2021 GMC YUKON XL Complaints

View complaints related to 2021 GMC YUKON XL. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 220 complaints submitted for the 2021 GMC YUKON XL. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - Kimball , MN

    Vehicle wont go in reverse and skips gears and an error came up to reduce acceleration. - Valve body Control assembly needing to be replaced.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - Lakeway, TX

    The engine failed, specifically the internal engine rod, which apparently came unhinged and caused extensive internal damage. This led to a complete engine failure. The failure was sudden and extreme. The vehicle is currently located at a GMC dealership and remains available for inspection if needed. The dealership also provided oil samples and internal findings to GM for further review.This failure put my safety and my children’s safety at serious risk. I regularly drive this vehicle alone with my children to remote areas—one of the main reasons I purchased this vehicle was because it is marketed as safe, reliable, and built for families. The engine shut off twice while driving before I could get it to a shop, and I was very fortunate it didn't happen on the highway or in a location where I couldn’t pull over safely. Had this occurred at high speeds or in heavy traffic, it could have resulted in a crash or left us stranded in a dangerous situation.Yes. The issue was first diagnosed as catastrophic engine failure by an independent auto shop. They advised me to take the vehicle directly to the GMC dealer. Once inspected, the GMC dealership confirmed full engine failure, radiator failure, and additional issues. They explicitly told me not to drive the vehicle again due to the severity of the internal engine damage. The vehicle is still at their shop- three weeks later. I’m not sure if the manufacturer (GM) has physically inspected the vehicle. However, the dealership has submitted documentation and internal engine testing results—including oil samples—to GM on my behalf. To my knowledge, there has been no inspection by police or insurance representatives.There were no warning lamps, error messages, or dashboard alerts before or during the failure. The only symptom was a very subtle and barely audible noise that appeared shortly before the failure. Within approximately 40 miles, that sound escalated dramatically into a loud rattling. The engine shut off on its own twi

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - TEMECULA, CA

    On [XXX], my wife and our children were driving back home from Barstow when the vehicle stalled on the [XXX] freeway near Colton, CA. While driving at approximately 50–65 mph, we heard a clanking noise coming from the engine, followed by multiple warning and maintenance lights illuminating on the dash. The vehicle then lost all acceleration power and shut off, leaving my wife and children stranded in the middle lane of moving traffic. All of this happened in a matter of seconds. This situation quickly became a life-threatening incident. Vehicles, including large semi-trucks, were swerving and honking to avoid colliding with our stalled Yukon. Fearing for my family’s safety, I was forced to exit the vehicle in the middle of traffic and physically push the Yukon to the side of the freeway, while trying to keep my wife and children calm inside the vehicle. The panic and distress this caused my family—especially my wife, whose anxiety skyrocketed—is beyond unacceptable. Highway law enforcement arrived and remained there until we were able to get a safety tow off the freeway and out to a service shop with GMC. Just before that, we had received our vehicle back on February 20th, 2025 after being with the GMC dealership since January 3rd, 2025, for engine replacement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - Estacada, OR

    The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lifters had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that only one side of the engine lifters replacement was covered. The vehicle was repaired accordingly. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH, the engine started shuddering. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The messages "Service ESC", "Forward Collision System Unavailable", "System Failure", and other unknown messages were displayed. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - Anderson, SC

    The 6.2 engine started ticking now. It needs to be rebuilt. It's ridiculous. We service it every 3000 miles. Our 2017 Sierra had a valve stick that ruined the cam. It has the same 6.2 engine with only 78,000 miles on it.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - Anderson, SC

    The transmission went out. Torque converter put metal all through the transmission. While driving at highway speeds in traffic almost got rear ended

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - Fulton, IL

    Complete engine failure due to lifters going bad in return had to replace the entire thing

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - Mesa, AZ

    Months after a bought the car brand new my engine failed, GMC took months to replace the engine leaving me without a car for months, while paid out of pocket for a rental. Further I’ve had numerous transmission issues that and other issues leaving the car in the dealership shop for months.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - Mont Belvieu , TX

    I was driving with my [XXX] son and my car just stalled out in the middle of the road. I couldn’t start it and we were stuck in the middle of the road. My husband arranged for a tow and the repair shop (safe auto repair Mont Belvieu) told me that this type of thing they have seen a lot of. The fuel pump power control module needed to be repaired and they said when that happens it sometimes shorts out the fuel pump system too. They said they had to repair 4 like this already during the week. My neighbor said the exact same thing happened to her friend gmc at4 a month ago and was also driving and the car just stopped. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 GMC YUKON XL
    - Monroeville, PA

    The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while operating the vehicle on a cold day, the windshield wiper fluid failed to spray from the windshield wiper nozzle and the windshield and window could not be cleaned while driving. The contact stated that the failure was present with the front windshield and rear glass and had created a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 48,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE