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 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 undisclosed speeds, the transmission was shifting hard, with severe vibrations and shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who confirmed the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the failure was confirmed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the failure occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the manufacturer had issued a special coverage associated with the failure but offered no assistance. There was no fault code retrieved associated with the previous software update that was performed under the recall campaign. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the message "Reduced Acceleration" was displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH, and the vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was taken to BMI Automotive transmission shop, where the valve body and the intermittent speed sensor were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact was able to drive to the residence. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was in the process of being towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,500.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, upon accelerating from a light, the vehicle began to shake and decelerated and failed to accelerate and exceed 25 MPH. The vehicle accelerated, jerked, and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump control module needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V739000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 67,150.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would independently activate Limp mode and would not accelerate past 30 MPH. In addition, the vehicle would not shift into the Reverse gear as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with error codes: P0777 and P18A1. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts being on backorder. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an Unknown NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that after restarted the engine and the vehicle did not operate in reverse. During the failure no warning messages had displayed. The vehicle was driven to the local diagnosed that the transmissions needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000(POWER TRAIN). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle jerked and the transmission shifted hard into 1st and 2nd gears. The message "Service Safety Restraint" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed valve body. The contact was informed that the valve body or the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-60 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering abnormally. The message "Restraint Safety System" was displayed, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Upon cold start vehicle rattles when idling down and growling noise when accelerating upon left or right turns. Also, has constant vibrations with sound of metal rattling at speeds above 30 mph. Forward collision light on without a significant amount of mileage on vehicle. I have taken my vehicle to dealership at least 5 times referencing the vibrations. Growling noise was heard by service advisor last visit October 2024, and he stated it probably were the tires. I advised him that brand new tires were put on vehicle, April 18th 2024, rear vibration has never stopped from time of purchase. I have asked dealership to check drivetrain as it is a know issue for 21 Yukon Denali. Vehicle has not received recall but was manufactured at Arlington plant where the parts of the drive shaft was not properly heated and differential is known for issue upon cold start. …
The engine and transmission shakes and they say all this normal. Vibration occurs throughout vehicle at idle or driving at any speed. Also, rpm hand slightly moves up and down while idling in park. The vibration is more prominent in 2 and 3 row seats. I have taken it in about 7 or 8 times for the same issue to 4 different dealerships. Only one has actually felt the issue and visually saw the vibration/hop in rear of vehicle. The technician could not determine the problem as GM only allowed a visual inspection. He was not allowed to take anything apart so I am still left with the issue and it is getting worse. In addition, vehicle taken to collision shop to inspect frame, vehicle was within spec. Vehicle is now back at another dealership to address the issue. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
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
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 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2021 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2021 GMC Yukon, 16% of the model year's 341 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 GMC Yukon 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 11% 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.