general problems of the 2021 GMC Yukon - part 2

I have 60k miles on my 2021 Yukon xl denali. The transmission went out in it in January. I have it in the shop in January for a new transmission. I got it back and the transmssion went out again in it. Its currently in the shop. The transmission is a 10 speed and has been nothing but issues.

I habe a 2021 Yukon denali and I have had engine failure on the road. Lifter issues and rod issues. I have paid out of pocket to fix it because my truck wasnt part of the recall. But I had the first failure in November 2024. Second failure January 2026.

2 days after the delearship changed my oil to a heavier weight, my engine began knocking. I’m told the rod is bent but not covered by warranty.

On [xxx] driving to denver the 52,000 mile Yukon started making a clicking sound when accelerating on the interstate. Traction control light came on as well as the check engine light. Low power was noticed and we immediately pulled over as it sounded like it was going to blow up. Towed the vehicle 145 miles where we bought it and the shop confirmed the lifters and 5th cylinder are the issue and that the cams could be damaged. Recommend replacing each side. The car is basically new and under the 60k drive train warranty but about 100 days past the 5 year mark. Terrible timing. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon xl. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost drive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

I was driving and a message popped up "service traction control", then another message popped up "forward collision system unavailable". Then the car started making this knocking sound and every time I would try and accelerate there would be a loud sound and almost a pulling stopping it from picking up much speed. I took the car into the dealer/repair shop and they said it was an issue with the lifters that had to be replaced and potentially an issue with the cam. They said this repair would cost upwards of $6,000 and I have never had this issue with the car before. This came out of nowhere and the car had not been showing any signs of this occurring before. This is a 2021 GMC Yukon and I drive my wife and three sons in that car daily.

Nhtsa team, I am the current owner of a 2021 GMC Yukon denali (VIN: [xxx] ) with the 6. 2l l87 v8. At approximately 148,239 miles, I experienced a catastrophic lifter failure. My mechanic diagnosed a failed afm lifter and metal contamination, requiring full engine replacement. This is documented under gm case #xxx. Carfax revealed that prior to my ownership, lifters were replaced twice (~10,469 miles and ~25,572 miles). The dealership I purchased from did not disclose these prior repairs, as they used an alternative vehicle history check. Only upon this third lifter failure did my mechanic identify this recurring defect. I submit this to NHTSA’s investigation into post-repair failures of the gm 6. 2l engines. The pattern shows prior remedies were insufficient. Supporting documents (carfax, mechanic report) are available. Please advise if further details or inspection of the failed engine components are needed. Thanks, [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Driving the vehicle on the highway when I started to hear a ticking sound from the engine. After a few minutes, the check engine light came on and started flashing, traction control shut off and some system related to the rear end shut off. After inspection, it appears to have dropped a lifter.

The vehicle shifted into neutral while driving, locked out gear selection, triggered a transmission warning, and now will not restart.

On christmas day while driving on the highway, I noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine. Our 21 Yukon denali just hit 85,000 miles. I first noticed the traction control light was became disabled and then the check engine light started flashing. The sound escalates when you step on the gas. It appears that the lifters and cams are damaged on the vehicle and had to be towed to a dealership were it currently waits to avoid further damage. I was advised by the dealership that this particular vehicle is not part of the engine, recall notice, but heard that they might be expanding VIN numbers to the recall as more incidents occur. They did confirm that the lifters and cam’s are the issue. The vehicle has had a great maintenance record and was just at the same dealership five weeks earlier for oil change.

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.

The car suddenly experienced engine failure while driving at highway speed (about 70 mph). The check engine light, as well as several other warning lights (traction control, electronic stability control, etc) came on immediately before a metal-on-metal clunking sound and then loss of power. I was able to pull the car over to the side of the highway, and because of the clunking sound, felt it was unsafe to drive further and had it towed to a local dealer. The car has about 42,000 miles on it, in perfectly maintained condition, with all services performed at the dealer per the recommended schedule.

