2021 GMC Yukon XL reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 270
- 269 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- ENGINE
- 112 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 12
- see below
- Reported harm
- 2 reported crashes · 5 injuries · 2 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#1,983
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs GMC median
+22
median 248 across 165 GMC records
Vs 2019-2023
+31
median 240 complaints in 444 records
Top component share
41%
Engine: 112 complaints
What owners report fails — 2021 GMC Yukon XL
- ENGINE 112
- POWER TRAIN 42
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 23
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12
12 recalls on record for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL
- NHTSA 25V274000 · 2025 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PA Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 24V797000 · 2024 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 22V617000 · 2022 · SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- NHTSA 22V036000 · 2022 · POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 22V827000 · 2022 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODUL Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2021 GMC Yukon XL
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2021 GMC Yukon XL units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
NHTSA has 270 consumer complaints on record for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL and 12 recalls. The most-reported problem area is engine (112 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2021 GMC Yukon XL units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?
Owners most often report problems with: engine (112), power train (42), fuel/propulsion system (23), engine and engine cooling (20). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2021 GMC Yukon XL?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.