2023 GMC Yukon · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 115owner reports
- 28,000median miles
- $260median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
168 of the 240 complaints on this car are about the engine. 115 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2023 Yukon.
Tick what matches of 115 reports
Engine failure on other Yukon years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (112 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2023 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
All 4 recalls on the 2023 GMC Yukon, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Yukon
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
What owners paid
10 of the 115 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $150 to $400.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 15,000 and 42,900 miles, from the 39 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2023 GMC Yukon that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
Customer Satisfaction Program - Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the engine lifter bores may be oversized. Dealers are to replace the engine.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be the main cause of an engine failure.
1 more on the 2023 GMC Yukon page.
What owners wrote
“The engine failed and had to be replaced with less than 70,000 miles on it. There has already been a recall associated with these vehicles where a part is either replaced or special oil has to be used. It does not seem that the fix prevents the engine from failing.”
Filed Feb 24, 2026 · 70,000 miles
“At right under 40,000 miles the engine blew. The GM dealership that repaired my car would never tell me exactly what happened, and they were very sketchy about the whole experience, but it required a complete engine replacement from GMC when the engine quit working.”
Filed Feb 2, 2026 · 40,000 miles
“This vehicle had a complete engine failure. We lost power and could not start it. We were stranded on a busy highway. This all happened going 65 mph. The dealer told us that we would need a complete engine replacement. We had about 16,500 miles on it. I personally know two other people that this has happened too.”
Filed Apr 9, 2025 · 16,500 miles
“My vehicle started making a terrible noise. I had it towed to the nearest GM service center. It was determined that the vehicle, a 2023 Yukon Denali (less than 26000 miles) needed a new engine due to thrust bearing failure causing the engine block to be scored and contamination of debris internally.”
Filed Mar 5, 2025 · 26,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 115 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 77 reports