2021 GMC Yukon XL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 GMC Yukon XL ranks 2nd worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 95 and 225 complaints, mostly engine-related. It carries an Avoid verdict, backed by 12 recall campaigns and a top problem area (Engine) covering 70% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Yukon XL years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 225
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 15 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2021 GMC Yukon XL problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine157 (70%)
- Transmission & Powertrain48 (21%)
- Fuel System33 (15%)
- Electrical System14 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras8 (4%)
- Other8 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (3%)
- Brakes6 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (3%)
- Airbags4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power or shuts off suddenly while driving, sometimes with a knocking sound and stability control activation.
- Vehicle stalls at low speed, drops into neutral or park unexpectedly, and will not restart, sometimes traced to the body control module.
- Faulty valve springs and lifters trigger warning lights and repeated dealer visits, occasionally recurring after repair.
- Transmission or powertrain loses power at highway speed with fault codes pointing to crankshaft and intake sensors.
- Adaptive suspension system fails repeatedly despite multiple repair attempts.
- Electrical failures disable rear safety features like blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, and in one case led to a fire at the rear of the parked vehicle.
2021 GMC Yukon XL recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine597,571 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
- NHTSA 24V797000Oct 24, 2024Transmission & Powertrain463,295 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
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.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
- NHTSA 22V827000Nov 3, 2022Electrical System338,735 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
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."
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
2021 GMC Yukon XL fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 16.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Yukon XL ranks 2nd worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 95, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Yukon XL years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?
- Engine problems make up 70% of complaints (157 of 225), followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 21% and fuel system issues at 15%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 73,000.
- Does the 2021 GMC Yukon XL have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 Yukon XL, covering the engine, transmission control module software, daytime running lights, seat belts, driveshaft assemblies, fuel pump control module, power steering software, and airbag communications gateway module.
- How does the 2021 Yukon XL compare to other years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 95 is close to the worst year, 2023, at 100, and far above the best years like 2014, which scored 0.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?
- EPA rates the 2021 Yukon XL at 16.5 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.