GMC Yukon XL Lemon Law

The 6.2-liter L87 V8 in the GMC Yukon XL has drawn widespread complaints for engine failures tied to the Active Fuel Management (AFM) / Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) system and its lifters. Owners report a ticking or knocking noise, misfires, rough idle, oil consumption, and in the worst cases a sudden loss of power or a seized engine as a collapsed lifter damages the camshaft. GM issued a safety recall (NHTSA 25V274) for 2021–2024 trucks and SUVs with the 6.2L L87 over a bottom-end manufacturing defect — contaminated or out-of-spec rod bearings and crankshafts — that can cause the engine to knock, lose power, or stall.

Beyond the engine, Yukon XL owners commonly report harsh, delayed, or clunky shifts and shudder from the 10-speed automatic transmission, plus electrical and infotainment faults. Many of these problems take several dealer visits to diagnose, and replacement engines and parts have been backordered for long stretches — leaving owners without their vehicle for weeks at a time.

California's Lemon Law can apply when a defect that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of your Yukon XL isn't fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts, or when the vehicle is out of service for an extended period, while it's still under the manufacturer's warranty. A recall repair does not automatically make a car a lemon, and you do not need a recall at all to qualify — persistent engine, transmission, or electrical problems that the dealer can't resolve can be enough. If your Yukon XL qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback, a replacement, or a cash settlement, with GM paying your attorney fees.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your Yukon XL has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your GMC Yukon XL qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and GMC pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.