Your vehicle report
2021 GMC Yukon XL
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 230
- Received Nov 2020 to Oct 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Chevrolet Silverado loses power and hesitates28 complaints · 12% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Engine burns excessive oil between changes12 complaints · 5.2% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Engine knocking from rod or main bearings11 complaints · 4.8% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #25V274000General 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.
- Recall #24V797000General 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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
- Engine burns excessive oil between changesFirst signal: Apr 2026 · Recent surge
- Engine knocking from rod or main bearingsFirst signal: May 2025
- Transmission will not engage reverse gearFirst signal: May 2025
Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 2 crashes, 1 fire, 5 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 13 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Month | Complaints |
|---|---|
| November 2020 | 1 |
| December 2020 | 0 |
| January 2021 | 2 |
| February 2021 | 0 |
| March 2021 | 0 |
| April 2021 | 1 |
| May 2021 | 0 |
| June 2021 | 1 |
| July 2021 | 1 |
| August 2021 | 0 |
| September 2021 | 0 |
| October 2021 | 0 |
| November 2021 | 0 |
| December 2021 | 1 |
| January 2022 | 1 |
| February 2022 | 1 |
| March 2022 | 0 |
| April 2022 | 1 |
| May 2022 | 0 |
| June 2022 | 0 |
| July 2022 | 0 |
| August 2022 | 4 |
| September 2022 | 0 |
| October 2022 | 1 |
| November 2022 | 2 |
| December 2022 | 0 |
| January 2023 | 2 |
| February 2023 | 2 |
| March 2023 | 2 |
| April 2023 | 2 |
| May 2023 | 1 |
| June 2023 | 2 |
| July 2023 | 0 |
| August 2023 | 0 |
| September 2023 | 0 |
| October 2023 | 2 |
| November 2023 | 1 |
| December 2023 | 2 |
| January 2024 | 1 |
| February 2024 | 0 |
| March 2024 | 2 |
| April 2024 | 0 |
| May 2024 | 1 |
| June 2024 | 1 |
| July 2024 | 0 |
| August 2024 | 1 |
| September 2024 | 2 |
| October 2024 | 1 |
| November 2024 | 2 |
| December 2024 | 1 |
| January 2025 | 8 |
| February 2025 | 7 |
| March 2025 | 4 |
| April 2025 | 15 |
| May 2025 | 19 |
| June 2025 | 13 |
| July 2025 | 7 |
| August 2025 | 12 |
| September 2025 | 7 |
| October 2025 | 6 |
| November 2025 | 3 |
| December 2025 | 8 |
| January 2026 | 4 |
| February 2026 | 6 |
| March 2026 | 5 |
| April 2026 | 12 |
| May 2026 | 9 |
| June 2026 | 3 |
| July 2026 | 8 |
| August 2026 | 10 |
| September 2026 | 16 |
| October 2026 | 3 |
| Total | 230 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado loses power and hesitates | 28 | 12% | 12.6× | NHTSA recall #25V274000 |
| Engine burns excessive oil between changes | 12 | 5.2% | 4.3× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Apr 2026 · Recent surge Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 3.1% |
| Engine knocking from rod or main bearings | 11 | 4.8% | 4.4× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: May 2025 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 5.8% |
| Fuel pump fails and engine stalls | 10 | 4.3% | 2.4× | NHTSA recall #21V739000 |
| Check engine light comes on repeatedly | 8 | 3.5% | 2.1× | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 5 | 2.2% | 1× | NHTSA recall #21V739000 |
| Transmission fails or loses power while driving | 5 | 2.2% | 1.2× | |
| Glass shatters or cracks without impact | 4 | 1.7% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 4 | 1.7% | 0.9× | |
| Transmission will not engage reverse gear | 4 | 1.7% | 5.6× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: May 2025 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.6% |
| Trailer frame, axle, or hitch fails while towing | 3 | 1.3% | 2.8× | |
| Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline | 3 | 1.3% | – | |
| Suspension struts and shocks wear out early | 3 | 1.3% | 4.5× |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #25V274000April 24, 2025597,571 vehicles affected
engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #24V797000October 24, 2024463,295 vehicles affected
power train: automatic transmission: control module: software; power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
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.
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #22V827000November 3, 2022338,735 vehicles affected
exterior lighting: lighting control module: software
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."
Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #22V617000August 11, 2022484,155 vehicles affected
seat belts: critical fasteners
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.
A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #22V036000January 27, 20221,789 vehicles affected
power train: driveline: driveshaft
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.
Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #21V739000September 23, 202114,939 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump: control/drive module
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.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #21V455000June 17, 202126,847 vehicles affected
steering: steering control module
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.
Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #21V421000June 10, 2021285,622 vehicles affected
air bags: srs malfunction warning lamp/light; electrical system: software
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.
The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA recall #21V190000March 18, 202194,641 vehicles affected
seat belts; seat belts: rear/other
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.
A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
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.
NHTSA recall #20V811000December 23, 2020470 vehicles affected
seat belts; seat belts: critical fasteners
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #20V792000December 17, 2020624,216 vehicles affected
seat belts; seat belts: critical fasteners
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA recall #20V735000November 25, 202094 vehicles affected
seats; seats: critical fasteners
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.
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.
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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN