2021 GMC Yukon Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 190about this part
- Share
- 55%of 344 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,425miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 190 complaints about the engine of the 2021 GMC Yukon, 55% of the 344 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,425 miles.
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“I had the 25v-274 recall serviced at my GM Dealer and was never provide with any paperwork on the extended warranty that was part of the recall. as you can image, not having anything in writing is a big risk as these engines have been catastrophically failing. GM was supposed to provide a extended warranty and service manual update.”
NHTSA complaint #11713956, filed 2026-01“I was driving down the highway and all at once a bunch of different lights and emergency warnings started flashing on my dashboard and my car was almost like sputtering like it wasn’t getting the gas it needed or something. You could feel lots of movement right up front and I was forced to pull over and get towed. They said the engine would need to be completely replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11759232, filed 2026-08“The #3 lifter on my cars engine failed with 80101 miles on it. The engine started to run weak by shuttering. My wife was driving and the car was shaking at a stop and vibrated upon acceleration. I took the car to the dealer and they said the #3 lifter collapsed and could have caused engine failure. The dealer replaced the lifters on that side of the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11666922, filed 2025-06“I bought the vehicle used with 40,000 miles it’s has 100,856 now the engine shot off while I was driving and brought it to the GMC dealer that GM instructed me to the dealer had me pay 284.95 for inspection and then try to charge me 1284.95 for a complete tar down of the engine because of misfiring and ESC error codes.”
NHTSA complaint #11747447, filed 2026-06Related service bulletins
- 11032588May 11, 2026Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the cylinder 2 glow plug to fail. If this failure occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will…
- 11027714Jan 21, 2026Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to…
- 11025492Nov 6, 2025Under Field Actions N252494000, N252494001, the service procedure includes performing a PICO test on vehicle engines within the identified suspect VIN population. If the engine…
- 11023152Sep 16, 2025Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition that could cause the engine coolant control valve to fail an onboard vehicle diagnostic test. If this condition were to occur…
- 11024330Sep 6, 2025This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer concerns of engine related shudder.
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11018541May 23, 2025Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to…
- 11024486May 16, 2025This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11020254May 7, 2025This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 34 | 77% |
| 2025 | 38 | 67% |
| 2024 | 74 | 70% |
| 2023 | 160 | 65% |
| 2022 | 112 | 61% |
| 2021 | 190 | 55% |
| 2020 | 12 | 32% |
| 2019 | 28 | 51% |
| 2018 | 27 | 39% |
| 2017 | 33 | 17% |
| 2016 | 34 | 13% |
| 2015 | 33 | 6% |
| 2014 | 8 | 14% |
| 2013 | 10 | 9% |
| 2012 | 3 | 5% |
| 2011 | 13 | 8% |
| 2010 | 8 | 8% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 13 | 7% |
| 2007 | 23 | 5% |
| 2006 | 2 | 7% |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% |
| 2004 | 12 | 8% |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2021 GMC Yukon
56 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsElectrical system
31 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 28, 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