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2021 GMC Yukon
Common Problems

Ranked from 103 federal NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

4
Safety
13
High severity
14
Medium
4 problems on this vehicle involve a crash, fire, or injury risk. If you are experiencing one, stop driving and have it inspected.

31 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 Misfire and Power Loss

    17complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine misfires and loses power, causing the vehicle to stall or become unresponsive to the gas pedal.

    $200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 14 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 25V274000

  2. 2

    Engine Overheating and Shutdown

    10complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine overheats and performs an emergency shutdown, leading to the vehicle becoming unresponsive and potentially dangerous to drive.

    $150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 25V274000

  3. 3

    Engine Stall During Operation

    8complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine unexpectedly stalls during operation, often at high speeds, leaving the vehicle inoperable.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  4. 4

    Engine Failure Due to Bearing Issues

    6complaints
    High severityEngine

    Engine failures occur due to bearing issues, often resulting in complete engine shutdown during operation.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  5. 5

    Engine Knocking and Uncontrollable Shaking

    6complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine produces a knocking sound and uncontrollable shaking, indicating potential severe internal engine failure.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  6. 6

    Engine Lifter and Camshaft Failure

    6complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine experiences lifter and camshaft failure, resulting in engine damage and potential loss of power.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  7. 7

    Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure

    6complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine stalls at idle, especially when the stop-start system is engaged.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  8. 8

    Fuel System Failure Causing Stalls

    6complaints
    Medium severityFuel system

    The fuel system fails, causing the engine to stall and the vehicle to lose power, often requiring multiple attempts to restart.

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

    Related recalls: 21V064000, 21V739000

  9. 9

    Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunctions

    5complaints
    Safety riskOther

    The forward collision avoidance system malfunctions, engaging automatically without warning, posing a safety risk.

  10. 10

    Engine Oil Consumption Issues

    4complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine consumes excessive oil, leading to low oil levels and potential engine failure.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  11. 11

    Abnormal Engine Noise and Check Engine Light

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine produces abnormal noises such as knocking, banging, and a check engine light illuminates.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  12. 12

    Air Bag Deployment Failure

    2complaints
    High severityElectrical

    The air bag deployment system fails to deploy correctly, leaving passengers unprotected in the event of a collision.

  13. 13

    Brake System Failure During Emergency Braking

    2complaints
    High severityBrakes

    The brake system fails during emergency braking, causing the vehicle to lose control and requiring immediate action to stop.

    $150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 14 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 21V579000

  14. 14

    Electrical System Failure Causing Dashboard Warning Lights

    2complaints
    Medium severityElectrical

    The electrical system fails, causing multiple warning lights to illuminate on the dashboard, indicating potential underlying issues.

    $100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 12 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  15. 15

    Engine Check Engine Light and Warning Lights Flashing

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The check engine light and other warning lights can suddenly flash, indicating potential engine failure.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  16. 16

    Engine Clacking Noise Due to Defective Bearings

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine produces a clacking noise due to defective bearings, potentially leading to engine failure.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  17. 17

    Engine Defect Leading to Catastrophic Failure

    2complaints
    Safety riskEngine

    The engine has a defect that can lead to catastrophic failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  18. 18

    Engine Defects Not Covered by Current Recalls

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    Defects in the engine, such as connecting rod or crankshaft failures, are not covered by the current recalls, leading to engine issues.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  19. 19

    Engine Failure Due to Internal Components

    2complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine fails due to internal component failures such as lifters and camshafts.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  20. 20

    Engine Knocking and Low Oil Pressure

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine produces a knocking sound and experiences low oil pressure, indicating potential internal damage.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  21. 21

    Engine Lifter Failures

    2complaints
    High severityEngine

    Engine lifters can fail, leading to engine damage and requiring full engine replacement.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  22. 22

    Engine Limp Mode Activation

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine enters limp mode, reducing performance and requiring immediate attention.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  23. 23

    Engine Loss of Power and Sudden Shutdown

    2complaints
    Safety riskEngine

    The engine can suddenly lose power and shut down, posing a safety risk to the driver and passengers.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  24. 24

    Engine Performance Issues Including Hesitation and Reduced Acceleration

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine experiences hesitation and reduced acceleration, often accompanied by a check engine light.

    Related recall: 25V274000

  25. 25

    Engine Seizure During Driving

    2complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine seizes during driving, leading to a complete loss of power and inability to restart the vehicle.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  26. 26

    Engine Seizure During Operation

    2complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine seizes during operation, leaving the vehicle stranded.

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

    Related recall: 25V274000

  27. 27

    Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure

    2complaints
    Safety riskElectrical

    The forward collision avoidance system can suddenly fail, reducing safety during critical driving situations.

  28. 28

    Fuel System Issues Leading to Stalling

    2complaints
    Medium severityFuel system

    The fuel system issues lead to stalling, especially at higher speeds, requiring frequent restarts and posing a driving hazard.

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

    Related recalls: 21V064000, 21V739000

  29. 29

    Steering Lock-up During Acceleration

    2complaints
    High severitySteering

    The steering locks up during acceleration, causing the vehicle to become uncontrollable and potentially leading to a crash.

    $200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 21V455000

  30. 30

    Transmission Issues Resulting in Slipping and Unreliability

    2complaints
    Medium severityTransmission

    Transmission issues result in slipping and unreliable performance, affecting the overall drivability and safety of the vehicle.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 18 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 24V797000

  31. 31

    Transmission Valve Body Failure

    2complaints
    Medium severityTransmission

    The transmission valve body fails, leading to transmission malfunctions.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 18 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 24V797000

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.

2021 GMC Yukon Problems & Recalls | WrenchConnect