2012 GMC Yukon

Routine

Owners filed 63 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the unknown or other. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
75,000 milesMedian miles at failure

39 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other25
100
Air Bags16
000
Structure › Body8
000
Engine3
000
Electrical System3
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Structure1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Seat Belts1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module21V054000
Filed Feb 5, 20211,778,128 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module21V051000
Filed Feb 5, 2021284,645 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.

Electrical System › Ignition14V827000
Filed Dec 30, 201484,192 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Risk. If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 24, 2026175,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2012 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the radiator and the water pump were previously replaced due to an overheating failure. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine made a knocking sound. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed with engine lifter failure. The contact replaced the spark plugs on several occasions; however, the failure persisted, and oil contamination was found on the spark plugs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 10, 202647,000 milesNJ

The contact owns a 2012 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that years ago, the engine was replaced with a rebuilt engine. Recently, after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the engine. The banging sound continued, and the vehicle shut off without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that an engine bearing had failed, and the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 28, 2025TX

Driving on loop 20 overpass on Hwy 59 in Laredo Texas suddenly the engine lost power and started to skip and miss fire while a loud tapping noise was generated, due to the loss of power and skipping, alarms showed in the main console requiring immediate service to the engine, traction and braking sys, the lack of engine power place me in a very critical and unsafe situation wherein I was about to be rear collision by the vehicle behind me. This event happened on October 17th, 2025 . I brought the vehicle to Powell Watson Motors who is the GMC dealership in Laredo Texas for inspection but they refused to accept the vehicle due to the age of the vehicle. I feel this safety issue must me corrected and resolved in order to avoid accidents and deaths.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 19, 2024CO

Yesterday while unloading the rear of our 2021 GMC Yukon Denali the tailgate came down on me without warning and with force. I googled to see what might have caused this to happen and it stated that the struts might be worn out. (I am having that checked out today) Fortunately, I am a 6 foot 220 pound man and was not hurt but just the day before my 14 year old, 100 pound grand daughter was taking things things out of the rear of the vehicle. If the rear door would have come down on her it would have been a lot worse

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 17, 2024NJ

Dashboard cracked, afraid that if airbag deploys shards of dashboard will come flying at both driver and passenger. It started as a little crack, than expanded across the entire dashboard

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 11, 2023MS

The problem started a couple of years ago as a small crack in the dashboard at the upper left corner of the airbag. The crack widened and lengthened after replacement of the air bag last year. Then the dash cracked earlier this year at the crown above the instrument cluster. It has completely separated and is nearly 12” in length. Not only does it rattle to the point of driver distraction, but I would think there is a high risk of shattering during a collision potentially causing facial lacerations, blindness and the like. I really don’t want to wait to find out. According to [XXX] , this is a well known issue with GM trucks, Suburbans and Yukons from 2007 to 2014 and GM has failed to make good on the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags
Filed Nov 9, 2023CA

The contact's son owned a 2012 GMC Yukon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V051000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as her son no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 17, 2023MN

Dash panel cracked via design defect. Damage has spread and poses a safety risk if airbags are deployed.

Power Train
Filed Mar 30, 2023TN

I HAVE A 2012 GMC YUKON DENALI XL THAT STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION "6L80" ISSUES AT 120,000 MILES.(03/20/2019) BEAMAN GMC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OF COURSE JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. SO ON I SPENT $6031.19 TO HAVE IT REPLACED/REBUILT, NOW 80,000 MILES LATER ON 3/24/2023 I JUST HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED/REBUILT AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THIS TIME TO THE TUNE OF $9454.00. I DECIDED TO DO SOME INVESTIGATIVE WORK AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION THAT WAS DATED NOVEMBER OF 2022. BULLETIN # 16-NA-338 FOR A TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT. ALSO ANOTHER BULLETIN (PL0773)DATED JULY 2012 AND ONE DATED FEBRUARY 2012 BULLETIN PI0488A. I CAN EMAIL YOU COPIES OF THESE IF YOU WOULD LIKE. THERE WAS ALSO A PRELIMINARY REPORT/BULLETIN PUT OUT JUNE 6TH, 2020 BULLETIN # PIP5175D WITH ALL OF THESE BULLETINS THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. REBUILDING WHAT THEY ARE ALREADY ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH IS INSANE. PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING ME WITH THIS. I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DEALING WITH THE SAME THING AND JUST HAVEN'T DONE THEIR RESEARCH.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 25, 2022LA

For no apparent reason the dashboard is cracking. It started on driver side now there is another one near airbag and by speaker. This vehicle is well maintained and there should be no excuse for this

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 10, 2021OH

Cracks in the dash in two places. Next to the passenger air bag and on the curve above the instrucment panel on the drivers side.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 24, 2021AR

Dash is cracked on passenger side airbag

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 3, 2021NY

Several cracks have developed on the dashboard in front of the drivers position and by the passenger airbag location. The dashboard cover vibrates when going over rough roads and I am concerned that the vibration will initiate the passenger airbag which is also on recall with no date established to bring the car in for a replacement airbag.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 17, 2021VA

Cracked dashboard

Air Bags
Filed Jun 12, 2021NJ

I was driving and slowed down upon approaching speed bumps and going over speed bump my dashboard cover cracked. There was no warning after it cracked the more I drove the more it cracked I am currently buying a dashboard cover to go over the cracked dashboard.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 4, 2021TN

