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

I got 3 messages on the dash going off simultaneously 1. Service Traction Control System 2. Forward Collision System unavailable 3. Service ESC I could feel the truck bogging and shaking a little at this point Then soon after the check engine light was flashing and it was noticeably misfiring and rough idling. I pulled some codes at Oreillys and got back 1. P0300 misfire 2. P050D cold start rough idle

NHTSA ODI 11701140

On November 14,2025 my engine failed on the highway going 80 mph to 0 mph in the passing lane. Almost caused a major accident on US23. I’ve asked my dealership Bowman Chevrolet repeatedly to inspect my engine for the recall and have been denied every time. Most recent was October when I had my oil changed and I was told it wasn’t my turn and the recall for my vehicle was pending. I had my vehicle flatbed towed to the dealership where it sits dead in their parking lot. Thank God we didn’t die on the freeway that night. It was a horrible experience.

NHTSA ODI 11699629

While driving vehicle on 11/08/2025, vehicle made a popping noise and loss power. We were out of town and had to pay out of pocket to have vehicle towed to a dealership and hour away from our home. Dealership diagnosed issue with engine failure due to lifter fell and caused damage to cam shaft and bore. I will be without a vehicle for an additional 2 to 4 weeks waiting on a back ordered engine from GM, and continue making payments on vehicle as well. This issue seems to be an ongoing problem that GM is ignoring…….GM should compensate towing, car rental, and repair/ replacement charges due to failure.

NHTSA ODI 11699201

I’m not happy with just a change in oil viscosity because the car has already been on the road for 70000 miles before we were aware of the recall on the engine. Changing the oil viscosity doesn’t help when there is a underlying engine problem it should be replaced not just change your oil and send you on your way because now I’m always wondering and worried if the engine will still fail when my kids and wife are in the car. Furthermore I just had it inspected and the oil changed to new viscosity a week ago and the oil level is already half way on the dipstick so I’m taking back to the dealership to express my concern. If I would have known this was going to be an issue with this suv I would have purchased something else. I’d just like the engine replaced so that I don’t have to worry every time I pull out of the driveway with my family. My power steering assist still whines and there is no open recall on it. I think GMC should be responsible for replacing engines and power steering assembly and power steering motors on 2021 GMC YUKON DENALIS because of the wear and tear they have endured before the recall was taken care of by adding a different viscosity oil because the damage has already been done.

NHTSA ODI 11698109

My GMC Yukon with 6.2 is using 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. An oil consumption test was performed and documented with the dealer. In addition there is now a very rough idle while at a stop. The date on the engine build is just months ahead of the current recall.

NHTSA ODI 11696477

I purchased the vehicle in July 2024. I drove the car for 10 days, and when I was driving 65 mph, the check engine light blinked three times and then went off. After that, the engine made a sound that was not there before. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they had the car for many weeks, concluding that the lifters broke and the engine needed to be replaced. The dealership said they replaced the engine and the car was returned to me towards the end of August. Since then, the AC has been worked on three different times in the past year and on the third attempt, there is finally cool air coming out of the driver's air vents. The driver's seat AC blowers malfunctioned and were repaired. The dealership put the original engine's belt back on and then broke. The electric system inside glitches from time to time when you first start the car. The front windshield wipers will randomly swipe while driving. After getting a regular oil change, the car sprang an oil leak due to the cap not being tight enough. Over the past 5 months, there has been a random popping sound in the front driver's side area when coming to a stop that two dealerships can not figure out. The belt in the engine still makes a high-pitched sound when first starting up and lasts for about 1 minute. While in park or sitting at a light, the engine will idle up and down from time to time. The vehicle has been worked on by the dealership where it was purchased and also a GMC dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11695265

GMC has not responded for the recall of the engine. My vehicle is running bad. I need the vehicle to be service as soon as possible. My saftey depends on GMC keeping there promise to repair the recall engine.

NHTSA ODI 11693229

I looked up recall information on NHTSA.GOV site and found my car has a recall for engine problems. My GMC app says there are no recalls related to my vehicle and I have never received a communication from GMC stating a recall has occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11692107

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started and running, there was a hollow clunking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with crankshaft bearing failure. The contact was informed that the crankshaft bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11690480

