Home · 2021 GMC Yukon Denali Xl · Complaints

What 293 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Yukon Denali Xl

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (293)Crash / fire / injury (9)Engine (155)Fuel system (52)Transmission & drivetrain (47)Engine & cooling (29)Electrical system (26)Airbags (18)Driver assistance (18)Steering (10)Brakes (7)Seats (6)

155 of 293 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 7 of 7

Apr 23, 2022Engine

We have a 2021 Yukon Denali. It has just over 12,000 miles on it. My wife called me In a frenzy today saying the motor was making a poping noise and it was pulling her on the interstate. She was very concered, but managed to make it home From Her 15 mile exit. When she got home, it was evident that the lifters are to blame For This incident. GMC needs to recall all these 2021 GMC Yukons with all these lifter problems. Very unsafe. We plan on getting rid of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11461919

Mar 22, 2022SuspensionEngineLane Departure

My blind spot warning light and signal doesnt work all the time. for example, if a pass a car, or a car passes me at a speed of more than 5 miles per hour, there is no notification from the blind spot warning light in the mirror, or an audalble signale either. i have taken the car to the GMC dealership 3 times and i was told that is normal, and nothing is wrong. I own other GMC models and i have never experianced this intermitant issue.

NHTSA ODI 11457792

Oct 4, 2021Engine

Engine failed on my new vehicle. GM is aware of faulty lifters produced over roughly a 3 month period. My vehicle has been confirmed to have those faulty batch lifters. At this time GM is only replacing lifters on the side of the engine that failed. The local dealership is having 2-3 of these come into the service shop per day. This is a major problem and I am being told it could be 2 months before I get my vehicle back. When I get the vehicle back I want it fixed properly and safe to drive. I don't want my family broken down on the side of the road due to GM knowingly not replacing a faulty product let alone the inconvenience of not having the vehicle again for repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11435331

Sep 9, 2021Engine

GMC Yukon Denali SUV 2021, push rods and lifters in motor are bad, this could have cause an accident due to SUV stopping in traffic or on the highway. Please help with this safety issue. The GMC Denali SUV 2021 only has 7000 miles on it, it new. I thank you in advance for you support. Regards George L Patterson

NHTSA ODI 11432298

Dec 6, 2020SuspensionElectrical systemEngine

WE WERE COMING BACK FROM A TRIP WITH MY CHILDREN AND THIS VEHICLE WAS BARELY 2 WEEKS OLD WITH 0 MILES AND WE WERE ON A HIGHWAY WHEN ALL THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OFF. IT WAS FLAGGING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE ENGINE, THE BRAKES. HONESTLY ALL THE LIGHTS POSSIBLE WENT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS LAGGING AND IT FELT FORCE WHEN WE PUSHED ON THE GAS. OUR HANDS WERE GRIPPING THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP IT IN LANE TILL WE COULD GET OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11378101

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Working with the data? Download all 293 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2021 GMC Yukon Denali Xl verdict →