2021 GMC YUKON XL Complaints

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shut off with the message to restart the vehicle displayed. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle after several attempts; however, the failure reoccurred soon after the vehicle was restarted. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to a dealer but was later towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test and diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

We purchased a new 2021 GMC Yukon Denali in July 2021.We have had continuous issues with the truck starting almost immediately after we purchased it and ending with a catastrophic engine failure despite only have ~81,000 miles on it. Even more concerning is that the engine failed while my two of my children were driving with 3 of their friends. The car seized up in the middle of a busy road while driving 55 mph. The kids had to coast to the side of a busy road where they exited the vehicle and waited for a tow truck. Despite regular oil changes and maintenance, we have experienced non-stop problems with the truck * Aug 2022 (29,470 miles): Engine wire chaffing relating to the fuel pressure sensor. Transmission slipping. * Oct 2022 (34,220 miles): “Grinding noises” related to brakes. Faulty brake sensor and brake replacement. * Nov 2022 (35,954 miles): Continued “grinding noises” * May 2023 (51,163 miles): Continued “grinding noises” which were again “shrugged off” by the dealership despite us bringing in the truck for the 3rd time related to this issue. Transmission slipping (transmission torn down, clutch assembly replaced, etc.) * Oct 2023 (62,365 miles): Continued “grinding noises” (4th time bringing the truck in for this reason). * Sep 2024 (81,000 miles): Catastrophic engine failure while driving on a busy road at 55 mph. Based on discussions with a wide range of mechanics, dealerships, shops, individuals within the automative industry, we have come to understand that the issues we have been facing with our truck are not unique. To be clear, we have experienced: i) the same problem repeatedly over a short period of time; ii) repeated unsuccessful attempts to fix the same issues; iii) a prolonged period for repairs where we did not have the vehicle; and iv) significant value loss due to catastrophic engine failure. Further, these problems compromised the safety of my family and has significantly disrupted our life.

Engine is consuming 3qt oil every 1,000 miles. Has been consuming oil since 34,000 mile mark and the transmission has been slipping where it revs very high before downshifting. GM has asked for an oil consumption test to be done and now we are 9,000 plus miles into it and they still say it's fine. This car is not worth the price. I can't even take it out of town due to needing the oil consumption every thousand miles by GM request. Complained about engine knocking at 22,000 miles and they said it was normal and I know it's not

On Friday, [XXX] at approximately [XXX], my family was traveling on [XXX] at [XXX} in Colorado. Our 2021 Yukon Denali XL all of a sudden shut down without warning while going up the mountain at a spot where there was no shoulder. The car would not restart despite multiple attempts. We called 911 several times and waited in the lane of interstate traffic for approximately 45 minutes for emergency vehicles to arrive to block the lane. It was one of the most harrowing experiences of our lives. Our car was nearly hit five times by semi-trucks and cars that could not change lanes fast enough, and all we could do was put our flashers on, honk the horn at incoming cars, and tell our four children to lean back in the seat and prepare for impact. When the tow truck arrived, they could not get the car in neutral and the tow truck had to winch the Yukon on the flatbed to tow it. The car was towed to Raton, New Mexico. The mechanic said that he tried to put a bar on the engine and turn it over but it would not move. The vehicle is still at the mechanic’s shop in Raton, New Mexico. I am in the process of trying to get it towed to a GMC dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

We were driving on the interstate outside of Chattanooga TN when our car went into neutral while we were in the left hand lane next to a 18 wheeler. My husband was driving and we have our four children and dog in the car. We lost acceleration. My husband was successful in getting us off the highway and onto the shoulder. The car started again and we tried to make it to the next exit when it went into neutral again and lost power. This was on [XXX]. We had it towed to the nearest dealer, Integrity Motors. They called us and said that it threw a rod and that the engine was broken and the whole engine would need to be replaced. After replacing the engine (it took 2 months) we picked the car up only to have the engine light come on. I took it to Autozone where they ran the codes and told me that the fuel injectors were bad and possibly the intake manifold gasket. I called Chattanooga and they told me that I should take it to the nearest GMC dealer. Parks GMC in Greenville inspected the car and we had to put in 8 fuel injectors. I have documentation of all of these issues. There was no warning light or any warning that our engine was about to shut down. We could have been in a serious wreck with the 18 wheeler with possible loss of life or injury. We have had significant financial loss. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Our 6.2L failed unexpectedly after regular maintenance. No warning, just the sound of knocking in the engine then loss of power and bad sounds from the engine. Stranded on side of road. GM wants to replace the entire engine without opening engine, claiming lower engine damage. Technicians say this is spun rod bearing problem that is very common. Dangerous and poor quality.

Engine failure of lifters and piston rings at 58000 miles. Engine failure at highway speeds causing complete loss of power on highway. It is completely unacceptable to have such catastrophic engine failure on such a new vehicle.

GMC currently has bulletin out on the issue and how to fix it. unfortunately this doesn't not fix it and I am going to have to replace my whole rear differential at only 60,500 miles. Gmc is well aware of the situation and has not done a recall. The fix the bulletin proposes would not work and there was over and inch of metal shaving found. This is a huge issue in the specific vehicle and the part to replace the rear differential isn't even available (national backorder with no ETA) leaving customers without a vehicle or solution for their faulty issues. GMC should be liable for their negligence and putting customers in potential harm if the vehicle is continued to be driven with a failing rear differential. The vehicle did not prompt any warning messages but the grinding sound was very loud. Bulletin No.: 21-NA-028 Date: January, 2023

Our 2021 GMC Yukon XL for the third time now has shifted from Drive to Neutral and then turned off on us on the highway. The first time GM changed the motor (at approximately 35,000 miles), the second time was about a month ago we were at the White Mountains and it shut off on a highway, the third time was yesterday [XXX] (with 61,057 miles), my wife and I were driving on [XXX] in Massachusetts and when I accelerated the vehicle shifted from Drive to Neutral and then shut off on me. This vehicle is not safe and on all of these three occasions I have been lucky not to be hit and have been the driver. I am a trained and professional driver and I must state that this vehicle is not safe at all. I need to find a solution to this with General Motors. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The wiper system turns off randomly when it’s raining…. It’s been taken in to the dealer multiple times but no changes made. Doesn’t matter if auto sensing is on or off.