Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 GMC Yukon problems

Owners filed 344 complaints about the 2021 GMC Yukon with NHTSA between Oct 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (190).

Complaints
344
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine190
  2. Power train55
  3. Fuel/propulsion system44
  4. Engine and engine cooling32
  5. Electrical system31
  6. Forward collision avoidance19
  7. Air bags18
  8. Fuel system, gasoline12
  9. Steering11
  10. Service brakes10
  11. Seats7
  12. Vehicle speed control6
  13. Suspension6
  14. Lane departure5

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
20203
202115
202212
202320
202429
2025152
2026113

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

190 reports
“As I was driving down the road at 60mph, no dash lights or warnings were present. All of a sudden, my 2021 yukon lost all power and I nearly crashed as I was in heavy, fast paced traffic. I got to the side of the road, and it was at this time the engine light came on. Car died and wouldnt start back up.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026EngineODI 11773740

Power train

55 reports2 related recalls
“VEHICLE: 2021 GMC Yukon, 5.3L V8 (L84). VIN: [XXX]. Mileage at failure: approximately 88,000. Component: Engine. INCIDENT DATE: XXX While I was driving on a highway, the engine began to misfire and I heard a ticking noise. The check engine light then began flashing, indicating a severe misfire. I pulled off the highway immediately to a rest area. The vehicle was towed to a GMC dealer. The dealer's diagnosis suspected failed valve lifters, and the repair orders call for a misfire diagnosis with the Bank 1 cylinder head removed, and replacement of the camshaft, lifters, and related parts. This failure caused sudden loss of engine performance at highway speed. The engine began smoking. My family and I were in the vehicle, and we were fortunate there was a safe place to stop. I believe this is a known defect. GM Service Bulletin PIP5776, "Misfire Due to Collapsed Lifter," covers 2021 GMC Yukons with the 5.3L L84 engine. It describes a misfire with a bent pushrod leading to a collapsed lifter or a lifter that comes apart, and it attributes the cause to an internal lifter concern. Many other owners of GM V8 trucks and SUVs have reported the same failure, and a class…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11772421

Fuel/propulsion system

44 reports
“My 2021 GMC Yukon has approximately 36,900 miles. On September 12, 2026, the vehicle was at an authorized GMC dealership and passed a state safety inspection. On September 19, 2026, the check-engine warning light illuminated and I returned to the dealership. The dealer performed diagnostic testing and told me the fuel pump pressure was approximately 400 PSI when it should be approximately 700 PSI. I was told the fuel pump needs to be replaced. The vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting the replacement part: Fuel pump I was not aware of a fuel-pump failure before the warning light appeared. I am particularly concerned because this failure occurred at only approximately 36,900 miles. GM previously recalled 3,386 2021 GMC Yukons under NHTSA Campaign 21V-739/GM Recall N212332040 for a fuel-pump power-control-module defect that can cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, interrupt fuel flow and potentially cause the engine to stall. My 2021 Yukon is not included in that recall and currently shows no unrepaired recalls associated with my VIN. I believe this represents a potential safety concern because inadequate fuel delivery or a fuel-system…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11765898

Engine and engine cooling

32 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump control module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11760378

Electrical system

31 reports2 crashes
“Water is entering the passenger cabin through failed front sunroof drain tubes on both the left and right sides. The drains discharge inside the A pillars rather than to the exterior, pooling in the driver's side floorboard. An authorized GMC dealer diagnosed the cause in writing on August 12, 2026 as rubber grommet shrinkage and hardened internal buildup preventing water from flowing through, on both the left and right sides simultaneously. The identical bilateral failure mode indicates a component or assembly defect rather than debris blockage. Water is accumulating in the driver's footwell in proximity to cabin electrical components and the fuse block area, creating a risk of electrical shorting, connector corrosion, and circuit failure. Mold has developed in the front carpet and padding on the driver's side, and water intrusion staining is present on the passenger side. The dealer has quoted 2,727.16 to replace the drain tubes and the mold-damaged carpet and padding. The vehicle entered service on February 5, 2025 and has 45,211 miles. GM has issued service bulletin 20-NA-219 addressing sunroof drain hoses on 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Tahoe, Suburban, and Escalade models.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Electrical systemODI 11763591

Forward collision avoidance

19 reports2 crashes
“Crankshaft / Camshaft caused catastrophic engine failure while on a family road trip leaving family and kids stranded on the side of the highway for hours. 2021 GMCs are notoriously having this issue but they refused to include our VIN in the recall. It cost us almost 13,000 to replace with a brand new engine and only 4 days after picking up from dealership the vehicle stopped working and shut off at a light in the middle of the road. GMC has been no help and won’t cover anything.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11763546
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.