Transmission failure at 90,000 miles

- League City, TX, USA

On December 6, 2022, while I was driving on a busy highway, my 2016 GMC Yukon jumped out of gear and slowed down until it was at a dead stop. I managed to pull over on the shoulder, but not before I came extremely close to another car running to the side of the vehicle at an intersection. Luckily the other driver had good breaks! Once I passed this busy intersection, I inched it very slowly to the shoulder. Luckly the road was on a decline and not an incline. I called a tow truck to tow the vehicle to a certified GM mechanic. The shop verified that the transmission went out. The mechanic stated that there was really nothing I could have done to prevent it without some type of warning. The vehicle only had 81,000 miles at the time and there were no warning lights blinking or signs that it was about to go out. Only sign was that morning while driving to work there was a hard shift between 2nd and 3rd gear but it wasn-??t long after that the transmission went out. I had a new transmission installed on 12/09/2022.

- Mansura, LA, USA

I currently have 109024 miles on my yukon. At the time the issue first occurred, it had 108998 miles. Up til that moment, it was running perfectly. About 5 miles into my drive on 11/13/2022 it started to shutter at the top of 2nd gear, then a hard shift into 3rd. The shutter repeated at the top of 3rd, before a hard shift into 4th gear. I turned around & returned home. Checked the fluids, everything was fine. Let it sit, had to drive it to work (6 miles or so) on 11/14/22 & it shuttered at the top of 2nd & 3rd gear again. Took it to Wallingford Buick GMC (in CT) Tuesday 11/15/22. Upon inspection, it was confirmed the transmission failed. $6538.31 for a new, replacement transmission. It's still at the shop, waiting for the new transmission to be delivered. I've maintained my vehicle, have regular oil changes & inspections of the powertrain components. This came totally out of the blue. No warnings, or any indication of pending doom.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

We first noticed the vehicle's lack of power and sudden increase when driving at a stop light/sign. We checked and REPLACED spark plugs, cables, coils, and a new battery. We became highly concerned when the vehicle would accelerate while driving and the RPMs would toggle between 500-1500 RPMS without pressing the gas. We immediately took it to an authorized mechanic, who found excessive noise from the transmission area and found debris/metal. No codes were present when a system performance was done. The vehicle only has 68806 miles on the odometer. The transmission had to be fully replaced, which cost over $7k. The replacement was done. This seems to be a common issue (Transmission replacements) with this vehicle as now we're hearing more about it. PLEASE check this as we could have easily been in an accident from the loss or increase of power without notice and NO WARNING lamp indications. This was a very expensive repair caused by the manufacture and not user error. We paid a lot for this particular vehicle and certainly love it but am concerned about this expensive safety/mechanical issue. Please call me for any questions[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Redding , CA, USA

Had transmission serviced at the dealer in May 2021. The RPM's are revving in first gear and my mechanic said I need to go back to dealer to have the transmission serviced again. There have been multiple reported problems with this transmission and a recall needs to be issued. The DT-45096 TransFLow Cooler Flush Machine and DT-52263 Transmission Fluid exchange kit with Mobil 1 fluid was requested at the May 2021 visit.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

The contact's sister owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's husband was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle was only able to reverse but not drive forward. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where it was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Salinas, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM gauge was high, and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to her residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure could be related to the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the next available appointment was in January 2022. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Sheridan, AR, USA

I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW. AFTER ONE WEEK I NOTICE MY CAR JERKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP I BROUGHT IT FROM, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THATS HOW IT CHANGES GEARS FROM 4 CYLINDER TO 8 CYLINDER. SO ME BELIEVING IN THE SERVICE MANAGER, I WENT ALONG WITH HIM. WELL AFTER HAVING DIFFERENT PEOPLE RIDE WITH ME THEY ASKED ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR NEE CAR? WHY IS IT SHIFTING GEARS SO HARD. SO I TOOK IT BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP I TALK TO SAME SERVICE MANAGER THAT MY CAR IS JERKING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE. WELL LETS JUST SAY I GOT THE RUN AROUND. THEN 6 MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT BACK AND FORTH MULTIPLE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. NOW THIS TIME MY TURNING SIGNALS WE BLINKING ON AND OFF, WHENEVER I WASHED MY CAR OR IT RAINED. THEN MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS WERE DOING THE SAME THING, THEN THE BACK TAIL LIGHTS WERE GOING ON AND OFF. NOW ONTO MY HEATED AND A/C SEATS WERE NOT WORKING. THEN MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WETE STAYING ON, MONITOR DISPLAY WAS SHORTING OUT. NOW IT 2020 AND MY HOOD AND TOP OF THE CAR ARE OXIDIZING. I THOUGHT I PAID $80k FOR THIS CAR AND THIS WHAT HAPPENS!! I PARK IN THE GARAGE TOO! THERE IS ALOT MORE PROBLEMS TO ADD, BUT NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO PUT DOWN. IM DEALING WITH THE GMC HEADQUARTERS NOW. MY CAR IS A LEMON!!

- Oxnard , CA, USA

A/C Condensing Unit leaking. Appears to Leak from small tack weld on the top area of the condensing unit. All of the R134 went out and left with no A/C. Seems to be a common problem and ignored by GMC.

- Henderson, NV, USA

Vehicle shudders, jerks excessively, and shifts erratically when accelerating. Had transmission serviced, fluid flushed, pan cleaned, transmission filter changed. Metal shavings were found in the pan and filter and covering magnet in pan. During flush metal shavings were recovered from oil cooler. Transmission continues to display same symptoms and rpms fluctuate during steady acceleration described as evidence of transmission slipping. Vehicle has not been serviced by dealer. No warning lamps or DTC indicated. Approximately 1500 miles after service during follow up inspection, metal shavings/debris were found in fluid on dipstick. All gm recommended parts and fluids used during service.

