2012 Gmc Yukon Xl problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (2) · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly (1) · Structure:interior Panels:dashboard (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Yukon Xl model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V051000 · 284,645 vehicles
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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V054000 · 1,778,128 vehicles
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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 1-8
Electrical System:ignition 2014-12-30 · campaign 14V827000 · 84,192 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman 2012-03-22 · campaign 12V112000 · 6,159 vehicles
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND SUBURBAN VEHICLES, AND GMC SAVANA AND YUKON XL HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY HARDENED AND COULD FRACTURE.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 4, 2012.
Service bulletins (1,553)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-16 · PIT6400A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-na-255: wax coating on frame peeling, metal shows corrosion/rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,553 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-12-01 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (Prndl) · 248,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 gmc yukon xl. the contact stated that while in a parking lot, the contact attempted to shift the vehicle into drive however, the transmission failed to shift into gear. the contact stated that the gear shifter cable had detached. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact called the dealer and was informed that th…”
2021-04-28 · Engine · 116,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc yukon xl. the contact stated while driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled. additionally, the brakes failed to engage when the brake pedal was depressed. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to midway chevrolet (2323 w bell rd, phoenix, az 85023) to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the…”
2021-02-26 · Structure:interior Panels:dashboard · 75,000 mi“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 gmc yukon xl. the contact stated the dashboard was cracked in three places. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v051000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact called allen gmc (28332 camino capistrano, laguna niguel, ca 92677, (949) 391-9…”
2019-01-18 · Structure:body“dash has 2 cracks. one above speedometer. the other is cracked on the top left corner of the dash that surrounds the passenger airbag. vehicle was purchased 1/16/19. i am simply adding mine to the large volume of complaints because i believe it may be a safety hazard. not sure how long it has been there, but this vehicle was extremely well main…”
2018-10-12 · Service Brakes“rear brake lights are inoperable. dealer says assemblies must be replaced at $2k. seems to be a widespread issue and an extreme safety issue. please ensure gmc recalls and repairs this widespread issue.…”
2018-08-10 · Unknown Or Other · 78,000 mi“about one year ago we noticed a small crack at the corner of the 'lid' to the passenger seat air bag. now we have a crack at the hump of the steering wheel this is a huge safety concern to us as it could result in terrible injury in any number of ways. 1the air bag could explode at any time due to the crack in the lid area, without any warning …”
2017-12-21 · Unknown Or Other · 65,000 mi“at some point near 65000 miles, a very large crack appeared over the instrument panel, as well as a small crack extending into the passenger side airbag area. i worry about my children's safety if we were in an accident and plastic pieces go flying.…”
2017-12-05 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 98,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc yukon xl. while driving, the sun roof inadvertently exploded. there were no injuries. the contact heard wind blowing through the sun roof. upon further inspection, he noticed a hole in the sun roof glass. the contact called brian harris chevrolet at (225) 910-6907 (15015 florida blvd, baton rouge, la 70819) and was i…”
2017-08-28 · Steering · 101,600 mi“while driving car at random times it will shutoff and you will loose steering and all electronics momentarily and then car will turn back on. it only does this while driving straight or turning on rougher pavement. once this happens the next time you turn off the car and try to start the car the key will not turn on any of the electronics and will …”
2017-03-20 · Unknown Or Other · 95,000 mi“the dashboard spontaneously cracked above the instrument panel section. there are multiple sections to the crack and is approximately 6"-8" in length. the vehicle was parked at the time of the crack. subsequently, the dashboard makes various vibration, chattering, and rattling noises.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.