The 2021 GMC Yukon XL is associated with 206 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 12 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 76 reports (37% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 10 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 5.3l 8-cyl, and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 23 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 206 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 12 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (76 / 37%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 2 crash / 1 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–23 MPG (10 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Yukon XL 2WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 21 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| Yukon XL 4WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Yukon XL 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Yukon XL 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Yukon XL 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Yukon XL 2WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 14 MPG | 20 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
| Yukon XL 4WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 14 MPG | 19 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
| Yukon XL 2WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 14 MPG | 20 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
| Yukon XL 4WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 13 MPG | 19 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
| Yukon XL 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV 2WD | | | | | 21.2% |
| SUV 4WD | | | | | 21.9% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 GMC Yukon XL models.
View complete 2021 GMC Yukon XL crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2021 GMC Yukon XL problems & component breakdown (52 categories) →
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
View all 2021 GMC Yukon XL recalls & campaign history (12 campaigns) →