2021 GMC Yukon Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 GMC Yukon.

20202022
Complaints
381
Crashes
16
Fires
0
Injuries
15
Fatalities
Recalls
13

Worst 2021 GMC Yukon Problems

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

#1135 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:54,633 mi
#240 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:49,962 mi
#337 complaints

Fuel System

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 GMC Yukon.

Engine Problems
135
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
54,633
Transmission / Drivetrain
40
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
49,962
Fuel System
37
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
83,253
Electrical Faults
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
10,560
Airbags
15
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
5,916
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
11,000
Steering Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
27,817
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,291
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,667
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
42,400
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
8
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
7,003
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump:Control/Drive Module
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator:Integrated Starter(Other Than Propulsion)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Dynamic Brake Support/Brake Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

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

Recalls for 2021 GMC Yukon

13 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,308,178 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.

21V579000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:electric:control Module:software
~2 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and braking while towing a trailer.

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.

+ 3 more recalls

Other GMC Yukon Years

2021 GMC Yukon — FAQ

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

Is the 2021 GMC Yukon reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2021 GMC Yukon has 381 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 13 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 135 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 GMC Yukon?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (135 complaints, avg 54,633 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (40 complaints, avg 49,962 mi); Fuel System (37 complaints). 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?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 45,402 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?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 GMC Yukon include 16 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 15 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 have any recalls?
Yes — 13 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,308,178 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?
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 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2021 GMC Yukon

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