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GMC Power Train Recalls Cover Wheel Lockup and Lost Propulsion
⚠ 1 of these recalls carries a do-not-drive advisory.
GMC power train notices repeatedly describe loss of propulsion, half-shaft separation, and wheel lockup. Acadia appears in driveshaft and transmission notices covering certain 2017–2018, 2019–2020, and 2023 vehicles; Terrain appears in the 2018 driveshaft and 2018–2020 accumulator notices. Sierra 1500 has a 2019–2020 driveshaft-separation notice, while several Sierra and Yukon notices address transmission-control-valve failures that can lock rear wheels. Certain 2021 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles have a separate rear-driveshaft defect. The May 2026 transfer-case notice includes certain 2015–2020 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles and specified 2026 GMC vehicles, and explicitly instructs affected owners not to drive until the remedy is completed.
Warning signs to watch for
- October 29, 2020, accumulator recall: a transmission oil leak may progress to loss of propulsion.
- August 22, 2017, and October 22, 2020, driveshaft recalls: separation may cause loss of propulsion; January 27, 2022, rear-driveshaft recall: failure may cause sudden loss of drive power.
- February 2, 2023, half-shaft recall and March 16, 2023, sun-gear recall: separation or disengagement may cause loss of drive power or rollaway when placed in Park.
- October 24, 2024, February 12, 2026, and February 13, 2026, transmission-control-valve recalls: rear wheels may lock up.
- May 7, 2026, transfer-case recall: front and/or rear wheels may lock up without warning.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
One supplied notice carries a stop-driving instruction: the May 7, 2026, transfer-case wheel-lockup recall tells owners not to drive until the remedy is completed. Zero supplied notices carry a park-outside instruction. The accumulator, intermediate-driveshaft, Sierra driveshaft, Yukon rear-driveshaft, Acadia right-front half-shaft, and sun-gear notices do not tell owners to stop driving. Neither do the October 24, 2024, diesel transmission-control-valve notice, the February 12, 2026, Sierra transmission notice, or the February 13, 2026, Yukon/Yukon XL transmission notice.
What the free repair involves
Dealers inspect the accumulator and replace it if bolts are missing; inspect the transfer case and replace it if necessary; and replace specified driveshafts or half-shafts under their respective notices. The March 2023 remedy replaces sun gears. The October 2024 and February 2026 transmission remedies use software updates, with inspection also specified for February 12. These remedies are free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 2 |
| high | 8 |
Models affected most
Where owners report power train problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under power train for the GMC models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Power train complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 GMC Acadia | 163 |
| 2019 GMC Acadia | 153 |
| 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 | 136 |
| 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 | 134 |
| 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 | 107 |
| 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 | 95 |
| 2021 GMC Yukon | 50 |
| 2019 GMC Terrain | 50 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon Wheels Can Lock Up · do not drive | critical |
| Feb 13, 2026 | Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC SUVs Rear Wheel Lockup | high |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra Transmission Wheel Lockup Risk | high |
| Oct 24, 2024 | Diesel GM trucks, SUVs risk rear wheel lock-up | high |
| Mar 16, 2023 | Cadillac, Chevy, GMC SUVs Transmission Half-Shaft Failure | high |
| Feb 2, 2023 | Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia Half-Shaft Can Separate | high |
| Jan 27, 2022 | Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC SUV Driveshaft May Fail | high |
| Oct 29, 2020 | GM transmission bolts missing, leak and fire risk | critical |
| Oct 22, 2020 | Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra driveshaft may separate | high |
| Aug 22, 2017 | Equinox, Acadia and Terrain: Right Driveshaft May Fracture | high |
Common questions
Which GMC power train recall tells owners to stop driving?
The May 7, 2026, transfer-case recall tells affected owners not to drive until the remedy is completed. It describes a missing drivetrain transfer-case component that may cause front and/or rear wheel lockup. Dealers inspect and replace the assembly if necessary, free.
What repairs are specified for the two 2023 Acadia half-shaft problems?
The February 2, 2023, notice specifies free replacement of right-front half-shaft assemblies that may be improperly connected to the transmission. The March 16, 2023, notice specifies free sun-gear replacement for an incorrect gear that may allow driver-side half-shaft disengagement.
Do the transmission wheel-lockup notices specify software updates?
The October 2024 diesel notice specifies free transmission control module software and a special transmission-repair coverage program. The February 12, 2026, notice specifies free inspection and transmission control software updating. The February 13 notice specifies free TCM software installation.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.