Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling in a drive-thru, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle with no issues however, the next day the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a power control module malfunction. The contact stated that the power control module was replaced under warranty. The contact stated that failure recurred several weeks later. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was test-driven at the dealer for about 50 miles and no repairs were completed. The contact stated that the failure recurred for the third time and was awaiting a tow to the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. While the contact's wife was driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to coast off the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was slow to start. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an oil pump failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be rebuilt. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped, and the engine seized. The contact stated that there was not enough power from the engine to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. No warning light was illuminated. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. In addition, the contact stated that his family were occupants of the vehicle during the failure. The contact stated that it was a frightening event for his family. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while shifted into drive(D), the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle lost motive power, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine, stability control, and several other warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was making abnormal whining sounds, and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The contact had been experiencing the loss of motive power with the vehicle for approximately 2 years; however, the failure was intermittent. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer on several occasions; however, the failure persisted. The contact notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for the engine to be tested. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH with family members in the vehicle, the transmission independently shifted into neutral. No warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to steer the vehicle into a residential driveway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The contact requested towing services; however, the initial tow driver failed to arrive after nearly three hours, requiring the contact to call a second tow company. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, and it was determined that the engine needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired, but replacement parts were ordered. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. Prior to the failure, the contact had received a postcard about a potential engine failure linked to the vehicle; however, the contact disregarded the notice. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic test and discovered metal shavings at the bottom of the engine oil pan. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and linked the failure to the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle jumped and hesitated while accelerating until the vehicle exceeded 20 - 25 MPH. The contact stated that at 1,500-2500 RPM, the failure recurred. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while looking online, the contact discovered information about NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) with a similar failure. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). An appointment was scheduled for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the engine was extremely low on oil even after a recent oil change but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The check engine warning light became illuminated again after the repair. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Ed Rinke Chevrolet Buick GMC CO. (26125 Van Dyke Ave, Center Line, MI 48015) for a second opinion, and remained at the dealer for further investigation. The vehicle was not yet repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact's wife stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was determined that a fuse had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact's wife stated that while driving 55 MPH after the repair, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into neutral, stalled, and lost motive power. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, where it was diagnosed that metal shavings were found in the oil, causing the engine to seize. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure on the manufacturer's website and by phone, and a case was opened. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
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…
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM's full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274.
Engine complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2021 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 217 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2021 GMC Yukon, 64% of the model year's 341 complaints. The component named most often is engine › crank/camshaft position sensor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 GMC Yukon engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-274 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Apr 24, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 GMC Yukon engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 12% 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.