GMC Yukon XL Complaints (2021)

230 consumer complaints on file.

#11729617April 7, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I have 60k miles on my 2021 yukon xl denali. the transmission went out in it in January. i have it in the shop in january for a new transmission. i got it back and the transmssion went out again in it. its currently in the shop. the transmission is a 10 speed and has been nothing but issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727117March 25, 2026
ENGINE
2021 Yukon Denali 6.2L V8, 137k miles- engine failure—driving down road 55mph and engine light came on, along with check esc and check traction warnings, vehicle began to rough idle and shake, motor knocking. Personally feel this is related to recall but my vin not included says dealership- I feel this recall is affecting way more vehicles than vin’s included. Dealership charged 220$ to plug it in, codes weren’t specific for problem. They are stating “lifter is bad and possibly cam, won’t know if the lifters scarred the cam until they take it apart” and charge me at least 6k is price quoted. No warnings at all before this happened. 137k miles so out of warranty. This put myself and kids in dangerous riding condition as I had to stop and have vehicle towed to dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725570March 19, 2026
ENGINE
engine failure from the connecting rod and/or crankshaft. There is a current recall for this and my vehicle should be a part of it. I broke down on the side of a highway and had the vehicle towed to GMC dealership. There are now warning lights on with code P0016 and P0324
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724521March 16, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle could not detect key fob, key fob had normal operation(lock, unlock, remote start, tailgate open and close, all functional) but unable to start vehicle or power vehicle accessories. Windows opened with key fob and could not close windows, could not put vehicle in neutral, was stranded for 6 hours, unable to scan vehicle due to lack of key detection not allowing accessories to operate to attain connection with modules, unable to tow because couldn’t get vehicle in neutral. Vehicle battery good, key fob battery good. Was stuck with vehicle because couldn’t not close windows. Very unsafe and inconvenient situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723034March 9, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle was on highway when alerts started going off and a weird noise started. It scared the occupants as they were going 70mph on the highway when it happened. Luckily they were able to maneuver off the road in time and parked at a convenient store. Towed vehicle to dealership and metal was in the oil as a part failed in the engine. New engine was ordered by the dealership and installed. There were no prior warnings and the vehicle was completely maintained by the dealership. Engine failure in less than 5 years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722964March 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driver side mirror starts moving on its own without any physical buttons being pressed. Accident notification system has failed and has produced a CEL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721204February 28, 2026
ENGINE
Lifter failure, resulting in costly repairs and possible catastrophic engine failure while driving. Vehicle has 78,000 miles and has been regularly serviced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720250February 24, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power with the message "Service Transmission Now" displayed. The driver was unable to shift the vehicle into reverse(R) and turned around and returned to the residence. The contact and his wife researched online and found that there was a recall for the transmission for the year and model under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train). The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission valve body had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact discussed the recall and was advised by the dealer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720123February 24, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Phantom braking when moving forward after a stop. Dealer can’t replicate or diagnose it, therefore won’t repair it under warranty. It’s happened 6 times now and almost caused 3 accidents.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719979February 23, 2026
ENGINE
I experienced complete engine failure at around 76000 miles similar to a current engine recall for 2021 to 2024 6.2L V8 engines. However, my engine isn't included in the current recall. I also experienced the fuel pump control module problem requiring replacement. Again there is a recall for 2021 to 2024 6.2L V8 engines and again my engine wasn't included in this recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719634February 21, 2026
ENGINE
On August 21, 2025, my vehicle engine died in Connecticut when I was taking my son back to college. I had to have it towed back to South Jersey, where I live. The dealer informed me that my engine failed due to a major recall. I was without my vehicle for three months while they waited for a new engine. My car was returned to me with a refurbished engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715684February 4, 2026
ENGINE
Right as I was coming up on my powertrain warranty, I began to have lifter issues. I had two repairs of the original lifters that ultimately were not successful. I ended up replacing all lifters with the updated version that apparently repaired previous lifter issues. That repair cost around ~$6K. After six weeks of reasonable driving, I noticed engine oil notices for low engine oil. I was told today at a local dealership that the vehicle now needs engine replacement at $14K-16K. Both the dealer and corporate confirmed my vehicle VIN didn't qualify for the propulsion recall. GMC corporate also said nothing can be done now that the vehicle is out of drive train warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712106January 20, 2026