- Gurley, AL, USA

My 2016 GMC Yukon sle vibrates really bad on high speeds starts from 70mph and up I took it to do a wheel balance and the problem is still there also I check the VIN for any recalls and nothing I search and I have seen that all Chevy Tahoe Cadillac escalade GMC Yukon have the same problem and they havent fix it. Does any one knows how to fix it or if theres gonna be any recall on the problem.. thank you

- Laredo, TX, USA

Our GMC Yukon locked into 4WD while accelerating/driving (approx 15-25mp) the kids to school through the neighbourhood, jerked violently as though braking hard, and steering was extremely impaired. The "service 4WD" message appeared on our dashboard. The Yukon is locked in 4WD, and extremely difficult to steer and maneveur. It jerks violenly when turning. We are unable to drive due to safety concerns.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

While driving my children to practice my vehicle jerked us forward in a violent motion as if another car hit us and there was no one on the road. Afterwards the car slowed to about 5-20miles an hour and would not drive any faster. I stopped at the nearest intersection and the car would not move. I turned off the ignition and turned on again and was able to get out of the road to safety. This is a serious issue and I have already been to the mechanic to have the torque converter replaced. I have complained several times to no avail about this issue.

- Franklinton, NC, USA

Faulty torque converter

- Franklinton, NC, USA

Vehicle began to shudder and jerk upon acceleration at 30K. Dealership changed fluid. At 60K vehicle continued to shudder and jerk upon acceleration and lurch forward or backward although brake was depressed. Initial, brief diagnoses reveals a bad torque converter. This issue was noted in 4 tsb. Tsb id #pip5337K, tsb id #pip5337F, tsb id #16-na-014, and tsb id #pip5337H. Now that my factory warranty has expired, GM maintains no responsibility for this problem-- although they saw it while covered under factory warranty for this same issue. Additionally, there is a current class action law suit with GM regarding this issue. The shuddering, shaking, jerking and hesitation is related to internal issues within the transmission and/or torque converter causing friction surfaces, hydraulic systems, and gears to not function properly, and resulting in metal shavings being circulated throughout the transmission. Over time, damage to the transmission and torque converter occurs. Consumers face escalating repairs that can include flushing the transmission of metal shavings caused by the defective transmission operation, and which eventually necessitate the replacement of components such as the torque converter, valve body, or the entire transmission. As such, the transmission defect endangers the drivers and passengers of the vehicles, and diminishes the value of the vehicles. Furthermore, the dealership acknowledges that metal shavings due to friciton could have passed through the system causing further damage but will not remove the transmission for full and throrough diagnoses.

- Maryville, TN, USA

Vehicle having issues with jerking and acceleration while in motion happened to vehicle in all settins highway street hills flat surface roads and turning. Took vehicle to be serviced notified by GMC dealer that torque converter crumbling inside of 2016-2017 Yukon recommended to replace transmission due to crumbling and issues caused by crumbling. Crumbling not from accident or wear or tear in vehicle operations it appears to be a design flaw/manufacturer defect. GMC will not acknowledge issue or failure. Online researched provided shows multiple failures of this issue torque converter replacement part $500 new transmission replacement is $5634 contacted GMC headquarters, customer service an dealership with no resolution. Dealership refuses to provide documents until I pay for repairs.original estimate cost of $5634 now escalated to $6300 for a replacement part that cost approx $500. Unethical, predatory, unfair.

- Washington, DC, USA

After leaving the dealership when getting the brake recall updated within 48hrs my transmission starts shuddering! never had a single problem until the recall was updated! was told there is only a fluid flushing available for the 8cyl transmission not the 6cyl! was told that I was out of my power train at 82K miles and I would have to pay out of pocket to fix the tourque converter or by a new transmission! plus was told there is nothing they can do till after January 2020 because they are backed up from other vehicles having the same issues! there is a class action lawsuit for the 8cyl but nothing for the 6! why? I love my car and you would think at 70K it would be more reliable and GM would back their product! I'm very disappointed with the makers of GM and with the issues I'm looking at with no relief in sight I would be better off trading for a Ford or anything other than GM! I'm really hoping that is not the case and GM will offer a fix for these issues!

- Senoia, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. After starting the engine, the vehicle would not operate while in the drive or reverse positions. The vehicle was towed to sheehan Buick GMC (2800 several hwy, pompano beach, fl 33064) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000. The VIN was invalid.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

Brake lights & torque converter 2016 Yukon denali. The brake light is out on the passenger side. I brought it to the dealership, and it is within 2 weeks of the warranty expiring. They had to order the part because there's a national backorder for the assembly. So clearly I'm not the only one. Did some research and this is apparently an ongoing problem. This vehicle has been a hassle from the start. I'm beginning to believe there is an electrical issue as well. I had a battery issue that the dealership couldn't figure out even after showing them the onstar alert. Originally I was told onstar was probably just sending it as a mileage alert. Turns out after I insisted they put the vehicle on a machine and it showed the battery was indeed faulty. Multiple things have gone out on a vehicle with barely 30,000 miles on it. The torque converter is also a major concern because it 'shed' metal pieces with the car having less than 20,000 miles they only drained the transmission fluid because that's what the bulletin told them to do. How is this not going to happen again? my Yukon drove like a lawnmower vibrating and hopping. This is the worst vehicle I've ever purchased, and with the issues that keep piling up it looks like we aren't anywhere near the bottom of the problems.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

When in traffic at slow speeds the brake system shuts down and takes my body weight to stop car. Had checked and no visible leak. Now GMC has a fix but charge to fix if over warranty mileage. Second issue is the transmission went at 96,000 miles while highway driving loosing all top end gears at 65 mph. GMC did nothing but dealer helped on tho as well

- Canton, GA, USA