2021 GMC Yukon XL Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2021 GMC Yukon XL most often report engine trouble, especially on 6.2L V8 trucks: excessive oil use, lifter and camshaft damage, and in some cases an engine that quits running and has to be replaced by the dealer. Transmission complaints are the next most common, typically shuddering, harsh or delayed shifting and messages telling the driver to service the transmission, and many owners tie these to the 6.2L engine recall and the transmission control valve recall. Reports in the sample cluster broadly between roughly 20,000 and 120,000 miles, with engine problems tending to appear at higher mileage than a smaller set of electrical and no-start concerns.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine failure and seized engine (6.2L V8)

   • 149 complaints (65%)
   • median 73,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $10,000 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning at highway speed or refusing to restart after a normal start, sometimes with a loud knock, metal-on-metal noise, grey smoke or a flashing check engine light. Dealers frequently tell them the engine is seized or damaged internally and needs replacement, and several note parts are on back order. Some say the truck was repaired under recall 25V274000 but the problem returned. Mostly reported between roughly 20,000 and 120,000 miles, with a few cases at very low mileage.

   Recall 25V2740005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether recall 25V274000 was completed and whether the engine has ever been replaced. Have a mechanic check for abnormal noise, oil level and any stored engine codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “With only 52 miles (2-days old), I was driving home when I heard a knock. Then the engine light came on and the vehicle stability control lowered the vehicle and the vehicle shut off. I was left in the middle of traffic unable to move the vehicle to a safe location. Neutral would not work either. When the vehicle was towed to the Gmc dealership, they knew exactly what was wrong with the car, broken springs in the engine. Apparently they sent a notice stating that the engine springs were breaking and needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11372749, filed 2020-11, 52 miles

   “My wife was driving down the road with my Daughter and the engine simply stopped running without warning. She was able to coast to a stop on the side of the road and engage her hazard lights. When she tried to restart the engine it just cranked but never started. We had it towed to a mechanic and the mechanic told us that the engine is seized and we likely need a new engine, total cost of over $20,000. This vehicle should not be having this type of issue at 70,000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11644898, filed 2025-02
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, harsh shifting and loss of drive

   • 35 complaints (15%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe shuddering or vibration at highway speeds, delayed or harsh shifts, high rpm without a gear change, and messages such as "Service Transmission Now" or a jump to neutral. Dealers have replaced transmissions in some cases, and owners often link the symptom to the transmission control valve recall; several report the repair was done but the problem came back. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 80,000 miles, with a few cases past 100,000 miles.

   Recall 24V7970003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission control valve recall repair and any related software or cooler-line service were performed, and test drive at highway speed watching for shudder, slipping or delayed engagement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My family and were traveling to visit family, and the transmission stalled on me on the interstate. I almost had a horrible accident with my kids in the vehicle. The vehicle is in the shop currently and dx with transmission issues. GMC needs to recall and or fix the transmissions in all of their vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11748113, filed 2026-07

   “I am writing to formally report a serious issue with my 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The vehicle has developed multiple severe problems, including: •Significant loss of engine power •Noticeable engine knocking noises •Transmission slipping while driving •Transmission movement even when the vehicle is at a full stop These issues not only impair the performance of the vehicle but also raise serious safety concerns. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11658070, filed 2025-05
3. 3
   Engine

   Lifter and camshaft damage

   • 77 complaints (33%)
   • median 74,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $10,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe a loud abnormal sound from the engine bay, rough running, shuddering at speed and loss of power, with the check engine light on. Dealers diagnose failed lifters, a damaged lifter in a specific cylinder, or worn camshafts, and in several cases report debris in the oil and recommend replacing the whole engine; one owner says only one bank of lifters was covered. Typically reported between about 24,000 and 110,000 miles.

   Recall 25V2740004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or knocking at cold start, ask for service records showing lifter or camshaft work, and confirm whether any engine-related recall or special coverage applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was a loud sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that when the vehicle was driven around the block, the sound was still present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where an oil change was performed but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the residence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11663613, filed 2025-05, 100,371 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made an abnormal loud sound, and the vehicle became undrivable. The vehicle was taken to Midas, where an unknown repair was performed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH on the expressway, the vehicle shuddered significantly, and the engine made an abnormal loud knocking sound. Unknown warning lights were illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11662402, filed 2025-05, 73,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption and low oil light

   • 39 complaints (17%)
   • median 66,250 mi at 4.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report the low engine oil warning coming on well before the next scheduled change, with the dipstick reading very low and oil needing to be topped off repeatedly. Dealers perform an oil consumption test; some owners are told the consumption does not yet meet the threshold for repair, and others report burning oil with smoke from the exhaust. Reported from about 24,000 miles upward, often between 35,000 and 150,000 miles.

   Recall 25V2740001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the oil level and note the date of the last oil change, and ask the seller whether an oil consumption test has been done or whether the vehicle has needed frequent top-offs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “High oil consumption, will have oil changed and days later need oil, catalyst converter failed causing what was said for the check engine light to come on, truck now has a shutter around 50 mph, my radio is in and out, and sometimes it sounds like a computer shutting down. It has been one thing after the next.”

   NHTSA complaint #11771151, filed 2026-10

   “The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine oil change. While driving, the oil low light illuminated. The vehicle was burning an excessive amount of oil. The local dealer was contacted again, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11740801, filed 2026-05, 149,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump control module and stalling

   • 27 complaints (12%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe the engine stalling or failing to start, sometimes after a brief loss of power while driving, with the check engine light on. Dealers and independent shops diagnose the fuel pump power control module as inoperable and replace it, with parts sometimes back ordered; owners often note their VIN was not included in the fuel pump recall. Reported from roughly 15,000 to 80,000 miles, including a case shortly after purchase.

   Recall 21V7390007 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check whether the fuel pump control module recall or emission recall applies to the VIN and whether it was performed, and ask about any history of no-start or stall events.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In March 2025, a situation happened to me during a six hour round trip drive. I experienced a loss of acceleration. Vehicle engine felt it was stumbling when accelerating or seemed like I had ran something over. I don't remember seeing any lights coming on. Pulled over immediately, turned off the vehicle. Turned it back on and drove back home three hours worried it may happen again. I didnt see any warning lights on the trip.”

   NHTSA complaint #11662492, filed 2025-05

   “I was driving on a normal local highway and my car started to slow and an indicator to 'press start' to restart the engine came up. I tried to do that and the engine wouldn't turn over. My car sputtered to a stop during rush hour traffic as I was able to drift over to side of the road. The car wouldn't start after that, waiting for 10-20 minutes and re-trying wouldn't work either. I had to have it towed and am now awaiting a fuel pump module that is on back order. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11565828, filed 2024-01

Buying note. This model year has a substantial engine-related complaint history concentrated in the 6.2L V8, so verify which recalls and special coverages have been completed and ask for oil-change and engine-repair records before buying. A pre-purchase inspection that includes reading stored codes and a highway test drive to check transmission behavior is worth the cost here.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.