12/16/25 (evening): warnings began cycling across the screen: 1) service esc, 2) vehicle leveling for stability, 3) rear axel system off, 4) engine symbol began flashing, and 5) service traction control. I felt vibration/bouncing while driving as well. 12/17/25 9 took 2021 GMC Yukon denali to GMC dealership. They ran a computer scan and reported a misfire, but nothing else appeared to be wrong. They told me that sometimes a low battery can cause the warning lights and messages to cycle. They recommended that I keep driving it and return if the warnings appeared again. 12/17/25 9:18 I left the dealership. I drove 4. 5 miles, and all the same warning lights came back on. When I pulled into a parking lot, it smelled like my engine was on fire, and dark smoke was coming from my rear exhaust pipe. I called a flatbed tow truck and had the car returned to the dealership. Mileage: 52,285 GMC 2021yukon denali xl 6. 2l v8 engine well-maintained with regular oil changes. The dealership told me there was a lifter failure and that the engine could be damaged and would need to be replaced if the cam, pushrods, etc. , were damaged. They also told me I was out of warranty by less than 60 days. The dealership said my warranty expired in October 2025, even though my vehicle is a 2021 with only 52,285 miles. They just informed me that the left lifter was replaced at 6,000 miles and that they will replace the right lifter. I am concerned about further damage down the road, given the recalls on the GMC 6. 2l engines.

I had the 25v-274 recall serviced at my gm dealer and was never provide with any paperwork on the extended warranty that was part of the recall. As you can image, not having anything in writing is a big risk as these engines have been catastrophically failing. Gm was supposed to provide a extended warranty and service manual update.

While driving on a two lane road, my vehicle put itself into neutral without me doing anything and the engine stopped. All things powered down. The engine stopped. Not propulsion, nothing. I tried to pull over to edge of road. Car would not start - no activity. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. My safety was put at risk by my car simply stopping while driving down the road. The dealership has confirmed the engine needs to be replaced. There was no warning of engine problems or any indicators.

Freedom, tire and automotive inc. Advised my 6. 2lv8 engine has failed due to metal debris found in the new oil, indicating a mechanical failure of an internal engine component. I called GMC and they referred me to you.

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon xl. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the gear shifter independently shifted to neutral(n), and the vehicle speed decreased. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle lost drive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure NHTSA campaign number:25v274000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and filed a case. The contact was also referred to the NHTSA hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 120,000.

On December 1, 2025 at around 5pm cst, my 2021 GMC Yukon xl started making a squeeling noise then stopped while driving down the road. It left me stranded in the middle of the road. A p0016 code was produced and the engine light came on. I had the vehicle towed the next day to stew hanses GMC in clive, iowa. The engine was torn down for inspection and was told the rod bearing went bad and it had low oil even though I was within the window since the last oil change and having documented all necessary required maintenance. I was told the engine needs to be replaced and am in the process currently of stew hanson GMC replacing all necessary parts. I was told I do not have a recall on the vehicles VIN number by GMC corporate and the GMC dealer. It is coming up on a month since the incident happened and vehicle towed to dealership. I do not have pictures from the dealer yet or final invoice as this is still in process. I wanted to document this somewhere.

I experienced complete engine failure at around 76000 miles similar to a current engine recall for 2021 to 2024 6. 2l v8 engines. However, my engine isn't included in the current recall. I also experienced the fuel pump control module problem requiring replacement. Again there is a recall for 2021 to 2024 6. 2l v8 engines and again my engine wasn't included in this recall.

I got 3 messages on the dash going off simultaneously 1. Service traction control system 2. Forward collision system unavailable 3. Service esc I could feel the truck bogging and shaking a little at this point then soon after the check engine light was flashing and it was noticeably misfiring and rough idling. I pulled some codes at oreillys and got back 1. P0300 misfire 2. P050d cold start rough idle.

Vehicle indicated that the suspension system was disabled. Vehicle then lost power and disabled itself driving through the eisenhower tunnel I-70 colorado. This tunnel is over a mile and a half long. We called 911 as we were very worried we were going to have another vehicle crash into us as there are no breakdown lanes. The tunnel had to close to west bound interstate traffic and the vehicle had to be dragged up a tow truck because the back wheels were locked. The cdot tow truck then dropped our vehicle outside the tunnel. We had a private tow company (again dragging the locked tires onto the next truck) take us home and to our personal repair shop. Vehicle was diagnosed as a blown engine. We then had to tow our vehicle, again dragging tires, to a GMC certified shop. We have spent $1502 on towing. This vehicle has approximately 57,000 miles and was 9 days out of the powertrain warranty. The repair shop has the same diagnoses and a dead battery because we could not turn the vehicle off. We have no vehicle to drive as ours sits at the repair shop waiting for parts. Gm told me we were out of warranty and would not help. The dealership says gm may do cost sharing but will still cost us $2000.