My 2021 GMC Yukon Denali is affected by NHTSA Recall #25V-274. The recall notice states that defects in the engine’s connecting rod and/or crankshaft can cause engine damage and failure, resulting in sudden loss of propulsion and increasing crash risk. The recall status for my vehicle is currently listed as “Incomplete – Remedy Not Available.” My dealership confirmed that no repair is available and further told me that GMC will not authorize a buyback, trade-in, or loaner vehicle until a remedy is developed. This has left me with an unsafe vehicle that cannot be repaired, yet I am still obligated to make monthly payments. This defect creates a serious crash risk because the engine may fail and the vehicle could lose all propulsion without warning. My family is forced to either risk driving a defective vehicle or go without reliable transportation. Dealer Interaction •Dealer confirmed that the recall is active but has no available remedy. •Dealer stated GMC will not authorize a buyback, trade-in, or loaner vehicle until the recall repair is developed. •I am effectively stranded with an unsafe vehicle and no safe options. Remedy I am requesting that GMC be required to: 1.Buy back my vehicle under federal recall and warranty obligations; or 2.Provide a safe, comparable loaner or replacement vehicle at no cost until the defect is remedied. If a loaner is provided, I will continue making my monthly payments on my Yukon Denali.

NHTSA ODI 11690519

While driving on the and merging onto the highway, the check engine light and other alerts came on our 2021 GMC Yukon. There was a fluttering noise coming from the engine and the vehicle started to have decreased acceleration. We had to immediately exit the highway and park the vehicle. We then had to take our vehicle to our regular mechanic since GMC dealership was backed up and we needed the vehicle repaired. Our mechanic has identified the issue to be with the engine. The lifters in the engine broke which also damaged the cam shaft. This is a very costly repair. Our vehicle is four years old and out of warranty since we have 80k miles on our four year old Yukon. This problem with the GMC L84 5.3L V8 engines seems to be a common issue and other owners have posted their frustrations on various websites and there is currently no recall on this 5.3L engine. This is a safety issue and a recall should be issued like the one for the 6.2L engine. Why is there no recall for the 5.3L engine? A recall needs to be issued for the GMC L84 5.3L V8.

NHTSA ODI 11690082

I attempted to start my vehicle and it turned over and at the end of trying it sounded like it wanted to start. This repeated itself with no change. I contacted the dealer which I purchased it from and the service mgr said it was the fuel pump control module. Numerous 2021 Yukon had this problem and there is both a service bulletin and a recall for this part. N212332040. My vehicle is NOT on recall. I attempted to have it towed to the local Chevy dealer and was unable to as NO local tow company had the tool to put the transmission in neutral. They all wanted to drag it onto the trailer. Bad design that it can not be put in park if it’s not running. I purchased a replacement fuel pump control module part 13554821 from the dealership. I installed it and the problem was fixed. I have the defective part if needed. This would have been much more of an issue if it happened anywhere other than my house, especially with the inability to put he transmission in neutral !!

NHTSA ODI 11689931

In January 2021, I purchased a new 2021 GMC Yukon Denali from a GMC dealership, which currently has only about 27,000 miles. To date, several recalls have been assigned and completed for my vehicle. per the websites for GMC and your agency. However, based on published recalls for my vehicle and a repair that is currently underway, I have reason to believe that my vehicle should have been subject to three prior recalls for which it was not [NHTSA ID Numbers: 20V735000 (Front Seat Bolts), 25V274000 (V8 Engine Failure, and 21V739000 (Fuel Power Control Module] Currently, the fuel pump control module is being replaced at a local GMC dealership because it failed last week and left my stranded at home. GMC issued a recall for this in 2021, but my vehicle was not included. Aside from risk and inconvenience, this is also costing my over $300 for a rental. Secondly, though my vehicle's make/model/year is cited in GMC's ongoing engine failure recall, which you are investigating, I have not received a recall notice. I note GMC's financial interest in minimizing vehicle's it recalls for such a costly repair. I have inquired with GMC and two of its dealers and have only received reiterations that my vehicle has not been subject to GMC's recall, which I already knew. I have not been given any explanation for why my Yukon has not been recalled despite my inquiries. Lastly, GMC issued a 2021 recall for front seat bolts; however, I did not receive a notice for my Yukon. I have occasionally felt slight movement in the driver's seat since buying the vehicle. Based on reason and facts, I am alleging that GMC appears to be artificially minimizing recalls and notifications for vehicles that are in fact impacted by defects in their vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11687539

My vehicle is currently in repair due to a known issue with GM. GM has put out a Technical Service Bulletin 20-NA-038 referencing a "well-known" problem with Cylinder 5 failing in 2021 5.3L and 6.0L engines. However, there has not been a recall. Ironically, there were other vehicles brought to the dealership (Sam Boswell GMC in Enterprise, AL) for the same repair on the same day as my vehicle. I'm hoping to get an initiative started for a recall

