What 295 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500

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. The only thing that all the dealerships have done is road force balance tires, alignment, and changed out driveshaft axle from a prior recall. I paid to have to have a differential fluid change still has vibration. At this point, it is concerning because as I stated the problem is getting worse. Also, dealers are looking for a computerized answer and I dont think a powertrain issue will be diagnosed this way. My truck should be under recalls but none has applied to it.

NHTSA ODI 11668549

For whatever reason our 2021 GMC Yukon Denali is not listed in the current 2025 GMC motor recall including cams and lifters and accompanying parts. While driving our truck about a mile from the house the vehicle began seizing and shaking (almost as if we had blown several tires); we immediately pulled over and accessed. Called Dealership and had truck towed there immediately. We are told that it needs cams and lifters and that b/c our VIN does not pull up a recall that the repairs will cost ~$9800.

NHTSA ODI 11664389

We are back on shop for lifter replacement for the 3rd timeand possibly more once they open the project. Valve springs replaced and lifters.

NHTSA ODI 11662589

Valve body failure 72000 miles and warranty ended at 60000

NHTSA ODI 11659348

Driving at normal speed when my 2021 Yukon backfired and began to lose power. The check engine light came on. The vehicle would go into reverse and would not get over 20 miles an hour. It has been at a GM repair shop since March 24th waiting on the tranmission valve body. There is no ETA from General Motors on when this part will be available. Could this be associated with the most recent GMC recall of 2021-2024 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles?

NHTSA ODI 11657840

I have had major transmission failure in my 2021 GMC Yukon Denali (6.2L V8, 10-speed automatic). The vehicle has approximately 72,000 miles. Recently, a critical internal clip/retainer in the transmission broke loose, sending metal debris throughout the transmission. This catastrophic failure has rendered the vehicle undrivable and requires a complete transmission replacement. Unfortunately, the vehicle is just outside the powertrain warranty, yet I firmly believe this failure is due to a manufacturing/design defect – not normal wear and tear. I purchased this Yukon Denali as a premium, flagship SUV and have maintained it carefully. I expected the transmission to last well beyond 72k miles under normal use. It is disappointing and that a core component failed so early. Not only has this imposed a significant financial burden, but it also undermines my confidence in the vehicle’s safety and reliability for my family. A modern transmission should not self-destruct at this mileage, especially given GM’s reputation and the Denali’s top-of-the-line status. Importantly, I have discovered multiple known issues and GM bulletins related to the 10-speed automatic transmission used in my Yukon. For example, GM issued a major recall in late 2024 (NHTSA Campaign 24V797000, GM recall #N242454440) affecting 2021 Yukon models (among others) due to a defective transmission control valve that could fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up, this demonstrates that GM has acknowledged serious problems in the 10L80/MQC 10-speed transmission design. Additionally, a recent GM service bulletin (PIP6008C, Jan 24 2025) indicates that internal transmission retaining rings can dislodge, causing the internal gears to separate – which leads to loss of reverse and internal damage. This scenario is similar to what happened in my transmission. My family was left stranded away from home with no warning. The vehicle just stopped working. The warning lamp did not come on until diagnostics was run.

NHTSA ODI 11657665

The engine needs replaced and GM doesn't have any engines or know when we will get any engines. Evidently this affects numerous 6.2 liter engines that GM made from 2021-2024.

NHTSA ODI 11657130

Transmission valve body (transmission control unit) failure at 72,000 miles. This is the 10-Speed transmission that is the subject of several other recalls for diesel versions of the GMC Yukon. No warning lights, and potential for rear wheel lock up.

NHTSA ODI 11654553

The car is by hard shifting. The dealership found, “THE TRANS TO HAVE A SHUDDER AND DEBRIS IN THE TRANS FLUID INDICATING TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE RECOMMEND REPLACING TRANS DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE SENDING DEBRIS THROUGH THE PUMP AND VALVE BODY.” The first time we brought the vehicle into the dealership they just replaced the fluid and didn’t inspect for failures. The dealership now did and if the torque converter fails the car won’t drive, if I’m on the freeway that could cause a crash or worse.

NHTSA ODI 11652675

Transmission failure at 72k miles.

NHTSA ODI 11650238

Main Value body goes out when it wants to in the Transmission . no replacement parts available . Been 6 week , When this value goes out while go down the highway there is no pull to the wheels

NHTSA ODI 11647800

Rear end locking up still after 3 attempts at repair. Concerned about an accident when the vehicle stops moving in traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11637876

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. Vehicle powertrain warranty is due to expire August 2025 or 60,045 mileage. Therefore with that, the vehicle was placed in service August 2020 months before unproperly heated driveshaft recall was determined. My vehicle should be on the list for this recall as GMC noted this to have occurred on vehicle prior to 07/2021. In addition, a chirping noise comes from front of vehicle while idling and when automatic stop starts back up.There are already known recalls for two of issues noted above.

