Table 1 shows one common equipment related problems of the 2021 GMC Yukon.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Equipment problems |
Exhaust fumes and stink on cold start . Vehicle only has 40,000 mi and I have exhaust smells coming in through hvac system!!.
I have a 2021 GMC Yukon with 74,000 miles I was recently told I need a new transmission. I am am trying to understand why a car that is 5 years with all the services done by lehman GMC in north miami would need a new transmission they have been servicing this car and no one mention anything breaking down of need of repair until now. I spoke with the service manager franklin and he stated to me another client had the same issue and he flush the transmission just like I am doing today and it only worked for a short time and afterwards he had to replace the transmission. I feel this is a problem with these models and GMC don't want to address it. They just want the customer to pay for the repairs. Now I spoke to the manager and the salesman that sold me the car and nicely told me he was sorry and he could get us out of this into a 2026. Now why would I buy a new car if they cannot get the 2021 right. I have included my invoice below I feel some one should look into this I feel this is a recall matter and GMC is trying to pass the buck. Thank you [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
The vehicle shifted into neutral while driving, locked out gear selection, triggered a transmission warning, and now will not restart.
Traction control system esc system suddenly and without warning, multiple warning lights started flashing including check engine. The vehicle lost power and traction. There was a loud knocking and metallic whining sound. The vehicle began to vibrate and struggled to move forward and felt like the wheels were slipping. The loss of these functions was alarming because it was dark, we were in a construction zone, and my 15-year old daughter was driving having recently earned her driver's permit. The car following us almost rear ended us. It was such an abrupt engine failure it scared me and my daughter.
I own a 2021 GMC Yukon denali xl with approximately 81,000 miles. On 4 separate occasions, after coming to a complete stop in traffic and then attempting to accelerate, the vehicle violently jerks and shifts itself into park. I am not pressing the brake when this occurs. I must manually shift the vehicle back into drive in order to continue moving. This happens so fast, that I am only able to see a red outlined box that intermittantly flashes on the dashboard but I cannot see what it says before it disappears. The incident feels as though the vehicle has been struck from behind due to the abrupt force. This has occurred more than once and creates a dangerous situation in traffic, particularly when vehicle are behind me. The vehicle has been taken to a GMC dealership, which has serviced the vehicle since 2021. The dealership reports they were unable to duplicate the condition after driving approximately 60 miles and therefore cannot perform a repair. This issue remains unresolved. Given that the vehicle is shifting into park while in motion or during acceleration, I believe presents a significant safety hazard.
Multiple people including my family are experiencing leaks in 2021 and newer GMC Yukons and chevy tahoes. The back seatbelt is causing leaks, damaging the interiors. This can cause mold and health issues as well as electrical wiring issues causing accidents due to shortages occurring. Check reddit on the number of complaints.
Premature failure of the telematics module resulting in inability to access emergency services and other safety-related features. Dealer confirmed the components failures are widespread. Check engine light came on as a result as well as inoperable navigation features that rely on the module connectivity.
10 speed transmission it’s been at the dealer for a month and they checked it today. Same issues as the mass recall dash alert for reduced speed drive with caution. It was extremely dangerous because it malfunctioned on curvy winding roads.
The GMC is starting to loss power in the engine. GMC has not send me an appointment to inspect the engine. This vehicle is my only transportation to work and doctors appointment. This is not fair for a powerful company like GMC is not taking the ownership of the engine in this vehicle. I need action ASAP. Please assist. Thank you.
Problems with the engine shifting gears stalling delayed or won’t engage hard shifting while it’s in motion something’s going on with the engine we’ve called several and had it serviced times of times to ask them what was going on with it in newport oregon you can fill it still when you drive. The problem still is not fixed. It’s been happening since we purchased it took it in right away. We’ve asked if our VIN number has come up for a recall repairs we are worried for safety and are currently parking in the car because the dealership is unable to fix what is wrong with the car. They’re telling us there is something wrong and are aware of the recall and won’t fix the problem dealership refuses to take the car they don’t want it without the recall fixed due to safety concerns. You can definitely fill it when you drive I’m not exactly sure what the other issue if with the sounds it’s making when the issue keeps happening but it’s scary there is the recall on it. They are not taking into consideration or the seriousness of the situation and the safety of lives.
