13 of the
291 complaints about the 2021 GMC Yukon XL are about the
electrical system — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
55,000 miles.
Driving on busy road when heard a squealing from the engine bay of the vehicle. Moments later the vehicle lost power. It was a very dangerous situation traveling approximately 45mph on a multi-lane road in urban St. Louis Missouri. There was not a check engine light prior. The vehicle had a recall performed per GMC instructions prior (this amounted to a different viscosity oil....). The breakdown stranded my family and I while on vacation in another city. The vehicle was towed to a local GMC dealership and was diagnosed as a seized engine related to the recall. The engine is scheduled to be replaced as no cost through GMC's extended service. They have not provided coverage for the towing, for the multiple ride shares needed to get around on vacation, for the rental car needed to get home, or a rental car to help us with day-to-day life during the estimated 6-8 weeks we will be waiting. My family was at risk, other motorists on the parkway were at risk. It was pure luck and quick thinking that saved injury or loss of life. It is completely unbelievable GMC is letting these vehicles be on the road for peoples safety and for the money people pay as a consumer.
NHTSA complaint #11758496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mccordsville, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle has experienced recurring suspension, drivability, and pulling issues associated with the 4-corner air ride leveling suspension system since early ownership. The first major incident occurred at approximately 4,600 miles when the vehicle displayed suspension warnings and would not accelerate properly past highway speeds. Since that time, the vehicle has repeatedly experienced pulling during acceleration, unstable ride behavior, suspension/leveling concerns, alignment-related issues, and drivability instability. The problem has been reproduced multiple times and documented through approximately 16 repair visits and roughly 74 cumulative days out of service. Dealership service records include repeated suspension inspections, drivability evaluations, wheel alignments, and related repair attempts. The issue remains unresolved and the vehicle is currently back in service again for the same concern. The recurring pulling and instability create safety concerns because the vehicle does not consistently track properly during acceleration and normal driving conditions. Suspension warning messages and drivability symptoms first appeared early in ownership while the vehicle was still under factory warranty. I have also found many similar owner complaints online involving the same suspension system in comparable GM full-size SUV models.
NHTSA complaint #11736686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belton, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When turning on the car, a message pops up on the dash and will not go away. Dashboard says “ service safety restraint system”
NHTSA complaint #11734931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownstown, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
March 29th 2026 my 2021 Yukon XL engine stalled while driving at 45mph (No prior warning lamps or messages, restart engine came on dash) causing me to immediately pull over and come to a stop still in traffic, it shifted my vehicle into park, I was in an in an un-safe spot and was stuck in park (conditions not correct for shift on dash) because my vehicle would not allow me to shift to neutral and push it to the side of the road, (could not jump start) Had towed to dealership and mentioned Engine Failure and Fuel pump control module Recalls but according to them it was a starter issue, I asked them to still check the fuel pump control module regardless. Picked up vehicle and a week later April 14th the exact same thing happened vehicle stalled while driving dash said Restart Engine while coasting (No prior warning lamps or messages) forcing me to pull over where it rolled to a stop and locked itself into park leaving me in unsafe conditions again. Had towed back to the same dealership and waiting to hear back from them.
NHTSA complaint #11731169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sahuarita, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle could not detect key fob, key fob had normal operation(lock, unlock, remote start, tailgate open and close, all functional) but unable to start vehicle or power vehicle accessories. Windows opened with key fob and could not close windows, could not put vehicle in neutral, was stranded for 6 hours, unable to scan vehicle due to lack of key detection not allowing accessories to operate to attain connection with modules, unable to tow because couldn’t get vehicle in neutral. Vehicle battery good, key fob battery good. Was stuck with vehicle because couldn’t not close windows. Very unsafe and inconvenient situation.
NHTSA complaint #11724521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driver side mirror starts moving on its own without any physical buttons being pressed. Accident notification system has failed and has produced a CEL
NHTSA complaint #11722964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterlington, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving from New Orleans with my family when traveling at 75 mph when it’s like the transmission started straining and the engine was losing power/pressure it’s like the engine or transmission was struggling I’m not sure what was causing it but it was a scary experience knowing I’d my kids and my wife with me and we were out in the middle of nowhere.
NHTSA complaint #11681351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deland, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Rear view camera fails to display on screen when vehicle is shifted to reverse. Failure remains during the remainder of ignition on cycle. The failures does not generate system error codes. Dealer service unable to diagnose failure
NHTSA complaint #11661583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesHollister, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The contact stated that during rainy weather, rainwater leaked into the vehicle through the drainage hose, causing an electrical short. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the drainage hose and wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11589374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conroe, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The suv shown safety message, it was diagnosed with airbag not deployed. This is very important specially for the rear backseat. GMC doesn’t want to be responsible and makes customer pay.
NHTSA complaint #11525020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shelby Township, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Large fire started at rear of car. Car was parked on driveway and no one was inside. Noticed a burning smell before fire started. Could not locate any smoke. Vehicle rear burst into flames 20 minutes later. Fire department responded quickly and was able to put out the fire before it reached the house. Vehicle is totaled. Vehicle was inspected by fire department and police after fire was extinguished. They believe the fire was electrical. Vehicle is currently being inspected by insurance company. No warning lamps or messages appeared. Rear windshield wiper stopped working 2 weeks prior to fire.
NHTSA complaint #11515133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Snoqualmie, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle had a total failure of its rear safety package which includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors and rear safety alert. The warning illuminated on the dash that all of these functions were offline and service was needed. We took the Yukon to a GM dealer and they replaced a computer and had a hard time getting it to program. This failure also affected the HVAC system in the car, with the fan staying on high. After 23 days of service, the dealer thought they fixed it. After two weeks of having the vehicle back the same alert came on 5-6 times in the same day, with another safety package failure. Now the alert doesn’t come on but none of those safety features work, they are all offline. It is bad enough driving a 20’ long vehicle without the safety package working, but now it is worse in that the car doesn’t alert you to the fact it isn’t working and you might not remember that it is defective. This could cause a collision on the highway or result in the driver backing into something or someone, relying on this technology.
NHTSA complaint #11461959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11443857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.