2021 GMC Yukon Xl Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl.

20202022
Complaints
247
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
5
Fatalities
Recalls
12

Worst 2021 GMC Yukon Xl Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1103 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:69,116 mi
#240 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:71,078 mi
#319 complaints

Engine & Cooling

Avg mileage:63,997 mi
Considering a 2021 GMC Yukon Xl?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl.

Engine Problems
103
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
69,116
Transmission / Drivetrain
40
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
71,078
Engine & Cooling
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
63,997
Fuel System
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
55,000
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
10,327
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
20,504
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
2,050
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump:Control/Drive Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Rear Window Wiper/Washer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 GMC Yukon Xl

12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,932,374 vehicles.

25V274000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical
~597,571 affected

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. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

24V797000Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve Body · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module:software
~463,295 affected

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 engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

22V827000Exterior Lighting:lighting Control Module:software
~338,735 affected

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

22V617000Seat Belts:critical Fasteners
~484,155 affected

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. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.

22V036000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~1,789 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

21V739000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump:control/drive Module
~14,939 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.

21V455000Steering:steering Control Module
~26,847 affected

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.

21V421000Air Bags:srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/light · Electrical System:software
~285,622 affected

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. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

21V190000Seat Belts:rear/other · Seat Belts
~94,641 affected

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. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.

20V811000Seat Belts:critical Fasteners · Seat Belts
~470 affected

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 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.

+ 2 more recalls

Other GMC Yukon Xl Years

2021 GMC Yukon Xl — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2021 GMC Yukon Xl has 247 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 103 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (103 complaints, avg 69,116 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (40 complaints, avg 71,078 mi); Engine & Cooling (19 complaints, avg 63,997 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 63,312 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl include 2 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl have any recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,932,374 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 GMC Yukon Xl?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Yukon Xl reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2021 GMC Yukon Xl

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99