Vehicle indicated that the suspension system was disabled. Vehicle then lost power and disabled itself driving through the Eisenhower Tunnel I-70 Colorado. This tunnel is over a mile and a half long. We called 911 as we were very worried we were going to have another vehicle crash into us as there are no breakdown lanes. The tunnel had to close to West Bound Interstate traffic and the vehicle had to be dragged up a tow truck because the back wheels were locked. The CDOT tow truck then dropped our vehicle outside the tunnel. We had a private tow company (again dragging the locked tires onto the next truck) take us home and to our personal repair shop. Vehicle was diagnosed as a blown engine. We then had to tow our vehicle, again dragging tires, to a GMC certified shop. We have spent $1502 on towing. This vehicle has approximately 57,000 miles and was 9 days out of the powertrain warranty. The repair shop has the same diagnoses and a dead battery because we could not turn the vehicle off. We have no vehicle to drive as ours sits at the repair shop waiting for parts. GM told me we were out of warranty and would not help. The dealership says GM may do cost sharing but will still cost us $2000.
2021 GMC Yukon XL engine complaints
Page 4 of 7: complaints 71 to 100 of 166, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Routine oil change by professional local mechanic. Upon completion we were told that the vehicle would not turnover. The mechanic diagnosed and found that were 2 recalls for our vehicle - one for the fuel pump module and one for the engine. We had our vehicle towed to the local GM dealership. They then replaced the fuel control module. GM tried to manually crank over but engine seized once again. We spoke to the GM Advisor prior to this and were told that our vehicle was not part of the engine recall because our VIN was not listed as part of it even though our vehicle had the same exact issues as described in the engine recall and was for the exact year/make/model of the engine. The dealer quoted us $14,896 to replace the engine. They stated they would submit a Goodwill claim to GMC to help discount the cost to repair/replace the engine. The dealer called back later that day and said GMC would be willing to cover 30% of the cost so our expense would be around $10,000. All this for a vehicle we've only driven for less than a year and a half. The vehicle went in for a routine oil change and has never had any issues prior to this. This happened suddenly without any sort of warning. To make matters worse, our powertrain warranty expired a day or two before this occurred. We are still trying to fight with GMC to cover this engine failure. The car has less than 75,000 miles and is only used for basic personal needs like driving to school and the store so it is shocking that the engine would suddenly fail like this and to make matters, the manufacturer refuses to take responsibility for it and to cover it under the recall even though there has been known widespread issues with this engine.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact checked the oil dipstick and noticed that the oil level was extremely low. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced by the dealer a month prior, and the oil change was performed. The contact stated that the oil level required to be topped off several times while driving the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed, and the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,500.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall inspection test was performed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer had initially ordered the wrong engine. The dealer then ordered the correct engine; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
GM's 2021/2024 6.2 engine recall began with vehicle production March 1st, 2021. My Yukon XL Denali was produced Feb 26, 2021, THREE days before the recall start. The engine was replaced by GM approximately 6/21/2023 (previous owner), the replacement engine was built the 129th week of 2023. With my recent call to GM, they only reference the original vehicle's build date. If my vehicle missed that by three days, and now has another engine built during this recall period (2023), they have no help for me, it is NOT covered in this safety recall. Neither GM or my dealer has been able to tell me which oil to run 0w20 or 0w40. This vehicle's engine failed just outside of the current recall dates. With the expansion of dates, I can have my motor inspected and be covered under the extended year and milage warranty given to other owners. I am requesting the federal safety agency to expand the existing recall date. Thank you.
Vehicle Information Make: GMC Model: Yukon XL Denali Year: 2021 VIN: [XXX] 1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine failed due to defective lifters and camshaft components, along with excessive oil consumption. These issues rendered the vehicle inoperable and required over $10,000 in repairs. The failed components are available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The engine failure occurred while the vehicle was in motion, creating a dangerous situation for my family and other drivers. Sudden loss of engine power could have led to a collision or left us stranded in unsafe conditions. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue was diagnosed and confirmed by DeFouw GMC in Lafayette, Indiana. GMC has acknowledged the defect and agreed to cover all but $2,000 of the repair costs. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by DeFouw GMC. GMC is aware of the issue under Case #[XXX]. No inspections have been conducted by police or insurance representatives. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, it all happened at once. The vehicle was extremely well cared for, and GM has all of the oil change records. Additional Comments: We have been without our family vehicle since [XXX], and GMC has not provided an estimated arrival date for the replacement engine. We are now entering month four without a vehicle, which has severely impacted our family’s mobility and safety. This delay is unacceptable and reflects poorly on GMC’s commitment to customer safety and service. Has also cost us over $10,000 out of pocket, which I will seek reimbursement for legally, if I must. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U
Subject: Assistance Request – Vehicle Engine Failure Shortly After Purchase I am reaching out for assistance regarding a serious issue with a vehicle I recently purchased. Approximately two weeks after purchasing the vehicle, the engine failed completely. I was driving it to pick up my daughter from school and when I went to go from stopping at a red light the engine light started flashing, the car said lowering for stabilization, and it started smoking and wouldn't go. I was almost hit due to the engine just stalling. When I was able to drive it was shaking and I couldn't go past 30. I made it to the dealership that was 7 mins away and had a guy from service come out. There wasn't any warnings before the engine went out. The dealership has informed me that I am responsible for the repair cost even though vehicles of the same year, make, and model have an active engine recall for this exact issue. Despite this, the dealership and manufacturer have refused to cover or assist with the repair, and there is currently no estimated time for replacement parts or a loaner vehicle. I have documentation from Greg Hubler on there diagnosis. I believe this situation may involve a warranty, recall, or consumer protection concern, and I would like to know what steps I can take or if your office can assist with resolving this matter.
