2021 GMC Yukon Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 9%of 343 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 GMC Yukon, 9% of the 343 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I’m not happy with just a change in oil viscosity because the car has already been on the road for 70000 miles before we were aware of the recall on the engine. Changing the oil viscosity doesn’t help when there is a underlying engine problem it should be replaced not just change your oil and send you on your way because now I’m always wondering and worried if the engine will still fail when my kids and wife are in the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11698109, filed 2025-11“Vehicle: 2021 GMC Denali Mileage: ~48,000 miles Purchase Price: $62,000 Issue: Airbags & crash sensors failed to deploy Complaint Text: I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2021 GMC Denali. I was involved in a rear-end collision at approximately 45 mph, where I struck another vehicle straight on from behind. The impact was severe enough to total my vehicle, yet no airbags deployed, and no forward collision warning or crash sensor systems activated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11706440, filed 2025-12“I purchased the vehicle in July 2024. I drove the car for 10 days, and when I was driving 65 mph, the check engine light blinked three times and then went off. After that, the engine made a sound that was not there before. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they had the car for many weeks, concluding that the lifters broke and the engine needed to be replaced. The dealership said they replaced the engine and the car was returned to me towards the end of August. …”
NHTSA complaint #11695265, filed 2025-10Related 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 | 4 | 9% |
| 2025 | 9 | 16% |
| 2024 | 18 | 17% |
| 2023 | 28 | 11% |
| 2022 | 32 | 17% |
| 2021 | 31 | 9% |
| 2020 | 2 | 5% |
| 2019 | 9 | 16% |
| 2018 | 4 | 6% |
| 2017 | 21 | 11% |
| 2016 | 53 | 20% |
| 2015 | 79 | 15% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 10 | 9% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 8 | 9% |
| 2008 | 29 | 16% |
| 2007 | 39 | 9% |
| 2006 | 4 | 15% |
| 2005 | 28 | 33% |
| 2004 | 57 | 36% |
| 2003 | 53 | 26% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 17 | 9% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 13 | 6% |
| 1998 | 2 | 3% |
| 1997 | 11 | 8% |
| 1996 | 3 | 4% |
| 1995 | 10 | 11% |
| 1994 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2021 GMC Yukon
189 complaintsFuel system
56 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsForward collision avoidance
19 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 GMC Yukon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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