2021 GMC Yukon XL: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Driving on busy road when heard a squealing from the engine bay of the vehicle. Moments later the vehicle lost power. It was a very dangerous situation traveling approximately 45mph on a multi-lane road in urban St. Louis Missouri. There was not a check engine light prior. The vehicle had a recall performed per GMC instructions prior (this amounted to a different viscosity oil....). The breakdown stranded my family and I while on vacation in another city. The vehicle was towed to a local GMC dealership and was diagnosed as a seized engine related to the recall. The engine is scheduled to be replaced as no cost through GMC's extended service. They have not provided coverage for the towing, for the multiple ride shares needed to get around on vacation, for the rental car needed to get home, or a rental car to help us with day-to-day life during the estimated 6-8 weeks we will be waiting. My family was at risk, other motorists on the parkway were at risk. It was pure luck and quick thinking that saved injury or loss of life. It is completely unbelievable GMC is letting these vehicles be on the road for peoples safety and for the money people pay as a consumer.

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Engine · TX

Driving on a highway at 70 MPH then vehicle shut off / lost all power (with my kids in the car!!). Luckily we made it across three lanes of traffic to the shoulder. Got the vehicle to the dealership where they said they found large amounts of metal shavings in my engine. The engine was replaced but I am still nervous when office that it could happen again. I’m in a Facebook group where people are continually reporting the same thing happening to them. I bought this large vehicle to transport my kids and this is an extreme safety hazard (not only for us but those driving around us). This happened when I only had approximately 18,000 miles on the vehicle. Pretty much still brand new. Since then, I recently had to have the belt replaced again and the rear differentials flushed for loud grinding noises.

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Engine · UT

Our family of 6 were traveling home on the Freeway, from a family road trip going about 75 mph. The engine revved up and then the entire car all electronics went black. And then flashed back on. A warning told me to "Start Engine" I attempted to, and it would not turn over. I was able to get to the shoulder to get us out of the hi-speed traffic. I put our hazards on, and the "Start Engine" warning popped up again. I attempted to start the engine again and it wouldn't turn over. All the warnings started to flash things like "check transmission, check battery.." etc. We asked our kids to stay buckled, because of the hi-speed traffic, and that it was dark outside, and we were in more of rural area. We called the nearest tow company, and had to wait about 30-40 minutes for him to get to us. The tow truck operator was not able to get the car in neutral to be able to get the Yukon on to the tow truck, he eventually got it on. The next morning the Service Tech called and said the car was completely dead when he got to it. Then, he called me later in the day and said he was able to look at the vehicle and run diagnostics and said the engine had seized. My car is less than 4 years old and had 66k miles. I had it serviced right before our family road trip at 64k miles. We have been the only owners and have always serviced it through GMC Service Centers Only. *Note*We had complained multiple times of a squeaking/chirping noise coming from the engine. Since we first received it. The service center kept the vehicle a couple of times overnight to try and diagnose. We had to pay for a new belt replacement, and the squeaking/chirping noise was never resolved. We wonder if this was a preexisting issue.

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Engine · TN

We purchased our 2021 GMC Yukon used from a dealership 1 year ago with zero issues. 3 days ago out of no where there is a very loud squeaking sound in the front under the hood. No engine or warning lights just the sound. We had a mechanic check it and a part inside the tansmission is broke. NOT fixable, MUST be replaced.......

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · ID

We purchased a new 2021 GMC Yukon Denali in July 2021.We have had continuous issues with the truck starting almost immediately after we purchased it and ending with a catastrophic engine failure despite only have ~81,000 miles on it. Even more concerning is that the engine failed while my two of my children were driving with 3 of their friends. The car seized up in the middle of a busy road while driving 55 mph. The kids had to coast to the side of a busy road where they exited the vehicle and waited for a tow truck. Despite regular oil changes and maintenance, we have experienced non-stop problems with the truck * Aug 2022 (29,470 miles): Engine wire chaffing relating to the fuel pressure sensor. Transmission slipping. * Oct 2022 (34,220 miles): “Grinding noises” related to brakes. Faulty brake sensor and brake replacement. * Nov 2022 (35,954 miles): Continued “grinding noises” * May 2023 (51,163 miles): Continued “grinding noises” which were again “shrugged off” by the dealership despite us bringing in the truck for the 3rd time related to this issue. Transmission slipping (transmission torn down, clutch assembly replaced, etc.) * Oct 2023 (62,365 miles): Continued “grinding noises” (4th time bringing the truck in for this reason). * Sep 2024 (81,000 miles): Catastrophic engine failure while driving on a busy road at 55 mph. Based on discussions with a wide range of mechanics, dealerships, shops, individuals within the automative industry, we have come to understand that the issues we have been facing with our truck are not unique. To be clear, we have experienced: i) the same problem repeatedly over a short period of time; ii) repeated unsuccessful attempts to fix the same issues; iii) a prolonged period for repairs where we did not have the vehicle; and iv) significant value loss due to catastrophic engine failure. Further, these problems compromised the safety of my family and has significantly disrupted our life.

Filed Nov 29, 2024 · Suspension · FL

GMC currently has bulletin out on the issue and how to fix it. unfortunately this doesn't not fix it and I am going to have to replace my whole rear differential at only 60,500 miles. Gmc is well aware of the situation and has not done a recall. The fix the bulletin proposes would not work and there was over and inch of metal shaving found. This is a huge issue in the specific vehicle and the part to replace the rear differential isn't even available (national backorder with no ETA) leaving customers without a vehicle or solution for their faulty issues. GMC should be liable for their negligence and putting customers in potential harm if the vehicle is continued to be driven with a failing rear differential. The vehicle did not prompt any warning messages but the grinding sound was very loud. Bulletin No.: 21-NA-028 Date: January, 2023

Filed Aug 5, 2024 · Brakes · FL

On [XXX] I brought my vehicle to Rivard Buick GMC with a squeaking noise that was check and attempted to be repair four times at the same location. They provided a quote for $2,309.10 stating it was the Master Cylinder. Rick the Services director said it was not cover under warranty and it need it to be cover by me, at that point I explain to him the vehicle has been in and out of his services department for the same issue since it had 20,000 miles. 1st time-They replaced the front brake pad stating GM had a defect on them (Noise went away for a few thousand miles) 2nd time- They apply conditioner to the brake and lubricant so they say (noise went away for a few thousand miles) 3rd time- They said it was not the front brakes anymore making the noise. They said warranty did not cover rear brakes due to GM not flagging it as defected pad. I complained the noise was coming from the front of the vehicle but they insisted it was the rear so I paid $500 plus to get the rear brakes at 60% life left on them. At the time of picking up the vehicle after repair completed the noise came back within a few miles from the dealer. I returned to the dealer and spoke with the Services Manager Troy, he apologized for the inconvenience and said they will take care the front brake at no cost to me, however they submitted a claim to GM to get the work done and kept my money when they misdiagnosed the issue. 4th time- Noise comes back at this point the warranty it's expired and they tell me it's the master cylinder the actual issue. When I talked to Rick, he said that GM was willing to pay for half of the work and the other half it's my responsibility. On [XXX], my wife and three kids almost hit a wall while trying to stop and the braked did not work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)