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
When driving at slow speed and wheels turning right or left you can hear a humming coming from the suspension. Unable to identify the issue. When wheels get straight the humming goes away
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711888January 19, 2026
ENGINE
While driving my Yukon it felt like there was an issue while it was trying to shift gears. the vehicle would sort of jerk while it was shifting. there also began to have a knocking sound as I drove. I had my children in the car, making this a more stressful situation. Having issues while driving on a highway with other vehicles driving at high speeds. Your vehicle having issues accelerating onto said highway as well. This all happened with only 68,445 miles on the vehicle. I called to schedule an appointment, drove it into the GM dealership. They stated that the lifters needed to be replaced and it would not be covered. As well as a rental vehicle not being covered, so both items came out of pocket. As I drove home from the dealership after they assured me everything was great, the engine light came on. Brought it back into the dealership to fixed again! This time it was the catalyst converter. This issue was covered by warranty somehow even though they stated it was tied together.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710011January 9, 2026
ENGINE
The car suddenly experienced engine failure while driving at highway speed (about 70 mph). The check engine light, as well as several other warning lights (Traction control, electronic stability control, etc) came on immediately before a metal-on-metal clunking sound and then loss of power. I was able to pull the car over to the side of the highway, and because of the clunking sound, felt it was unsafe to drive further and had it towed to a local dealer. The car has about 42,000 miles on it, in perfectly maintained condition, with all services performed at the Dealer per the recommended schedule.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709915January 9, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost drive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708039December 31, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
12/16/25 (evening): Warnings began cycling across the screen: 1) Service ESC, 2) Vehicle Leveling for Stability, 3) Rear Axel System Off, 4) Engine symbol began flashing, and 5) Service Traction Control. I felt vibration/bouncing while driving as well. 12/17/25 9 AM: Took 2021 GMC Yukon Denali to GMC dealership. They ran a computer scan and reported a misfire, but nothing else appeared to be wrong. They told me that sometimes a low battery can cause the warning lights and messages to cycle. They recommended that I keep driving it and return if the warnings appeared again. 12/17/25 9:18 AM: I left the dealership. I drove 4.5 miles, and all the same warning lights came back on. When I pulled into a parking lot, it smelled like my engine was on fire, and dark smoke was coming from my rear exhaust pipe. I called a flatbed tow truck and had the car returned to the dealership. Mileage: 52,285 GMC 2021Yukon Denali XL 6.2L V8 engine Well-maintained with regular oil changes. The dealership told me there was a lifter failure and that the engine could be damaged and would need to be replaced if the cam, pushrods, etc., were damaged. They also told me I was out of warranty by less than 60 days. The dealership said my warranty expired in October 2025, even though my vehicle is a 2021 with only 52,285 miles. They just informed me that the left lifter was replaced at 6,000 miles and that they will replace the right lifter. I am concerned about further damage down the road, given the recalls on the GMC 6.2L engines.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707473December 29, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
While driving on a two lane road, my vehicle put itself into Neutral without me doing anything and the engine stopped. All things powered down. The engine stopped. not propulsion, nothing. I tried to pull over to edge of road. Car would not start - no activity. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. My safety was put at risk by my car simply stopping while driving down the road. The dealership has confirmed the engine needs to be replaced. There was no warning of engine problems or ANY indicators.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707343December 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Lifter failure with cylinder #6. Car violently shook prior to this failure. No engine lights or messages until the next day when tried to drive. Ended up towing car to dealer. Car had 76k miles on it. Recall on 6.2L, but not on the 5.3L which is not immune to this same issue as the 6.2L engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707025December 25, 2025
ENGINE
On December 1, 2025 at around 5pm CST, my 2021 GMC Yukon XL started making a squeeling noise then stopped while driving down the road. It left me stranded in the middle of the road. A P0016 CODE was produced and the engine light came on. I had the vehicle towed the next day to Stew Hanses GMC in Clive, Iowa. The engine was torn down for inspection and was told the rod bearing went bad and it had low oil even though I was within the window since the last oil change and having documented all necessary required maintenance. I was told the engine needs to be replaced and am in the process currently of Stew Hanson GMC replacing all necessary parts. I was told I do not have a recall on the vehicles vin number by GMC corporate and the GMC dealer. It is coming up on a month since the incident happened and vehicle towed to dealership. I do not have pictures from the dealer yet or final invoice as this is still in process. I wanted to document this somewhere.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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