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2021 GMC Yukon XL SUV 2WD

8
Recalls
9
Complaints
Overall rating

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Rollover Risk: 21.2%

Complaints
Recalls

9 Complaints

for 2021 GMC YUKON XL
02/01/2022
Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Incident Date: 01/12/2022
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1GKS2JKL0MR******
Summary

On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, while driving from Columbia, SC to Cincinnati, we were heading northwest through the mountains of North Carolina, on I-40, just east of the TN border. Traffic was fairly steady and heavy, so we were traveling at approximately 45 MPH, in the right lane, winding through the mountains. Our friend, ** ***** was driving, my wife, ********* *****, was sitting in the right front passenger seat, working on her laptop, and I was sitting immediately behind her, also working on my laptop. With a semi-trailer truck slowing ahead of us, *** signaled to make a lane change into the left lane (this is only a two lane highway). As we were transitioning to the left lane, the vehicle suddenly – without any warning or driver inputs – slammed on its brakes, bringing the truck to a sudden and violent stop. Given the violent halting of the truck, we all assumed we had been rear-ended by a truck. The braking was so serious, luggage from the rear of the vehicle shot forward like a missile, striking my wife in the back of the head. She suffered what we believe to be a concussion, and she did seek medical attention in the days following the incident. Sitting behind her, the sudden stopping action caused me to twist my left knee, resulting in what might be a cartilage tear. I also saw my physician in the days following, and he acknowledged the swelling of the left knee. He advised me to monitor the knee carefully, and if the pain persists, to get an MRI. The pain has not gone away, and I plan to get an MRI in the next week or so. Our friend suffered a severely strained back in the incident, and has been treating his back with both ice and heat therapy. This was the THIRD time this happened, each nearly resulting in a tragic accident. The dealer said "it's just a software glitch." The "Brake Assist" program is clearly defective and unsafe.

01/11/2022
Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/07/2022
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1GKS1JKL0MR******
Summary

I was traveling on the highway and the vehicle started to jolt, sputter and speed acceleration was reduced in a highly congested area with little room to maneuver. I had to quickly shift lanes and get off at the first exit I could as I figure out what the issue was. I immediately contacted my Dealership and they were able to get me an emergency appointment so my vehicle could be inspected that day. After the Dealers analysis they said that a lifter needed to be replaced. I have a brand new vehicle with less than 8,611 miles on it. The lifter issue puzzled me so I went to the GMC Yukon message and sure enough there are ALOT of 2021 Yukon/Tahoe owners that have had this exact same issue with even worse stories than mine.

12/15/2021
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 12/14/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1gks2jkt1mr******
Summary

I was driving 30 mph when the car went into neutral and rolled to a stop. When I put on the brakes the engine shut off and it went into park. It would not restart or shift out of park . I was stuck in an active busy road. The car was towed to the dealer. They said it was a problem with the BCM. GMC had put out a bullletin which was to reprogram the BCM. My concern is that if this had happened on a busy interstate in traffic at highway speeds the results could have been fatal.

07/09/2021
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/04/2021
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1gks2hkd3mr******
Summary

Make left turn and distracted by kids in the back. Looked back and felt a crash. Collided with a traffic signal pole and caused major/total damage to vehicle. Driver side airbag DID NOT deploy causing injury to neck, shoulder, and lower back.

06/24/2021
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 05/02/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1gks2jkl8mr******
Summary

Our vehicle had a warning light of traction system not working - we were told to take to nearest dealer that springs with the valves were faulty and lifters not working. Took it to Everett in Benton, AR. Took two weeks to get the parts to fix. Told this was a problem. We had 4000 miles on the vehicle. Yesterday, it happened again. Told by Cowboy in Heber Springs, AR where we bought the vehicle they had six in their shop with same problem. They advised that our vehicle would have to be towed. GMC does not think it is a safety issue but it is - the vehicle slows down and there is little power to drive. Yesterday I was pulling a bass boat and only made it home with great difficulty. This problem that seems to be prevalent with all the 2021 Denalis needs to be investigated before someone gets hurt or killed. First incident was May 2, 2021 and second (after allegedly being fixed) was June 23, 2021.

04/01/2021
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 01/06/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1GKS2JKLXMR******
Summary

VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER WITH GM INVOLVEMENT STARTING JANUARY 6TH AND IT HAS BEEN OUT OF THE REPAIR FACILITY FOR LESS THAN 2 WEEKS UP TO TODAY, 4/1/2021. THE VEHICLE HAS AN ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT HAS NOT ONLY FAILED, BUT HAS CONTINUED TO FAIL AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS NEW ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION, SPECIFICALLY WHEN THE 'VEHICLE ACCESS' OPTION IS TOGGLED IN THE SETTINGS. THIS HAS CAUSED MULTIPLE SAFETY WARNINGS; 'VEHICLE TOO HIGH, DRIVE SLOWLY VEHICLE UNSAFE' AND 'VEHICLE TOO LOW, DRIVE SLOWLY, VEHICLE UNSAFE'. DEALER AND GM HAVE REPLACES MILLIE PARTS, SOFTWARE AND SENSORS, TO NO AVAIL. THE MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT MOST OWNERS DON'T REALIZE THE RISK AND THIS IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN WHICH COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED IN AT THE LAST RESURGENCE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT IN AS STATE TO BE DRIVEN. THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED AFTER HAVING 35 DAYS IN THE SHOP. IT SEEMS THAT THE SOFTWARE AND THE SYSTEM AREN'T PROPERLY FUNCTIONING/DESIGNED. THIS COULD BE ENDEMIC IN EVERY DENALI, OR OTHER GM VEHICLE WITH THIS SYSTEM, THAT ENABLES THE AUTOMOTIVE ACCESS (VEHICLE LOWERS WHEN IN PARK). THIS ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING, BOTH LOCALLY AND HIGHWAY. THE SCARIEST WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALER AND THE SUSPENSION STARTED BOUNCING CAUSING ME TO GO NO MORE THAN 40MPH ON THE INTERSTATE TO THE DEALER.

01/31/2021
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER,LANE DEPARTURE
Incident Date: 01/13/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1GKS2JKL3MR******
Summary

I'VE OWNED OVER A DOZEN GM TRUCKS OVER THE LAST 20+ YEARS AND THIS MODEL IS THE WORST EVER! MY COMPLAINT: GM TOOK AWAY THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS ON THE SIDE MIRRORS. THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS ON THE DASH ARE TOO SMALL AND LOCATED WITH MANY OTHER LIGHTS/INDICATORS, SO THEY CANNOT BE SEEN QUICKLY NOR 'EASILY' AND CAN'T BE HEARD UNDER NORMAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THIS CREATES AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH DRIVER DISTRACTION TRYING TO SEE IF A TURN SIGNAL HAS BEEN ACTIVATED AND INCREASES THE RISK OF VEHICLES NEXT TO THE TRUCK NOT EXPECTING A LANE CHANGE IF THEY ARE AHEAD OF THE TAIL LIGHTS. NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, I'VE ALMOST RUN INTO ADJACENT VEHICLES I COULDN'T 'SEE' BECAUSE THE BLIND SPOT WARNING SYSTEM DOES NOT DETECT VEHICLES WELL ENOUGH TO AVOID TURNING INTO THEM AND ALSO BECAUSE I WAS DISTRACTED TRYING TO SEE THE TURN INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD, OOK INTO THE SIDE MIRRORS AND WATCH MY DISTANCE TO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS ON THE MIRRORS ON THE PRIOR MODEL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED DRIVER DISTRACTIONS AND INCREASED SAFETY TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS AND ADJACENT VEHICLES. GM MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR REMOVING SAFETY FEATURES! THEY MUST BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE MIRRORS WITH ONES THAT HAVE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS IN THEM LIKE ON PRIOR MODEL YEARS. IF IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, WHY DID THEY HAVE THE INDICATORS IN THE MIRRORS BEFORE?? REMOVING THE MIRROR SIGNAL LIGHTS WAS OBVIOUSLY A SICK WAY FOR GM TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS WITH INTENDED DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF IT'S OWNERS, PASSENGERS AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. THESE PROBLEMS EXIST WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED (BLIND SPOT ISSUES), TURNING, CHANGING LANES AND MOVING ON EVERY TYPE OF ROADWAY, BUT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHERE HUNDREDS OF FEET ARE TRAVELED IN ONLY A FEW SECONDS, AND DISTRACTIONS BECOME EVEN MORE UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS TO EVERYONE.

01/31/2021
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 01/14/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1GKS2JKL3MR******
Summary

GM CHANGED THE TRAVEL OF THE STEERING COLUMN SO NOW IT'S ONLY A FEW INCHES FROM THE DASHBOARD. IN PRIOR MODELS, THE STEERING WHEEL (SW) TRAVEL WAS MUCH MORE. DUE TO GM'S DESIRE TO SAVE MONEY AND COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR DRIVER, PASSENGER AND OTHER VEHICLES SAFETY, THE DRIVER HAS TO REACH OUT TO THE SW RESULTING AT DANGEROUS ELBOW ANGLES. IN PERFORMANCE CARS, THE SW IS DESIGNED TO BE CLOSE TO THE DRIVER BECAUSE PHYSICS PRINCIPLES OF TORQUE REVEAL: THE GREATER THE ANGLE OF REACH, THE MORE TORQUE IT REQUIRES TO TURN THE SW. SO REACHING OUT WITH THE ELBOW AT ZERO TO 10 DEGREES REQUIRES A MUCH LONGER REACH, THUS GREATER FORCE/TORQUE AND LONGER REACTION TIME, THAN HAVING THE SW AT A 30-40 DEGREE 'ELBOW BEND'. THE POINT IS, FOR A DRIVER TO TURN THE SW ON THIS VEHICLE, IT TAKES TOO MUCH STRENGTH AND TOO LONG A REACTION TIME TO SAFELY OPERATE IT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS MODEL LIKE I DID WITH PRIOR MODEL YEARS. WITH THIS 'LAND YACHT' HAVING AN EVEN LONGER WHEELBASE THAN BEFORE, THE DISTANCE TO THE SW IS EVEN MORE CRITICAL IN REGARDS TO REACTION TIME AND SAFE DRIVING! PLUS, SINCE THE SW IS SO CLOSE TO THE DASHBOARD, WHEN I RAISE MY LEG TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (WHICH NOW I HAVE TO DO BECAUSE GM ALSO TOOK AWAY THE FOOT PEDAL ADJUSTER!), MY LEG HITS THE BOTTOM OF THE SW! THE TIME IT NOW TAKES TO BRING A FOOT UP OVER THE BRAKE PEDAL, TO LOOK DOWN TO SEE IF YOUR LEG IS GOING TO HIT THE SW AND CAUSE THE SW TO EITHER STOP MOVING OR RE-DIRECT THE VEHICLE INTO AN UNPLANNED DIRECTION, ALL WHILE TRYING TO STOP THIS OVER 7,700 LB VEHICLE WITH MUSHIER BRAKES THAN ANY MODEL EVER, IS DANGEROUSLY LONG. THE OVERALL REACTION TIME TO GENERALLY STOP THIS MODEL IS AT LEAST 5 TIMES THAT OF MY 2018 YUKON XL DENALI. THE TRAVEL LENGTH OF THE SW NEEDS TO BE INCREASED 2-3 INCHES TO SAFELY OPERATE THIS TRUCK. GM MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR INCREASING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WITH THEIR VEHICLES!

11/02/2020
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 10/16/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1GKS2JKL6MR******
Summary

WITH ONLY 52 MILES (2-DAYS OLD), I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I HEARD A KNOCK. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LOWERED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION. NEUTRAL WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GMC DEALERSHIP, THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, BROKEN SPRINGS IN THE ENGINE. APPARENTLY THEY SENT A NOTICE STATING THAT THE ENGINE SPRINGS WERE BREAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP ONLY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE 2 BROKEN SPRINGS, NOT ALL OF THEM SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT AFTER THE DATE NOTED FOR HAVING ISSUES. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY PAPERWORK ABOUT THE SERVICE. I'M NOT SURE HOW THIS COMPANY CAN GET AWAY WITH SELLING VEHICLES THEY KNOW HAVE ISSUES WITH FAULTY PARTS.

8 Recalls

for 2021 GMC YUKON XL
25/11/2020
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V735000
SEATS
If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
Campaign Number: 20V735000
Manufacture: General Motors LLC
Components: SEATS
Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

17/12/2020
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V792000
SEAT BELTS
If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Campaign Number: 20V792000
Manufacture: General Motors, LLC
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

23/12/2020
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V811000
SEAT BELTS
If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Campaign Number: 20V811000
Manufacture: General Motors, LLC
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

18/03/2021
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V190000
SEAT BELTS
A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Campaign Number: 21V190000
Manufacture: General Motors, LLC
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

03/06/2021
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V421000
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Campaign Number: 21V421000
Manufacture: General Motors, LLC
Components: AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
Summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

17/06/2021
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V455000
STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE
Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Campaign Number: 21V455000
Manufacture: General Motors, LLC
Components: STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE
Summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

23/09/2021
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V739000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Campaign Number: 21V739000
Manufacture: General Motors, LLC
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
Summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

27/01/2022
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V036000
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Campaign Number: 22V036000
Manufacture: General Motors, LLC
Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

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