Reliable Auto DB

2021 GMC Yukon XL reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL holds 225 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 11 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Yukon XL years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 12 recalls on file, including Internal engine parts, Control module, software, and Lighting control module, software.

2015 GMC Yukon XL
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

225

Per year

11

Recalls

12

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (137 of 225), then Powertrain (48) and Fuel and propulsion system (29). The most filings arrived in 2025 (109 of 225). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Yukon XL has 47 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 166 complaints, 6 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 GMC Yukon XL. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (12)

Recall engine and cooling, engine, internal engine parts 2025-04-24 · NHTSA campaign 25V274000
Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, control module, software 2024-10-24 · NHTSA campaign 24V797000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Remedy Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Recall exterior lighting, lighting control module, software 2022-11-03 · NHTSA campaign 22V827000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
Recall seat belts, critical fasteners 2022-08-11 · NHTSA campaign 22V617000
Summary General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.
Recall Driveshaft 2022-01-27 · NHTSA campaign 22V036000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
Remedy Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, fuel pump, control module 2021-09-23 · NHTSA campaign 21V739000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.
Remedy Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.
Recall steering, steering control module 2021-06-17 · NHTSA campaign 21V455000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
Remedy The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Recall air bags, SRS malfunction warning light 2021-06-10 · NHTSA campaign 21V421000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
Remedy The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.
Recall Seat belts 2021-03-18 · NHTSA campaign 21V190000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.
Recall Seat belts 2020-12-23 · NHTSA campaign 20V811000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Recall Seat belts 2020-12-17 · NHTSA campaign 20V792000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Recall Seats 2020-11-25 · NHTSA campaign 20V735000
Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.

Complaints by component (225 total)

Engine
137
Powertrain
48
Fuel and propulsion system
29
Engine and engine cooling
21
Electrical system
13
Forward collision avoidance
7
Speed control
7
Service brakes
6
Suspension
6
Air bags
4
Fuel system, gasoline
4
Steering
4
Visibility and wipers
4
Seat belts
3
Lane departure
2
Structure
2
Visibility
2
Wheels
2
Back-over prevention
1
Chest clip, buckle, and harness
1
Exterior lighting
1
Show 13 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

3

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12020620211020221620231220241092025712026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "While driving the vehicle on a roadtrip in Missouri, the engine lost power and had a flashing check engine light. Upon diagnosis by three different technicians, the 6.2L Engine needs replaced after only 123000 miles.…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-22
  • "part number 13554821 fuel pump control module has failed 2 times. April 2023 on Interstate 95 near Savannah GA in very busy traffic. Vehicle buckled and seized, just barely made it to the shoulder of the road. Same part…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-22
  • "6.2L engine has the oil change update, and engine failed recently. took vehicle for repair to Golling GMC dealer. waiting on feedback."
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-19
  • "Engine coolant control valve has failed three times. This last time so severely the car forced me to come to a complete stop in the middle of a busy street. Dangerous to drive while severe reduced acceleration is all…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-19
  • "Vehicle has been consuming engine oil at a rate of approximately 1 quart per 500 miles. On XXX, owner added 1 quart of oil in [XXX], then drove a round trip to [XXX] and back (approx. 860 miles). On XXX at 55,329 miles…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-18

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 GMC Yukon XL SUV 2WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2021 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

T1XX generation, 2021–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (5.3L and 6.2L gas; confirm diesel viscosity in manual) , 8 qt capacity
Tire size 265/65R18, 275/60R20, 275/50R22 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Owner complaints for the 2021 launch year concentrate on the engine. Safety recall 21V-739 covers certain 2021 Yukon XL vehicles among other GM full-size SUVs: the fuel-pump power control module can fail or run intermittently and stall the engine; dealers replace that module. Safety recall 21V-455 covers certain 2021 Yukon XL vehicles among the same family: software can lose power-steering assist at startup or while driving; dealers or an OTA update the power-steering module software. Safety recall 22V-036 covers certain 2021 Yukon XL vehicles among other GM SUVs whose rear driveshaft parts may not have been heat-treated properly and can fail, causing sudden loss of drive; dealers replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies. Safety recall 25V-274 covers certain 2021-2024 Yukon XL vehicles with the 6.2L V8 among other GM trucks and SUVs: connecting-rod or crankshaft manufacturing defects can damage or fail the engine; dealers inspect and repair or replace the engine, or for trucks that pass inspection change oil viscosity and related items as stated in the campaign.

Compare

Previous year 2020 GMC Yukon XL Next year 2022 GMC Yukon XL See every GMC Yukon XL model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 GMC Yukon XL reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL holds 225 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 11 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Yukon XL years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 12 recalls on file, including Internal engine parts, Control module, software, and Lighting control module, software.

What are common problems with a 2021 GMC Yukon XL?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (137 of 225), then Powertrain (48) and Fuel and propulsion system (29). The most filings arrived in 2025 (109 of 225). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 GMC Yukon XL more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Yukon XL has 47 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 166 complaints, 6 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 GMC Yukon XL been recalled?

The 2021 GMC Yukon XL has 12 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?

Owners have filed 225 complaints about the 2021 GMC Yukon XL with NHTSA.

What oil does a GMC Yukon XL take?

0W-20 for the common 5.3L and 6.2L gas engines on both K2XX (2015-2020) and T1XX (2021-on). Confirm diesel viscosity in the manual if equipped.

What does safety recall 21V-739 cover on 2021 Yukon XL?

Certain 2021 Yukon XL vehicles among other GM full-size SUVs: the fuel-pump power control module can fail or run intermittently and stall the engine; dealers replace that module.

When did the T1XX Yukon XL generation start?

Model year 2021 (after K2XX 2015-2020).