2021 GMC Yukon · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 71owner reports
- 50,500median miles
- $416median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
290 of the 331 complaints on this car are about the engine. 71 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 71 reports
Stalling on other Yukon 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 (22 reports), the engine (6 reports) and the battery (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
5 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.
The fuel tank assemblies may be missing adhesive between two layers of the fuel tank shell which may result in a fuel leak.
All 13 recalls on the 2021 GMC Yukon, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Yukon
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.
Non-crash engine compartment fires. Closed sep 8, 2008, led to recall 08V-441.
Non-crash engine compartment fires. Closed jun 12, 2008.
Battery leaks acid. Closed jun 28, 2002.
Battery leaks acid. Closed may 2, 2000.
What owners paid
5 of the 71 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $400 to $12,631.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 28,450 and 81,000 miles, from the 32 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 14 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 GMC Yukon 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 ...
10 more on the 2021 GMC Yukon page.
What owners wrote
“Driving the vehicle on the highway when I started to hear a ticking sound from the engine. After a few minutes, the check engine light came on and started flashing, traction control shut off and some system related to the rear end shut off. After inspection, it appears to have dropped a lifter.”
Filed Dec 29, 2025
“A valve in the transmission is sticking causing a loss of power, engine light warnings to flash, and hard gear shifts from park to drive or reverse. First occurred on 5/25/25, went to the dealer service department on 5/26/25. Part still not available and itâs been sitting at the dealership since.”
Filed Jul 28, 2025
“Recall N212332040 Car lost power and stalled on highway, at highway speed Dangerous Recall on fuel pump PCM did not cover this year vehicle based on VIN.”
Filed Jun 30, 2025
“Driving down highway. Engine failure, loss of power. Ended up being lifter and camshaft failure.”
Filed Apr 29, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 71 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 93 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 54 reports
- Fuel pump failure 36 reports