GMC Yukon Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 500 of the 4,526 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 GMC Yukon (11%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2015, 2017 and 2016.
Transmission complaints
500
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
11%
of 4,526 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
6
1 with a do-not-drive warning
GMC Yukon transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 23 | 5.6% | 4 | — | 138 |
| 2009 | 8 | 3.8% | 1 | — | 126 |
| 2010 | 4 | 1.7% | 0 | — | 148 |
| 2011 | 13 | 3.3% | 0 | — | 153 |
| 2012 | 4 | 2.9% | 0 | — | 162 |
| 2013 | 5 | 2.7% | 1 | — | 179 |
| 2014 | 3 | 3.9% | 0 | — | 140 |
| 2015WORST | 103 | 10.4% | 6 | 14V37400014V152000 | 321 |
| 2016WORST | 74 | 14.4% | 0 | — | 220 |
| 2017WORST | 86 | 24.1% | 1 | — | 181 |
| 2018 | 18 | 24.7% | 1 | — | 143 |
| 2019 | 11 | 20.4% | 0 | 26V289000 | 123 |
| 2020 | 13 | 39.4% | 0 | 26V289000 | 116 |
| 2021 | 47 | 16.2% | 0 | 24V79700022V036000 | 145 |
| 2022 | 25 | 15.4% | 0 | 26V085000 | 113 |
| 2023 | 36 | 17.4% | 0 | — | 93 |
| 2024 | 22 | 15.4% | 1 | — | 30 |
| 2025 | 5 | 10.9% | 0 | — | 20 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common GMC Yukon transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 500 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
GMC Yukon years to avoid for the transmission
2015 GMC Yukon
103 transmission complaints (10.4% of the year's 993). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 14V374000, 14V152000.
2017 GMC Yukon
86 transmission complaints (24.1% of the year's 357). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2016 GMC Yukon
74 transmission complaints (14.4% of the year's 513). Most often described: shudder or vibration.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the GMC Yukon years to avoid.
GMC Yukon transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any GMC Yukon model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 26V289000 · 2026-05-07 · 2019–2020 modelsDO NOT DRIVE
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 · 2026-02-13 · 2022 models
The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
- 24V797000 · 2024-10-24 · 2021 models
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- 22V036000 · 2022-01-27 · 2021 models
The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
- 14V374000 · 2014-06-27 · 2015 models
In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
- 14V152000 · 2014-03-31 · 2015 models
The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.
Which transmission does the GMC Yukon use?
- GM 8-speed automatic — 2015–2017
- GM 10-speed automatic — 2021–present (all engines)
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2015 GMC Yukon have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 103 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 GMC Yukon, 10.4% of all 993 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (29 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 14V374000, 14V152000. 6 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2017 GMC Yukon have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 86 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 GMC Yukon, 24.1% of all 357 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (26 complaints). 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2016 GMC Yukon have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 74 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Yukon, 14.4% of all 513 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (28 complaints).
Which GMC Yukon years have the most transmission complaints?
2015 (103), 2017 (86) and 2016 (74), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common GMC Yukon transmission problems?
In the 500 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (20.2%), shudder or vibration (14.8%) and transmission repaired or replaced (14%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each GMC Yukon model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration