repaired · 2026 Q3
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk. Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
2021 GMC Yukon XLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 237 owner complaints about the 2021 GMC Yukon XL, most often about the engine. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-797 the manufacturer reports only 78% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 4, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 GMC Yukon XL has problems
237 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
148Engine
49Power train
34Fuel/propulsion system
21Engine and engine cooling
15Electrical system
7Vehicle speed control
7Forward collision avoidance
6Suspension
6Service brakes
3012 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 148 | 0 |
| Power train | 49 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 34 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 1 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 30 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2021 GMC Yukon XL recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Control module: software
Risk. Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q3
Lighting control module: software
Risk. Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q3
Seat belts: critical fasteners
Risk. A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q4
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Fuel pump: control/drive module
Risk. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Steering: steering control module
Risk. Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Air bags: SRS malfunction warning lamp/light
Risk. The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Seat belts
Risk. A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Seat belts
Risk. If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the…
repaired · 2022 Q4
Seat belts
Risk. If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury…
repaired · 2022 Q3
Seats
Risk. If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
10 owners mentioned a cost$10,475median
Middle half: $6,700 – $11,282
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other Yukon XL year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Yukon XL median. How we score
'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2021 GMC Yukon XL safety ratings
2021 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
- Rollover: 3 stars (21.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Optional
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2021 GMC Yukon XL, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of motive power due to engine failureOpen
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyOpen
- Air Bag MalfunctionNo recall
- Loss of motive power due to engine failureLed to recall 25V-274
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyNo recall
In owners' words
What Yukon XL owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
INCIDENT 4: Fuel Injector Internal Short (Cylinder #6) Component / System Failed: Fuel Injection System / Cylinder #6 Fuel Injector & Wiring Harness Failure Description: Cylinder 6 fuel injector failed due to an internal electrical short circuit, causing immediate engine misfires and severe power…
INCIDENT 3: Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM) Failure Component / System Failed: Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM - Part #13554821) / Engine Control Module (ECM) Communication Failure Description: Total loss of communication between the ECM and FPDM, causing the engine to abruptly die while idling at a…
INCIDENT 2: Total Electrical / Power System Shutdown Component / System Failed: Electrical / Power Control System (Auto-Stop/Start System) Failure Description: Total loss of electrical power causing the main dashboard and display screen to go completely dark, stalling the vehicle during an autostop…
Own a 2021 Yukon XL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.