2021 GMC Yukon

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2021 GMC Yukon
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

Complaints
330
Recalls
13

Campaigns on file for 2021

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

55% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1992: 19 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 59 complaints 1995: 90 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 133 complaints 1998: 80 complaints 1999: 204 complaints 2000: 166 complaints 2000 2001: 197 complaints 2002: 158 complaints 2003: 204 complaints 2004: 158 complaints 2005: 85 complaints 2005 2006: 27 complaints 2007: 428 complaints 2008: 187 complaints 2009: 94 complaints 2010: 105 complaints 2010 2011: 158 complaints 2012: 62 complaints 2013: 117 complaints 2014: 56 complaints 2015: 529 complaints 2015 2016: 268 complaints 2017: 196 complaints 2018: 69 complaints 2019: 55 complaints 2020: 36 complaints 2021: 330 complaints 2021 330 2022: 181 complaints 2023: 239 complaints 2024: 104 complaints 2025: 52 complaints 2026: 39 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1992: 19 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1993 1994: 59 complaints 1995: 90 complaints 1996: 70 complaints 1996 1997: 133 complaints 1998: 80 complaints 1999: 204 complaints 1999 2000: 166 complaints 2001: 197 complaints 2002: 158 complaints 2002 2003: 204 complaints 2004: 158 complaints 2005: 85 complaints 2005 2006: 27 complaints 2007: 428 complaints 2008: 187 complaints 2008 2009: 94 complaints 2010: 105 complaints 2011: 158 complaints 2011 2012: 62 complaints 2013: 117 complaints 2014: 56 complaints 2014 2015: 529 complaints 2016: 268 complaints 2017: 196 complaints 2017 2018: 69 complaints 2019: 55 complaints 2020: 36 complaints 2021: 330 complaints 2021 330 2022: 181 complaints 2023: 239 complaints 2024: 104 complaints 2025: 52 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1992: 19 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 59 complaints 1994 1995: 90 complaints 1996: 70 complaints 1996 1997: 133 complaints 1998: 80 complaints 1998 1999: 204 complaints 2000: 166 complaints 2000 2001: 197 complaints 2002: 158 complaints 2002 2003: 204 complaints 2004: 158 complaints 2004 2005: 85 complaints 2006: 27 complaints 2006 2007: 428 complaints 2008: 187 complaints 2008 2009: 94 complaints 2010: 105 complaints 2010 2011: 158 complaints 2012: 62 complaints 2012 2013: 117 complaints 2014: 56 complaints 2014 2015: 529 complaints 2016: 268 complaints 2016 2017: 196 complaints 2018: 69 complaints 2018 2019: 55 complaints 2020: 36 complaints 2021: 330 complaints 2021 330 2022: 181 complaints 2023: 239 complaints 2024: 104 complaints 2024 2025: 52 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026

2021: 330 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
19871
199219
199317
199459
199590
199670
1997133
199880
1999204
2000166
2001197
2002158
2003204
2004158
200585
200627
2007428
2008187
200994
2010105
2011158
201262
2013117
201456
2015529
2016268
2017196
201869
201955
202036
2021330
2022181
2023239
2024104
202552
202639

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

55% · 183 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Knocking sound and flashing engine light came on. When brought to dealership it was determined that lower bearing failure took place requiring full engine replacement. '

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-25

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds from 2 - 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and bucked while accelerating and switching between 4- and 8-cylinders operation.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-20

Seems to be not accelerating properly as if the propulsion is not there. Also, when switching gears it seems as if it is slipping or missing to keep up with the propulsion.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-14

Power train

15% · 50 reports

Fuel/propulsion system

13% · 44 reports

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing crank/camshaft position sensor and cooling system.

Electrical system

9% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing integrated starter(other than propulsion) and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

13 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2020-12-21Seats20V735000 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.

  2. ▮
    2021Complaint volume 330 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2021-01-29Seat belts20V811000 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.

  4. R
    2021-03-06Fuel system, gasoline21V064000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. The fuel tank assemblies may be missing adhesive between two layers of the fuel tank shell which may result in a fuel leak.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.

  5. I
    2021-04-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-24 Air Bag Malfunction
  6. R
    2021-04-21Seat belts21V190000 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.

  7. R
    2021-07-01Air bags, electrical system21V421000 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.

  8. R
    2021-07-13Steering21V455000 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.

  9. R
    2021-08-27Service brakes, hydraulic21V579000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1202; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.

  10. R
    2021-10-14Fuel system, gasoline21V739000 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.

  11. R
    2022-03-14Power train22V036000 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.

  12. R
    2022-11-01Seat belts22V617000 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.

  13. R
    2022-12-15Exterior lighting22V827000 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.

  14. R
    2024-12-12Power train24V797000 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.

  15. I
    2025-01-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2025-10-23 Loss of motive power due to engine failure
  16. R
    2025-06-18Engine and engine cooling25V274000 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.

  17. I
    2025-10-23Engineering analysisOpen Loss of motive power due to engine failure
  18. I
    2026-01-16Recall queryOpen Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

Buy-smart checklist

2021 GMC Yukon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 183 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 44 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 20V735000 · Seats
  • Recall 20V811000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V064000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 21V190000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V421000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 21V455000 · Steering
  • Recall 21V579000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 21V739000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 22V036000 · Power train
  • Recall 22V617000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 22V827000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 24V797000 · Power train
  • Recall 25V274000 · Engine and engine cooling

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 GMC Yukon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 GMC Yukon is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Yukon?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Yukon have?
13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.