If you own a 2021 to 2024 GMC Yukon or Yukon XL with the 6.2L V8, your SUV may be covered by Transport Canada recall 2025-225. The recall involves connecting rods and crankshaft parts that may not have been made properly. In the worst case, the engine can fail while you’re driving.
Not every GMC Yukon from those years is included, so your VIN is what settles it. If yours is on the list, a GM dealer inspects the engine. It then either gets thicker oil and a few small parts, or it’s repaired or replaced.
There’s also a newer development. In August 2026, U.S. safety regulators opened a deeper investigation after reports of engines failing even after the recall work was done. As of November 2026, that investigation hasn’t produced a new recall, but it’s worth knowing about if you own, or plan to buy, one of these SUVs.
Which GMC Yukon Models Are Affected?
The Canadian recall lists the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Yukon and Yukon XL, along with related Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac trucks and SUVs. It only applies to certain vehicles with the 6.2L V8 gas engine, which GM calls the L87.
In total, GM Authority reported 49,848 affected vehicles in Canada across all of those models. That figure isn’t Yukon-only. The U.S. filing puts the suspect production window at March 1, 2021 to May 31, 2024, which is why two similar Yukons can get different results on a VIN check.
| GMC Yukon or Yukon XL | Engine | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2024 | 6.2L V8 (L87) | Certain vehicles recalled, so check the VIN |
| 2021 to 2024 | 5.3L V8 | Not part of this recall |
| 2021 to 2024 | 3.0L Duramax diesel | Not part of this recall |
| 2025 to 2026 | 6.2L V8 (L87) | Not in the recall, but included in the U.S. investigation |
Not sure which engine your GMC Yukon has? Check your original window sticker or sales paperwork, or call a GM dealer with your VIN. Don’t assume based on the trim name, especially with a used vehicle.
What’s Wrong With the GMC Yukon 6.2L Engine?
The trouble sits low in the engine, where the crankshaft and connecting rods turn on thin bearings that depend on a steady film of oil. GM traced the problem to two supplier manufacturing issues: debris that could damage rod bearings, and crankshafts that may be out of specification or poorly finished.
When a bearing gets damaged, the failure can move quickly. Transport Canada warns that the engine may make abnormal noises and a warning light may come on. Keep driving, and the engine could fail. That matters because a sudden loss of power to the wheels on a busy highway raises the risk of a crash.
Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
- Knocking or tapping that’s new or getting louder
- A check engine light or an oil-related warning
- Rough running, or a sudden drop in power
- Metal flakes in the oil, if you change it yourself
If any of these show up, don’t wait for your booked appointment. Pull over somewhere safe, shut the engine off and arrange a tow to a dealer. This is especially true if you’re towing a trailer or heading out on a long highway drive.
How to Check Your VIN in Canada
You should get a recall letter from GM by mail, but letters can go astray, particularly if you bought the vehicle used or moved. Checking yourself only takes a few minutes.
- Find your 17-character VIN. It’s on the driver’s side of the dashboard, near the windshield, and on your vehicle registration.
- Run it through GM Canada’s recall lookup, or call GM Canada customer service at 1-800-263-3777.
- Mention the recall numbers. The Transport Canada number is 2025-225, and GM’s numbers begin with N2524940.
- Book with a GM dealer. Ask if they have parts available and how long the inspection will take.
- Keep every document. Hold on to the work order, even if the engine passes.
If a dealer’s service desk seems unsure, ask them to look up the VIN in GM’s system while you’re on the phone.
What Happens When You Take Your GMC Yukon to the Dealer
The dealer inspects the engine first. Based on GM’s bulletins, that includes checking for specific trouble codes and running a diagnostic test on the engine. The outcome will be one of two paths.
| Inspection result | What the dealer does | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Passes | Changes to 0W-40 oil, fits a new filter and oil fill cap, adds an owner’s manual insert | You keep your engine and use 0W-40 from now on |
| Doesn’t pass | Repairs or replaces the engine | Expect a longer wait, depending on parts |
GM estimated that about 3% of the nearly 600,000 recalled U.S. vehicles would need a new engine, so most owners should expect the oil path. Canadian figures weren’t included in that estimate.
The oil change detail owners often miss
If your engine passes, stick with 0W-40 at every oil change after that. Tell any independent shop before they start, because the original spec was 0W-20. Later oil changes generally come out of your own pocket, so ask your dealer what they charge for this grade.
The reverse also applies. GM has said 6.2L engines not covered by the recall should stay on 0W-20, so don’t switch oil on your own as a precaution.
GM’s 10-Year Special Coverage Explained
Along with the recall, GM introduced a separate program called Special Coverage N252494003. It covers engine failure caused by the recall condition for 10 years or 240,000 km, whichever comes first.
