Lemon Law · GMC
GMC lemon law attorney in California
Owners of GMC Sierra, Yukon, Acadia, and Terrain vehicles from recent model years have filed complaints with federal regulators describing engine failures, transmission malfunctions, brake system defects, and electrical problems. The most-reported categories include engine and power train issues, followed by electrical system faults, structural concerns, and fuel system failures. Service brakes, steering, and collision avoidance features also appear in the complaint record. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires manufacturers to repair or replace vehicles with defects covered by the warranty. When a vehicle cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, or when it spends too much time out of service for warranty work, the owner may have a claim for replacement or reimbursement.
Known defects
What GMC owners report, and why repeat repairs matter
These are the categories owners file most often with the federal safety regulator for the GMC model years in the record below. A complaint is one owner's report, not a finding that a vehicle is defective.
Engine failure and internal damage
Owners report knocking sounds, engine seizures, and complete failures while driving. The manufacturer has recalled vehicles with certain engines for connecting rod and crankshaft defects that can cause engine damage. Owners describe shutdowns at highway speeds requiring full replacement. Under Song-Beverly, engine failures that persist after repair attempts or require extended service periods strengthen a warranty claim. Documentation of each engine-related repair order matters when the vehicle returns for the same symptoms.
Sierra · Yukon · Acadia · Terrain
Transmission and rear wheel lock-up
The manufacturer has recalled vehicles for transmission control valve failures that can cause rear wheels to lock up while driving. Owner reports describe vehicles suddenly shifting to neutral or experiencing loss of drive power. A second recall addressed incorrect repairs from the first campaign. Transmission problems that recur after dealer service fall under the statute's protections. Each repair attempt counts toward the reasonable-attempt threshold, whether the dealer replaces parts or updates software.
Sierra · Yukon · Acadia · Terrain
Brake system malfunctions
Owners describe complete brake failure, rock-hard pedals that will not depress, and vacuum pump explosions. Recalls address brake pressure modulator valve assemblies with improperly tightened bolts and incorrectly calibrated brake systems affecting stability control and anti-lock function. Brake defects qualify as safety issues under Song-Beverly. The statute allows for replacement after two unsuccessful repair attempts when the defect is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.
Sierra · Yukon · Acadia · Terrain
Fuel system and pump control failures
Owners report engine stalling, no-start conditions, and fuel pump control module codes. The manufacturer has recalled vehicles for fuel pump power control modules that cause fuel pumps to fail or operate intermittently, interrupting fuel flow and causing engine stalls. Additional recalls cover fuel tank assemblies missing adhesive that may leak fuel, and improperly attached fuel supply lines. Fuel system problems that leave a vehicle inoperable support claims under the Act.
Sierra · Yukon · Terrain · Acadia
Electrical system problems
The complaint record includes electrical faults ranging from battery failures and blown fuses to function-not-available warnings. Owners describe vehicles that will not start, low voltage alerts, and systems failing while driving. Electrical problems often produce intermittent symptoms dealers struggle to replicate. When service records document repeated electrical complaints, even without permanent fixes, the pattern supports a claim that the defect cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts.
Sierra · Yukon · Acadia · Terrain
Steering assist loss
Owners across the GMC lineup report steering problems. A recall addresses software issues in Yukon models that cause loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving. Owners describe increased steering effort and warning messages requiring battery disconnection to reset. Steering defects that reappear after recall repairs, or that require multiple service visits, may support a claim. The statute does not require that a recall repair succeed, only that the defect affecting the vehicle persists.
Sierra · Yukon · Acadia · Terrain
By model & year
Find your exact GMC
Every model year the firm has read the federal record for has its own page. Pick your model year for what owners filed against it, the recall campaigns naming it, and what the statute asks.
Acadia
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 GMC Acadia | 7 | 1 | Power train |
| 2025 GMC Acadia | 63 | 0 | Service brakes |
| 2024 GMC Acadia | 57 | 0 | Service brakes |
| 2023 GMC Acadia | 43 | 4 | Engine |
| 2022 GMC Acadia | 49 | 3 | Electrical system |
| 2021 GMC Acadia | 149 | 2 | Electrical system |
Sierra
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 GMC Sierra | 63 | 2 | Engine |
| 2025 GMC Sierra | 149 | 1 | Engine |
| 2024 GMC Sierra | 507 | 6 | Engine |
| 2023 GMC Sierra | 528 | 4 | Engine |
| 2022 GMC Sierra | 1,242 | 8 | Engine |
| 2021 GMC Sierra | 635 | 10 | Engine |
Terrain
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 GMC Terrain | 29 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2025 GMC Terrain | 13 | 0 | Electrical system |
| 2024 GMC Terrain | 49 | 1 | Power train |
| 2023 GMC Terrain | 38 | 2 | Engine |
| 2022 GMC Terrain | 87 | 2 | Fuel/propulsion system |
| 2021 GMC Terrain | 35 | 2 | Engine |
Yukon
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 GMC Yukon | 69 | 3 | Engine |
| 2025 GMC Yukon | 52 | 2 | Engine |
| 2024 GMC Yukon | 173 | 3 | Engine |
| 2023 GMC Yukon | 236 | 4 | Engine |
| 2022 GMC Yukon | 179 | 5 | Engine |
| 2021 GMC Yukon | 327 | 13 | Engine |
The statute
When a GMC problem becomes a lemon
These are the presumptions in the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22). Each applies when the defect is first reported, and the vehicle is presented for warranty repair, within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. They are presumptions, not predictions about any individual vehicle.
A
Two or more attempts (safety)
For a defect that could cause death or serious injury, reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
B
Four or more attempts
For the same non-safety warranty problem, reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
C
30 days out of service
Cumulative, for warranty repair, within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
Have an attorney read your GMC repair orders.
Start My Free Case ReviewAttorney Advertising disclaimer: Prior results do not predict or indicate a similar outcome in any future matter. The information on this page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If your vehicle is unsafe to drive, stop driving it and call the firm on (619) 235-0137. Figures from the federal safety regulator's record are estimates taken from the record on the date shown.