I had a complete engine failure in my 2021 Yukon XL Denali while driving 70mph on the highway. My vehicle warning lights all of a sudden came on and my cruise control was disengaged. My vehicle started shaking and then started smoking. It was taken to our GMC dealership immediately and it was discovered that the engine had failed even though my VIN is not listed in the L87 Recall. No warning lights appeared prior to this failure. I will attached our invoice from the dealership and their description of the problems.
While operating the vehicle at normal highway speed, the engine suddenly failed without warning. The vehicle immediately lost power, forcing me to coast to the shoulder. This created a dangerous situation in active traffic. The vehicle was later towed to an authorized GM dealership. The dealer inspected the vehicle but refused to provide assistance or take responsibility for the engine failure. Based on the symptoms and information available, the failure appears to be caused by a known GM engine defect. This issue poses a serious safety hazard since the engine can fail abruptly during highway driving, increasing the risk of accidents or injury. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this matter and that GM be held accountable for addressing this known defect.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 6 MPH, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of automotive power and all electrical components shut off, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed a second time, and the contact was advised that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) as a possible cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
The engine has a knocking noise. Very noticeable. Started around 3 weeks ago and has done it on multiple occasions.
Manufacturer Recall NumberN252494000 the federal safety agency Recall Number25V274 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available
On Thursday August 14 while driving our traction control light and engine light came on along with the ESC light while traveling out of state. The car felt like we were driving on a rumble strip. We immediately took it to the nearest auto repair shop, only a few minutes away. They reset the battery and dash lights and we took it for a test drive. All the lights came back on after a couple of feet and loud knocking sounds started. Our emissions light then also came on and a strong exhaust smell was emitted. Each time the engine was started the knocking grew louder and the engine was severely struggling and sounded very wrong . The shop put their diagnostic tool to use and identified misfiring on cylinder 5. Upon further inspection they identified camshaft irreparable failure. We had it towed to the Platteville WI GMC Dealership Friday Aug 15. Where they confirmed camshaft failure and informed us our engine needed total replacement. Our safety was at risk since our engine failed while exiting the highway.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that after start-up, the vehicle was driving roughly before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact had previously received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The mechanic related the failure to the recall, but parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 50,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about parts not being available. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was driving from New Orleans with my family when traveling at 75 mph when it’s like the transmission started straining and the engine was losing power/pressure it’s like the engine or transmission was struggling I’m not sure what was causing it but it was a scary experience knowing I’d my kids and my wife with me and we were out in the middle of nowhere.
GM is unable to remedy this recall. I have been waiting since April 2025 (when the recall was issued) to our family vehicle in to be corrected. This is a serious recall that GM is not taking serious, and this is our family car.
Complete engine failure and lock up driving 70MPH. I was very lucky to not wreck the vehicle when this occurred with my family of 5 present. Had towed to the dealership and diagnostics performed. Diagnostics confirmed crankshaft issue and complete engine failure requiring engine replacement. I was informed that this was the same issue that is under current recall, but the 5.3L is not part of it. This is the same crankshaft issue that has been recalled in over 700K 6.2L GM motors. I am being told that the 5.3L engine is not covered under the recall and i am 100% responsible for all costs related. I want this 5.3L issue reported and documented to help extend the recall to the 5.3L engines in the future
The Yukon has stopped while driving twice. The check engine light came on, the dealership says there is an oil problem and the oil pump is bad along with bad lifters. There is wear to the motor as well.
Been working with dealership on engine performance for a year, recall is delayed because of no available parts. I had bought a warranty that replaced the lifters and cam. Also this year the transmission, radiator, pully and belt were all replaced. Engine blew up last night and is back at dealership. I paid $80,000 for this vehicle and have had major issue after major issue with it. Looking into seeing if it qualifies as a lemon. Lucky was going slow when it happened and it didn't cause an accident. Could not get the vehicle into neutral to tow it.
Vehicle: 2021 GMC Yukon XL VIN: [XXX] Recall ID: 25V274 (GM Recall N25249400) Mileage: Approx. 35,000 My 2021 GMC Yukon XL was recalled for a potential engine defect. On June 9, 2025, the dealership (Carol Buick GMC in Florida) determined that my vehicle was unsafe to drive and that the engine needed to be replaced under GM Recall N25249400. GM has not delivered a timely fix. The engine remains on national backorder, and as of July 31, 2025, the vehicle has been out of service for over 6 weeks. I was provided a loaner vehicle, but my own vehicle remains undrivable, and no repair ETA has been provided. GM opened two internal case numbers (#[XXX] and #[XXX]), but despite repeated follow-ups, I have received no estimated return date or formal remedy timeline. I believe this delay violates the federal requirement to provide a timely recall remedy under the federal safety agency regulations, and I am requesting an investigation or compliance review of GM's handling of this recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
GMC does not seem to care about fixing this major recall. It has been 3 months and they have no fix yet.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine started taking extra oil then weeks later cam shaft & lifters when out
I was driving home from a long trip and heard a large pop. Several warning signs and messages began popping up and the vehicle was shaking and struggling to maintain speed. I was able to get home and get my family out of the vehicle and get it to a dealer down the road. They stated the Fuel injector and harness had failed.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the lifter in cylinder #8, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: N212353840. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 79,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission pump had failed, causing severe damages to the transmission. The contact was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced but while retrieving the vehicle from the dealer the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer, and it was determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 73,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, and the engine made an abnormal sound while driving at undisclosed speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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