2021 Gmc Yukon problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (129) · Power Train (49) · Fuel/Propulsion System (33)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Yukon model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
71 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (13)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/Mechanical 2025-04-24 · campaign 25V274000 · 597,571 vehicles
Defect: 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
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant:valves/Valve Body 2024-10-24 · campaign 24V797000 · 463,295 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Exterior Lighting:lighting Control Module:software 2022-11-03 · campaign 22V827000 · 338,735 vehicles
Defect: 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 Fasteners 2022-08-11 · campaign 22V617000 · 484,155 vehicles
Defect: 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
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2022-01-27 · campaign 22V036000 · 1,789 vehicles
Defect: 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 Module 2021-09-23 · campaign 21V739000 · 14,939 vehicles
Defect: 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:software 2021-07-29 · campaign 21V579000 · 2 vehicles
Defect: 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 Module 2021-06-17 · campaign 21V455000 · 26,847 vehicles
Defect: 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 2021-06-10 · campaign 21V421000 · 285,622 vehicles
Defect: 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 2021-03-18 · campaign 21V190000 · 94,641 vehicles
Defect: 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 Assembly 2021-02-11 · campaign 21V064000 · 18 vehicles
Defect: 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 Fasteners 2020-12-23 · campaign 20V811000 · 470 vehicles
Defect: 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 Fasteners 2020-11-25 · campaign 20V735000 · 94 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (1,240)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · PIT6477D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary pi was created to advise techniians in the field that they will not be able to perform a gds automated bleed with the scan tool dues to a issue with the software in the scan tool
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-10 · PIT5801F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates diagnostic tips for air leveling suspension system.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-26 · PIT5869B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides a diagnostic tip when fuse f4dr is opening and dealerships are to inspect the wiring at the center console lid.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · PIC6551C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a mec reset for wireless projection issues
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,240 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-28 · Fuel/Propulsion System“while stopped in a parking lot. i returned my vehicle to drive home, and the car would not start. i had it towed to the dealer. they did a diagnostic inspection for "crank-no-start ". two trouble codes: p0340 intake single camshaft ignition sensor circuit and p00c6- fuel rail pressure load during engine cranking. performed diagnostic checks and su…”
2026-10-26 · Engine“as i was driving down the road at 60mph, no dash lights or warnings were present. all of a sudden, my 2021 yukon lost all power and i nearly crashed as i was in heavy, fast paced traffic. i got to the side of the road, and it was at this time the engine light came on. car died and wouldnt start back up. …”
2026-10-24 · Electrical System“about 1 month ago while driving down the highway, my vehicle dash and screen went completely back for a few seconds and came back on. as if it shorted out…”
2026-10-23 · Engine“crank/rod failure on 6.2 engine. yes it is available same as other people with blown 6.2s yes, gmc dealer diagnosed crank failure no no. engine still runs but is knocking and squealing but dies after a few mins and won't restart till it cools off…”
2026-10-20 · Power Train“vehicle: 2021 gmc yukon, 5.3l v8 (l84). vin: [xxx]. mileage at failure: approximately 88,000. component: engine. incident date: xxx while i was driving on a highway, the engine began to misfire and i heard a ticking noise. the check engine light then began flashing, indicating a severe misfire. i pulled off the highway immediately to a rest area.…”
2026-10-20 · Service Brakes“our 2021 gmc yukon denali has repeatedly experienced sudden, violent braking and apparent rear-wheel lockup without the driver applying the brakes. these incidents occur without warning at highway speeds, moderate speeds, and in traffic. the vehicle abruptly decelerates, fishtails, loses stability, and produces smoke. the wheels have locked severel…”
2026-10-16 · Power Train“i believe it’s a transmission. while driving down the interstate and the car just won’t get up and go like it should, and i’m gonna get rear ended. i’ve i’ve taken it to the dealership three or four times. i keep telling me nothing’s wrong.…”
2026-10-16 · Power Train“bought 2021 gmc yukon denali new. transmission failed at 70,000 miles. engine has now failed at 111,000 miles. both diagnosed at capital gmc atlanta, ga. cost to replace transmission $8k (gmc paid half). cost to replace engine $12k (gmc offered no assistance). engine failure not related to current engine recall/investigation on gmc 6.2l v8 engines.…”
2026-10-13 · Engine“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 dealer. the dealer checked the vin and told me there was…”
2026-10-09 · Engine · 69,000 mi“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 tests were needed to determine if the engine neede…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.