Model year 2021 · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2021 GMC Yukon: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 GMC Yukon at 16–23 mpg combined across 20 versions. NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 572 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

16–23

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as YUKON XL.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a GMC dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 GMC Yukon recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 14 safety recalls for the 2021 GMC Yukon, newest first.

Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA 25V274000 Reported Apr 24, 2025

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N252494000)
Units affected: 597,571 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Automatic transmission: Fluid/lubricant: Valves/valve body and 1 more component

NHTSA 24V797000 Reported Oct 24, 2024

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N242454440)
Components: Power train: Automatic transmission: Fluid/lubricant: Valves/valve body; Power train: Automatic transmission: Control module: Software
Units affected: 463,295 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Exterior lighting: Lighting control module: Software

NHTSA 22V827000 Reported Nov 3, 2022

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N222382220)
Units affected: 338,735 (estimate)
Problem: 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."
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts: Critical fasteners

NHTSA 22V617000 Reported Aug 11, 2022

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N222372380)
Units affected: 484,155 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.
Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Driveline: Driveshaft

NHTSA 22V036000 Reported Jan 27, 2022

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N212351030)
Units affected: 1,789 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump: Control/drive module

NHTSA 21V739000 Reported Sep 23, 2021

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N212332040)
Units affected: 14,939 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Service brakes, hydraulic: Power assist: Electric: Control module: Software

NHTSA 21V579000 Reported Jul 29, 2021

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N212340970)
Units affected: 2 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and braking while towing a trailer.
Risk: Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1202; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340970.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Steering: Steering control module

NHTSA 21V455000 Reported Jun 17, 2021

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N212333900)
Units affected: 26,847 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Air bags: Srs malfunction warning lamp/light and 1 more component

NHTSA 21V421000 Reported Jun 10, 2021

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N212338110)
Components: Air bags: Srs malfunction warning lamp/light; Electrical system: Software
Units affected: 285,622 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts and 1 more component

NHTSA 21V190000 Reported Mar 18, 2021

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N202313000)
Components: Seat belts; Seat belts: Rear/other
Units affected: 94,641 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.
Risk: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Tank assembly

NHTSA 21V064000 Reported Feb 11, 2021

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N212327720)
Units affected: 18 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. The fuel tank assemblies may be missing adhesive between two layers of the fuel tank shell which may result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212327720.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts: Critical fasteners and 1 more component

NHTSA 20V811000 Reported Dec 23, 2020

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N202322230)
Components: Seat belts: Critical fasteners; Seat belts
Units affected: 470 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts: Critical fasteners and 1 more component

NHTSA 20V792000 Reported Dec 17, 2020

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N202314670)
Components: Seat belts: Critical fasteners; Seat belts
Units affected: 624,216 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seats: Critical fasteners and 1 more component

NHTSA 20V735000 Reported Nov 25, 2020

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N202312720)
Components: Seats: Critical fasteners; Seats
Units affected: 94 (estimate)
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.
Risk: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 GMC Yukon fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 GMC Yukon EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Yukon 2WD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Diesel	21/27/23 mpg	$4,150	437
Yukon 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/20/18 mpg	$3,700	492
Yukon 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/20/17 mpg	$3,950	523
Yukon 2WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Premium	15/20/17 mpg	$4,850	525
Yukon 2WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Premium	14/20/16 mpg	$5,150	544
Yukon 4WD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Diesel	20/26/22 mpg	$4,350	444
Yukon 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/20/18 mpg	$3,700	496
Yukon 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/20/17 mpg	$3,950	523
Yukon 4WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Premium	14/19/16 mpg	$5,150	558
Yukon 4WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Premium	13/19/16 mpg	$5,150	570
Yukon XL 2WD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Diesel	21/27/23 mpg	$4,150	437
Yukon XL 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/20/18 mpg	$3,700	492
Yukon XL 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/20/17 mpg	$3,950	523
Yukon XL 2WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Premium	14/20/16 mpg	$5,150	539
Yukon XL 2WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Premium	14/20/16 mpg	$5,150	566
Yukon XL 4WD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Diesel	20/26/22 mpg	$4,350	444
Yukon XL 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/19/17 mpg	$3,950	515
Yukon XL 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/19/16 mpg	$4,200	555
Yukon XL 4WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Premium	14/19/16 mpg	$5,150	558
Yukon XL 4WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 10-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Premium	13/19/16 mpg	$5,150	570

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 GMC Yukon crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 GMC Yukon NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2021 GMC Yukon SUV 2WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars	21.2%	Standard
2021 GMC Yukon SUV 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars	21.9%	Standard
2021 GMC Yukon XL SUV 2WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars	21.2%	Standard
2021 GMC Yukon XL SUV 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars	21.9%	Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 GMC Yukon owner complaints

Owners have filed 572 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Yukon, most recently on Oct 24, 2026. 11 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 14 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 GMC Yukon complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Engine	329
Power train	104
Fuel/propulsion system	73
Engine and engine cooling	51
Electrical system	42
Unknown or other	29
Air bags	22
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking	17
Service brakes	16
Steering	15

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other GMC Yukon model years

GMC Yukon by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2027 Yukon	16–23 mpg	0	1	—
2026 Yukon	16–23 mpg	3	84	5/5
2025 Yukon	16–23 mpg	2	85	5/5
2024 Yukon	16–23 mpg	3	181	4/5
2023 Yukon	16–23 mpg	4	472	4/5
2022 Yukon	16–23 mpg	5	359	4/5
2020 Yukon	16–18 mpg	4	84	4/5
2019 Yukon	16–18 mpg	3	126	4/5
2018 Yukon	16–19 mpg	5	130	4/5
2017 Yukon	16–19 mpg	3	359	4/5
2016 Yukon	17–19 mpg	5	519	4/5
2015 Yukon	16–18 mpg	10	966	4/5

All GMC Yukon years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 GMC models

2021 GMC Acadia 2021 GMC Canyon 2021 GMC Sierra 2021 GMC Terrain

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with GMC.