2025 Yukon Denali 6.2 Transmission

[thigaustin]

I have been in my Yukon for three weeks now and there is a consistent hesitation / jolt going to second gear. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I will be taking it to the shop after the holidays but already a disappointment to have to give up the car to the shop for an estimated 2+ weeks to figure this out.

I also have the crooked tail pipes that others are reporting... (here is a video of my car right before I picked it up:

)

 

[JayceeP]

I have been in my Yukon for three weeks now and there is a consistent hesitation / jolt going to second gear. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I will be taking it to the shop after the holidays but already a disappointment to have to give up the car to the shop for an estimated 2+ weeks to figure this out.

I also have the crooked tail pipes that others are reporting... (here is a video of my car right before I picked it up:

)

Hopefully just a simple reprogram. PS - I like that blue colour. What colour is it? Reminds me a bit of the Shoreline Blue Pearl that my 4Runner had.

 

[AMWWORKS]

Hopefully just a simple reprogram. PS - I like that blue colour. What colour is it? Reminds me a bit of the Shoreline Blue Pearl that my 4Runner had.

Its Downpour Metallic.

I have been in my Yukon for three weeks now and there is a consistent hesitation / jolt going to second gear. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I will be taking it to the shop after the holidays but already a disappointment to have to give up the car to the shop for an estimated 2+ weeks to figure this out.

I also have the crooked tail pipes that others are reporting... (here is a video of my car right before I picked it up

Does it hesitate while shifting in manual?

 

[thigaustin]

Its Downpour Metallic.

Does it hesitate while shifting in manual?

It seems to be ok in manual mode, other than the expected delay to shift but that is consistent across the gears. Hopefully this means it is software and not a physical issue!?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

It appears that your issue is software related and can be adjusted accordingly.

@NickTransmissions is our resident transmission expert, and he will chime in with his thoughts and perspectives.

 

[NickTransmissions]

Sorry, I dont have any experience with the ten-speed units but jolts/rough shifts are usually valve body or electrical/electronics (transmission or engine mgmt).

 

[GMCnewbee]

I really like that color and the interior looks great as well. We have a 22 Yukon and I have no complaints with the transmission. For sure take it to the Dealer while you have your warranty, maybe take it to multiple Dealers (GMC, Chevy, Caddy) just to see if you find one that really knows their stuff and knows how to treat the customer.

 

[nomech]

I'm looking at 2025's because of the transmission issue I had with my 2020 and this is not what I want to read. Why does GM have issues with transmissions and other manufactures have figured this out? Of course there are exceptions. I've owned many other vehicles before buying my first Tahoe in 2019, all my other vehicles were foreign and I never had any transmission issues with those vehicles. I'll also admit that those vehicles were sold or traded in with over 160k miles and never once had the transmission fluid changed, serviced, etc. Those cars functioned perfectly.

 

[DontTaseMeBro]

I'm looking at 2025's because of the transmission issue I had with my 2020 and this is not what I want to read. Why does GM have issues with transmissions and other manufactures have figured this out? Of course there are exceptions. I've owned many other vehicles before buying my first Tahoe in 2019, all my other vehicles were foreign and I never had any transmission issues with those vehicles. I'll also admit that those vehicles were sold or traded in with over 160k miles and never once had the transmission fluid changed, serviced, etc. Those cars functioned perfectly.

If you think GM is the only one that’s bad, I’ve got news for you. We had to dump our 2020 Expedition because of transmission issues. Experienced the same with our 2020 F-150 and 2019 Expedition. Strike no. 3 and we said enough was enough. On the flip side, zero issues with our ‘22 Yukon.

 

[nomech]

If you think GM is the only one that’s bad, I’ve got news for you. We had to dump our 2020 Expedition because of transmission issues. Experienced the same with our 2020 F-150 and 2019 Expedition. Strike no. 3 and we said enoigh was enough. On the flip side, zero issues with our ‘22 Yukon.

I know they are not. However, it seems that both are American (yours and mine). I know foreign cars have issues, but all the foreign cars I've owned have not had issues with the transmission. Most of my family members all have foreign cars and they've never been to the shop for a transmission issue.

I understand there are problems, but you'd think a large company like GM would have this dialed in by now.

 

[DontTaseMeBro]

I know they are not. However, it seems that both are American (yours and mine). I know foreign cars have issues, but all the foreign cars I've owned have not had issues with the transmission. Most of my family members all have foreign cars and they've never been to the shop for a transmission issue.

I understand there are problems, but you'd think a large company like GM would have this dialed in by now.

I’ll have to agree with you on that as all foreign cars I’ve owned - Lexus, Subaru, Toyota, Mercedes, and Audi, have all had problem-free transmissions. Also, as a side note, the transmission in the GM full size SUV’s and half ton trucks was co-developed with Ford lol.

 

[nomech]

I’ll have to agree with you on that as all foreign cars I’ve owned - Lexus, Subaru, Toyota, Mercedes, and Audi, have all had problem-free transmissions. Also, as a side note, the transmission in the GM full size SUV’s and half ton trucks was co-developed with Ford lol.

Yeah, that's interesting.

 

[nomech]

@thigaustin

Any update?

