The 2021 GMC Yukon, coming out in its brand new avatar for the year, has brought in a bunch of hassles along with its sassy new looks and tech. In just a year or so since launch, the 2021 Yukon has been lodged with 9 officially recognized recalls as per the NHTSA. While the number of official complaints totals at a mere 19, forums have been piling up with a concerning number of complaints, which is far more than what the official numbers suggest. So, is the 2021 GMC Yukon worth the $55,695 or so worth of base price it is asking? Well, this article discusses what all to know and expect when owning or even when planning to buy one of these full size SUVs.
2021 GMC Yukon User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine- Faulty pushrod lifters in certain batches of engines have caused the engine to fail prematurely with mileages as low as 7,000-miles. Users have experienced random engine stalls and knocking as a precursor to this issue. No recall has been issued on this problem but the automaker has provided owners with “component coverage” extended warranties which cover the repair cost of SUVs that have been sent in with lifter or valve train complaints.
- Service brakes- “Brake system failure” warning has been one issue that has been bothering many owners. The brakes are said to intermittently lose feel and pressure, decreasing braking performance. The ABS, ESC, AEB, and trailer brake warning lights are also said to illuminate when this happens. The issues were later found to be due to faulty brake calibration from the dealership service end and the affected vehicle were fixed under an official recall (NHTSA ID-21V579000)
Electric system complaints
- Infotainment issues- not an officially recognized issue, but many owners have been complaining about the glitches in the infotainment system. Random reboots, wireless connectivity drop, and faulty USB ports are some major issues stated. Firmware reset/update was said to be a temporary fix as users still face these issues intermittently.
- Steering- A few owners have complained about the loss of power steering/ steering assist functionality while on the move on the 2021 Yukon. This was later found to be a software glitch and was fixed under a factory recall (NHTSA ID- 21V455000)
Safety Complaints
- Airbags- Airbags failing to deploy in the event of a crash and the airbag warning light illuminating randomly have been two common complaints registered against the 2021 Yukon. The issue was found to be with a faulty gateway communication module and the issue was resolved through an official recall( NHTSA ID-21V421000)
- Forward collision avoidance system- A handful of owners have been complaining about the forward collision system on the 2021 Yukon being faulty or too intrusive. Failing to autonomously brake in the event of a crash or braking unnecessarily has been the two major issues as stated. A firmware reset was the only plausible fix as the dealers were unable to replicate the issue.
2021 GMC Yukon Recalls
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
27th January 2022 |
22V036000 |
The rear-wheel drive shaft assembly may fail |
The driver shaft internal components may be improperly heat-treated, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure and increasing the risk of a crash. |
The dealer will replace the left or right driveshaft free of charge and the notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. |
2 |
23rd September 2021 |
21V739000 |
The power control module may cause fuel pump failure |
A faulty power control module can cause the fuel pump to work intermittently, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash |
Dealers will replace the fuel control module free of charge and the notification letters rolled out on October 14, 2021. |
3 |
29th July 2021 |
21V579000 |
The brake system was calibrated incorrectly |
Dealer service technicians might have calibrated the braking system incorrectly, compromising braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash |
The dealers will recalibrate the brakes free of charge and the notification letters were sent out by August 27, 2021 |
4 |
17th June 2021 |
21V455000 |
Loss of power steering assist |
A software issue may cause loss of steering assist on startup or while driving, increasing steering effort and thereby the risk of a crash. |
Power steering module software will be updated over the air by the dealers free of charge. Owners were notified about this by July 13, 2021 |
5 |
3rd June 2021 |
21V421000 |
The airbag light may not indicate malfunction |
Errors in the gateway communication module cause it to incorrectly process data, causing the airbag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate, failing to warn the driver, and increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
Dealers will update the software in the gateway communication module free of charge and the owners were notified of this by July 1, 2021. |
6 |
18th March 2021 |
21V190000 |
The seatbelt may become damaged |
The third-row seat belt may be entrapped or misrouted inside the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in seat belt damage and thereby increase the risk of injury during a crash. |
The dealers will inspect the seatbelts and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. |
7 |
11th February 2021 |
21V064000 |
The fuel tank may leak |
The missing adhesive between two fuel tank shells may cause fuel to leak, increasing the risk of fire. |
The dealers will replace the affected fuel tanks free of charge and the recall began on March 6, 2021. |
8 |
23rd December 2020 |
20V811000 |
Incorrect bolt used to attach seat belts |
If incorrect bolts are used to fix seat belts, they cannot properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
The dealers will replace suspected bolts free of charge and the recall began on January 29, 2021. |
9 |
25th November 2020 |
20V735000 |
Bolts for front seats incorrectly installed |
Loose or missing bolts on front seats can cause it to move forward in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
Dealers will inspect attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts if needed, free of charge. The recall began on 21st December 2020. |
Should you buy a used GMC Yukon?
The GMC Yukon has easily been in the top 3 full-size SUV ladder since its inception and that is something that stays true to this day. Boasting rugged looks, an exciting list of equipment, and outright capability, this full-size SUV is up to anything. 9 recalls for a model year might seem pretty outrageous, but with the automakers packing in all the technology in the book in their vehicles, it is a pretty common affair these days. Also, GM has been quick to address all these issues and has a good track record of great post-sales support, which adds to the entire ownership experience. With all the love this SUV has been getting all these years, we can’t find a reason that should keep you away from buying a used one.