Is the 2021 Gmc YUKON reliable?

The 2021 Gmc YUKON has 410 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Gmc YUKON?

Top problems: ENGINE (179 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (49 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (45 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Gmc YUKON?

Yes, there are 13 recall(s): STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, SEAT BELTS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, SEATS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE, AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT, SEAT BELTS, SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Gmc YUKON?

The 2021 Gmc YUKON gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Gmc YUKON?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Gmc YUKON is approximately $1,809/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Gmc YUKON

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Gmc YUKON has 410 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.8x the segment average of 149. The most common issue is engine problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: we were coming back from a trip with my children and this vehicle was barely 2 weeks old with 0 miles and we were on a highway when all the emergency lights on the dash went off. it was flagging the electrical system, the engine, the brakes. honestly all the lights possible went off. the vehicle was. There are 13 recalls issued for this model year.

15 crash reports 15 injuries

410

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

2.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

179 complaints

44%

• WE WERE COMING BACK FROM A TRIP WITH MY CHILDREN AND THIS VEHICLE WAS BARELY 2 WEEKS OLD WITH 0 MILES AND WE WERE ON A HIGHWAY WHEN ALL THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OFF. IT WAS FLAGGING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE ENGINE, THE BRAKES. HONESTLY ALL THE LIGHTS POSSIBLE WENT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS
• GMC Yukon Denali SUV 2021, push rods and lifters in motor are bad, this could have cause an accident due to SUV stopping in traffic or on the highway. Please help with this safety issue. The GMC Denali SUV 2021 only has 7000 miles on it, it new. I thank you in advance for you support. Regards Georg
• Engine failed on my new vehicle. GM is aware of faulty lifters produced over roughly a 3 month period. My vehicle has been confirmed to have those faulty batch lifters. At this time GM is only replacing lifters on the side of the engine that failed. The local dealership is having 2-3 of these

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

“WE WERE COMING BACK FROM A TRIP WITH MY CHILDREN AND THIS VEHICLE WAS BARELY 2 WEEKS OLD WITH 0 MILES AND WE WERE ON A HIGHWAY WHEN ALL THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OFF. IT WAS FLAGGING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE ENGINE, THE BRAKES. HONESTLY ALL THE LIGHTS POSSIBLE WENT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Gmc YUKON

Based on 92 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 57K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 42K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 76K mi · 37 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 70K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (13)

STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE17/06/2021

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Gmc YUKON

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,429/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Gmc YUKON

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,809

Full coverage / month

$151

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+8%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1809

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc YUKON Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2021 YUKON, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 410 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WE WERE COMING BACK FROM A TRIP WITH MY CHILDREN AND THIS VEHICLE WAS BARELY 2 WEEKS OLD WITH 0 MILES AND WE WERE ON A HIGHWAY WHEN ALL THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OFF. IT WAS FLAGGING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE ENGINE, THE BRAKES. HONESTLY ALL THE LIGHTS POSSIBLE WENT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling in a drive-thru, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle with no is
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM PARK. WHEN IT'S IN GEAR (YOU CAN HOLD THE BUTTON TO SELECT A GEAR TO MOVE), BUT AS SOON AS YOU RELEASE THE BUTTON - IT GOES RIGHT BACK INTO PARK. IT COMES AND GOES. I'VE BEEN STUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY. STUCK AT THE GROCERY STORE. HAD IT ONCE SURPRISE ME AT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: THE VECHILE IS PARK AT CARL BLACK GMC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 13 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)