Shifts into Neutral while Driving?

Tiny
ARS1269
  • MEMBER
  • 2021 GMC YUKON
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 42,000 MILES
Hello, I have the vehicle listed above AT4 with roughly 42,000 miles on it.
While driving, it shifts into Neutral without a warning.
I have taken into GM dealership they have ran diagnostics, but nothing comes up. I also get random service codes that pop up, but will go away, Check engine light is never on. I am planning on going back into the dealership to have them look it over again. I live in the country and am about 1 1/2 hours away from my local dealer. What should I ask them to look into?
Monday, May 5th, 2025 AT 3:39 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
MECHTRIX
  • MECHANIC
  • 175 POSTS
Check it frequently if it's the slightest bit dirty change the transmission oil and the filter that's a good start. Lots of cars are coming onto the market within the last 20 years where they say there's no reason to change the oil until 50 k miles or even never or for the life of the car whatever that means, but they sure are selling a lot of new transmissions seems to be a scam. I'd change it at least every 2 or so years for the rest of its life no matter what and make sure they have a proper evacuator to get it all out before refilling it. Anyway, that's a good start. Best of luck. I hope this helps.
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Monday, May 5th, 2025 AT 10:15 PM
Tiny
ARS1269
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have had regular maintenance completed, oil change, filters etc. Just installed a new battery as the dealership said battery need recharged. Not sure what you're talking about changing out. I've heard it could potentially be Solenoid too? Any advice or experience with this would be helpful!
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Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
MECHTRIX
  • MECHANIC
  • 175 POSTS
Okay, if you've been maintaining it regularly it might not be a transmission issue at all it could just be the shifter inside the car might not be staying put. There should be a indent that keeps it in gear insde the shift consold. Does it
do it in any gear or only when you have it in drive? Or does it do it at any speed or only at high speed. Have them chech that too I guess its just odd that they havent found anything so far. Maybe next time around they will but usually there would be a code if anything went wrong inside the transmissiion and since there isnt any codes it makes it a bit harder to find. Good luck hope this helps.
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Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
ARS1269
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2021 GMC YUKON
  • 5.3L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 42,000 MILES
I have the vehicle listed above At4. While driving my vehicle has shifted into Neutral on its own.
It has happened at all speeds. Going down the highway, slowly driving through a parking lot.

I have one service code that pops up "Service Steering column lock" the code is not on all the time it pops up intermittently.

No check engine light. No other lights or service codes. The vehicle goes into neutral and turns the engine off. I am able to restart the car and continue driving.

The car drives well, and I have no other issues other than this issue that randomly occurs.

I have taken it to my local GM service center, and they have not found anything.

I replaced the battery 1 month ago.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I should have checked out further? I want to make sure I know what I need to request, so that I am not brushed off and told everything is fine. LOL
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Thursday, May 29th, 2025 AT 11:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,325 POSTS
To me it sounds like the PCM is going out, to confirm the transmission shifts into neutral and the engine shuts off with no codes correct? If so remove the PCM and send it in for testing, you can find a place to send it to by searching google. You might want to get a preprogrammed PCM as well and plug it in to see if the problem goes away. With this kind of problem it should have codes unless the PCM is bad.
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Thursday, May 29th, 2025 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
ARS1269
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Correct, no codes show up. It just goes into neutral, and I have to hit my push to start button, and it starts back up no codes, or lights on the dash.
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Thursday, May 29th, 2025 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,325 POSTS
It could be the transmission is having an issue. I would check the fluid condition to make sure it is not burnt and then I would send the PCM off for testing/replacement.
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Friday, May 30th, 2025 AT 9:29 AM

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