2021 Gmc YUKON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
322 owner complaints analyzed
13 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 67 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 177 of 322 complaints (55.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 43 | 13.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 37 | 11.5% |
| Engine operation | 36 | 11.2% |
| Braking behavior | 23 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 177 |
| Power Train | 49 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 43 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 30 |
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Unknown Or Other | 21 |
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 11 |
Engine: 177; Power Train: 49; Fuel/Propulsion System: 43; Engine And Engine Cooling: 30; Electrical System: 27; Unknown Or Other: 21; Air Bags: 18; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 255 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 152 |
| 2026 | 91 |
2020: 3; 2021: 15; 2022: 12; 2023: 20; 2024: 29; 2025: 152; 2026: 91
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 43 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 37 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 36 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11383127 · 2020-12-12 (December 12, 2020)
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 H…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383127 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11521401 · 2023-05-10 (May 10, 2023)
My transmission had to be replaced back in December of 2021, and now I have taken my truck back to the dealership for transmission problems again, the transmission is slipping again, driving rough and now im getting a safety restraints message and the airbag picture is coming on
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11436452 · 2021-10-12 (October 12, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while stopped on the highway a Crown Victoria crashed into the rear driver's quarter panel and a Honda Civic crashed into the front bumper of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There was a police report filed. There was no reported fire. The contact sustained pain and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but, no further assistance…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11436452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11487640 · 2022-10-03 (October 3, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact had to press the accelerator a few times before the vehicle moved. Then after reversing out of a parking space then attempting to put the vehicle in drive and accelerate forward the vehicle stalled instead. The contact was unable to recall any warning lights. The vehicle was not able to go into neutral. The vehicle was towed to the dealership who diagnosed that the fuel pump module failed and needed to be replac…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11487640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11466147 · 2022-05-25 (May 25, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling in a drive-thru, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle with no issues however, the next day the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a power control module malfunction. The contact stated that the power control module was replaced under warranty. The contact stat…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11466147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11378101 · 2020-12-06 (December 6, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11378101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11402695 · 2021-03-12 (March 12, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11402695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414928 · 2021-05-03 (May 3, 2021)
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND UPON TURNING IT ON A MESSAGE SHOWED UP ON THE DISPLAY STATING TO IMMEDIATELY TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE AND TO DRIVE CAREFULLY BECAUSE OF A POWER STEERING ISSUE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE TO BEGIN TO LEAVE THE PARKING SPOT, IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THERE WAS NO STEERING AVAILABLE ON THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD ONLY MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARDS BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION AT ANY DEGREE MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE SAFELY OR CAREFULLY TO ANY LOCATION. ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE V…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11596378 · 2024-06-25 (June 25, 2024)
There are apparently a couple of faults affecting the SRS and leading to a periodic airbag light and "Service SRS" warning. GM has issued/revised a few Service Bulletins related to this warning. Some are related to software, some are related to overhead wiring, some are related to the clock spring in the steering wheel, and some are related to the driver's side airbag module. My understanding is that when the SRS warning appears, all airbags are disabled and GM says we drive our vehicles at our own risk. To my knowledge this has affected …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11596378 at NHTSA ↗