NHTSA ODI 11637446

The motor on my 2021 Yukon completely failed while driving on a busy state road. The blown motor was replaced by a local GMC dealership, so I do not know it's status or if it'd be available to inspect. My safety was greatly put at risk. I am blessed that my wife and children were not with me, if they were, I would be even more furious. While driving on a busy state road, the tachometer dropped to zero and the truck automatically shifted into neutral. I quickly realized the engine had shutdown, and attempted a restart while coasting. The motor would not restart and I was lucky enough to coast into a nearby parking lot. Had I been in traffic, on the highway, or at a stop light, the situation could have been even more dangerous. As it was, I was stuck in below freezing temps for several hours waiting for triple A. They sent the wrong tow truck twice, and I eventually cancelled the triple A call and called a local wrecking company to come tow the car more than 24 hours later...luckily in the interim I was picked up by a family member. The issue was simply stated to me by the mechanics at the local GMC shop as the motor had "blown", they didn't know why, and they completely minimized the magnitude of the situation. To the best of my knowledge the blown engine has only been looked at by GMC employees. There were NO warning lamps or other symptoms associated with any such failure of this type - which in my opinion, makes the matter even worse and more dangerous. I am frankly furious that GMC is not doing more to address these known catastrophic issues. They have said they will not extend the powertrain warranty and I've read online that people have had their "new" motors blow the same way that the old ones did.

NHTSA ODI 11637103

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.

NHTSA ODI 11626922

My vehicle has a message that pops up and says "Service Transmission Now, Unable to Shift Soon". I took my vehicle in to a GM dealership and they did a diagnostics and told me that it needed to be "updated and "rebooted". This was not covered under my power train warranty because it was software. However, the message is stil showing and my vehicle is not shifting, jumping, and not wanting to drive- indicating that the transmission may be going out. This is a safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11626474

I bought a brand new Yukon Denali in 2021. In 2022 at 12,000 miles, the car was riding extremely rough. It was diagnosed as a transmission issue and the transmission was rebuilt after 90 days in the service department at a GMC dealer. Later in 2022, I started getting low oil lights on the dash. The car was brought back to GMC and I was told that there aren't any leaks evident so nothing was done. This happened repeatedly over the last 2 years, at multiple GMC service departments. No leaks, nothing to see here. Last week, the car started shaking violently while driving, with multiple warning lights appearing on the dash. Finally the car just died and I had it towed to yet another GMC dealership. This time I was told that the bearings, piston rings and lifters were all to blame and the car needed a new engine. Of course, now the car is out of warranty. GMC needs to remedy the engine issues in the 2021 models. There are MANY reports of this happening with this engine.

NHTSA ODI 11619285

Car started making strange noises in the rear portion and was not driving as it normally would. Proceeded to take the vehicle to a GMC service dept. and was told the rear differential is close to failure and is "shot" and needs to be replaced. The service representative advised us to not drive the vehicle because it is unsafe to operate. Upon investigating it appears there was a recall for 2021 Yukon's for this same issue however this VIN number was not included in the recall but it appears this is the same issue. My vehicle remains at the service center waiting for the "differential assembly" to be replaced but it is currently on backorder and we were given no time frame of when this will be resolved or when the parts will be available.

NHTSA ODI 11572679

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.

NHTSA ODI 11564320

Out of no where the right side makes a clicking noise when I turn

NHTSA ODI 11543334

Hello, I am a Repair Technician for a General Motors dealership in Reno NV. vehicle in question has no ability to to placed in neutral without the engine running. per GM repair guides the vehicle must either be placed in neutral with engine running or a special tool is needed to placed trans into neutral in to move vehicle. this is a major safety concern as vehicle became engine became disabled and the vehicle could not be moved. steering is locked, parking brake automatically sets and neutral position on gear selector cannot be selected. this happened at our dealership. but i can only imagine this happening to someone on the highway. stuck blocking the road with no ability to move the vehicle to safety. i feel this is extremely dangerous and i am sending an email to General motors technical assistance also.

NHTSA ODI 11418490

VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM PARK. WHEN IT'S IN GEAR (YOU CAN HOLD THE BUTTON TO SELECT A GEAR TO MOVE), BUT AS SOON AS YOU RELEASE THE BUTTON - IT GOES RIGHT BACK INTO PARK. IT COMES AND GOES. I'VE BEEN STUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY. STUCK AT THE GROCERY STORE. HAD IT ONCE SURPRISE ME AT A STOPLIGHT AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED - THAT TIME I NEEDED TO HOLD THE BUTTON TO ESCAPE TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. DEALER, OF COURSE, WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AS THEY SAID THE ISSUE DOES NOT THROW A CODE. I HAVE VIDEO AND PICTURES, WHICH I HAVE SUPPLIED. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON TOO. DEALERSHIP DID SAY THERE WERE SOME SERVICE NOTES IN THE SYSTEM REGARDING A SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT THAT GM HAS YET TO ISSUE A TSB. I'M HONESTLY WORRIED THIS WILL CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND I DON'T TRUST HAVING MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. IT'S AN $86,000 SUV. UNREAL AND SO DISAPPOINTING.

NHTSA ODI 11383127