2021 GMC Yukon Driveshaft Recall (22V036)
General Motors, LLC · 1,789 vehicles · Reported January 27, 2022
General Motors, LLC is recalling 1,789 2021 Cadillac Escalade; 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv; 2021 Chevrolet Suburban; 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe; 2021 GMC Yukon; 2021 GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure. Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V036 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V036000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | N212351030 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | January 27, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 Cadillac Escalade; 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv; 2021 Chevrolet Suburban; 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe; 2021 GMC Yukon; 2021 GMC Yukon XL |
| Units affected | 1,789 |
| Component | Power Train > Driveline > Driveshaft |
| Safety risk | Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 GMC Yukon in recall 22V036?
The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Yukon with recall 22V036?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Yukon shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the driveshaft, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V036?
Recall 22V036 covers 1,789 vehicles: 2021 Cadillac Escalade; 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv; 2021 Chevrolet Suburban; 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe; 2021 GMC Yukon; 2021 GMC Yukon XL.
NHTSA lists 1,789 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Cadillac | Escalade |
| 2021 | Cadillac | Escalade Esv |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Suburban |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Tahoe |
| 2021 | GMC | Yukon |
| 2021 | GMC | Yukon XL |
What is the fix for the Yukon driveshaft recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge.
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.
When was recall 22V036 announced?
General Motors, LLC reported recall 22V036 to NHTSA on January 27, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January 27, 2022 | General Motors, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V036000. |
| March 14, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 56 months ago. If your Yukon was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Yukon is part of recall 22V036?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V036 is open on your Yukon, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 22V036000 is open on your Yukon, it will be listed there, along with GMC recall number N212351030. You can also ask any GMC dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Yukon owners do about recall 22V036?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V036000 applies to your Yukon.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized GMC dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any driveshaft symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Yukon owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 1,351 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 242 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 22V036 was reported on January 27, 2022, owners have filed 231 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 25 of them (11%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after January 27, 2022, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,351 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 242 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe: 453 complaints in total, 86 about the transmission
- 2021 GMC Yukon: 331 complaints in total, 51 about the transmission
- 2021 GMC Yukon XL: 226 complaints in total, 48 about the transmission
- 2021 Chevrolet Suburban: 198 complaints in total, 36 about the transmission
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade: 72 complaints in total, 9 about the transmission
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv: 71 complaints in total, 12 about the transmission
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
Engine is consuming 3qt oil every 1,000 miles. Has been consuming oil since 34,000 mile mark and the transmission has been slipping where it revs very high before downshifting. GM has asked for an oil consumption test to be done and now we are 9,000 plus miles into it and they still say it's fine.
2021 GMC Yukon XL owner, SC, NHTSA complaint 11637898, filed January 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced.
2021 GMC Yukon XL owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11639641, filed January 30, 2025
The transmission went out. Torque converter put metal all through the transmission.
2021 GMC Yukon XL owner, SC, NHTSA complaint 11652284, filed April 2, 2025
Can recall 22V036 make my Yukon a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
A transmission defect affects the core job of the 2021 GMC Yukon: moving reliably. Owners often see the same symptom return after a repair, and those repeat visits are the kind of history California's lemon law looks at.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 GMC Yukon has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Yukon been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other GMC Yukon recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V036
Did the recall 22V036 fix work?
Since recall 22V036 was reported on January 27, 2022, owners have filed 231 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 25 of them (11%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 22V036000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Yukon is part of recall 22V036000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 22V036000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.