2021 Gmc YUKON XL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Gmc YUKON XL has 271 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (49% of all complaints), specifically: with only 52 miles (2-days old), i was driving home when i heard a knock. then the engine light came on and the vehicle stability control lowered the vehicle and the vehicle shut off. i was left in the middle of traffic unable to move the vehicle to a safe location. neutral would not work either.. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 4 injuries

271

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

132 complaints

49%

• WITH ONLY 52 MILES (2-DAYS OLD), I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I HEARD A KNOCK. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LOWERED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION. NEUTRAL WOULD NOT WORK EITHER.
• Our vehicle had a warning light of traction system not working - we were told to take to nearest dealer that springs with the valves were faulty and lifters not working. Took it to Everett in Benton, AR. Took two weeks to get the parts to fix. Told this was a problem. We had 4000 miles on the ve
• I was driving 30 mph when the car went into neutral and rolled to a stop. When I put on the brakes the engine shut off and it went into park. It would not restart or shift out of park . I was stuck in an active busy road. The car was towed to the dealer. They said it was a problem with the BCM. GMC

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WITH ONLY 52 MILES (2-DAYS OLD), I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I HEARD A KNOCK. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LOWERED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION. NEUTRAL WOULD NOT WORK EITHER.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

42 complaints

15%

• I was driving 30 mph when the car went into neutral and rolled to a stop. When I put on the brakes the engine shut off and it went into park. It would not restart or shift out of park . I was stuck in an active busy road. The car was towed to the dealer. They said it was a problem with the BCM. GMC
• While traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly and without warning lost power. All gauges remained in the normal range. After pulling on to the shoulder of a highway and turning the vehicle off, the vehicle would not start. After being towed the dealership, the vehicle would not power u
• The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while stopped in traffic, the contact felt the vehicle shaking. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. After several attempts, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and shifted into neutral(N) to move the vehi

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I was driving 30 mph when the car went into neutral and rolled to a stop. When I put on the brakes the engine shut off and it went into park. It would not restart or shift out of park . I was stuck in an active busy road. The car was towed to the dealer. They said it was a problem with the BCM. GMC ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

27 complaints

10%

• I was traveling on the highway and the vehicle started to jolt, sputter and speed acceleration was reduced in a highly congested area with little room to maneuver. I had to quickly shift lanes and get off at the first exit I could as I figure out what the issue was. I immediately contacted my Dealer
• The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while stopped in traffic, the contact felt the vehicle shaking. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. After several attempts, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and shifted into neutral(N) to move the vehi
• My vehicle lost power while driving on the highway. It was later determined that the fuel pump controller module required replacement. Losing power while driving 65 mph was not enjoyable or safe. The GMC Dealer Service department made the assessment, replaced the module, and the vehicle is now in m

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I was traveling on the highway and the vehicle started to jolt, sputter and speed acceleration was reduced in a highly congested area with little room to maneuver. I had to quickly shift lanes and get off at the first exit I could as I figure out what the issue was. I immediately contacted my Dealer”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

12 complaints

• I was driving 30 mph when the car went into neutral and rolled to a stop. When I put on the brakes the engine shut off and it went into park. It would not restart or shift out of park . I was stuck in an active busy road. The car was towed to the dealer. They said it was a problem with the BCM. GMC
• The vehicle had a total failure of its rear safety package which includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors and rear safety alert. The warning illuminated on the dash that all of these functions were offline and service was needed. We took the Yukon to a GM deal
• Large fire started at rear of car. Car was parked on driveway and no one was inside. Noticed a burning smell before fire started. Could not locate any smoke. Vehicle rear burst into flames 20 minutes later. Fire department responded quickly and was able to put out the fire before it reached the hous

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

11 complaints

• I'VE OWNED OVER A DOZEN GM TRUCKS OVER THE LAST 20+ YEARS AND THIS MODEL IS THE WORST EVER! MY COMPLAINT: GM TOOK AWAY THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS ON THE SIDE MIRRORS. THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS ON THE DASH ARE TOO SMALL AND LOCATED WITH MANY OTHER LIGHTS/INDICATORS, SO THEY CANNOT BE SEEN QUICKLY NOR '
• On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, while driving from Columbia, SC to Cincinnati, we were heading northwest through the mountains of North Carolina, on I-40, just east of the TN border. Traffic was fairly steady and heavy, so we were traveling at approximately 45 MPH, in the right lane, winding throug
• The vehicle had a total failure of its rear safety package which includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors and rear safety alert. The warning illuminated on the dash that all of these functions were offline and service was needed. We took the Yukon to a GM deal

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I'VE OWNED OVER A DOZEN GM TRUCKS OVER THE LAST 20+ YEARS AND THIS MODEL IS THE WORST EVER! MY COMPLAINT: GM TOOK AWAY THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS ON THE SIDE MIRRORS. THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS ON THE DASH ARE TOO SMALL AND LOCATED WITH MANY OTHER LIGHTS/INDICATORS, SO THEY CANNOT BE SEEN QUICKLY NOR '”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 271 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WITH ONLY 52 MILES (2-DAYS OLD), I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I HEARD A KNOCK. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LOWERED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION. NEUTRAL WOULD NOT WORK EITHER.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I was driving 30 mph when the car went into neutral and rolled to a stop. When I put on the brakes the engine shut off and it went into park. It would not restart or shift out of park . I was stuck in an active busy road. The car was towed to the dealer. They said it was a problem with the BCM. GMC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I was traveling on the highway and the vehicle started to jolt, sputter and speed acceleration was reduced in a highly congested area with little room to maneuver. I had to quickly shift lanes and get off at the first exit I could as I figure out what the issue was. I immediately contacted my Dealer
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I was driving 30 mph when the car went into neutral and rolled to a stop. When I put on the brakes the engine shut off and it went into park. It would not restart or shift out of park . I was stuck in an active busy road. The car was towed to the dealer. They said it was a problem with the BCM. GMC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)