This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 GMC Yukon steering problems
severe Owners of the 2021 GMC Yukon have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Yukon | 4 |
| 2019 Yukon | 4 |
| 2021 Yukon (this page) | 11 |
| 2022 Yukon | 6 |
| 2023 Yukon | 5 |
| 2024 Yukon | 4 |
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2021 GMC Yukon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 16 model years of GMC Yukon in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This informational bulletin provides information on the turn signal stalk not cancelling and/or mis cancelling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases - Service 4WD on DIC, Intermittent Failures, Noise Concerns, Driveline/Steering Vibration/Shudder, Intermittent DTCs/MIL Illuminated, Engagement/Disengagement/Ratcheting Concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Ten owners describe steering system failures in 2021 GMC Yukon models. The most serious involve sudden, total loss of power steering assist while driving at city speeds (20–25 mph) and at a stop, with no warning lights. Two owners crashed as a result—one into a tree, another into a telephone pole with airbag deployment and injury. Both vehicles were included in NHTSA recall 21V455000 (Steering).
Diagnostic scans reveal steering control module faults (U0420:00 invalid data, U3000:49 internal malfunction). Dealerships have attempted steering system software updates, but owners and technicians report multiple stored history codes, suggesting the updates don't permanently fix the underlying issue. One owner states the dealership could not confirm the problem won't happen again.
Additional complaints include whining from the power steering system persisting after the recall oil-viscosity change, steering column lockup when the engine fails (preventing neutral selection without special tools), and groaning or clicking sounds during turns—some traced to rear differential concerns, others undiagnosed. One owner reports an over-the-air update that worsened drivability and brake function, with no available repair due to transmission defect.
Failure modes owners describe
Complete power steering loss
Sudden total loss of steering assist, rendering the steering wheel inoperable or extremely difficult to turn. Owners report the steering wheel becoming locked or immobile with little to no warning.
When: Mileage varies: 67,000 miles, 25 mph during normal driving, at low speeds in parking lots, and while stationary upon engine start
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked or unresponsive; No steering movement in any direction; Vehicle unable to turn; Warning message on display about power steering issue; No prior warning lights in some cases
Codes mentioned: U0420:00 (invalid data received from power steering module), U3000:49 (control module internal malfunction)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealerships replacing power steering assemblies and motors; one owner notes replacement components part numbers 85103817, 848935231, and 85116776. Software/system updates attempted but noted as potentially ineffective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 21V455000 (Steering). Dealerships performing steering system software updates; however, multiple history codes suggest recurring issues. One owner reports dealership unable to confirm fix will prevent recurrence.
Power steering assist noise and degradation
Whining or groaning sounds from the steering system during turning, plus gradual loss of steering assist function. Issue persists after recall oil viscosity change, suggesting underlying mechanical wear.
When: After 70,000+ miles on vehicle; noticeable before and after recall oil viscosity update
Symptoms owners cite: Whining noise from power steering; Groaning/moaning sound when turning at low speeds; Gradual steering assist degradation
Repairs/costs cited: Oil viscosity change performed per recall; owner reports this does not resolve underlying noise or assist loss. Owner requests full power steering assembly and motor replacement rather than oil change only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall involving oil viscosity change only (not assembly replacement). Owner disputes adequacy of this remedy given mileage accrued before recall implementation.
Steering column lock with engine disabled
Steering column becomes locked when engine fails or is disabled, trapping vehicle in place. Additionally, transmission cannot be placed in neutral without engine running or special tools, compounding immobility hazard.
When: When engine becomes disabled or non-functional
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column locked; Vehicle immobile; Transmission unable to shift to neutral without engine running; Parking brake automatically sets; Gear selector cannot reach neutral position
Repairs/costs cited: Per GM repair guides, vehicle requires either running engine or special tool to place transmission in neutral. No repair cost or parts data provided by complainants.
Steering noise on turns (clicking or groaning)
Abnormal clicking or groaning noises emanating from steering system, particularly when turning. May originate from rear differential or front steering components.
When: During turns at low and highway speeds; one case at 76,052 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise on right side during turns; Groaning/moaning during sharp low-speed turns; No warning lights in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealership recommended rear differential flush/cleaning up to three times, with full replacement if flush does not resolve issue. Other cases remain undiagnosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports dealership mentioned undisclosed recall but VIN not included in campaign; independent diagnosis not completed.
Steering system software/control module malfunction
Electronic steering system control modules report invalid or missing data, causing steering assist failure or erratic behavior. Software updates attempted but reported as potentially ineffective by dealerships.
When: Various mileage; one case at approximately 67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure; Service steering column warning on dashboard; Steering wheel locked; No start condition in some instances
Codes mentioned: U0420:00 (invalid data received from power steering module), U3000:49 (control module internal malfunction)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships performing steering system software updates. One owner reports vehicle started at dealership but issue recurred one month later. Another reports no parts availability for transmission-related software failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 21V455000. Software updates completed; however, dealership documented multiple history codes suggesting recurring fault. Manufacturer unable to provide assistance in at least one case after recall OTA update caused additional problems.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
After noticing a "groaning/moaning" sound from the vehicle when turning sharp at low speeds the vehicle was brought into a dealership to be inspected. After inspection, the mechanic stated that the sound is coming from the rear differential and that it would need to be flushed/cleaned up to three times as a potential correction. If the clean/flush does not correct the issue, they would need to…
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle while turning right or left. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, a diagnostic result was not provided. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of an undisclosed recall however,…
Had steering trouble with your 2021 GMC Yukon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2021 GMC Yukon?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 41,726 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/GMC/Yukon.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.