2021 GMC Yukon Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 337 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Yukon years
Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 33 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 337 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Yukon. That ranks 3rd out of 33 Yukon model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (186 complaints, 55%), typically at around 74,425 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 9 injuries. There are 13 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.

GMC Yukon
25 GMC Yukon XL Denali - Shot at Earnhardt Buick GMC in Mesa AZ. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: HJUdall, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2021 GMC Yukon problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine186 · ~74,425 mi
Power Train52 · ~75,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System44
Engine and Engine Cooling32 · ~82,000 mi
Electrical System30 · ~18,000 mi
Unknown or Other22
Forward Collision Avoidance19 · ~15,500 mi
Air Bags18 · ~11,500 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline12 · ~42,215 mi
Steering11 · ~41,726 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine problems18655%74,425“engine failed” (7%)$9,000
Power Train problems5215%75,000“valve body” (21%)—
Fuel/propulsion System4413%———
Engine and Engine Cooling329%82,000——
Electrical System309%18,000——
Unknown or Other227%———
Forward Collision Avoidance196%15,500——
Air Bags185%11,500——
Fuel System, Gasoline124%42,215——
Steering113%41,726——
Service Brakes93%11,000——
Seats72%8——
Suspension62%42,400——
Vehicle Speed Control62%4,000——
Lane Departure51%63,000——
Seat Belts41%40,000——
Back Over Prevention31%8——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)21%87,000——
Service Brakes, Air21%60,000——
Structure21%———
Exterior Lighting10%———
Tires10%116,224——
Traction Control System10%86,000——
Visibility10%25,000——
Visibility/wiper10%5,100——
Wheels10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 152 complaints
2020: 3202032021: 152021152022: 122022122023: 202023202024: 292024292025: 15220251522026: 1062026106

n = 337 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2021 GMC Yukon recalls (13)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanicalApr 24, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V274000 · 597,571 vehicles

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.

Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body; power train:automatic transmission:control module:softwareOct 24, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V797000 · 463,295 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

Exterior lighting:lighting control module:softwareNov 3, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V827000 · 338,735 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.

Seat belts:critical fastenersAug 11, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V617000 · 484,155 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.

Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.

Power train:driveline:driveshaftJan 27, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V036000 · 1,789 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive moduleSep 23, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V739000 · 14,939 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.

Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:softwareJul 29, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V579000 · 2 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and braking while towing a trailer.

Risk: Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1202; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340970.

Steering:steering control moduleJun 17, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V455000 · 26,847 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.

Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.

Air bags:srs malfunction warning lamp/light; electrical system:softwareJun 10, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V421000 · 285,622 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.

Seat belts:rear/otherMar 18, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V190000 · 94,641 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.

Risk: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblyFeb 11, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V064000 · 18 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. The fuel tank assemblies may be missing adhesive between two layers of the fuel tank shell which may result in a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212327720.

Seat belts:critical fastenersDec 23, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V811000 · 470 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.

Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

Seats:critical fastenersNov 25, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V735000 · 94 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.

Risk: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (EA26005) — opened Aug 20, 2026, still open.
  • Loss of motive power due to engine failure (EA25007) — opened Oct 23, 2025, still open.
  • Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (RQ26001) — opened Jan 16, 2026, closed Aug 20, 2026.
  • Loss of motive power due to engine failure (PE25001) — opened Jan 16, 2025, closed Oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V274.
  • Air Bag Malfunction (PE21010) — opened Apr 9, 2021, closed Aug 24, 2023.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

In late February / early March 2026, at approximately 139,000 miles, my 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with the 6.2L V8 (L87) engine developed a loud knocking/rattling noise that sounded like a loose part inside the engine. The vehicle kept running, but the noise persisted. I took the vehicle to a GMC…

Engine · received Oct 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770913

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving, the engine started making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The dealer confirmed that the vehicle had experienced lifter failure and stated that further diagnostic…

Engine · received Oct 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770195

I was driving normally, going up a hill and the car skipped and lurched forward. Then when i touched the gas pedal the car would not accelerate but the rpms would increase. When I was able to pull over, the car would not reverse, the engine would rev when i pushed the gas pedal but it would not…

Power Train · received Oct 8, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769793

While driving on the highway with my child in the car, the car suddenly began shaking and warning lights to check the power train came on the dash. There was also a loss of power in acceleration. Other error codes (303) also appeared with the check engine light also coming in. Upon checking the…

Engine · received Oct 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769396

I purchased this vehicle new in 2021. In XXX, the vehicle started shaking while driving then suddenly cut off. Mileage was a little over 12K. Diagnosis was an engine lifter issue. The dealership replaced all 16 engine lifters. The vehicle now has a little over 52K miles on it. The engine lifters…

Engine · received Oct 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768352

Other GMC Yukon years

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See all GMC Yukon problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Yukon?

Owners most often report engine, power train, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 186 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2021 GMC Yukon?

Yes, 13 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2021 GMC Yukon a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Yukon model years, the 2021 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.