MY VEHICLE IS PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. DAVID WELCH AT NASHVILLE BEAMAN GMC TOLD ME IT WAS "UP TO ME" IF I DRIVE THE VEHICLE - I AM IN GROUP 10 FOR IT TO BE FIXED AND HE DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THAT WILL BE. CASE WAS MADE WITH GMC - CASE # 9-6579504849 SPOKE WITH CORRINE - SHE QUOTED SEVERAL TIMES THAT GMC STANDS BEHIND THE SAFETY OF THE AIRBAGS AND THEY ARE DOING THE RECALL ONLY BECAUSE A JUDGE TOLD THEM TO. I REPEATED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THAT MY 16 YEAR OLD IS OFTEN IN THE FRONT SEAT. SHE AGAIN STRESSED GMC STANDS BEHIND THE SAFETY AND SHE DOES NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN MY VEHICLE WILL BE FIXED. I FEEL THIS IS NOT A SAFE PRACTICE. OTHER DEALERS (FOR EXAMPLE LEXUS) HAVE GIVEN LOANER CARS - FOR UP TO A YEAR - AND HAVE DONE MUCH MORE TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR DRIVERS. GMC LEAVING SAFETY "UP TO THE DRIVER" IS NOT SAFE PRACTICE.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 2, 20215,000 milesMS

WHEN DRIVING IT SOMETIMES BEGINS TO HESITATE REDUCE POWER THE TRACTION AND STABILITY AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE RPM GAUGE AS WELL STOPS WORKING. IF I PULL OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD AND TURN OFF AND RESTART MOST TIMES THE IGNITION WILL HANG AND KEEP TRYING CRANK THE VEHICLE. IT'S HESITANT TO CRANK WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND SOMETIMES CRANKS AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DIES. IT WILL SHIFT HARD JUST BEFORE POWERING INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. IF YOU TURN OFF RESTART TURN YOUR WHEEL ALL THE WAY LEFT AND THEN ALL THE WAY RIGHT AND CRANK IT WILL SOMETIMES MAKE THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND YOU THINK RESET BUT AS SOON AS YOU START DRIVING IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM A LOT AND I MEAN A LOT ARE HAVING SO NOT SURE WHY THIS ISN'T BEING INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED. MOST SAY NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED OR REPLACE THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST SO THERE IS A ROOT THAT'S CREATING THE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FOUND AND ADDRESSED BY GENERAL MOTORS! FORGOT TO MENTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL AS WELL GETS REALLY HARD! THIS A PROBLEM THAT'S BEEN CONTINUOUS OFF AND ON SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 6, 202060,660 milesIN

DASH IS CRACKED BY AIRBAG AND COULD CAUSE DEPLOYMENT DELAY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 25, 202080,000 milesPA

DASH BOARD IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHILCE IS CRACKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES THROUGHOUT THE TOP OF THE DASH

Air Bags
Filed Nov 24, 2020187,000 milesPA

WHILE WORKING ON AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT I ENCOUNTERED 2 DISTINCT PROBLEMS WITH MY AIRBAG AND VEHICLE SYSTEM. 1. THE MAIN UNDERHOOD FUSE PANEL ON MY VEHICLE HAS PORTION OF OXIDATION ON THE FUSES THEMSELVES. THIS OXIDATION IS CAUSING FUSES TO APPEAR INTACT BUT ARE CAUSING THE CIRCUIT TO OPEN. THIS WAS THE ROOT CAUSE OF MY AIRBAG SYSTEM TO NOT BE OPERATING PROPERLY. 2. WHILE DIAGNOSING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, I WAS CAUTIOUS ABOUT UNPLUGGIN THE BATTERY DURING ANY TROUBLESHOOTING THAT I WAS PERFORMING. BUT, AT THE END OF THE DIAGNOSIS PERIOD AND ALL MODULES/SYSTEM WERE RECONNECTED TO ELECTRICAL MATING CONNECTORS I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND STARTED THE VEHICLE TO COOL THE INTERIOR. THE CENTRAL AIRBAG MODULE WHICH IS LOCATED IN CENTER CONSOLE WAS ALREADY ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED BUT NOT MOUNTED. WHEN THE MODULE WAS MOVED INTO POSITION AND THE MOUNTING POINTS OF THE MODULE TOUCHED CHASSIS GROUND OF THE VEHICLE THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS AND FRONT SEAT BELT SQUIBS DEPLOYED. IT APPERAS TO ME THAT THE GROUND OF THE MODULE AND THE VEHICLE COMMON WIRE ARE NOT INTERNALLY CONNECTED. THIS APPARENTLY MAY CAUSE A FLOATING CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG MODULE THAT WHEN CHASSIS GROUND (EXTERIOR MOUNTING SURFACE OF THE MODULE) HAS A POTENTIAL CHANGE, THE AIRBAGS MAY GO OFF INADVERTENTLY. THE CONCERN HERE IS THAT CORROSION ON OLDER VEHICLES MAY CAUSE THIS CHASSIS GROUND TO BE COMPROMISED AND CAUSE RANDOM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS TO OCCUR. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. BODILY INJURY COULD HAVE OCCURRED IF OCCUPANT WAS POSIT

20 of 63 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202637300Do not drive
202552200Routine
2024103300Routine
2023236400Above average
2022179500Routine
20213271300Above average
202036400Do not drive
201954210Do not drive
201869300Routine
2017196310Routine
2016267500Do not drive
20155281040Above average
201456310Routine
2013117400Routine
2012 — this page63300Routine
2011158502Fatalities reported
2010105420Routine
200994500Routine
2008187450Routine
2007428452Fatalities reported
200627300Routine
200585530Routine
2004158410Routine
2003204620Above average
2002158530Routine
2001197801Fatalities reported
2000166901Fatalities reported
1999204200Above average
199880313Fatalities reported
1997133130Routine
199670410Routine
199590730Routine
199458400Routine
199317100Routine
199219201Fatalities reported

Compare every Yukon year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 5, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.