On November 14,2025 my engine failed on the highway going 80 mph to 0 mph in the passing lane. Almost caused a major accident on us23. I’ve asked my dealership bowman Chevrolet repeatedly to inspect my engine for the recall and have been denied every time. Most recent was October when I had my oil changed and I was told it wasn’t my turn and the recall for my vehicle was pending. I had my vehicle flatbed towed to the dealership where it sits dead in their parking lot. Thank god we didn’t die on the freeway that night. It was a horrible experience.

While driving vehicle on 11/08/2025, vehicle made a popping noise and loss power. We were out of town and had to pay out of pocket to have vehicle towed to a dealership and hour away from our home. Dealership diagnosed issue with engine failure due to lifter fell and caused damage to cam shaft and bore. I will be without a vehicle for an additional 2 to 4 weeks waiting on a back ordered engine from gm, and continue making payments on vehicle as well. This issue seems to be an ongoing problem that gm is ignoring……. Gm should compensate towing, car rental, and repair/ replacement charges due to failure.

Lifter failure with cylinder #6. Car violently shook prior to this failure. No engine lights or messages until the next day when tried to drive. Ended up towing car to dealer. Car had 76k miles on it. Recall on 6. 2l, but not on the 5. 3l which is not immune to this same issue as the 6. 2l engine.

I’m not happy with just a change in oil viscosity because the car has already been on the road for 70000 miles before we were aware of the recall on the engine. Changing the oil viscosity doesn’t help when there is a underlying engine problem it should be replaced not just change your oil and send you on your way because now I’m always wondering and worried if the engine will still fail when my kids and wife are in the car. Furthermore I just had it inspected and the oil changed to new viscosity a week ago and the oil level is already half way on the dipstick so I’m taking back to the dealership to express my concern. If I would have known this was going to be an issue with this SUV I would have purchased something else. I’d just like the engine replaced so that I don’t have to worry every time I pull out of the driveway with my family. My power steering assist still whines and there is no open recall on it. I think GMC should be responsible for replacing engines and power steering assembly and power steering motors on 2021 GMC Yukon denalis because of the wear and tear they have endured before the recall was taken care of by adding a different viscosity oil because the damage has already been done.

Routine oil change by professional local mechanic. Upon completion we were told that the vehicle would not turnover. The mechanic diagnosed and found that were 2 recalls for our vehicle - one for the fuel pump module and one for the engine. We had our vehicle towed to the local gm dealership. They then replaced the fuel control module. Gm tried to manually crank over but engine seized once again. We spoke to the gm advisor prior to this and were told that our vehicle was not part of the engine recall because our VIN was not listed as part of it even though our vehicle had the same exact issues as described in the engine recall and was for the exact year/make/model of the engine. The dealer quoted us $14,896 to replace the engine. They stated they would submit a goodwill claim to GMC to help discount the cost to repair/replace the engine. The dealer called back later that day and said GMC would be willing to cover 30% of the cost so our expense would be around $10,000. All this for a vehicle we've only driven for less than a year and a half. The vehicle went in for a routine oil change and has never had any issues prior to this. This happened suddenly without any sort of warning. To make matters worse, our powertrain warranty expired a day or two before this occurred. We are still trying to fight with GMC to cover this engine failure. The car has less than 75,000 miles and is only used for basic personal needs like driving to school and the store so it is shocking that the engine would suddenly fail like this and to make matters, the manufacturer refuses to take responsibility for it and to cover it under the recall even though there has been known widespread issues with this engine.

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon xl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v274000 (engine and engine cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall inspection test was performed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer had initially ordered the wrong engine. The dealer then ordered the correct engine; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Engine failure.