Does the 2025 have the 10L90 transmission?

I'm starting to look at 2025 models, which is why I'm curious about your issue.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

GM and Ford have the same 10spd mechanicals; they developed it together. Different controllers and valve bodies…Single best thing you can do is the recommended maintenance on them.

BTW, Nissan has had its fair share of transmission issues w/ their CVT. Honda had issues with their automatic in the 2nd gen Odyssey, so nobody is immune. It’s a machine, made by man…it will break.

 

[nomech]

GM and Ford have the same 10spd mechanicals; they developed it together. Different controllers and valve bodies…Single best thing you can do is the recommended maintenance on them.

BTW, Nissan has had its fair share of transmission issues w/ their CVT. Honda had issues with their automatic in the 2nd gen Odyssey, so nobody is immune. It’s a machine, made by man…it will break.

Agree, nothing is perfect. Having an issue is one thing. Putting out a bad transmission with a poor design and known failure is not the same thing.

 

[alegmc7]

I have been in my Yukon for three weeks now and there is a consistent hesitation / jolt going to second gear. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I will be taking it to the shop after the holidays but already a disappointment to have to give up the car to the shop for an estimated 2+ weeks to figure this out.

I also have the crooked tail pipes that others are reporting... (here is a video of my car right before I picked it up:

)

I just got a brand new 2025 yukon delani ultimate 3 weeks ago. Same issue delayed shifting on second gear. Unbelievable : transmision problems brand new !
Super cruise not working eather. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow. Did they fix yours ?

 

[thigaustin]

I just got a brand new 2025 yukon delani ultimate 3 weeks ago. Same issue delayed shifting on second gear. Unbelievable : transmision problems brand new !
Super cruise not working eather. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow. Did they fix yours ?

I took it in and they said it was fine... I did change my drive mode from auto-awd to rear only and I think that helped a little? Or, I just got used to it....? It is one of those things that is hard to demonstrate on demand, but is definitely noticeable to me and my girlfriend being in it so much. It just stands out because it is so smooth after 2nd gear...

 

[jfoj]

If you plan on keeping your vehicle, highly suggest you read the thread linked below. I did this upgrade on my 2024 just because I knew it was a matter more of WHEN not IF. IMHO shifts so much better, less hunting, shift overlap and eliminated any shift flare that was occurring between 3-5 gear. I think the 1-2 shift on these trucks is a bit crazy based on the gear ratios and weight. I think it is clearly better with the NextGen valve body modification and pressure increase, but I think the 1-2 shift is more obvious than the other gears. But the NextGen valve body kit clerly improved all shifts from 2nd to 10th gear and down.

Project Carbon Next Gen 10 Speed Valve Body Kit - Finally Installed!

Just putting this initial info out about the Project Carbon Next Gen 10 Speed Valve body kit for anyone that wants to follow along. I contacted Next Gen and spoke at length with the design Engineer that came up with the Project Carbon valve body repair/update. Spoke about many topics but it...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[headwest]

All this disconcerting. I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a Yukon Denali 6.2 and these reports worry me, not that I haven't heard a few before including the 6.2. I have a '24 1500 Denali 6.2 with 14,000 and have no problems. Just want to switch to an SUV.

Are you going to install the Gen 10 yourself or have a dealer do? Dealer can't find my exact match in a '25 yet so I"m thinking of ordering a '26 and maybe some problems have been tweaked although I'm sure they haven't done a redo of the 10 speed. Maybe some tweaks going into '26 before the new generation, but probably just a replay. Even heard of some '25 6.2 failures.

I know we hear about all the problems here and not all the satisfied customers but I always wonder what the data shows on these transmissions and 6.2. I keep looking around at all the other large SUVs including foreign and Yukon has what I want the most but until my dealer calls I'm still looking.

 

[DuraYuk]

All this disconcerting. I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a Yukon Denali 6.2 and these reports worry me, not that I haven't heard a few before including the 6.2. I have a '24 1500 Denali 6.2 with 14,000 and have no problems. Just want to switch to an SUV.

Are you going to install the Gen 10 yourself or have a dealer do? Dealer can't find my exact match in a '25 yet so I"m thinking of ordering a '26 and maybe some problems have been tweaked although I'm sure they haven't done a redo of the 10 speed. Maybe some tweaks going into '26 before the new generation, but probably just a replay. Even heard of some '25 6.2 failures.

I know we hear about all the problems here and not all the satisfied customers but I always wonder what the data shows on these transmissions and 6.2. I keep looking around at all the other large SUVs including foreign and Yukon has what I want the most but until my dealer calls I'm still looking.

My friend who trained me decades ago still works at a GM transmission shop and he says outside of reflashes the 10speeds have been rock solid. Maybe a random valve body. But no real internal catastrophe. And this dealer is extremely high volume. So much so that years ago when they had wave plate failures we did so many the dealer got flagged only to find out it was because we sold so many cars lol.

There is a guy around here pushing nextgen probably another month out from being on nextgens payroll as a factory rep so take what he says with a grain of salt. That and telling people to put an extra quart in their engine. It will be interesting to see the longevity of his valve body for sure.

Gotta really read between the lines on this forum. Most people will never have a problem.