Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 GMC Yukon XL problems

Owners filed 229 complaints about the 2021 GMC Yukon XL with NHTSA between Nov 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (140).

Complaints
229
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine140
  2. Power train49
  3. Fuel/propulsion system29
  4. Engine and engine cooling21
  5. Electrical system13
  6. Vehicle speed control7
  7. Forward collision avoidance7
  8. Suspension6
  9. Service brakes6
  10. Fuel system, gasoline4
  11. Steering4
  12. Air bags4
  13. Visibility/wiper4
  14. Seat belts3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20201
20216
202210
202316
202412
2025109
202675

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

140 reports
“High oil consumption, will have oil changed and days later need oil, catalyst converter failed causing what was said for the check engine light to come on, truck now has a shutter around 50 mph, my radio is in and out, and sometimes it sounds like a computer shutting down. It has been one thing after the next.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026EngineODI 11771151

Power train

49 reports2 related recalls
“Rear wheel lock up for a slight second and then down shifted and revved way up to high RPM then went into reduced power. then slowed down and had to drive about 15 miles an hour. to shop mechanic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Power trainODI 11768123

Fuel/propulsion system

29 reports
“part number 13554821 fuel pump control module has failed 2 times. April 2023 on Interstate 95 near Savannah GA in very busy traffic. Vehicle buckled and seized, just barely made it to the shoulder of the road. Same part failed again 9/18/26 while turning onto Sunrise Hwy in NY another very dangerous situation as we were stranded in the middle of a very busy intersection”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11766090

Engine and engine cooling

21 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the check engine warning light started blinking. The contact pulled over and became aware that the vehicle was shaking. The vehicle was turned off and restarted; however, the failure persisted, with smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); but the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the camshaft needed to be replaced and that cylinder #8 was damaged and had detached. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,204.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11749993

Electrical system

13 reports1 fire
“Driving on busy road when heard a squealing from the engine bay of the vehicle. Moments later the vehicle lost power. It was a very dangerous situation traveling approximately 45mph on a multi-lane road in urban St. Louis Missouri. There was not a check engine light prior. The vehicle had a recall performed per GMC instructions prior (this amounted to a different viscosity oil....). The breakdown stranded my family and I while on vacation in another city. The vehicle was towed to a local GMC dealership and was diagnosed as a seized engine related to the recall. The engine is scheduled to be replaced as no cost through GMC's extended service. They have not provided coverage for the towing, for the multiple ride shares needed to get around on vacation, for the rental car needed to get home, or a rental car to help us with day-to-day life during the estimated 6-8 weeks we will be waiting. My family was at risk, other motorists on the parkway were at risk. It was pure luck and quick thinking that saved injury or loss of life. It is completely unbelievable GMC is letting these vehicles be on the road for peoples safety and for the money people pay as a consumer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11758496

Vehicle speed control

7 reports
“Was driving the vehicle at 70 mph on the highway without any issues for several hours and suddenly the vehicle lost power and had no propulsion. It went into neutral automatically and the engine shut off while driving. Thankfully I was on a downward slope and could steer the vehicle off the very busy highway. Once safe, I tried to restart the car but the engine would not start or turn over. Roadside assistance came to help as well as a flatbed tow truck. It was taken to a nearby GMC dealer but it remains completely dead despite the battery being fully charged and all of the electronics working. No known error codes are showing up. It’s an L87 engine and was part of the GM recall. The recall work was completed in Nov 2025.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2026Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11758876
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.