2020 GMC Yukon XL Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: August 8, 2026 · Filed: September 21, 2026

The transmission failed on August 8, 2026, while I was driving on a highway. I moved safely to the shoulder, but the vehicle became inoperable and required towing. The loss of propulsion in active highway traffic created a potentially hazardous situation. My GMC Bommarito Buick GMC dealership advised that GM cannot currently supply the required replacement transmission. The dealer has no estimated delivery date and does not know when GM can supply the unit. The vehicle has been out of service for over four weeks, with no definite repair or return-to-service date. I am concerned that the inability to provide a replacement transmission may indicate unusually high demand or a broader issue. I identified other recent NHTSA complaints involving 2020 GMC Yukon XL vehicles reporting 10-speed transmission failures and difficulty obtaining replacements, including ODI complaints 11711773 and 11747021. I request that NHTSA evaluate this complaint with similar reports. I respectfully request that NHTSA consider whether: • These transmissions are experiencing premature or unusually frequent failures. • Valve-body, internal, or other component defects may contribute. • Failures can cause sudden loss of propulsion, unexpected shifting, loss of power, or other safety-related conditions. • The replacement-transmission shortage is connected to an unusually high failure rate. • GM has sufficient replacement units and repair components available. • Available complaints, dealer information, and manufacturer information warrant further investigation or action. I request that this complaint be associated with my VIN and reviewed with other complaints involving 2020 GMC Yukon XL Denali vehicles and other GMC, Cadillac, and Chevrolet models equipped with the 10-speed 10L800-speed automatic transmission. I believe the circumstances warrant review as a potential broader vehicle-safety issue, rather than solely an individual parts-availability problem.

Incident: September 12, 2026 · Filed: September 12, 2026

Passenger door handle caused laceration in my sons hand. Peeling interior paint or chrome created a cut on hand. Causing it to bleed and get first aid. Noticed all door handles were in same condition. Very un safe and can repeat incidents like this to other in household.

Incident: June 15, 2026 · Filed: July 23, 2026

The vehicle has an unpredictable and random tendency to hesitate when the gas is pressed. This has been happening at some level since the vehicle was new. The dealership service department was never able to get the vehicle to do what I was concerned about, so they never helped resolve the issue. Now that it is out of warranty, the issue is getting worse. It is to the point that I believe it is unsafe for anyone but me to drive it. I have to make sure that when I turn onto a new road, that there is absolutely noone coming because I cannot depend on my vehicle to accelerate quickly enough, even at a normal rate. It may lag and take its time speeding up, or it may accelerate normally with no issues. I stopped going to the dealership for oil changes and checking the issue because they no longer give loaner vehicles and they take a minimum of three hours for an oil change. So I recently took it to my trusted mechanic. He replaced the knock sensors, which helped slightly. He could still detect issues, but was concerned it would require a whole new engine built to bypass the DFM system and repair the cams and lifters. So I nw have to drive a vehicle that needs $20,000 worth of repair, has the potential to be dangerous or leave me broken down on the side of the road. It has 106,000 miles and I still owe $12,000 on it. From my research, I understand that this is a known issue and that there are several lawsuits regarding the issue. That does not help the average person who doesn’t care about a lawsuit, but is justifying st trying to live their average life with a dependable vehicle. Please help!

Incident: June 22, 2026 · Filed: July 12, 2026

My family drove from [XXX] to [XXX]. Upon arrival check engine light came on, we proceeded to a local shop, by the time we arrive check engine light was flashing and engine was knocking and was clearly malfunctioning. Shop owner recommended we transport the vehicle back home as service shops in the area were experiencing high volume and parts shortages. We had vehicle towed to a local shop in [XXX]. The engine is giving diagnostic codes P0300, P050D, [XXX] with internal knocking and tapping. Vehicle has been kept current on all oil changes and has no external leaks. GMC wants at least $12,000 to replace the engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: May 19, 2026 · Filed: June 28, 2026

Without any indications of a problem our transmission began making a loud whining noise. The evening before it was fine and the next morning on startup the noise just began. The Vehicle only has 45,000 miles on it and the transmission had been serviced at the recommend manufacturer interval. Took it immediately to my auto repair shop where it was diagnosed as a transmission failure (they has seen this before) and told not to drive until replaced due to safety issues related to the failure. Unfortunately, due to a shortage of these needed 10 speed transmission I waited over a month for the vehicle to be repaired. The shop contacted GM to inquire about any warranty help but was told there was none.

Incident: August 15, 2025 · Filed: June 5, 2026

The engine light came on and started making noise. We drove it to a mechanic shop, and they said the code stated camshaft and other component issues, but the engine ended up failing completely and was rebuilt. We initially checked for recalls and our VIN did not show any; however, we recently became aware that our engine (6.2L) might be part of the ongoing current problems associated with a recall. We are hoping that GMC will cover any remaining repairs and/or reimburse us for the thousands it has cost us.

Filed: April 25, 2026

Multiple repairs on brakes and tires are mismatched old since purchased in 2023 tires deflate gas cap missing

Incident: April 22, 2026 · Filed: April 23, 2026

Engine started with a rough idle, I attributed this to mileage. Check engine light did not come on until days before scheduling service. Per diagnostic from Chevrolet service department: Lifter roller damaged and camshaft damaged on lobe. need to replace camshaft and lifters. this has been diagnosed by Chevrolet dealer mechanics at Ferman Chevrolet North Tampa, in Tampa Florida. Check Engine Light came on 4 days before I took it for diagnostic. Chevrolet and GMC have issued a recall on 2021+ but this remains outside that recall. I'm quoted for an $11,343 repair on a vehicle that has gotten regular synthetic oil changes at the dealership since I bought it with approx 80k miles on it. Metal was not noticed in the prior oil changes, latest which was

Incident: March 30, 2026 · Filed: April 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH and attempting a lane change, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact pulled over to the shoulder and restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle struggled to restart and failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was driven to the residence at a reduced speed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Incident: March 16, 2026 · Filed: March 22, 2026

Driving on the highway when the steering warning light came on and then I had a loss of complete steering on the highway. Somehow was able to get off the highway but not completely off the road. Back end of the vehicle was still in harms way I could not turn that wheel at all this is a complete safety issue and could have easily caused an accident and could have been deadly. There was no warning before that just went out while driving at highway speeds on the highway. Also had to wait two hours for a tow. Vehicle is currently being diagnosed at the dealer and will provide all receipts once completed. This is an issue that needs to be addressed. Huge safety concen