RoadVitals

2021 GMC Yukon Xl Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jun 12, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 201 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 12, 2026

Check engine light comes on and an alert says "acceleration reduced" dealer says the coolant control valve is bad but the engine never overheats but the fans are running max speed 100% of the time.

NHTSA ID
11743664
Incident
Jun 11, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed May 6, 2026

The forward collission system continues to perform phantom braking while driving in traffic resulting in near rear end collisions. The GMC dealer refuses to fix it without charging me for more diagnostic work, which has already been done twice. What is my recourse?

NHTSA ID
11735981
Incident
Mar 11, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 24, 2026

Phantom braking when moving forward after a stop. Dealer can’t replicate or diagnose it, therefore won’t repair it under warranty. It’s happened 6 times now and almost caused 3 accidents.

NHTSA ID
11720123
Incident
Feb 24, 2026
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 18, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11681351
Incident
Aug 7, 2025
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 11, 2025

10 speed transmission It’s been at the dealer for a month and they checked it today. Same issues as the mass recall Dash alert for reduced speed drive with caution. It was extremely dangerous because it malfunctioned on curvy winding roads

NHTSA ID
11679994
Incident
Jul 27, 2025
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 7, 2025

Driving at 55MPH and suddenly the car starts to shack and warning/notification lights copme up on the dash. Check Engine Traction Control Service light Suspension service Was able to drive it to GMC dealership nearby 2.6Mile

NHTSA ID
11659559
Incident
May 7, 2025
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 23, 2025

I am writing to express my concern regarding a serious issue with my 2021 GMC Yukon. Recently, while driving, I experienced a sudden surge in power. About five minutes later, when attempting to shift into reverse, the vehicle would not respond. I tried multiple times with no success. Afterward, while driving it briefly around the block, it made a clunking sound, which raised further concern. Ultimately, I had to call a tow truck, and the vehicle was taken to George Gee GMC in Liberty Lake, Washington. Unfortunately, the next day the dealership was unable to duplicate the issue. There were no warning messages on the screen at the time of the incident, and no diagnostic codes were found, so they could not move forward with any repair. I later discovered that this exact issue is addressed in Technical Service Bulletin N242454441-02. However, I was informed that my VIN is not included in the special coverage, despite my vehicle being the same year and equipped with the same transmission mentioned in the bulletin. I am deeply concerned that this problem could happen again—possibly while I am driving in Canada, transporting my children, or in a location where calling a tow truck would be very difficult. My safety and my family’s safety are at risk, and frankly, I am now anxious about driving a vehicle I used to trust. I also have an extended warranty, but when I contacted GM service, I was told that unless the problem can be duplicated, it would not be covered. This is extremely frustrating given the severity of the issue and the fact that it is already documented in an official bulletin. I am requesting that this situation be escalated. I would appreciate any additional support, coverage, or guidance GM can offer to help ensure this issue is resolved and does not put me or my family at risk again.

NHTSA ID
11656392
Incident
Apr 12, 2025
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 5, 2024

While driving my check engine light came on indicating that service was needed on the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), brake assist the vehicle top speed reduced to 43mph. My braking system was compromised and I have to travel at reduced speeds on busy roadways to arrive at my destinations. I have taken the vehicle to a certified GMC technician for diagnostics and repair.

NHTSA ID
11575674
Incident
Oct 2, 2023
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 27, 2023

Breaking system engages at high-speed for no reason. Very scary incident Breaking system engages at slow speed also for no reason.

NHTSA ID
11562155
Incident
Dec 27, 2023
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 19, 2023

Driving down the interstate at 70mph and it randomly slams on the brakes. At about 45mph it let's loose and speeds back up. There's never anything in front of the car and it does it a few times a week. Usually throws everything on the floor that was on the seats and scares the hell out of anyone inside the vehicle. Waiting for it to do it with a semi behind us that can't stop as fast!

NHTSA ID
11561007
Incident
Dec 19, 2023
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brake pedal engaged without warning, then the vehicle proceeded to accelerate independently. As a result, the vehicle inadvertently stopped and jerked forward. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,504.

NHTSA ID
11514637
Incident
Mar 27, 2023
Mileage
20,504 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 24, 2022

The vehicle had a total failure of its rear safety package which includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors and rear safety alert. The warning illuminated on the dash that all of these functions were offline and service was needed. We took the Yukon to a GM dealer and they replaced a computer and had a hard time getting it to program. This failure also affected the HVAC system in the car, with the fan staying on high. After 23 days of service, the dealer thought they fixed it. After two weeks of having the vehicle back the same alert came on 5-6 times in the same day, with another safety package failure. Now the alert doesn’t come on but none of those safety features work, they are all offline. It is bad enough driving a 20’ long vehicle without the safety package working, but now it is worse in that the car doesn’t alert you to the fact it isn’t working and you might not remember that it is defective. This could cause a collision on the highway or result in the driver backing into something or someone, relying on this technology.

NHTSA ID
11461959
Incident
Apr 20, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 1, 2022
3 injuries reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11449744
Incident
Jan 12, 2022
Driver assistanceVisibility
Filed Jan 31, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11390879
Incident
Jan 13, 2021
Mileage
100 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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