On 05. 29. 25 my 2021 GMC Yukon denali with 24,000 experienced engine issues and ultimately a total failure. While driving at 65 miles an hour the engine light began blinking and a thumping/knocking noise began on the front passenger side of the vehicle. I was 1 mile away from the gm dealership and went there immediately. They called me two hours later confirming the engine failure and that it would have to be replaced. They stated, however, the engine is experiencing a national backorder. No timeline has been provided for the engine to be received or replaced. I am curious to know if the new engine will come from the same engine group that is currently having issues, and if this can happen again.
Transmission valve body went out, part is back ordered. There is a recall for this part on 2019 to current gm eight speed and 10 speed transmissions. This is clearly one of them. I’m not sure why it’s not recalled?.
The blinker randomly stops alerting. The blinker will still flash but the audio will cut off and stop working randomly. I have brought this to my local GMC dealer, whom I bought the car from, twice now with no resolution. The service department can’t figure out what is causing the issue. I have video evidence upon request.
Engine or something is making a noise every time turned on and now while turning off.
Subject: formal complaint – engine failure in 2021 GMC Yukon denali xl VIN: 1gksjkl2mr242441 defect number (gm): 11662402 gm case numbers: 9-12578008672 / 53598259 / 54106961 dear NHTSA office of defects investigation, I am writing to formally report a critical mechanical failure in my 2021 GMC Yukon denali xl, which resulted in a complete engine failure, rendering the vehicle inoperable and exposing my family to significant safety and financial risks. Despite following the recommended maintenance schedule and driving under normal conditions, the engine failed prematurely. The vehicle has been out of service for over four months, and I have yet to receive a definitive resolution or timeline from general motors. I have incurred over $13,000 in out-of-pocket costs, including towing, repair estimates, rental vehicles, and continued loan payments on a non-functional vehicle. Key details: vehicle: 2021 GMC Yukon denali xl VIN: 1gksjkl2mr242441 failure type: total engine failure requiring full rebuild or replacement time out of service: 4+ months and ongoing financial impact: $13,335. 58 in documented costs gm defect number: 11662402 (noted internally by gm) dealer(s) involved: midas auto service, beaman GMC (nashville, TN) I have made repeated efforts to escalate this through gm’s case advisors and executive team, but have received no meaningful resolution or written acknowledgment of my request for either reimbursement or a good faith vehicle buyback. Given the safety implications of such a catastrophic failure in a relatively new vehicle, I believe this may represent a broader manufacturing defect or quality control issue and warrants NHTSA investigation. I respectfully request that NHTSA: log this complaint into your safety database investigate whether similar failures have occurred in other 2021 Yukon denali xl vehicles contact gm for further information regarding this defect and associated safety risk thank you for your attention to this matter.
Complete failure of infotainment system in cold weather. This is a safety concern because most controls are operated through the infotainment system and can DE distracting to a driver who is trying to operate all features of a vehicle while driving. For instance having cold children in the rear seats and not knowing if the heat is activated in the rear of the vehicle and at what temperature or if it is blowing at all. There is no manual indication of rear climate. This is already a safety bulletin for 2021 Yukon that for some reason my vehicle is not included in. Gm recall number: n212327470 I want my vehicle included since this is a safety concern ( see above ) and this should be a real recall rather than a notification or safety bulletin.
Our 2021 GMC Yukon xl for the third time now has shifted from drive to neutral and then turned off on us on the highway. The first time gm changed the motor (at approximately 35,000 miles), the second time was about a month ago we were at the white mountains and it shut off on a highway, the third time was yesterday 11/23/2024 (with 61,057 miles), my wife and I were driving on 2 west bound in massachusetts and when I accelerated the vehicle shifted from drive to neutral and then shut off on me. This vehicle is not safe and on all of these three occassions I have been lucky not to be hit and have been the driver. I am a trained and professional driver and I must state that this vehicle is not safe at all. I need to find a solution to this with general motors.
