2021 GMC Yukon XL · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 52owner reports
- 58,000median miles
- $5,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
197 of the 226 complaints on this car are about the engine. 52 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 52 reports
Stalling on other Yukon XL years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the fuel pump (8 reports), the engine (6 reports) and the battery (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the engine cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
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.
All 12 recalls on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Yukon XL
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
Overheated fuel pump wiring. Closed aug 2, 2005, led to recall 05V-155.
Overheated fuel pump wiring. Closed sep 9, 2004, led to recall 05V-155.
What owners paid
5 of the 52 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 35,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This service bulletin advises the technician to check if the transmission cooler lines are twisted to correct customer concerns of Harsh Shift, Shudder, Surge, Stall, Transmission Overheating and/or High Transmission Fluid Temperature.
This service bulletin provides a procedure to replace the FPDCM if found to cause customers concerns of Crank No Start, Stalling, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated – DTC P023F or P129F Set.
This engineering information (EI) closure ends the need for gathering further information from technicians in regard to the vehicle having loss of power and/or having the MIL illuminated on DIC.
This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regard to the vehicle having loss of power and/or having the MIL illuminated on the Driver Information Center ...
5 more on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL page.
What owners wrote
“My family and were traveling to visit family, and the transmission stalled on me on the interstate. I almost had a horrible accident with my kids in the vehicle. The vehicle is in the shop currently and dx with transmission issues. GMC needs to recall and or fix the transmissions in all of their vehicle.”
Filed Jul 3, 2026
“On August 21, 2025, my vehicle engine died in Connecticut when I was taking my son back to college. I had to have it towed back to South Jersey, where I live. The dealer informed me that my engine failed due to a major recall. I was without my vehicle for three months while they waited for a new engine. My car was returned to me with a refurbished engine.”
Filed Feb 21, 2026
“Vehicle stalled while driving and would not turn back on. I had to have it towed over 45 minutes.”
Filed Aug 5, 2025
“I was driving on a highway at speeds of 65 mph and the engine stalled on the left lane. I almost got struck by a tracker trailer. The dealer supposedly fixed the issue and a few months went by and the vehicle died again engine failure in middle of the highway.”
Filed Apr 26, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 52 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 86 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 36 reports