Fifth generation
2021 GMC Yukon
The most reported problem on the 2021 GMC Yukon is engine failure, with 93 complaints, usually around 70,000 miles.
- 331owner complaints
- 13recalls
- 9involved a crash
- 70,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Yukon doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 GMC Yukon reliable?
The 2021 GMC Yukon has 331 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.5 times the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Yukon model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- The 2021 stands out from the model years on either side. It draws 55 complaints for each year on the road, while the 2020 draws 5 and the 2022 36.
- Top problem
- Engine failure leads with 93 of the 331 complaints (28%), ahead of stalling at 71. A quarter of the 29 owners who gave a mileage for engine failure saw it by about 31,000 miles, and half by about 70,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 9 of the 331 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 9 reports mention a crash and 9 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 7 of 9, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- engine failure, stalling and misfire all have recalls on the same system, and the same campaigns cover them: 25V-274. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2025, with 152 complaints, 5.2 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 100 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine failure, knocking or rod bearing, 93 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
331 complaints is 1.7 times the median 2021 model on this site and 1.5 times the median 2021 SUV. Among the 8 Yukon model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 GMC Yukon
GMC filed 1,239 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 GMC Yukon. 69 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. 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.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 2 bulletins · 93 complaints
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be the main cause of an engine failure.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 13 bulletins · 71 complaints
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.
11 more on this problem
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 ...
This Preliminary information communicates a vehicle may come to the dealer with a complaint of no start, stalling, rough idle, no acceleration, loss of power, erratic shifting, fuel gauge inoperative, MIL illuminated with various codes stored.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This service bulletin provides repair information for Engine Wire Harness Chafing to correct customer concerns of IPC Gauges Sweep, IPC Warning Message, SES/Check Engine/MIL, No Start/ No Crank, Runs Rough, Stalls, Reduced Engine Power, Various DTCs.
This bulletin provides a procedure to replace the FPDCM if found to cause customers concerns of Crank No Start, Stalling, Loss of Power, Fuel Gauge Inoperative/Erratic, MIL Illuminated - DTC P023F and/or P129F Set.
This service bulletin provides service information for customer concerns of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated that may be caused by gelling of fuel in cold temperatures.
This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician that if a customer comments that their vehicle equipped with a 6L80, 6L90, 8L90, 10L80, or 10L1000 transmission has a harsh shift, shudder, stall or high transmission fluid temperature concern ...
This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regards to one or more of the following condition Stalls, Crank with no star, Check Engine Lamp ...
This service bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated.
Plus 1 older ones not listed here.
Check engine light or misfire 14 bulletins · 54 complaints
Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the cylinder 2 glow plug to fail. If this failure occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate and a diagnostic trouble code will set.
Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition that could cause the engine coolant control valve to fail an onboard vehicle diagnostic test.
12 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the SES MIL and DTC P062B and engineering is working on a fix.
This bulletin advises the technician of a possible kinked coolant hose that might be causing the customers concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P026A Set.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of LM2 Engine Calibration Update for DTC P003A.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the fuel injector and the wiring harness to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with DTC P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206 and/or P0216 Set.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated with DTC P06DD, P2B60, P26BB, P1098 Set.
This technical bulletin advises to replace the camshaft cover if found within the Julian date and the cause of a customer concern of possible oil consumption with or without DTC P06DD.
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Check Engine MIL Illuminated in DIC Set by Body Control Module with DTC P0607.
Information bulletin explains a possible coolant leak coming from the cylinder head bolt areas.
Check Engine MIL Illuminated in DIC Set by Body Control Module with DTC P0607
Plus 2 older ones not listed here.
Engine knocking or ticking 1 bulletin · 27 complaints
Service Update. Certain vehicles may present a broken engine valve spring. This may cause the engine to run rough, an engine knocking or ticking noise, a check engine light illumination, or a possible vehicle stall.
Engine rattles or ticks 4 bulletins · 21 complaints
This service bulletin provides a service procedure to correct a condition of a Ticking Noise from the Engine.
This bulletin advises the technician to Inspect the position of the head gasket locating tabs to determine if the head gasket(s) has been possibly installed backwards to correct a concern of an Engine Thermostat Tick Noise and/or Running Hot.
2 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates information on correcting a rattle noise from the underbody exhaust heat shield.
This technical bulletin provides a service procedure to correct a condition of Ticking Noise from the Engine.
Airbag warning light or recall 3 bulletins · 18 complaints
This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regards to the Check Engine Lamp illuminated on Driver Information Center (DIC) and DTC P0607 Set in BCM to ...
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the air bag and air bag harness to correct a condition of Airbag Malfunction Warning and Airbag Malfunction Indicator Illuminated with DTC B0001-1B due to corrosion.
1 more on this problem
This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regards to the airbag lamp illuminated on the driver?s information center (DIC).
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 26 bulletins · 11 complaints
Certain vehicles may have a condition in which a transmission control body screen detaches from the spacer plate when the vehicle is operated in extremely cold weather conditions. Dealers are to reprogram the Transmission Control Module.
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concerns of Radio Software issues.
24 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct customer concerns of Service Emissions System Displayed on DIC, MIL Illuminated with DTC P249C and/or P20E8 Set.
This PI states that a vehicle may exhibit a concern of the cross traffic alert indicators not displaying on the radio screen.
This service bulletin provides repair information to update radio software to correct customer concerns of Software related issues.
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Black Radio Display Screen (Triangle and Camera with Slash Through it) with DTCs B1A62 82 and 86 Setting Current in Video Processing Module (VPM).
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Black Radio Display Screen (triangle and camera with the slash through it) with DTCs B1A62 82 and 86 setting current in Video Processing Module (VPM).
This service bulletin provides repair information on release of Radio Software Version V160 Update to correct customer concerns of radio software issues.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Black Radio Display Screen (Triangle and Camera with Slash Through it) with DTCs B1A62 82 and 86 Setting Current in Video Processing Module (VPM).
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to remove the conduit from the harness for the accelerometer to correct the condition of Message âService Suspension Systemâ Displayed and/or DTC C102Exx.
This Preliminary information communicates that a customer may notice that the gridlines on the backup camera are very dim. They may mention that this occurred after an OTA update. The dealer technician is advised to perform no repairs.
This Preliminary information communicates a condtion where SD card removed is being displayed on the radio display intermittently. ThisPI advises that engineering is working on a fix for this issue
Plus 14 older ones not listed here.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 6 bulletins · 11 complaints
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to inform drivers that under certain driving conditions such as hilly or mountainous roads accompanied with frequent braking, that the original equipment front brake pads may wear prematurely.
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with premature brake pad life and engineering is working on release new pad lining material.
4 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic trailer brake system causing a voltage spike into the trucks electrical system which is causing DTC C1114 to set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicle that may have a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System” message on the Driver Information Center when a trailer is ...
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that after performing a brake inspection, brake pad replacement, or any other repair that requires the caliper piston to be reseated may be causing DTC C05B0 to falsely set for eBoost ...
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
Complaints filed by year
152 complaints came in 2025, 5.2 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
NHTSA summary
Air bag malfunction. Closed aug 24, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2021 GMC Yukon
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
All 13 recalls on the 2021 GMC Yukon, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 GMC Yukon?
Engine failure, with 93 of the 331 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 70,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 GMC Yukon problems start?
Of the 124 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 24,000 miles and half by about 70,000.
Is the 2021 GMC Yukon better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has more complaints than both the 2020 and the 2022: 55 a year against 5 and 36.
How many 2021 GMC Yukon complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
9 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for engine failure on the 2021 GMC Yukon?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 25V-274. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.