There are 7 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2013 GMC Yukonin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
THE L94 ENGINE P/N 19418446 WITH THE VARIABLE LIFTERS HAVE A PROBLEM OF FAILING AND CAUSING THEM TO STICK AND DAMAGE THE CAM SHAFT. THIS CAUSES A LOUD TICKING IN THE ENGINE AND CAUSES THE ENGINE TO EITHER BE REBUILT OR REPLACED AT A COST OF 5 TO 8 THOUSAND DOLLARS WITH NO CONSIDERATION FROM GM. THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING A LOT FROM TALKING TO DEALERS AND OTHER MECHANICS. THIS IS A KNOW DEFECT BY GM AS THEY NO LONGER MAKE THIS TYPE OF ENGINE WITH THE VARIABALE LIFTERS. IF THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COVERING PART OF THE COST TO REPLACE / REBUILD THE ENGINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC YUKON .THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED, A LOUD TICKING NOISE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CODE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL: P3400 CYLINDER DEACTIVATION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000.
AT 148000 MILES GOING 35 MPH CYLINDER 4 ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT LIFTER COLLAPSED. I LOOKED THIS UP ON THE INTERNET AND THIS IS SUBJECT OF SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS. THIS IS A DEFECT, THIS ENGINE HAS RECEIVED ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS AT THE DEALERSHIP, NEVER TOWED, AND NEVER OFF ROAD WITH NO MODIFICATIONS. THIS IS ABOUT A $3000 REPAIR JUST FOR THE AFFECTED BANK OF LIFTERS, $4200 TO DO BOTH BANKS OF LIFTERS. THIS IS UNHEARD OF IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE. GM KNOWS THIS IS A FAILURE OF THIS SYSTEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING BUT ISSUE BULLETINS FOR ITS CONSUMERS.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 70MPH AND THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO STALL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ON TO THE SHOULDER AND LOOK UNDER THE HOOD. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD SPARKPLUG OR SOMETHING. I HOOKED UP A OBD READER AND GOT CODE P0306. GOT IT TOWED TO FIRESTONE AND THEY DID DIAGNOSTICS. THEY SAID IT WAS A FAILED LIFTER, A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES. THE TICKING NOISE THAT IT WAS MAKING WAS FROM THE FAILED LIFTER. I AM HOPING THE CAMSHAFT IS NOT DAMAGED EITHER.
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning light was illuminated; however, the "Service Engine" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lifters needed to be replaced once again. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer again to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
DRIVER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF AT HEAD.
THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS 'AFM' COLLAPSED, LIFTER WAS IN LOCKED POSITION CAUSING LIFTER TO TAP ON CAMSHAFT, BY TAPING ON CAMSHAFT CAUSED DE-LAMENTATION OF HARDENING ON CAMSHAFT, WHICH DAMAGED CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS. THE ACCELERATION AND DE-ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE BECAME A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WENT FROM V-8 MODE TO V-4 MODE, THIS ABRUPT REDUCTION IN SPEED WOULD HAPPEN AND DID HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON MAJOR ROADS IN THE CITY. BECAUSE THE V-8 LIFTERS WOULD SHUT THE CYLINDERS OFF, V-8 MODE WOULD STAY IN LOCKED DOWN POSITION CAUSING VEHICLE TO ALMOST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026