My elderly mother has a 2013 Chevy Impala that the drivers seat will move back but not forward,which is bad because she is short!Can/does that motor need replaced without removing the seat? .

You cannot easily move the seat. There are gears on both tracks that are turned by cables. May need to replace the complete seat frame, I don't think the parts are serviced separately.

If the gear is shot then the seat is not going to move you will have to hand wrench it loose. To ensure this is your problem un plug the motor and test the connection with a test light to ensure there is power. If there is you may be able to engage the motor and push the seat forward and back. Good luck this is a pain when the gear is shot or broken, there is no easy fix.

If the controls still work to move the seat up and down and the seat back forward and back then you've ruled out a fuse. The switch could be faulty, could be a broken wire to the motor or the motor itself could be bad.

That is the way it was designed.

Before you do any of the expensive things disconnect and reconnect the wiring to the seat I had the same exact problem with my 2009 Chevy Impala and was ready to take it to the dealer when I disconnected the power cables to it and reconnected them I found that one of the Harnesses was loose and the problem was solved

You don't mention what year your Yukon is ? This could very well be a control Module problem .
I'll post how the power memory seat's work or are suppose to work !

Memory Seats Description and Operation

Battery voltage is supplied to the memory seat module through a 25 A circuit breaker. The memory seat module supplies the seat adjuster switch assembly with a battery positive reference voltage. While the seat adjuster switches are in an inactive state the switch contacts are closed to the adjuster switch common circuit. When a seat adjuster switch is pressed to an active state the switch contact is closed to the reference voltage circuit. Battery voltage on a switch signal circuit indicates to the memory seat module the switch status is active. Each seat adjuster motor is controlled by the memory seat module through 2 motor control circuits. While the seat adjuster motors are in an inactive state the motor control circuits are closed to ground circuit contacts within the memory seat module. The memory seat module operates the seat adjuster motors by switching one of a motors control circuits to battery voltage. The seat adjuster motors are bidirectional and the direction of adjuster motor rotation is determined by which of the adjuster motor control circuits is switched to battery voltage while the other remains grounded.


Memory Set/Recall Operation
The seat adjuster motors are equipped with internal position sensors. The adjuster motor position sensors are monitored by the memory seat module and are used to determine the seat position when storing or recalling memory settings. The driver seat adjuster motors use potentiometer type position sensors. The position sensors are supplied with a 5 V reference and ground circuits from the memory seat module. The position sensor signal circuits return to an analog input within the memory seat module. During adjuster motor operation the position sensor provides a voltage change proportional to the change in revolution of the adjuster motor shaft. The memory seat module monitors the voltage from the position sensor signal circuits to determine the adjuster motor positions when storing or recalling memory seat position settings.
The memory recall switch assembly on the driver door provides inputs to the driver door lock/window switch. Battery voltage is supplied to the memory recall switch assembly from the driver door lock/window switch. When a RCL 1, RCL 2, or EXIT switch is pressed, the switch contacts close the appropriate switch signal circuit to the battery voltage supply circuit within the memory recall switch assembly. When the driver door lock/window switch receives active switch signals from the memory recall switch assembly, the appropriate commands are sent to the memory seat module using the GMLAN Serial Data circuit. The Body Control Module software version determines the personalization features available.
Memory seat recall operation is allowed only with the transmission selector lever in the PARK position while the ignition is on. The transmission selector lever position data is provided to the memory seat module by a message through the GMLAN Serial Data circuit.

There are somethings listed you are not familiar with , like GMLAN Serial Data circuit ,maybe Body Control Module software etc... GMLAN is a communincation network that the computers on the vehicle uses to share information , transmit commons etc... you can google it to read about it .

There are DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes that can set in the module in control . Do you know what DTC'S are .

DTC Descriptors
DTC B1825 01: Driver Seat Recline Position Sensor Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B1825 06: Driver Seat Recline Position Sensor Circuit Short to Ground or Open
DTC B1825 5A: Driver Seat Recline Position Sensor Circuit Plausibility Failure
DTC B1850 01: Driver Seat Lumbar Horizontal Position Sensor Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B1850 06: Driver Seat Lumbar Horizontal Position Sensor Circuit Short to Ground or Open
DTC B1850 5A: Driver Seat Lumbar Horizontal Position Sensor Circuit Plausibility Failure
DTC B1860 01: Driver Seat Lumbar Vertical Position Sensor Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B1860 06: Driver Seat Lumbar Vertical Position Sensor Circuit Short to Ground or Open
DTC B1860 5A: Driver Seat Lumbar Vertical Position Sensor Circuit Plausibility Failure
DTC B2355 01: Driver Seat Front Vertical Position Sensor Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B2355 06: Driver Seat Front Vertical Position Sensor Circuit Short to Ground or Open
DTC B2355 5A: Driver Seat Front Vertical Position Sensor Circuit Plausibility Failure
DTC B2365 01: Driver Seat Rear Vertical Position Sensor Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B2365 06: Driver Seat Rear Vertical Position Sensor Circuit Short to Ground or Open
DTC B2365 5A: Driver Seat Rear Vertical Position Sensor Circuit Plausibility Failure
DTC B2375 01: Driver Seat Assembly Horizontal Position Sensor Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B2375 06: Driver Seat Assembly Horizontal Position Sensor Circuit Short to Ground or Open
DTC B2375 5A: Driver Seat Assembly Horizontal Position Sensor Circuit Plausibility Failure

5) Memory Seat Module is under the front of the driver seat , you could look under an see if all the connectors are fully seated.

The best diagnostic step would be to hook up the factory scan tool an see what the computer is seeing as far as inputs from the switch an outputs it's sending . I wouldn't suggest you take the seat apart an try testing electrical inputs etc.... unless you very familiar with automotive electrical systems an circuits .

This is due to a bad switch or seatmotor, the seat uses diffrent motors to control the seat so seat can still tilt but not move back or forward, this best way to know which ic the problem is with a testlight, hold the switch to move forward or back and test for power and a ground to that motor, if theres power and ground then motor is bad, if theres no power then switch is bad, hope this helps.

check fuse.if fuse is good check for power at seat motor.if yes replace seat motor.if no check wires at switch.if wires is not loose or broken seat motor switch could be bad.

You can move the drivers seat back by turning on the power, getting in the seat and position your feet firmly on the fron flor with your back firmly against he seatback, and then engage the switch pushing back - while pushing like hell with your feet. You can actually hear the seat drive shaft turning while the seat moves back. The principle should be the same for moving forward, but pressure would have to be aplide to the back of the seat.

Tap on the motor while pushing the switch. if this does not work take the motor apart and clean the small brushes that contact the motor shaft 2 total they will have a copper wire attached to them good luck