2021 GMC Yukon XL engine problems
117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL — 58% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Burning oil too much too fast oil all over motor and engine and white smoke inside the car all records are with GMC DEALER”
filed Jul 22, 2026
“Engine seized while driving on the highway. This is the same engine that is being recalled and GM has said that the vin is not covered. The vehicle stopped running on a major highway with my [XXX] old son in the car. The dealership is saying this is the exact issue that is part of the larger…”
filed Jul 20, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that…Campaign 25V274000 · Apr 24, 2025
Engine problems in other Yukon XL years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Yukon XL | 12 | 55% |
| 2025 Yukon XL | 11 | 50% |
| 2024 Yukon XL | 45 | 74% |
| 2023 Yukon XL | 124 | 65% |
| 2022 Yukon XL | 98 | 65% |
| 2020 Yukon XL | 24 | 53% |
| 2019 Yukon XL | 32 | 49% |
| 2018 Yukon XL | 13 | 25% |
| 2017 Yukon XL | 25 | 17% |
| 2016 Yukon XL | 26 | 13% |
| 2015 Yukon XL | 26 | 8% |
| 2013 Yukon XL | 1 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 GMC Yukon XL
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.