2021 GMC Yukon engine problems
179 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 GMC Yukon — 55% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 65 MPH on the highway at higher speeds, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The check engine, ECU, and traction control warning lights illuminated, and the message "Shut off Vehicle as soon as Possible" was…”
filed Sep 15, 2026
“Crankshaft / Camshaft caused catastrophic engine failure while on a family road trip leaving family and kids stranded on the side of the highway for hours. 2021 GMCs are notoriously having this issue but they refused to include our VIN in the recall. It cost us almost $13,000 to replace with a…”
filed Sep 11, 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 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Yukon | 28 | 76% |
| 2025 Yukon | 34 | 65% |
| 2024 Yukon | 71 | 69% |
| 2023 Yukon | 153 | 65% |
| 2022 Yukon | 107 | 60% |
| 2020 Yukon | 12 | 33% |
| 2019 Yukon | 28 | 52% |
| 2018 Yukon | 27 | 39% |
| 2017 Yukon | 33 | 17% |
| 2016 Yukon | 34 | 13% |
| 2015 Yukon | 32 | 6% |
| 2014 Yukon | 8 | 14% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 GMC Yukon
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.