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon xl. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact checked the oil dipstick and noticed that the oil level was extremely low. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced by the dealer a month prior, and the oil change was performed. The contact stated that the oil level required to be topped off several times while driving the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed, and the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,500.

While operating the vehicle at normal highway speed, the engine suddenly failed without warning. The vehicle immediately lost power, forcing me to coast to the shoulder. This created a dangerous situation in active traffic. The vehicle was later towed to an authorized gm dealership. The dealer inspected the vehicle but refused to provide assistance or take responsibility for the engine failure. Based on the symptoms and information available, the failure appears to be caused by a known gm engine defect. This issue poses a serious safety hazard since the engine can fail abruptly during highway driving, increasing the risk of accidents or injury. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this matter and that gm be held accountable for addressing this known defect.

At the time an oil change is needed, there is a warning light that says "low oil pressure and low oil. " there also has been a "slipping" of the engine at around 60mph. GMC dealer states it is a torque converter. I am worried that the engine will fail or stall while driving the fuel pump control module has been replaced. Motor is not covered under the current motor recall and taking vehicle to transmission shop to have it checked as well.

See attached document for complaint.

In January 2021, I purchased a new 2021 GMC Yukon denali from a GMC dealership, which currently has only about 27,000 miles. To date, several recalls have been assigned and completed for my vehicle. Per the websites for GMC and your agency. However, based on published recalls for my vehicle and a repair that is currently underway, I have reason to believe that my vehicle should have been subject to three prior recalls for which it was not [NHTSA id numbers: 20v735000 (front seat bolts), 25v274000 (v8 engine failure, and 21v739000 (fuel power control module] currently, the fuel pump control module is being replaced at a local GMC dealership because it failed last week and left my stranded at home. GMC issued a recall for this in 2021, but my vehicle was not included. Aside from risk and inconvenience, this is also costing my over $300 for a rental. Secondly, though my vehicle's make/model/year is cited in GMC's ongoing engine failure recall, which you are investigating, I have not received a recall notice. I note GMC's financial interest in minimizing vehicle's it recalls for such a costly repair. I have inquired with GMC and two of its dealers and have only received reiterations that my vehicle has not been subject to GMC's recall, which I already knew. I have not been given any explanation for why my Yukon has not been recalled despite my inquiries. Lastly, GMC issued a 2021 recall for front seat bolts; however, I did not receive a notice for my Yukon. I have occasionally felt slight movement in the driver's seat since buying the vehicle. Based on reason and facts, I am alleging that GMC appears to be artificially minimizing recalls and notifications for vehicles that are in fact impacted by defects in their vehicles.

I attempted to start my vehicle and it turned over and at the end of trying it sounded like it wanted to start. This repeated itself with no change. I contacted the dealer which I purchased it from and the service mgr said it was the fuel pump control module. Numerous 2021 Yukon had this problem and there is both a service bulletin and a recall for this part. N212332040. My vehicle is not on recall. I attempted to have it towed to the local chevy dealer and was unable to as no local tow company had the tool to put the transmission in neutral. They all wanted to drag it onto the trailer. Bad design that it can not be put in park if it’s not running. I purchased a replacement fuel pump control module part 13554821 from the dealership. I installed it and the problem was fixed. I have the defective part if needed. This would have been much more of an issue if it happened anywhere other than my house, especially with the inability to put he transmission in neutral !!.

While driving on the and merging onto the highway, the check engine light and other alerts came on our 2021 GMC Yukon. There was a fluttering noise coming from the engine and the vehicle started to have decreased acceleration. We had to immediately exit the highway and park the vehicle. We then had to take our vehicle to our regular mechanic since GMC dealership was backed up and we needed the vehicle repaired. Our mechanic has identified the issue to be with the engine. The lifters in the engine broke which also damaged the cam shaft. This is a very costly repair. Our vehicle is four years old and out of warranty since we have 80k miles on our four year old Yukon. This problem with the GMC l84 5. 3l v8 engines seems to be a common issue and other owners have posted their frustrations on various websites and there is currently no recall on this 5. 3l engine. This is a safety issue and a recall should be issued like the one for the 6. 2l engine. Why is there no recall for the 5. 3l engine? a recall needs to be issued for the GMC l84 5. 3l v8.