NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 586 owner complaints for the 2021 GMC Yukon. It has 2 open investigations that name this model year.
Recalled components: seat belts, fuel system, powertrain, air bags, and 5 more. Most-described problem: engine failure or replacement (168 complaints, 29%). Most-reported area: engine (339 complaints, 58%; median mileage when it happened: 72,800).
More complaints than a typical Yukon year
The 2021 drew 83 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 66 for a typical Yukon year.
Years to avoid: 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated
Year to avoid
Includes the longer Yukon XL.
14 safety recalls for the 2021 GMC Yukon
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
484,155 vehicles.
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.
Risk: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
94,641 vehicles.
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.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
470 vehicles.
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.
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-sidefront-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.
624,216 vehicles.
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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
14,939 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The fuel tank assemblies may be missing adhesive between two layers of the fuel tank shell which may result in a fuel leak.
Fix: 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.
18 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles.
NHTSA listing: YUKON. GMC campaign N212327720.
Powertrain 2 recalls
automatic transmission · control module · software
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Fix: 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.
463,295 vehicles.
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.
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
Fix: 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.
1,789 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles.
Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
285,622 vehicles.
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.
Risk: Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
2 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Fix: 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.
597,571 vehicles.
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.
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
Fix: 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.
Fails federal standard 108 (lighting) · 338,735 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles.
Risk: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
94 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles.
Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
Fix: 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.
26,847 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 5 investigations that name the 2021 GMC Yukon; 2 are still open. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Engineering analysis EA26005Open since Aug 20, 2026
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.
Engineering analysis EA25007Open since Oct 23, 2025
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM).
NHTSA listings: YUKON, YUKON XL. Components: Engine and cooling; Engine.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Recall query RQ26001Closed Aug 20, 2026 (opened Jan 16, 2026)
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.
Preliminary evaluation PE25001Closed Oct 23, 2025 (opened Jan 16, 2025)
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 25V-274, listed above.
NHTSA listings: YUKON, YUKON XL. Components: Engine and cooling; Engine.
Air bag malfunction
Preliminary evaluation PE21010Closed Aug 24, 2023 (opened Apr 9, 2021)
On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several… NHTSA's full summary
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 586 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Yukon. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Engine failure or replacement168 · 29%
Median 89,000 miles at failure, from 29 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode96 · 16%
Median 70,000 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off79 · 13%
Median 52,000 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Check engine light77 · 13%
Median 67,200 miles at failure, from 29 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration59 · 10%
Median 78,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Won't start45 · 8%
Median 59,800 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Fuel pump failures37 · 6%
Median 57,900 miles at failure, from 16 reports with mileage
Median 72,800 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Powertrain104 · 18%
Median 70,000 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system79 · 13%
Engine and cooling54 · 9%
Median 75,500 miles at failure, from 40 reports with mileage
Electrical system46 · 8%
Forward collision avoidance26 · 4%
Most named: automatic emergency braking (17); warnings (11)
Air bags22 · 4%
Unknown or other30 · 5%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
GMC Yukon recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2021 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2023 Yukon drew the most (287) and the 2021 drew 83.
Owner complaints
2021: 586 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, GMC Yukon
Model year
Complaints
2010
226
2011
388
2012
134
2013
181
2014
72
2015
977
2016
520
2017
359
2018
132
2019
128
2020
84
2021
586
2022
362
2023
478
2024
181
2025
87
2026
90
Safety recalls
2021: 14 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, GMC Yukon
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
5
2012
4
2013
4
2014
3
2015
10
2016
5
2017
3
2018
5
2019
3
2020
4
2021
14
2022
5
2023
4
2024
3
2025
2
2026
3
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 586 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 GMC Yukon, the problems described most are engine failure or replacement (168), loss of power or limp mode (96), and stalling or shutting off (79). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2021 GMC Yukon safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2021 GMC Yukon earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2021 GMC Yukon?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 open investigations that name the 2021 GMC Yukon: loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (EA26005, opened Aug 20, 2026) and loss of motive power due to engine failure (EA25007, opened Oct 23, 2025). It has closed 3 others. An investigation is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
How do I check if my Yukon has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at GMC dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: YUKON, YUKON XL.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.