2017 GMC Yukon transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 30, 2026FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   While traveling at highway speeds, my 2017 GMC Yukon SLE suffered a sudden, catastrophic Active Fuel Management (AFM) valvetrain lifter and camshaft collapse. This caused an immediate and highly dangerous loss of vehicle propulsion in live moving traffic on I-95, creating an extreme physical safety hazard for my family. General Motors has extensive, documented internal corporate knowledge of this severe design defect under Technical Service Bulletin TSB #18-NA-073.

   NHTSA complaint #11753782 · source
2. Filed Apr 8, 2026MTTransmission & Drivetrain

   The 2017 GMC Yukon has serious transmission issues that GM continues to ignore, and it is going to get someone hurt. I was stopped at a red light, and when it turned green, I pressed the gas pedal but the car would not move. I pressed harder, and then it suddenly lurched forward about 30 feet. If there had been a car in front of me, I would have hit them and likely caused injuries. When I took it to the dealership, they said it needed a full transmission replacement, which…

   NHTSA complaint #11730014 · source
3. Filed Mar 30, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   The 8-speed automatic transmission (Hydra-Matic 8L90) on this 2017 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3L V8 has failed. This is a repeat failure — the transmission was previously rebuilt in 2020 under a GM recall/service action for the same known defect affecting this transmission type. The transmission has now failed again in 2026, approximately six years after GM's prior repair. Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited hard shifting, shuddering during acceleration, and hesitation between gear…

   NHTSA complaint #11728048 · source
4. Filed Feb 13, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain

   Slipping Gears: Many Yukon Denali owners report experiencing unexpected gear changes or loss of power while driving. Hard Shifting: This problem manifests as harsh or abrupt gear changes, often accompanied by noticeable jolts when shifting from one gear to another. Unusual Noises: Grinding, whining, or clunking sounds when shifting There has been a class action lawsuit for this. I'm not sure why it has not been recalled in all states.

   NHTSA complaint #11717784 · source
5. Filed Nov 7, 202578,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact own a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear while driving and remained stuck in gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that assistance would not be provided because the…

   NHTSA complaint #11698166 · source
6. Filed Nov 4, 2025NVTransmission & Drivetrain

   When i bought the yukon 3 years ago the tranmission went out within months, they replaced it with a used one, now it is started to do the same thing, it will slip in and out of gear, when you give it gas it will jump into gear at an idle it will drop out of gear, it's been doing this every since they put the used one in, i noitied them they said that it is normal???? I had the work done @ pahrump valley auto plaza. I'm afraid that when im at a light it will not go into gear…

   NHTSA complaint #11697496 · source
7. Filed Oct 21, 2025FLEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My vehicle started making a knocking sound and eventually died on me. I barely made it to a repair shop to check out my vehicle, but had to get it towed back to my home from the repair shop after they told me my engine failed. This happened around 118,000 mileage. I found out that this issue is very common and needs to be addressed for this year and model vehicle. It could have ended very badly for me as I was on the interstate when it happened. Now, my vehicle is sitting…

   NHTSA complaint #11694709 · source
8. Filed Jul 15, 2025VATransmission & Drivetrain

   116k miles and the transmission went out. Spent almost 6k on a jasper to replace it. I don’t think I need to explain what happens when a trans goes out. It did all of those things.

   NHTSA complaint #11673777 · source
9. Filed Jun 27, 2025NJTransmission & Drivetrain

   I brought a 2017 Yukon GMC from a dealership. When I first drove it on a highway it began to pull and shake, to the point it slow down on the highway. Also the dashboard started to shake , vibrate on the highway. When I step on the gas on a local road ,the transmission is pulling to pick up speed. Took it to a Mechanic and explained to him what was going on he test drove it and told me it's the transmission. He also said this year truck " GMC" truck like this has bad…

   NHTSA complaint #11669848 · source
10. Filed May 8, 2025COTransmission & Drivetrain

    My 2017 GMC Yukon SLT,, has been having shifting problems, including hard or delayed shifts, clunking, jerking, and even sudden jolts when downshifting.Rough or jerky shifts, particularly during acceleration and deceleration, a delay in engaging gears, especially when shifting from park to drive or reverse. Transmission shifts are very rough in slow traffic with as much as one to two-second delays in shifting into gear with a loud thump. It is so rough that it feels like…

    NHTSA complaint #11659649 · source
11. Filed Apr 30, 2025LATransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission went out in August of 2023, had to have it rebuilt and costed 9,000. Safety was put at risk due to car sputtering to shift gears on the highway while traveling. Problem was identified by the dealership. No light indicators were on. Vehicle now has engine starting to come on periodically and when trying to diagnose it is giving fuel efficiency codes.

    NHTSA complaint #11657877 · source
12. Filed Mar 31, 2025INTransmission & Drivetrain

    RPM’s started to fluctuate while driving with cruise on. Noticed no issue with shifting until torque converter grenaded blowing metal through the transmission 2 days later. Transmission has been replaced with GM reman by a GM dealer. New transmission lags going into gear when it’s cold and shifts hard. GM tech said this is common and no way to correct it without replacing it again.

    NHTSA complaint #11651733 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology