2021 GMC Yukon Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2021 GMC Yukon most often describe engine problems — lifter and camshaft damage, internal bearing or crankshaft failure, and engines that needed replacing, sometimes after an abnormal knocking or ticking sound and a loss of power. A second common theme is the fuel pump power control module, which complaints link to stalling or a no-start, and a third is hard or delayed shifting that dealers sometimes traced to the transmission valve body. Many of these reports arrive in the higher-mileage range, though some electrical and warning-light complaints come in under 20,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine lifter, bearing and internal failure (knocking, loss

   • 137 complaints (40%)
   • median 87,500 mi at 4.8 yrs old (32 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $6,500 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe a knocking, ticking, rattling or clunking sound from the engine compartment, often followed by the check engine light, shuddering, reduced power or a stall. Dealers reportedly diagnosed failed lifters, damaged camshafts, spun or failed crankshaft bearings and metal debris in the oil pan, and in several cases recommended or performed engine replacement. Some reports note the vehicle waiting a long time for a replacement engine, and several owners say their VIN was not covered by the engine recall. Widely spread from roughly 30,000 to 130,000+ miles, with many reports in the 65,000-95,000 mile range.

   Recall 25V2740005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for a cold-start listen and a recent oil change record; have a mechanic check for metal debris in the drained oil and confirm whether the engine recall (25V274000) applies to the VIN and was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 65 MPH on the highway at higher speeds, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The check engine, ECU, and traction control warning lights illuminated, and the message Shut off Vehicle as soon as Possible was displayed. The contact's wife pulled over to the shoulder of the road, and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11764399, filed 2026-09, 95,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11670482, filed 2025-07, 70,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Stall or no-start (fuel pump power control module)

   • 126 complaints (37%)
   • median 67,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,958 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe the vehicle stalling at speed or while idling, failing to restart, or a no-start condition, sometimes with the check engine light on. Dealers typically diagnosed the fuel pump power control module as failed and replaced it, though owners frequently mention the part being on backorder and the repair being delayed. Several owners note their VIN was not included in the related fuel system recall. Mostly reported below about 60,000 miles, including several under 35,000 miles.

   Recall 21V739000Recall 21V0640004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump power control module has been replaced and whether recall 21V739000 applies and is closed; a stalling or long-crank behavior on a test drive warrants a diagnostic scan.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 59,800.”

   NHTSA complaint #11749507, filed 2026-07, 59,800 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The check engine warning light became illuminated again after the repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11682211, filed 2025-08, 67,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Brake, stability and steering warning messages

   • 60 complaints (17%)
   • median 42,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe a cluster of dash messages such as brake system failure, service ESC, service trailer brake and forward collision unavailable, sometimes with reduced speed and a brake pedal that felt firm or went to the floor. Others describe a power steering warning at startup with the wheel becoming difficult to turn, or repeated safety restraint messages that returned after a reset or battery replacement. Dealers are reported to have reset systems, replaced batteries or serviced brake and camera components, with the warning sometimes recurring. Often reported at low mileage, many under about 25,000 miles, including within the first few thousand miles.

   Recall 21V579000Recall 21V455000Recall 21V421000Recall 22V8270001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the brake, steering and air bag software recalls (21V579000, 21V455000, 21V421000) were completed for the VIN, and watch the dash for warning messages during a test drive, including at startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We were coming back from a trip with my children and this vehicle was barely 2 weeks old with 0 miles and we were on a highway when all the emergency lights on the dash went off. It was flagging the electrical system, the engine, the brakes. Honestly all the lights possible went off. The vehicle was lagging and it felt force when we pushed on the gas. Our hands were gripping the steering wheel to keep it in lane till we could get off.”

   NHTSA complaint #11378101, filed 2020-12, 1,800 miles

   “Driving approx. 62 MPH on a highway, went to slow down and unable to brake, upon pushing down on the break there was resistance, after pumping the breaks multiple times I was eventually able to slow down with a lot of force. Messages on dashboard read brake system failure 62 max speed ESC, service ESC, service trailer break system, and forward collision system unavailable. Abs, ESC and check engine light all illuminated on dash screen.”

   NHTSA complaint #11402695, filed 2021-03, 11,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hard shifting, shudder and lost reverse (valve

   • 86 complaints (25%)
   • median 72,850 mi at 5.5 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe harsh or delayed shifts, jerking between gears, shuddering while accelerating, reduced acceleration messages, and in some cases the vehicle not engaging reverse or dropping into neutral. Dealers and independent shops reportedly traced these symptoms to a worn or failed transmission valve body, with some repairs involving valve body replacement and others a full transmission replacement. Reports cluster from roughly 55,000 to 150,000 miles, with several around 70,000-90,000 miles.

   Recall 24V7970003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive through multiple upshifts and downshifts from cold, feel for shudder or clunking, and verify reverse engages; ask for transmission service history and whether any valve body or software updates were done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle will not shift into gear from park. When it's in gear (you can hold the button to select a gear to move), but as soon as you release the button - it goes right back into park. It comes and goes. I've been stuck in my driveway. Stuck at the grocery store. Had it once surprise me at a stoplight and was almost rear ended - that time I needed to hold the button to escape to the nearest parking lot. Dealer, of course, was not able to replicate as they said the issue does not throw a code. I have video and pictures, which I have supplied. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11383127, filed 2020-12, 1,200 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle jumped and hesitated while accelerating until the vehicle exceeded 20 - 25 MPH. The contact stated that at 1,500-2500 RPM, the failure recurred. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while looking online, the contact discovered information about NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) with a similar failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11682343, filed 2025-08, 75,000 miles

Buying note. The 2021 Yukon's reports concentrate on engine internals and the fuel pump control module, so a pre-purchase inspection that includes an oil check for metal debris and a scan for stored codes is worth the cost. Confirm which of the engine, fuel system, transmission and software recalls apply to the specific VIN and that each was completed, since several complaints describe repairs waiting on parts.

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.