2021 GMC Yukon transmission and drivetrain problems
100 of the 559 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Yukon name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 296 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 100 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 56 · 2026: 31
Half of the 20 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 64,000 and 80,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
559 complaints in all about the 2021 GMC Yukon, 31 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Yukon transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 45–50 MPH, the engine was making an abnormal sound. The contact stopped and lightly depressed the accelerator pedal and continued driving. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift gear. The RPM increased to high.
Transmission issue - 2021 Yukon XL broke down 5/6/25 while driving with 2 of our children in the vehicle. the RPMs skyrocketed but the vehicle wouldn't go. was hard shifting and speed would not exceed 35ish MPH. message popped up on vehicle that said acceleration throttled and engine light came on.
Vehicle would not go in Reverse. Rear tires locked up. When I went forward an error came up "Reduce acceleration" and went into limp mode while driving down the highway and shifted hard and almost caused an accident. Bought into dealer and they found that it needs a valve body assembly Part which is on backorder with no ETA.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 3-5 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly shifted to neutral, and the vehicle stalled immediately. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure.
Vehicle wont go in reverse and skips gears and an error came up to reduce acceleration. - Valve body Control assembly needing to be replaced
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 24V797000 CriticalOct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- 22V036000 HighJan 27, 2022 · 1,789 vehicles
- 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.
296 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0747 B1A7A U1121 P2714 P0016 B3055 B3060 B3935
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 GMC Yukon names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 GMC Yukon
Source: the same files- engine problems 373 complaints
- fuel system problems 89 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2021 GMC Yukon?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 100 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (18% of everything owners filed about it), and 296 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2021 GMC Yukon?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 24V797000, 22V036000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2021 GMC Yukon?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 70,000 miles; half of them between 64,000 and 80,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.