2021 GMC Yukon XL Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 6%of 230 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 GMC Yukon XL, 6% of the 230 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving from New Orleans with my family when traveling at 75 mph when it’s like the transmission started straining and the engine was losing power/pressure it’s like the engine or transmission was struggling I’m not sure what was causing it but it was a scary experience knowing I’d my kids and my wife with me and we were out in the middle of nowhere.”
NHTSA complaint #11681351, filed 2025-08“I was driving 30 mph when the car went into neutral and rolled to a stop. When I put on the brakes the engine shut off and it went into park. It would not restart or shift out of park . I was stuck in an active busy road. The car was towed to the dealer. They said it was a problem with the BCM. GMC had put out a bullletin which was to reprogram the BCM. My concern is that if this had happened on a busy interstate in traffic at highway speeds the results could have been fatal.”
NHTSA complaint #11443857, filed 2021-12“Driving on busy road when heard a squealing from the engine bay of the vehicle. Moments later the vehicle lost power. It was a very dangerous situation traveling approximately 45mph on a multi-lane road in urban St. Louis Missouri. There was not a check engine light prior. The vehicle had a recall performed per GMC instructions prior (this amounted to a different viscosity oil....). The breakdown stranded my family and I while on vacation in another city. The vehicle was towed to a local GMC dealership and was diagnosed as a seized engine related to the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11758496, filed 2026-08“March 29th 2026 my 2021 Yukon XL engine stalled while driving at 45mph (No prior warning lamps or messages, restart engine came on dash) causing me to immediately pull over and come to a stop still in traffic, it shifted my vehicle into park, I was in an in an un-safe spot and was stuck in park (conditions not correct for shift on dash) because my vehicle would not allow me to shift to neutral and push it to the side of the road, (could not jump start) Had towed to dealership and mentioned Engine Failure and Fuel pump control module Recalls but according to them it was a starter issue, I…”
NHTSA complaint #11731169, filed 2026-04“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The contact stated that during rainy weather, rainwater leaked into the vehicle through the drainage hose, causing an electrical short. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the drainage hose and wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11589374, filed 2024-05, 55,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11024486May 16, 2025This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
- 11019017Apr 10, 2025This bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for a battery drain utilizing the Picoscope and how to measure the load on the system that may be causing a drain.
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017255Mar 25, 2025This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases - Service 4WD on DIC, Intermittent Failures, Noise Concerns, Driveline/Steering…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11016912Mar 5, 2025This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regard to the power sliding…
- 11014602Feb 17, 2025This bulletin provides information to the tech on how to diagnosis the EGR system from possible issue that may cause the DTCs to set and cause the customers concern of a MIL…
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 15% |
| 2025 | 6 | 21% |
| 2024 | 12 | 16% |
| 2023 | 36 | 16% |
| 2022 | 20 | 11% |
| 2021 | 14 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 9% |
| 2018 | 5 | 9% |
| 2017 | 31 | 21% |
| 2016 | 30 | 15% |
| 2015 | 58 | 19% |
| 2014 | 1 | 9% |
| 2012 | 3 | 23% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 11 | 16% |
| 2007 | 4 | 4% |
| 2006 | 1 | 6% |
| 2005 | 13 | 31% |
| 2004 | 30 | 34% |
| 2003 | 38 | 37% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 5% |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2021 GMC Yukon XL
141 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology