Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 GMC Yukon XL
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns and 230 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V274000 Engine Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V797000 Rear Wheel Lock-Up from Transmission Valve Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V827000 Running Lights May Not Deactivate/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V617000 Improper Rivets on Seat Belt Buckle Assembly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V036000 Rear Wheel Driveshaft Assemblies May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V739000 Power Control Module May Cause Fuel Pump Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V455000 Loss of Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V421000 Air Bag Light May Not Indicate Malfunction NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V190000 Seat Belts May Become Damaged NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V811000 Incorrect Bolts Used To Attach Seat Belts NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V792000 Front Center Seat Belts may not be Secured NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V735000 Bolts for Front Seats Incorrectly Installed NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 141 complaints
- Power Train 49 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 30 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 21 complaints
- Electrical System 14 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 7 complaints
Of the 230 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 230 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $10,000–$20,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL has a below-average reliability rating due to 230 owner complaints and 12 recall campaigns. The engine, power train, and fuel system have significant issues, suggesting potential high maintenance and repair costs. However, limited evidence means some failures may not occur frequently.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Unknown | $1,500–$5,000 | common |
| Power train | Unknown | $2,000–$4,000 | occasional |
| Fuel system | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations and balancing
- Brake fluid replacement
- Air filter replacement
- Coolant level checks
- Transmission fluid changes
- Spark plugs replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine stalls
- Transmission shudder or slip
- Unresponsive fuel system
- Power loss during driving
- Frequent check engine lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.