2021 GMC Yukon Engine Problems
Owners have filed 186 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2021 GMC Yukon, 55% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 74,425 miles. The words owners use most often: “engine failed” (7% of reports).
- 186engine complaints
- 74,425median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $9,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 65%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 13 of 186 complaints (7%)
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 at $9,000, and half of them between $7,250 and $10,250.
Based on 6 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 22 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 186 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
GMC Yukon engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Yukon | 32 | 78% | 4,244 |
| 2025 Yukon | 38 | 67% | 5,919 |
| 2024 Yukon | 74 | 70% | 22,000 |
| 2023 Yukon | 159 | 65% | 38,118 |
| 2022 Yukon | 111 | 60% | 44,500 |
| 2021 Yukon | 186 | 55% | 74,425 |
| 2020 Yukon | 12 | 33% | — |
| 2019 Yukon | 28 | 51% | 82,000 |
| 2018 Yukon | 27 | 39% | 104,000 |
| 2017 Yukon | 33 | 17% | 50,000 |
| 2016 Yukon | 34 | 13% | 56,000 |
| 2015 Yukon | 33 | 6% | 64,407 |
| 2014 Yukon | 8 | 14% | 91,500 |
| 2013 Yukon | 10 | 9% | 137,500 |
| 2012 Yukon | 3 | 5% | 68,500 |
| 2011 Yukon | 13 | 8% | 125,000 |
| 2010 Yukon | 8 | 8% | 67,258 |
| 2009 Yukon | 4 | 4% | 122,000 |
| 2008 Yukon | 13 | 7% | 108,730 |
| 2007 Yukon | 23 | 5% | 135,200 |
| 2006 Yukon | 2 | 7% | 160,302 |
| 2005 Yukon | 7 | 8% | 114,000 |
| 2004 Yukon | 12 | 8% | 141,000 |
| 2003 Yukon | 12 | 6% | 120,000 |
| 2002 Yukon | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2001 Yukon | 3 | 2% | 120,500 |
| 2000 Yukon | 1 | 1% | 190,000 |
| 1995 Yukon | 1 | 1% | — |
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.
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…
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…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 GMC Yukons have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 186 owner complaints about engine for the 2021 GMC Yukon (55% of the 337 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 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 74,425 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?
Owners report a typical cost of $9,000 (half paid between $7,250 and $10,250), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2021 GMC Yukon?
The most frequent phrase is “engine failed”, in 13 of 186 complaints.
Other 2021 GMC Yukon problems
- Power Train problems (52)
See all 2021 GMC Yukon problems or engine problems across all Yukon years.