2012 GMC Yukon XL: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 248,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2023
“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 failure was battery related. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2021
“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) 391-9094) where it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2019
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“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 maintained and garaged it's whole life.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2019
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2018
“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 informed that the dealer was closed and he would be contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2017
“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 not start the vehicle. If you continuously take the key out and reinsert until and the car will eventually start.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2017
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2017
“Dash has cracked above instrument panel. Crack is approximately 6-8-inches in length. Dash is also cracked in two locations on the passenger side. I feel these cracks could be a safety concern when the airbags are deployed. These cracks occurred under normal driving conditions are not the result of a previous accident or being struck by an object.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2015
“I am the owner of a 2012 gmc yukon denali xl. I purchased this suv in sept 2013 used with less than 2000 miles. I noticed a hairline cracked above my airbag module on the dash board at the beginning of the end of april 2015. I feel that this cracked dash is a safety concern. If there was an accident where the airbags was to deploy it can cause shrapnel and major damage or harm to anyone in the truck. I have 4 kids in which two of them are teenagers that sit in that front passenger seat.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2015
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Check your exact Yukon XL by VIN
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Is the 2012 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 GMC Yukon XL. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2012 GMC Yukon XL have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:gear box:shaft pitman. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.