2021 GMC Yukon XL Transmission Problems

49 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2021 GMC Yukon XL to NHTSA — 21% of all 229 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 66,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 24 Yukon XL model years for transmission complaints (a typical year has 6). 2 related recalls have been issued.

49complaints
66ktypical miles
2related recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    19%
  • 25k–50k
    19%
  • 50k–75k
    655%
  • 75k–100k
    218%
  • 100k–150k
    00%
  • 150k+
    19%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 GMC Yukon XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintentionally and failed to accelerate above 35 MPH. The vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact arrived at the residence and was able to coast into the driveway; however, the vehicle failed to drive forward or reverse. The check engine warning light was illuminated at the time of the failure, with the message "Reduce Acceleration - Drive with Care" displayed. The contact waited for a while and then attempted to move the vehicle, and the vehicle drove forward slowly, and while attempting to reverse(R), the engine revved abnormally but failed to respond. The gear shifter was shifted to drive, but the vehicle failed to respond, and the engine continued to rev until depressing the brake pedal. …

82,000 miles · Apr 2026

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the engine was making an abnormal sound. The contact stopped and lightly depressed the accelerator pedal and continued driving. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift gear. The RPM increased to high. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under warranty, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who determined that the failure was related to the transmission. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. …

66,000 miles · Jun 2025

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission pump had failed, causing severe damages to the transmission. The contact was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced but while retrieving the vehicle from the dealer the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer, and it was determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). …

73,000 miles · Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power with the message "Service Transmission Now" displayed. The driver was unable to shift the vehicle into reverse(R) and turned around and returned to the residence. The contact and his wife researched online and found that there was a recall for the transmission for the year and model under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train). The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission valve body had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact discussed the recall and was advised by the dealer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

70,000 miles · Feb 2026

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while accelerating approximately 35 - 40 MPH from a stoplight, the contact believed that the engine was going to seize. The message Low Power Mode was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was immediately taken to the dealer, who retrieved DTC: P0700, P0776, and P1881. The contact researched and became aware of GMC Recall Number: N22382220; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

167,000 miles · Apr 2026

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and was losing automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that it was the second transmission failure in less than 2 months. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the manufacturer had recommended a diagnostic test on the engine. The diagnostic test had not yet been performed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

64,000 miles · Mar 2026

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control valve had failed and needed to the replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

66,000 miles · Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the local dealer for further investigation. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V839000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

63,000 miles · Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 3-5 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly shifted to neutral, and the vehicle stalled immediately. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the engine was on backorder. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer opened a case for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

80,000 miles · Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while stopped in traffic, the contact felt the vehicle shaking. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. After several attempts, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and shifted into neutral(N) to move the vehicle to the side of the roadway to safety. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough before losing motive power and stalling. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and fuel pump was replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 15,658.

16,000 miles · Sep 2022

Related recalls

Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body

NHTSA recall 24V-797 · Oct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles

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.

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…

Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

NHTSA recall 22V-036 · Jan 27, 2022 · 1,789 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022.

Transmission complaints in other Yukon XL years

’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262611643152141353336915134932391122
Transmission complaints per model year, GMC Yukon XL.

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL?

NHTSA has 49 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2021 GMC Yukon XL, 21% of the model year's 229 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2021 GMC Yukon XL transmission problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-797 (valves/valve body, Oct 24, 2024); NHTSA recall 22V-036 (driveshaft, Jan 27, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2021 GMC Yukon XL transmission problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.