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.
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2021 GMC YUKON XL- Rancho Cucamonga , CA
*gas tank had become partially dislodged from the undercarriage. *Entire family was in vehicle at time of incident, including three small children. The safety of an entire family along with any others that may have been on the road, if the car would have combusted due to the gas tank which had just been filled to capacity. *vehicle has been at Mark Christopher GM dealership for over one month. *dealership service dept claims someone tried to steal gas tank. *Mercury insurance company claims mechanical failure. *No warning given from vehicle. We heard a dragging noise while we were driving, pulled over as soon as possible. Upon inspection, it was observed that fuel tank had begun to leak fuel from dragging on the freeway.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 GMC YUKON XL- Wichita, KS
The forward collission system continues to perform phantom braking while driving in traffic resulting in near rear end collisions. The GMC dealer refuses to fix it without charging me for more diagnostic work, which has already been done twice. What is my recourse?
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 GMC YUKON XL- Knoxville, TN
We brought vehicle in while still in warranty complaining of rough running engine and dealership said they couldn't find anything wrong. 2000 miles over warranty the Engine fails with all characteristics of the L87 bearing lifter issue. Now GMC does not want to replace without charging us a ton of money.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 GMC YUKON XL- Olathe, KS
Our 2021 GMC Yukon XL with the 6.2L engine suffered a catastrophic failure requiring the engine to be replaced. The diagnosis was very similar to the GMC 6.2L engines that have been recalled for safety and failure reasons however our vehicle was not included in the recall. The engine only had 75,924 miles and was maintained to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. The cost to replace the engine was $11,309.87.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 GMC YUKON XL- Venice, FL
Without any warning, the V8 L87 6.2 liter engine suddenly seized up, began shaking with significant reduced power. I was fortunate that I could drive slowly to safety and was not on the expressway. In my research, I understand this is related to a design/manufacturing issue with the connecting rods and crankshafts in this type of engine. As I investigated the issue, I found that 600,000 vehicles were recalled with the recall either completely replacing the engine or upgrading the oil type from standard to a thicker, higher-viscosity 0W-40 full synthetic to provide better protection under high stress, along with a new oil cap and filter. In our case, we were directed to change the oil and even with that change, we experienced this dangerous engine failure which cost us $12K ! For that cost of repair, we elected to have the engine replaced for about $1K more to get a 100K mile warranty on the engine. However, our additional concern with the replacement engine is they gave us a remanufactured version of the L87 and we have not found confirmation that they have adequately addressed the design/manufacturing flaws so may be vulnerable to the same seizing issue. We appreciate your attention to this widespread GM issue.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
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2021 GMC YUKON XL- Belton, TX
When turning on the car, a message pops up on the dash and will not go away. Dashboard says “ service safety restraint system”
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 GMC YUKON XL- Aliquippa, PA
On April 20th, 2025 while accelerating from a stop light, my vehicle (2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL, 6.2L V8) started making a ticking noise and the service engine light started flashing. I was within a few minutes of my house and limped my vehicle home. The next morning, I started it and it exhibited the same symptoms. I called my local GMC Dealer, Wright Buick GMC, and was advised to have the vehicle towed to them. It was towed to the dealership and within a few days I was advised that the engine needed replaced. I had heard a story that there was a pending recall, so I had hoped that this would resolve itself without a bill to me. unfortunately I was advised that there was no actual outcome on how to handle recalls, so if I wanted my vehicle back, I would have to pay the $11K for replacement as I was outside of my power train warranty (I had roughly 73,000 miles on my car). I have hoped for some resolution to include my vehicle in this recall but I have not yet received any word from GMC.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 GMC YUKON XL- Baton Rouge, LA
I previously opened NHTSA Complaint Number11637208 on January 20, 2025 regarding the internal engine failure of my 2021 Yukon Denial XL on January 3, 2025. After filing that Complaint, the engine in my Yukon was replaced by GMC in February 2025. After replacement, the engine was allegedly tested, given an oil cap change, and OK'd by the GMC dealership. On Sunday, April 12, 2026, the replacement engine in my Yukon failed without warning and left me (and my family members, who were also in the Yukon) stranded in the lane of traffic on the westbound College Drive exit of I-10. We had it towed to the GMC dealership (Royal Buick GMC) the same day, they diagnosed it, and according to text communications I received from them on April 14, 2026, the Yukon's engine needs to be replaced again because the engine internally failed - likely due to the failure of the engine's internal rod bearing. No one in my family feels safe in the Yukon anymore. GMC should not be allowed to replace these engines with more faulty engines. If something more is not done soon, people are going to die because of the wrecks caused by these faulty engines.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 GMC YUKON XL- Smyrna, GA
The vehicle experienced a major engine failure involving the 6.2L engine. The failure appeared sudden and premature and is not consistent with normal wear and tear for a vehicle of this type. Prior to the failure, there were intermittent performance concerns and warning indicators suggesting potential engine or drivetrain issues. The vehicle had previously undergone repair related to similar concerns, indicating a possible recurring problem. The failure created a potential safety risk due to the possibility of loss of power while driving, which could increase the risk of an accident, especially at highway speeds or in traffic. The issue has been confirmed by a service provider, and the vehicle requires significant repair. General Motors has been notified but has declined repair assistance, classifying the issue as wear and tear. While no active recall is currently associated with this specific vehicle, similar vehicles with the same engine platform have documented issues, raising concerns about reliability and safety. The failed components are available for inspection upon request.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE -
2021 GMC YUKON XL- Brownstown, MI
March 29th 2026 my 2021 Yukon XL engine stalled while driving at 45mph (No prior warning lamps or messages, restart engine came on dash) causing me to immediately pull over and come to a stop still in traffic, it shifted my vehicle into park, I was in an in an un-safe spot and was stuck in park (conditions not correct for shift on dash) because my vehicle would not allow me to shift to neutral and push it to the side of the road, (could not jump start) Had towed to dealership and mentioned Engine Failure and Fuel pump control module Recalls but according to them it was a starter issue, I asked them to still check the fuel pump control module regardless. Picked up vehicle and a week later April 14th the exact same thing happened vehicle stalled while driving dash said Restart Engine while coasting (No prior warning lamps or messages) forcing me to pull over where it rolled to a stop and locked itself into park leaving me in unsafe conditions again. Had towed back to the same dealership and waiting to hear back from them.
Source: NHTSA WEB SITE