2 Yukons with bad transmissions

02n12 said:

I just got my Yukon back after $3500 worth of transmission repair. What are the chances? I've had 2 Yukons (2002 and 2012) in the past 17 years and they both experienced the same problem. Both transmissions went out around the same mileage, about 150K miles!!!! The repair shop said XL version was brought in for the same issue while mine was being repaired, similar model year and color as mine too LOL

Have others experienced the same type of issue?

I replaced my 2002 with a 2012 and upgraded to 4X4. I've always taken care of my cars and have had other foreign makes and models last me much longer without these type of issues. I've always like the design of the Yukon over other SUVs, but this will likely be my last. With both, I've had too many major repairs besides transmission issues and other quality issues too. They've cost me too much money to own beyond purchase price.

The only reason I repaired this 2012 is because I'm giving it over to my teen son to take to college and finish running it to the ground. Hopefully it will last a couple more years before another major issue happens. Oh, but I already have something I should probably repair, bad driver side motor mount.

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I have a similar experience. I had 2004 GMC Yukon that I ran for 450k miles... and 3 transmissions. The problem was resolved when I stopped using GM parts, and replacement transmissions. I live in SoCal and took it to Leon’s transmissions. These guys are fantastic by the way. They know their transmissions. They said these transmissions are the most repaired transmissions out there. The issue is their Torque converters. Leon’s overbuilt the transmission with better grade after market parts that address the issues with these transmissions. The transmission that Leon’s built worked better than the original transmission the vehicle came with and lasted until I wrecked the vehicle. Now to present .... I purchased a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 and had the exact same issue at 50k miles. Still under warranty I had it repaired at a GMC dealer here in La Quinta..failed Torque converter, burnt clutch, metal shavings thought the oil and pan.. we’ll the issues of hard shifting, which is the beginning of the problems, still exist. I took it back and they couldn’t replicate the problem.... BS.... they are kicking the can down the road. There are fixes for this problem as I know first hand. GMC warranty won’t allow any after market parts to be used that are not GM parts, so says the service manager at the dealership in La Quinta. There’s the problem. We can put a man on the moon, but CMC can’t make a transmission that works. I have had. 8 of their vehicles in my life and never had a transmission issues on any of them except the last 2. This will be the last GM or Chevy product I own. The good news is there is a class action lawsuit against GM for being unwilling to fix the problem. GM doesn’t make money in selling cars anymore, they make money on service at 150.00 an hour.... GM should have been allowed to go bankrupt in 2008 and 2009 it would have been purchased, reorganized and today consumers would have a better product. Bailing GMC just saved the old ways of doing business and the unions that as we know now are corrupt. They just lost a loyal customer

Yup. Torque converter was the culprit on mine as well. Kosub Tansmission near San Antonio Tx said the same thing about these transmissions. They replace the torque converter with a better aftermarket version. Hopefully it will last long enough for my son to get through a couple years college.

Towing may be part of the problem. My '00 Tahoe went 295k mi. Have complete history on truck from original owner with all service records since new. Towed a Trailer to Chicago one time and a snowmobile a few times. Had fluid changed at the dealer recommended 30-60-90 intervals and changed fluid a few times myself. Trans shifted poorly for the last 50k mi. Drove around in 3rd gear mainly unless on the highway to prolong trans life. Internal parts failure not the converter seems to be what happened in my case.

Patrick P said:

GM doesn’t make money in selling cars anymore, they make money on service at 150.00 an hour....

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GM doesn't own the dealerships, GM reimburses the dealers for warranty work.

We sure do ask a lot of our transmissions.

swathdiver said:

GM doesn't own the dealerships, GM reimburses the dealers for warranty work.

We sure do ask a lot of our transmissions.

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These Transmissions are shifting Hundreds of times each day and can last over ten years. Try pushing your truck up your driveway let alone 150k mi.

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jonnytahoe said:

These Transmissions are shifting Hundreds of times each day and can last over ten years. Try pushing your truck up your driveway let alone 150k mi.

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sounds like something would create a ton of heat


Heat = bad
Less heat = good



Less heat = longer life
more heat = shorter life


at 145F we can expect a life expectancy of 200,000 to 250,000 miles or more

at 175F we can expect a life expectancy of 125,000-150,000 miles(or more if your lucky)




you have to drive about 1/2 hour with the hybrid to even reach operating temp... it's the reason why they last to 250,000-300,000 miles... plus they cost 10k a piece (initial building costs )... if it failed before then it's "Operator Error".. there is no thermostat on the transmission cooler line

trailblazer said:

Did you buy these Tahoe’s new? Did you change the trans fluid and filter out every 30-40k? A 4L60E and 6L80E are hydraulic dependent systems that require an extremely clean operating environment. Also, exposure to extreme temperatures, even briefly, can have severe consequences. Several years ago I worked as a medical contractor at Chrysler Proving Grounds. I was nosey and bored and bothered the staff a lot. They would let me hang around when they worked. The Mechanic-Engineers could “shred” a transmission in about two minutes. Even the bulletproof Mercedes G56 or ZF S6-650 manual would die after three hole shots. These guys were literally pro’s at destroying powertrains but it doesn’t explain why you’ve been so unlucky. I’d say it is mere coincidence.


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OT - I have a new to me 05 Yukon XL, 2wd will be used for light towing. If and when the tranny goes which a better option. upgrade to a 6L80e or stick with the 4L60e and get the upgraded torque converter.
Also when going with a larger tranny oil pan is there a larger filter that goes with? Will that upset the pressures at all? Thanks!!!


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I had a 2004 Yukon Denali AWD with the original trans @274k. Fluid was always changed at the proper intervals, never towed and shifted beautifully. Sometimes your just SOL with vehicles.

02n12 said:

I just got my Yukon back after $3500 worth of transmission repair. What are the chances? I've had 2 Yukons (2002 and 2012) in the past 17 years and they both experienced the same problem. Both transmissions went out around the same mileage, about 150K miles!!!! The repair shop said XL version was brought in for the same issue while mine was being repaired, similar model year and color as mine too LOL

Have others experienced the same type of issue?

I replaced my 2002 with a 2012 and upgraded to 4X4. I've always taken care of my cars and have had other foreign makes and models last me much longer without these type of issues. I've always like the design of the Yukon over other SUVs, but this will likely be my last. With both, I've had too many major repairs besides transmission issues and other quality issues too. They've cost me too much money to own beyond purchase price.

The only reason I repaired this 2012 is because I'm giving it over to my teen son to take to college and finish running it to the ground. Hopefully it will last a couple more years before another major issue happens. Oh, but I already have something I should probably repair, bad driver side motor mount.

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IMOH, they are designed to last about 100K miles so you did well.

Living in South Texas maybe putting a temperature gauge on transmission should be factory installed or something. Or if they're only intended to last that long setting expectations would be helpful. I would not have bought them if I had known.

Oh well, it is what it is I guess.