NHTSA ODI 11686249

We experienced catastrophic engine failure consistent with the current outstanding recall. A GM dealership replaced the parts that failed (crankshaft and connecting rods) however, based on the recall that was issued, the serial number on our engine would qualify under the remedies indicated by GM for a complete engine replacement, however, our VIN number is not currently included in the recall even though our year, make and model for the car and engine are consistent with other recalled vehicles. The GM dealer indicated that the catastrophic engine failure was not due to any lack or neglected maintenance and felt that our vehicle should be included in the recall. My wife and two toddler children primarily use this vehicle and I have serious concerns about their safety and would like to feel confident about their use of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11685756

Problems with the engine shifting gears stalling delayed or won’t engage hard shifting while it’s in motion something’s going on with the engine we’ve called several and had it serviced times of times to ask them what was going on with it in Newport Oregon you can fill it still when you drive. The problem still is not fixed. It’s been happening since we purchased it took it in right away. we’ve asked if our Vin number has come up for a recall repairs we are worried for safety and are currently parking in the car because the dealership is unable to fix what is wrong with the car. They’re telling us there is something wrong and are aware of the recall and won’t fix the problem dealership refuses to take the car they don’t want it without the recall fixed due to safety concerns. you can definitely fill it when you drive I’m not exactly sure what the other issue if with the sounds it’s making when the issue keeps happening but it’s scary There is the recall on it. They are not taking into consideration or the seriousness of the situation and the safety of lives.

NHTSA ODI 11683455

My engine is currently experiencing loud knocking/shaking. It worsens as my vehicle is accelerating it is causing my engine to lose ability to accelerate which has posed a safety concern. This vehicle is my main source of transportation for my family. We have taken this vehicle to the dealership where they were unable to service due to the recall not being open and available and i have contacted GM customer service with no remedy to be issued at this time. The dealership cannot perform any maintenance pertained to the recall and yet cannot remedy. I am concerned for my family's safety. I was advised that i shall continue to drive the vehicle until it breaks down or the recall is open for repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11683218

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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11682211

ESC light came on, knocking noise started, blinking engine light, car started lagging. I was just getting onto freeway and my slow speed could have caused an accident. I have taken it to Lithia Cheverolet of Redding where they diagnosed it. All the warning lights came on as the problems happen all at once. This is message from the dealer/service center: Update: REMOVED CYLINDER HEAD AND INSPECTED CAMSHFT AND FOUND DAMAGE ON THE CYLINDER 8 LOBE.

NHTSA ODI 11681169

GM may be installing recalled engines into other vehicles through warranty replacements, avoiding recall accountability. I purchased a 2021 GMC Yukon built before recall N252494002. Before my ownership, the original engine failed and was replaced under warranty at 24,339 miles on 9/16/2024. The dealer verbally told me it was new, but it had salvage yard markings and no serial number—indicating it was used. This donor engine was likely from a vehicle later covered by the recall. GM appears not to track donor VINs for warranty replacements, meaning recalled engines can remain in service without repair. This creates a serious safety risk and allows defective engines to escape recall compliance. I urge NHTSA to require manufacturers to track and report donor VINs for used engines and major components installed under warranty so they remain subject to applicable recalls.

NHTSA ODI 11679754

Loss of some power. No haul power.

NHTSA ODI 11679949

Dealership refused to inspect engine and provide new oil in regards to recall, they charged me $208.75 for oil that was supposed to be completed under recall L87 for GM

NHTSA ODI 11679669

Engine started missing out. After taken to dealer, cylinders 5 and 6 were filled with oil. New engine is needed, and is on nationwide back order as thousands of these are effected.

NHTSA ODI 11679147

While driving the vehicle, the engine started to make a knocking noise and we experienced illumination of the check engine light. We also experienced engine performance issues with hesistation and reduced acceleration. We were able to take the vehicle to a GM dealer and it was determined that the lifters and crankshaft were defective and need to be replaced. There is a warranty out for 2021 GMC Yukon Denali vehicles that were manufactured less than a year after ours that have currently have a recall issued by GM for the same problems that we experienced. My wife and two young children, ages [XXX] and [XXX] , frequently ride in this car and catastrophic engine failures put their safety and livelihood at serious risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11678448

knocking, banging, engine noises, illumination of the check engine light, engine performance issues at high rpm and fluttering at low rpm. oil consumption but not leaking. The engine needs to be replaced as the bearing is shot, cylinder 7 is shot. I believe this is directly related to NHTSA Recall #25V-274 and Manufacturer Recall #N252494000

NHTSA ODI 11676153