2021 GMC Yukon XL

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2021 GMC Yukon XL
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Yukon XL Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2021 highlighted. 1999: 3 complaints 1999 2000: 69 complaints 2001: 120 complaints 2002: 95 complaints 2003: 102 complaints 2003 2004: 87 complaints 2005: 42 complaints 2006: 17 complaints 2007: 95 complaints 2007 2008: 69 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2010: 28 complaints 2011: 47 complaints 2011 2012: 13 complaints 2013: 22 complaints 2014: 11 complaints 2015: 306 complaints 2015 2016: 199 complaints 2017: 143 complaints 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2019 2020: 43 complaints 2021: 198 complaints 2021 2022: 149 complaints 2023: 184 complaints 2023 2024: 57 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 22 complaints 2026
2021: 198 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19993
200069
2001120
200295
2003102
200487
200542
200617
200795
200869
200923
201028
201147
201213
201322
201411
2015306
2016199
2017143
201851
201962
202043
2021198
2022149
2023184
202457
202522
202622

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 58%

58% of complaints: engine — 115 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260416

POWER TRAIN 22%

22% of complaints: power train — 44 distinct reports on file.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 24 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

1. Fuel pump power control module Code #P129F 2. Sudden stalling of engine at potential high speeds/ dense traffic areas. This created a major safety hazard for a potential FATAL accident. 3.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231005

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%

10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20201221 — seats

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020.

Campaign 20V735000 — check if this car was fixed

2021 — complaint volume: 198
R 20210126 — seat belts

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021.

Campaign 20V792000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210129 — seat belts

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.

Campaign 20V811000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210409 — PE (closed 20230824)

Air Bag Malfunction

R 20210421 — seat belts

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021.

Campaign 21V190000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210701 — air bags, electrical system

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles.

Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021.

Campaign 21V421000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210713 — steering

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 21V455000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20211014 — fuel system, gasoline

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021.

Campaign 21V739000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220314 — power train

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022.

Campaign 22V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20221101 — seat belts

General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 22V617000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20221215 — exterior lighting

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on.

Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022.

Campaign 22V827000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20241212 — power train

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel...

Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve.

Campaign 24V797000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20250116 — PE (closed 20251023)

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

R 20250618 — engine and engine cooling

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual.

Campaign 25V274000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20251023 — EA (open)

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

I 20260116 — RQ (open)

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2021 GMC Yukon XL — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (115 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 20V735000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V792000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V811000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V190000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V421000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V455000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V739000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V036000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V617000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V827000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V797000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V274000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2005 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2011

WORST YEARS

■ 2015 ■ 2016 ■ 2023

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2021 GMC Yukon XL reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 GMC Yukon XL is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 58% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Yukon XL have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.