2021 GMC Yukon XL owner complaints

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 happ

Engine failure of lifters and piston rings at 58000 miles. Engine failure at highway speeds causing complete loss of power on highway. It is completely unacceptable to have such catastrophic engine failure on such a new vehicle.

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.

Low engine oil message keeps flashing after less than 2,000 miles of driver. Excessive oil consumption. Took vehicle to GMC dealership and it was confirmed that an engine replacement or replacement of the pistons and rings is necessary. Only 77,000 miles on the vehicle. My car is currently not a part of the massive recall.

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 $

Auto stalled in the middle of the road without any warning light causing life threatening incident auto only has 8000 miles

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

With only 52 miles (2-days old), I was driving home when I heard a knock. Then the engine light came on and the vehicle stability control lowered the vehicle and the vehicle shut off. I was left in the middle of traffic unable to move the vehicle to a safe location. Neutral would not work either. When the vehicle was towed to the GMC dealership, they knew exactly what was wrong with the car, broken springs in the engine. Apparently they sent a notice stating that the engine springs were breaking and needed to be replaced. The dealership only offered to replace the 2 broken springs, not all of them since my vehicle was built after the date noted for having issues. They would not provide me with any paperwork about the service. I'm not sure how this company can get away with selling

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.

While driving my 2021 GMC Yukon XL, the vehicle unexpectedly lost acceleration. After lifting off the gas pedal, it jolted forward, triggered a “Reduced Performance” dashboard warning, and remained in what felt like second gear, refusing to shift. I immediately pulled into a parking spot; when I attempted to reverse, the vehicle would not move backward. As you may imagine, this was a major safety concern, as I had my [XXX] and [XXX] children in the vehicle with me. I had the Yukon inspected at a GMC dealership, where a technician confirmed the issue originated from a faulty transmission valve body. My independent research has revealed this to be a widespread defect in the 2021 Yukon XL, prompting GM to issue Special CoverageXXX, which explicitly covers valve-body replacements for 2021

I was driving 30 mph when the car went into neutral and rolled to a stop. When I put on the brakes the engine shut off and it went into park. It would not restart or shift out of park . I was stuck in an active busy road. The car was towed to the dealer. They said it was a problem with the BCM. GMC had put out a bullletin which was to reprogram the BCM. My concern is that if this had happened on a busy interstate in traffic at highway speeds the results could have been fatal.

I'm vehicle has experience both active recalls for similar model year but my VIN isn't listed as been one that is covered by the call. 25V274000 and 21V739000.

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

GM has consistently failed to deliver safe and reliable vehicles to the american public. I purchased a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL and the transmission needs to be replaced completely after the valve body was already replaced once. This issue proves to me that GM is not a reliable and trustworthy brand, with poor business ethics and a track record of having to be bailed out by our very own government for low quality vehicles. I am asking for the Federal department to investigate thoroughly and recall all transmissions that could negatively impact american families. These vehicles are not affordable for the average household and the quality of workmanship does not match the price point. Please find attached a document from GM directly that covers all recalls and previous repairs done to my veh

Breaking system engages at high-speed for no reason. Very scary incident Breaking system engages at slow speed also for no reason.

Driving down the interstate at 70mph and it randomly slams on the brakes. At about 45mph it let's loose and speeds back up. There's never anything in front of the car and it does it a few times a week. Usually throws everything on the floor that was on the seats and scares the hell out of anyone inside the vehicle. Waiting for it to do it with a semi behind us that can't stop as fast!

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 [XXX] (with 61,057 miles), my wife and I were driving on [XXX] 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 occasions 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FR

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 AM: 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 AM: 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 e

GMC currently has bulletin out on the issue and how to fix it. unfortunately this doesn't not fix it and I am going to have to replace my whole rear differential at only 60,500 miles. Gmc is well aware of the situation and has not done a recall. The fix the bulletin proposes would not work and there was over and inch of metal shaving found. This is a huge issue in the specific vehicle and the part to replace the rear differential isn't even available (national backorder with no ETA) leaving customers without a vehicle or solution for their faulty issues. GMC should be liable for their negligence and putting customers in potential harm if the vehicle is continued to be driven with a failing rear differential. The vehicle did not prompt any warning messages but the grinding sound was very lo

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.