2025 GMC Yukon: What to check before buying

Catastrophic failure hits nearly new vehicles, often within the first few thousand miles. On the 3.0L Duramax diesel, a "reduced acceleration" warning shows up, the truck drops into limp mode, and dealers find metal in the oil from a faulty crankshaft thrust bearing. The usual fix is a new engine, often with a new turbo. A GM service bulletin covers this bearing problem. The 6.2 seizes or shuts off while driving, sometimes at highway speed with no warning. Sudden power loss in traffic is the main crash risk. Other reports cite misfires, jerking and replaced lifters.

Screens go dark at speed. The infotainment display and digital instrument cluster reboot or black out on the highway, sometimes while Super Cruise is on, which hides the speedometer. Some owners tie this to a software update, and dealers often cannot fix it. Other reports describe loud popping from the speakers that startles drivers, repeated false brake assist warnings, and a wireless charging pad that overheated a phone and burned the driver, the one injury filed. Several complaints here are really low-mileage engine failures with sudden power loss.

Power cuts out in traffic. The engine loses power while accelerating, with a flashing check engine light and misfire codes, and complaints describe this happening while merging. Some reports describe complete engine failure, including metal shavings in the oil at about 2,000 miles. Transmission complaints cover hard shifts and trucks that will not move. Repeat dealer visits to replace the torque converter, valve body or ECM do not always solve it. Backordered parts keep some trucks at the dealer for more than a month. Slowing suddenly at highway speed is the main danger.

Stopping power disappears without warning. The pedal turns firm and hard to press and the vehicle fails to stop, usually with a brake failure light and a string of alarms. In another failure, warnings for brake assist, ABS, ESC and traction control appear together, the parking brake will not release, and the vehicle cannot be driven. Dealers blame the brake booster and master cylinder, which are on national back order. Unwanted braking while accelerating is also reported. Each of these is a direct crash risk.

The vehicle brakes hard on its own. Reports include a sudden stop from highway speed on cruise control with nothing ahead, which risks a rear-end collision, and automatic brakes locking up while backing into a driveway. A center screen that fails to start or freezes cuts off access to safety cameras, sensors, gauges and climate controls, and dealers have no fix for it. One complaint filed here actually describes misfires and power loss while merging.