I Bought My 2022 GMC Yukon Denali New, and 31K Miles In It’s At the Dealer Waiting For a New Engine, Thank Goodness For a Warranty

Another GMC Yukon Denali bites the dust.

While researching the GMC Yukon, I ran across another story about a 2022 GMC Yukon Denali that needs a new engine. Luckily for Andrea Woods (@andrawoods), who owns the SUV, her vehicle is still under warranty. It's sitting at the dealer waiting for a new engine. 

Her TikTok page shows her 2022 Denali being loaded on the tow truck, which will take it to the GMC dealer. While it's being driven onto the truck, you can hear the engine that sounds like it's on its last legs. There is clearly catastrophic engine failure. 

Andrea says, "I bought my new GMC Yukon Denali in 2022, and it hit just 31,000 miles. The engine started making a terrible sound, and now she's at the dealership waiting for a new motor. Thank goodness for a warranty."

Picture yourself trading in a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali that you were pleased with and had no major problems. It has over 100,000 miles, so it's time to look for a new model. You go to the GMC dealer where you purchased it and have had it serviced regularly. You find a new black 2022 Yukon Denali that is perfect.

You drive it for two years; it's been reliable, it has 33,000 miles, and then the engine starts making a horrific sound one day. You are afraid to drive it to the dealer to have it checked out and call a tow truck. 

The dealer tells you it's had a major engine failure and will need a new engine. You are unhappy about your new Denaili but thankful it's still covered under the manufacturer's 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

Andrea cared for her vehicles and had the GMC dealer do all the scheduled maintenance.

She says, "The dealership did the routined oil changes. They couldn't tell me why this happened."

Does the GMC Yukon Have Engine Issues?

Recent reports indicate significant problems with GM's 6.2-liter engine, particularly the "L87" variant. Many owners report sudden and catastrophic engine failures due to bearing issues.

The problem is so bad that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is conducting an ongoing investigation into the effects of this engine on a large number of GM trucks and SUVs. 

Key points about the issues:

• Engine failure reports: Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding sudden and unexpected engine failures in GM vehicles with the 6.2L V8, often attributed to bearing failures. 
• NHTSA investigation: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has investigated potential engine failure issues with the 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine found in Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac trucks and SUVs. 
• Impact on owners: Affected owners whose vehicles are not under warranty face significant repair costs. To get the SUVs repaired, there are long wait times for replacement engines due to a shortage of parts. 

In a discussion thread on Reddit, Steve says,

"I have a 2023 Cadillac Escalade with less than 10,000 miles. The vehicle has been properly serviced and maintained. While the vehicle was in motion on the highway, the engine seized. A loud boom sound followed by rattling, shaking, and loss of power. An extremely scary situation." 

"Based on my research, I have discovered that I am not the only person this has happened to. I have asked GM to buy back the vehicle, but they have gone cold and have not acknowledged the incident. In addition, I received an email from Onstar with a great diagnostic report." 

"No check engine light or any indication of unsafe operation. I have contacted a major law firm specializing in this kind of litigation as lead plaintiff."

jdw2000z28 says, I do not own one, but I am quite familiar with this issue. Starting in 2022, we began seeing failures like this with the 6.2. I've personally replaced 6 in the last 2 years. In total, we've probably replaced about ten 6.2s since 2022. 

All but one of those had the exact same scenario as yours. Just cruising along, no warnings, no nothing. And suddenly, the engine stops. They've all had spun rods and/or main bearings. I'm part of a GM technician's Facebook group, and nearly every day, someone posts about yet another locked-up 6.2. 

If I've seen 10, they've also likely seen 5, 10, 15 plus of these engines locking up. I'm willing to bet thousands are affected by this issue.

Final Thoughts and Questions for GMC Owners

There is a class-action lawsuit against General Motors concerning engine failure in General Motors vehicles with 6.2-liter engines. Those models include the following models:

• 2019-2024 Cadillac Escalade
• 2019-2024 Chevrolet Escalade
• 2019-2024 Chevrolet Suburban
• 2019-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2019- 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• 2019-2024 GMC Sierra 1500
• 2019-2024 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL

Owners of these vehicles can go here for more information. 

It's Your Turn

Have You Experienced an Engine Failure In a GMC Yukon Denali or another GM vehicle? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my GMC Yukon Denali story: I Can’t Believe the Amount of Tension Between Me and My 2024 GMC Yukon Denali, It’s All Because Of This Auto Stop Button

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Andrea Woods