A few details make a real difference here:
- The clock starts early. Coverage runs from the date the vehicle first entered service, not from the day of your recall visit. A 2021 GMC Yukon has much less time left than a 2024.
- It stays with the vehicle. The coverage applies regardless of ownership, so a second owner keeps it.
- It’s limited in scope. GM’s bulletin excludes valvetrain and other top-end problems, along with signs of neglect such as low oil.
- Repair costs may be reimbursable. If you already paid for a covered repair, the bulletin says you may be eligible for reimbursement of reasonable costs.
The neglect exclusion is why receipts matter. Keep records of every oil change, including ones you do at home. A folder of dated invoices is far easier to defend than your memory if a claim is questioned.
Could the GMC Yukon Recall Be Expanded?
It’s possible, but nothing has been decided. On August 20, 2026, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened Engineering Analysis EA26005. It covers 997,743 U.S. vehicles from the 2021 to 2026 model years.
Here’s what prompted it:
- 499 complaints of engine failure after the recall work was done
- 473 of those involved engines that received the oil remedy
- 26 involved full replacement engines
- 191 more reports involved engines built after the recall’s production window
Those numbers are complaints, not confirmed defect rates. Still, they’re the reason 2025 and 2026 models are now part of the discussion. An investigation isn’t a recall, and no new repair has been announced because of it.
For Canadian owners, there’s another wrinkle. NHTSA is a U.S. agency, so its findings don’t automatically create a recall here. Transport Canada would handle any Canadian action, although the same vehicles are often recalled in both countries. Skipping today’s recall to wait for a better fix is a poor bet, because the inspection can catch a problem engine now and it’s what connects you with GM’s recall process.
What to Do If Your GMC Yukon Engine Already Failed
Start with a dealer diagnosis, and get the cause in writing. Ask whether the failure falls under the recall, the regular powertrain warranty or the special coverage. If you’re told it isn’t covered, ask for the reason in writing too.
If the answer doesn’t sit right with you, these are sensible next steps:
- Contact GM Canada directly and ask for a case number.
- Report the problem to Transport Canada, which reviews owner complaints about possible safety defects.
- Look into the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP), since eligibility depends on your vehicle and dispute.
- Speak with a lawyer or your provincial consumer protection office before accepting a settlement or signing a release.
A proposed class action was also filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 2025, alleging the recall doesn’t properly fix the problem. Those are allegations, not court findings, and a lawyer can tell you whether it applies to you.
Buying a Used GMC Yukon With the 6.2L?
The recall doesn’t automatically make these SUVs a bad purchase, but it should change how you shop. Comparing a used GMC Yukon Denali with a much smaller crossover like a Jeep Compass on price alone won’t tell you much here, because the real question is the engine’s history.
Before you pay, go through this list:
- Run the VIN and confirm the recall shows as complete.
- Ask for the dealer work order showing whether the engine passed or was replaced.
- Check that the oil fill cap reads 0W-40 if it passed the inspection.
- Review the oil change records, and confirm the in-service date to see how much special coverage remains.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspection, and ask the mechanic to pay attention to engine noise and stored trouble codes.
An open recall isn’t always a deal breaker, but make the seller complete it before money changes hands. Be cautious with a 2025 or 2026 model too. Being newer doesn’t put it outside the current investigation, even though it isn’t part of the recall. If you’d rather avoid the question, a Yukon with the 5.3L V8 or 3.0L Duramax sits outside this recall, although every used vehicle has its own history to check.
The Bottom Line
Don’t guess with this one. Run your VIN, book the inspection if your GMC Yukon is listed, and keep the paperwork, because it supports both your warranty coverage and your resale value. If you notice knocking, warning lights or a loss of power, stop driving and have it towed. Then check back on Transport Canada’s recall listings every so often, since the U.S. investigation is still open.
FAQ
What years of GMC Yukon are part of the 6.2L recall?
The recall covers certain 2021 to 2024 Yukon and Yukon XL models with the 6.2L L87 V8. A VIN check confirms whether your specific vehicle is included.
Is it safe to drive a recalled GMC Yukon?
If there are no warning signs, book the inspection soon and ask your dealer for advice on driving until then. If you hear abnormal noises or see a warning light, stop driving and have it towed.
Does the recall cost anything?
GM safety recall work is normally done at no charge, including the first 0W-40 oil change. Confirm this with your dealer when booking, since future oil changes are generally your own expense.
Does GM replace every recalled GMC Yukon engine?
No. Engines that pass the inspection get the oil remedy and related parts. Those that don’t pass are repaired or replaced.
Is the 5.3L engine included in the recall?
No. The 5.3L V8 and the 3.0L Duramax diesel aren’t part of this recall.
