100), 2017 (87), 2023 (82). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

528 complaints, 12 model years 18% of everything filed about the Yukon typically at 67k miles

GMC Yukon transmission and drivetrain problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.

Model year	Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain	Share of the year’s	Typically at	On file under the heading
2027	0	—	—	—	the year →
2026	11	15%	—	1 recall	the year →
2025	9	11%	—	40 TSBs	the year →
2024	24	14%	—	71 TSBs	the year →
2023 in depth	82	18%	—	235 TSBs	the record →
2022 in depth	59	17%	—	229 TSBs · 1 recall	the record →
2021 in depth	100	18%	70k	296 TSBs · 2 recalls	the record →
2020	27	33%	—	208 TSBs · 1 recall	the year →
2019	28	22%	—	280 TSBs · 1 recall	the year →
2018	26	21%	—	386 TSBs · 1 recall	the year →
2017 in depth	87	24%	48k	457 TSBs	the record →
2016 in depth	75	15%	80k	546 TSBs	the record →

Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.

When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database

528complaints name the transmission and drivetrain, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 27 · 2020: 17 · 2021: 19 · 2022: 21 · 2023: 25 · 2024: 48 · 2025: 184 · 2026: 174

67kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 127 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 36,000 and 91,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 45–50 MPH, the engine was making an abnormal sound. The contact stopped and lightly depressed the accelerator pedal and continued driving. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift gear. The RPM increased to high.

Power Train at 66,000 miles Jun 10, 2025 NHTSA owner report

Transmission issue - 2021 Yukon XL broke down 5/6/25 while driving with 2 of our children in the vehicle. the RPMs skyrocketed but the vehicle wouldn't go. was hard shifting and speed would not exceed 35ish MPH. message popped up on vehicle that said acceleration throttled and engine light came on.

Power Train Jun 5, 2025 NHTSA owner report

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.

Power Train at 131,000 miles Sep 24, 2021 NHTSA owner report

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.

Power Train at 39,400 miles Mar 25, 2021 NHTSA owner report

While driving the vehicles went into limp mode with a transmission issue. Vehicle was towed to the dealership where I was informed the transmission body valve has failed. Vehicle has been out of service for 3 week so far, still not fixed

Power Train Dec 12, 2025 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

26V289000 Critical do not drive
May 7, 2026 · 66 vehicles
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
26V085000 Critical
Feb 13, 2026 · 43,743 vehicles
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
24V797000 Critical
Oct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
22V036000 High
Jan 27, 2022 · 1,789 vehicles
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

Other systems with a record on the GMC Yukon

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: GMC Yukon problems by year →

From here

Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which GMC Yukon years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?

2021, 100; 2017, 87; 2023, 82. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (33%).

Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the GMC Yukon?

Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V289000 (2026), 26V085000 (2022), 24V797000 (2021), 22V036000 (2021). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the GMC Yukon?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 67,150 miles across the model years; half of them between 36,000 and 91,000. 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.