2021 GMC Yukon XL Engine Problems
Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL, 61% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 70,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “engine failed” (12% of reports).
- 138engine complaints
- 70,500median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $5,600typical repair cost reported by owners
- 67%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Engine failed: mentioned in 17 of 138 complaints (12%)
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 8 of 138 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL at $5,600, and half of them between $5,150 and $11,300.
Based on 5 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2025–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 14 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 138 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
GMC Yukon XL engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Yukon XL | 24 | 65% | 3,500 |
| 2025 Yukon XL | 17 | 61% | 24,842 |
| 2024 Yukon XL | 53 | 75% | 32,000 |
| 2023 Yukon XL | 148 | 67% | 44,000 |
| 2022 Yukon XL | 112 | 65% | 55,000 |
| 2021 Yukon XL | 138 | 61% | 70,500 |
| 2020 Yukon XL | 24 | 51% | 52,000 |
| 2019 Yukon XL | 34 | 50% | 100,000 |
| 2018 Yukon XL | 15 | 28% | 70,000 |
| 2017 Yukon XL | 26 | 18% | 55,000 |
| 2016 Yukon XL | 26 | 13% | 75,175 |
| 2015 Yukon XL | 26 | 8% | 98,000 |
| 2013 Yukon XL | 1 | 5% | 150,000 |
| 2012 Yukon XL | 2 | 15% | 108,800 |
| 2011 Yukon XL | 3 | 6% | — |
| 2010 Yukon XL | 3 | 11% | 119,538 |
| 2009 Yukon XL | 3 | 13% | 136,000 |
| 2008 Yukon XL | 3 | 4% | 117,000 |
| 2007 Yukon XL | 10 | 10% | 112,016 |
| 2006 Yukon XL | 2 | 12% | 100,000 |
| 2005 Yukon XL | 7 | 17% | 128,000 |
| 2004 Yukon XL | 2 | 2% | 182,000 |
| 2003 Yukon XL | 1 | 1% | 54,000 |
| 2002 Yukon XL | 2 | 2% | 128,850 |
| 2000 Yukon XL | 1 | 1% | 180,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The vehicle is consuming every bit of oil at about 1500 to 1800 miles of the 3000 mile guidelines before the next oil change. No leaks. No smoke. No knocking in motor.
Engine coolant control valve has failed three times. This last time so severely the car forced me to come to a complete stop in the middle of a busy street. Dangerous to drive while severe reduced acceleration is all thatâs available during the episodes.
Vehicle has been consuming engine oil at a rate of approximately 1 quart per 500 miles. On XXX, owner added 1 quart of oil in [XXX], then drove a round trip to [XXX] and back (approx. 860 miles). On XXX at 55,329 miles â only 9 days and roughly 860 miles after that quart was added â an oil…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 GMC Yukon XLs have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 138 owner complaints about engine for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL (61% of the 227 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 70,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,600 (half paid between $5,150 and $11,300), from 5 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?
The most frequent phrase is “engine failed”, in 17 of 138 complaints, followed by “oil consumption” (8).
See all 2021 GMC Yukon XL problems or engine problems across all Yukon XL years.