Reliable Auto DB

2021 GMC Yukon reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 329 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Yukon over 6 years — 17 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Yukon years here — over the median of the other years, which is 8. NHTSA has 13 recalls on file, including Internal engine parts, Control module, software, and Lighting control module, software.

2012 GMC Yukon
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

329

Per year

17

Recalls

13

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (180 of 329), then Powertrain (51) and Fuel and propulsion system (44). The most filings arrived in 2025 (152 of 329). Those filings include 9 that report a crash and 6 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Yukon has 36 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 179 complaints, 12 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. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (13)

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 hydraulic brakes, power assist, electric, control module, software 2021-07-29 · NHTSA campaign 21V579000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and braking while towing a trailer.
Remedy Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1202; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340970.
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 gasoline fuel system, storage, tank 2021-02-11 · NHTSA campaign 21V064000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. The fuel tank assemblies may be missing adhesive between two layers of the fuel tank shell which may result in a fuel leak.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212327720.
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 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 (329 total)

Engine
180
Powertrain
51
Fuel and propulsion system
44
Engine and engine cooling
32
Electrical system
30
Forward collision avoidance
19
Air bags
18
Fuel system, gasoline
12
Steering
11
Service brakes
9
Seats
6
Speed control
6
Suspension
6
Lane departure
5
Seat belts
4
Back-over prevention
3
Air brakes
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Structure
2
Exterior lighting
1
Tires
1
Traction control
1
Visibility
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Wheels
1
Show 17 more Show less
Crash-flagged

9

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

6

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

320201520211220222020232920241522025982026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I am filing this complaint regarding severe, excessive oil consumption in my 2021 GMC Yukon equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN: [XXX]). The vehicle is consuming oil at an accelerated and hazardous rate. Specifically,…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-21
  • "My 2021 GMC Yukon has approximately 36,900 miles. On September 12, 2026, the vehicle was at an authorized GMC dealership and passed a state safety inspection. On September 19, 2026, the check-engine warning light…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-21
  • "The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle jerked and the transmission shifted hard into 1st and 2nd gears. The message "Service Safety…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-15
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-15
  • "Water is entering the passenger cabin through failed front sunroof drain tubes on both the left and right sides. The drains discharge inside the A pillars rather than to the exterior, pooling in the driver's side…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-09-11

NHTSA crash ratings

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

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Yukon two-wheel drive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 21 27 23 MPG $4100
Yukon two-wheel drive 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 14 20 16 MPG $5000
Yukon two-wheel drive 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 20 17 MPG $4700
Yukon two-wheel drive 5.3L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 16 20 18 MPG $3600
Yukon two-wheel drive 5.3L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 20 17 MPG $3800
Yukon four-wheel drive 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 14 19 16 MPG $5000
Yukon four-wheel drive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 20 26 22 MPG $4300
Yukon four-wheel drive 5.3L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 16 20 18 MPG $3600
Yukon four-wheel drive 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 13 19 16 MPG $5000
Yukon four-wheel drive 5.3L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 15 20 17 MPG $3800
Yukon XL two-wheel drive 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 14 20 16 MPG $5000
Yukon XL two-wheel drive 5.3L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 16 20 18 MPG $3600
Yukon XL two-wheel drive 5.3L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 20 17 MPG $3800
Yukon XL two-wheel drive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 21 27 23 MPG $4100
Yukon XL two-wheel drive 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Rear-wheel drive 14 20 16 MPG $5000
Yukon XL four-wheel drive 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 14 19 16 MPG $5000
Yukon XL four-wheel drive 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 13 19 16 MPG $5000
Yukon XL four-wheel drive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 20 26 22 MPG $4300
Yukon XL four-wheel drive 5.3L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 15 19 16 MPG $4050
Yukon XL four-wheel drive 5.3L, 8-cyl Automatic 10-speed Four-wheel drive 15 19 17 MPG $3800

Specs and fitment

T1XX generation, 2021–present
Body styles SUV
Oil dexosD 0W-20 (V8 per manual) , 8 qt capacity
Tire size 275/60R20, 275/50R22, 265/65R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 8,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 24V674000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems.". Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash. Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990. When NHTSA lists multiple GM nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.

Compare

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

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 GMC Yukon reliable?

Owners have filed 329 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Yukon over 6 years — 17 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Yukon years here — over the median of the other years, which is 8. NHTSA has 13 recalls on file, including Internal engine parts, Control module, software, and Lighting control module, software.

What are common problems with a 2021 GMC Yukon?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (180 of 329), then Powertrain (51) and Fuel and propulsion system (44). The most filings arrived in 2025 (152 of 329). Those filings include 9 that report a crash and 6 that report an injury.

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

The 2020 Yukon has 36 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 179 complaints, 12 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 been recalled?

The 2021 GMC Yukon has 13 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?

Owners have filed 329 complaints about the 2021 GMC Yukon with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 GMC Yukon get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 GMC Yukon is 17.9 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a GMC Yukon use?

US Yukon manuals specify dexos-approved oil for your engine in the maintenance schedule.

What does NHTSA recall 13V-342 cover on the GMC Yukon?

NHTSA safety recall 13V342000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles manufactured July 9, 2013, through July 22, 2013; and 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured July 16, 2013,…

What generation is the 2013 GMC Yukon?

K2XX generation (2012-2014).