A terrifying morning on ncus-1: the Yukon breakdown it was a Tuesday, June 4th, around 8:30 am—with dense traffic clogging the intersection of ncus-1 and crabtree. My GMC Yukon was poised at the front line of the middle lane, waiting for the red light to change. As the light turned green, I eased off the brake, and my car lurched forward, rolling a mere 3 to 4 feet into the intersection. Then, without warning, the engine sputtered and stalled. Panic set in. I had two passengers, and we were suddenly stranded in the middle of an intersection swarming with impatient commuters. The gear shifted into neutral on its own, and no matter how desperately I tried, it wouldn’t accept any changes. The Yukon was paralyzed. Every attempt to restart the engine was met with the cryptic message: “wrong gear. . . ”. I activated the hazard lights as a cacophony of horns erupted around us. Other drivers swerved and honked, their frustration palpable. Minutes felt like hours as we sat there, vulnerable and exposed in the middle of the road. After what seemed like an eternity—2 or 3 excruciating minutes—the engine finally sputtered back to life. I quickly maneuvered to the right, aiming for the safety of the salvation army parking lot just off the intersection. But the nightmare wasn’t over. Just as I began to breathe a sigh of relief, the engine cut out again, and the Yukon rolled to a stop, powerless. I managed to park it in a stall, and with the engine still running, I immediately called the gm dealer who claimed that they did not have towing. Four days later, I was given the verdict: u1962 error code—a distress signal for multiple loss of communication among several modules. The service technicians didn't replace any parts but merely performed a system reset, citing that gm refused to authorize module replacements. Despite the ominous implications from my own research, suggesting this could be a catastrophic failure requiring part replacements, gm insisted that a reset was sufficient.
While driving the car, the glass sunroof spontaneously exploded. It was not associated with a rock strike, no other cars were nearby, and the vehicle was not under an overpass. The noise was extremely loud, similar to a gunshot. The sun shade was closed, otherwise broken glass would have showered down on the passengers.
The engine and transmission shakes and they say all this normal. Vibration occurs throughout vehicle at idle or driving at any speed. Also, rpm hand slightly moves up and down while idling in park. The vibration is more prominent in 2 and 3 row seats. I have taken it in about 7 or 8 times for the same issue to 4 different dealerships. Only one has actually felt the issue and visually saw the vibration/hop in rear of vehicle. The technician could not determine the problem as gm only allowed a visual inspection. He was not allowed to take anything apart so I am still left with the issue and it is getting worse. In addition, vehicle taken to collision shop to inspect frame, vehicle was within spec. Vehicle is now back at another dealership to address the issue. The only thing that all the dealerships have done is road force balance tires, alignment, and changed out driveshaft axle from a prior recall. I paid to have to have a differential fluid change still has vibration. At this point, it is concerning because as I stated the problem is getting worse. Also, dealers are looking for a computerized answer and I dont think a powertrain issue will be diagnosed this way. My truck should be under recalls but none has applied to it.
I was driving about 40 mph on a rural road when my vehicle stalled. I thought I was out of gas but I wasn’t. I tried to turn it around but I had no power. I pressed the gas but it would not do anything . It would not crank back up. I called my husband and he came and put gas in it and it still wouldn’t work. I was left stranded in the middle of the road on a curve. No warning lamps were on that I could recall. I’m having it towed to the dealer today. There are 39k miles on the car.
The front drain tubs of the sunroof are not installed properly and it leaks inside the vehicle the carpet on the car is always wet after raining or when I take it to the car wash, but is not just little water is a lot what is getting inside and I don’t want any electric part get damaged we just buy the vehicle and is frustrating been paying a vehicle’s almost $80,000 with this problem.
Roof leak on 2021 Yukon w/ moonroof. Happened during an intense ice/rain storm while vehicle was parked on an incline with the front end up and rear end down. Water poured in through all 3 rows, including the headliner, dome lighting, front dash electronic panel on psg side, and lastly the trunk. Dealer inspected the issue 4 days later, in which they water tested the vehicle with a garden hose indoors in a garage bay when temperatures are above 65 degrees, and on a flat floor. They stated they could not replicate the issue, which of course they couldnt because the dealer does not have the proper testing capabilities to do cold weather testing. They put my vehicle outdoors and allowed snow to fail and melt and it didnt have water come in, which was also above 36 degrees and on a flat parking lot. Dealer was not able to fix the problem and would not replace the headliner, even based on the video evidence I had of the water slooshing in the headliner and pouring out of the dome lights and onto the seats in all 3 rows.
On a road trip out of state we stopped for gas. We got back on the road and few miles out the car suddenly slowed and gave a message on the screen something about acceleration. We pulled over and next the reverse didn’t work. We stayed overnight then next day the reverse still did not work. We were able to place in drive and continue on but we don’t have fully functioning reverse mode.
A/c system draining into drivers side floor area. Water from the a/c system is not draining properly and causing water to collect under the carpet on drivers side, leading to mold, bacteria and potentially harmful to people with respiratory issues. After researching various internet forums, this seems to be a common issue in 2021 Yukon and tahoes. The dealership will be investigating the issue tomorrow.