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2021 GMC Yukon Xl
Common Problems

Ranked from 65 federal NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

1
Safety
7
High severity
4
Medium
1
Low
1 problem on this vehicle involve a crash, fire, or injury risk. If you are experiencing one, stop driving and have it inspected.

13 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Engine Stalling and Seizure

    20complaints
    High severityEngine

    Engine stalling and seizing while driving, often leaving the vehicle inoperable and requiring immediate towing.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 15 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 25V274000

  2. 2

    Random Engine Shutdowns

    13complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine randomly shuts down while driving, often requiring multiple attempts to restart and causing traffic hazards.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 15 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 25V274000

  3. 3

    Engine Lifter Failure

    9complaints
    High severityEngine

    Multiple reports of engine lifters failing, causing significant engine noise and excessive oil consumption.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  4. 4

    Engine Knocking and Ticking

    7complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    Persistent engine knocking and ticking sounds, often indicating internal component wear or failure.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  5. 5

    Engine Oil Consumption

    7complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    Reports of the engine consuming an excessive amount of oil, often leading to engine failure.

    $400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 314 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 25V274000

  6. 6

    Electrical System Failure Causing Dashboard Warning Lights

    4complaints
    Low severityElectrical

    Electrical system failures cause various dashboard warning lights to illuminate.

    $100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 12 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  7. 7

    Engine Stall at High Speeds

    4complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine unexpectedly stalls at high speeds, causing the vehicle to lose power and requiring a tow.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 15 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 25V274000

  8. 8

    Fuel Pump Control Module Failure

    4complaints
    High severityFuel system

    The fuel pump control module fails, leading to engine stalling and loss of power.

    $500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 25 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 21V739000

  9. 9

    Transmission Failure Resulting in Reduced Power and Acceleration

    4complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission fails, reducing the vehicle's power and acceleration capabilities.

    $2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 816 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 24V797000

  10. 10

    Engine Seizure After Routine Maintenance

    2complaints
    High severityEngine

    After routine maintenance, the engine seizes, rendering the vehicle inoperable.

    $4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 1220 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 25V274000

  11. 11

    Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine stalls at idle, possibly due to a malfunctioning stop-start system.

    $150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 14 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 25V274000

  12. 12

    Excessive Oil Consumption and Abnormal Engine Noise

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine experiences excessive oil consumption and produces an abnormal noise.

    $400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 314 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 25V274000

  13. 13

    Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunctioning with Phantom Braking

    2complaints
    Safety riskOther

    The forward collision avoidance system malfunctions, causing phantom braking and near accidents.

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.