NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 GMC Yukon Xl Safety Ratings
The 2021 GMC Yukon Xl scores 72 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 12 recalls, and 193 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL received a NHTSA Safety Index of 72/100, a notable decline from the 2020 model's 79/100. This places the vehicle in the Average safety band. The 2021 model year saw twelve recall campaigns, significantly impacting its defect-record sub-score and contributing to the reduced overall safety assessment. This particular model year warrants careful scrutiny based on the available data.
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL received a NHTSA Safety Index of 72 out of 100 and a 3-star NHTSA rollover rating, based on federal NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl ranks 104 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 72 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 21.9% |
| Recalls on file | 12 |
| Owner complaints | 193 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 104 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl?
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL experienced a significant 7-point drop in its NHTSA Safety Index, scoring 72 out of 100, a notable regression from the 2020 model year's 79 out of 100. This decline is largely attributable to a defect-record sub-score of 6.25 out of 20. Crash-test results present a mixed picture. The 5-star side impact rating is a strong point for a large SUV. The vehicle also achieved competitive 4-star overall and frontal crash scores. However, a 3-star rollover rating, accompanied by a 22 percent rollover risk, is a significant limitation for a vehicle of this size and configuration. Avoidance technology scored 8.5 out of 10, bolstered by standard forward collision warning and electronic stability control. Lane departure warning, however, was only an optional feature for this model year. A concentrated cluster of 112 reported engine complaints underscores that powertrain issues are the defining safety concern for the 2021 GMC Yukon XL.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl perform in crash tests?
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL performed well in side-impact collision simulations, achieving 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. Its overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars, with frontal protection also rated at 4 stars. The vehicle's weakest crash-test result is in rollover resistance; it earned 3 out of 5 stars in this category and carries a 22 percent rollover risk. The dynamic tip test, however, did not result in a tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15351
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl have any recalls?
Yes, 12 recall campaigns cover this model year. Named components include internal engine hard parts, automatic transmission control module software, a lighting control module software fix delivered over-the-air, seat belt critical fasteners, and a driveshaft concern. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is identified in the data provided, but the seat belt fastener and engine campaigns are safety-critical and should be verified as remedied by VIN.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL25V274000
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevro
Reported 2025-04-24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE24V797000
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-80
Reported 2024-10-24
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE22V827000
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
Reported 2022-11-03
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS22V617000
Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1
Reported 2022-08-11
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT22V036000
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Reported 2022-01-27
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE21V739000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.
Reported 2021-09-23
STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE21V455000
Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Reported 2021-06-17
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT21V421000
Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this
Reported 2021-06-10
SEAT BELTS21V190000
Risk: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.
Reported 2021-03-18
SEAT BELTS20V811000
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Reported 2020-12-23
SEAT BELTS20V792000
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Reported 2020-12-17
SEATS20V735000
Risk: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.
Reported 2020-11-25
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl?
Owners have filed 193 unverified complaints with NHTSA, including alleged reports of 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries. The most frequently alleged problem area is the engine at 112 reported complaints, followed by the power train at 42, fuel and propulsion system at 23, and engine and engine cooling at 20. All are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
193 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl?
The 2021 GMC Yukon XL is subject to a substantial recall history. With 12 recall campaigns on record, prospective owners must verify recall completion through the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Of particular note are the recalls addressing seat belt fastener integrity and potential engine hard parts issues. Ensuring these, and all other applicable recall remedies, have been performed by a GMC dealership is a critical step before any purchase.
- The 2021 model year Safety Index of 72/100 is 7 points lower than the 2020 Yukon XL's 79/100, driven primarily by a defect-record sub-score of only 6.25 out of 20 tied to 12 active recall campaigns.
- A seat belt critical fastener recall and an engine hard parts recall are among the 12 campaigns specific to this model year and should be confirmed as remedied by VIN before any purchase or continued operation.
- The 3-star NHTSA rollover rating with a 22 percent rollover risk is the weakest crash-test result for this year and is a meaningful consideration for a large SUV used in family or highway driving.
- Engine-related unverified complaints account for 112 of the 193 total NHTSA complaint filings for this model year, a concentration that directly mirrors the engine-focused recall campaigns and is specific to the 2021 production run.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl places
The 2021 GMC Yukon Xl qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 GMC Yukon Xl safety questions
Was the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 72 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 21.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 12 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 193 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 GMC Yukon Xl. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Yukon Xl years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15351), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the GMC Yukon Xl 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 104 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.