Total Complaints
65 filings
GMC Yukon XL · model year
2011 GMC Yukon XL
65 NHTSA complaints, and 3 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 65
- Recalls
- 3
The verdict
The 2011 GMC Yukon XL posts below-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- Top 43%
- fewest complaints, own model years
- 3
- recall campaigns
The 2011GMCYukon XL carries 65 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2011 Yukon XL is unknown or other with 21 filings, followed by air bags (21) and structure (4). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2011 Yukon XL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
65
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2011 GMC Yukon XL
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 21 |
| AIR BAGS | 21 |
| STRUCTURE | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
Recalls (3)
14V82700030/12/2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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, m
21V05000005/02/2021
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally s
21V05400005/02/2021
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,
Recent Complaints
20250822SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle at the gas station, fuel was leaking out of the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was lifted. The mechanic then informed the contact that the fuel pump was rusted and that the frame were severely rusted. The contact was informed that the frame was fractured and had holes and was being held up by the body. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the alignment had failed due to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The used car dealer where the vehicle was purchased was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 271,000.
Mileage: 271,000
20250822STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle at the gas station, fuel was leaking out of the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was lifted. The mechanic then informed the contact that the fuel pump was rusted and that the frame were severely rusted. The contact was informed that the frame was fractured and had holes and was being held up by the body. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the alignment had failed due to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The used car dealer where the vehicle was purchased was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 271,000.
Mileage: 271,000
20240708AIR BAGS
Dash is cracking badly on its own. Is cracking also where airbag is held. Pieces can fly as projectiles and cause bodily harm when airbag deploys.
20240708UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dash is cracking badly on its own. Is cracking also where airbag is held. Pieces can fly as projectiles and cause bodily harm when airbag deploys.
20230610UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We were driving on the freeway and our sunroof unexpectedly exploded. I didn't see any rock or object. It caught us all off guard.
20220922SEAT BELTS
When attempting to install car seats on the 3rd row, the seat belts do not remain locked after pulled all the way out. Pulling all the way out should activate the ALR, but it does not. I am unable to seat belt install on my 3rd row which is required when a child is over 40lbs.
20220203POWER TRAIN
Keep getting traction control and stability issue warnings along with reduced engine power. Idles up and down and rough Car was parked haven’t moved
20220203ENGINE
Keep getting traction control and stability issue warnings along with reduced engine power. Idles up and down and rough Car was parked haven’t moved
20220203UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Keep getting traction control and stability issue warnings along with reduced engine power. Idles up and down and rough Car was parked haven’t moved
20210505UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH IS CRACKING.
Mileage: 100,500
20210403AIR BAGS
THE DASHBOARD HAS SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED IN TWO LOCATIONS AFTER SITTING IN OUR GARAGE. A 6" CRACK HAS NO FORMED OVER THE CURVED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY ON DRIVER SIDE AND A 1" CRACK HAS OCCURRED NEAR THE AIR BAG COVER CORNER ON PASSENGER SIDE. THESE CRACKS ARE SIMILAR IN LOCATION AND SIZE TO OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON GMC YUKONS. STARTED NOTICING THE CRACK IN AUGUST OF 2020. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
Mileage: 120,000
20210403STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DASHBOARD HAS SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED IN TWO LOCATIONS AFTER SITTING IN OUR GARAGE. A 6" CRACK HAS NO FORMED OVER THE CURVED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY ON DRIVER SIDE AND A 1" CRACK HAS OCCURRED NEAR THE AIR BAG COVER CORNER ON PASSENGER SIDE. THESE CRACKS ARE SIMILAR IN LOCATION AND SIZE TO OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON GMC YUKONS. STARTED NOTICING THE CRACK IN AUGUST OF 2020. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
Mileage: 120,000
20210403UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASHBOARD HAS SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED IN TWO LOCATIONS AFTER SITTING IN OUR GARAGE. A 6" CRACK HAS NO FORMED OVER THE CURVED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY ON DRIVER SIDE AND A 1" CRACK HAS OCCURRED NEAR THE AIR BAG COVER CORNER ON PASSENGER SIDE. THESE CRACKS ARE SIMILAR IN LOCATION AND SIZE TO OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON GMC YUKONS. STARTED NOTICING THE CRACK IN AUGUST OF 2020. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
Mileage: 120,000
20210209AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR YEARS AND THEY HAVE YET TO REPLACE THEM EVEN AFTER ACQUIRING AT MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS.
20201216AIR BAGS
LARGE CRACKS IN DASH CAUSING CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE.THIS OCCURRED IN LESS THAN A YEAR PURCHASE AND HAS WORSENED THE HEATING AND COOLING FUNCTION OF THE SEATS FAILED WITHIN MONTHS OF BUYING THE VEHICLE NEW. RADIO AND NAVIGATION SCREEN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
20201216ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LARGE CRACKS IN DASH CAUSING CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE.THIS OCCURRED IN LESS THAN A YEAR PURCHASE AND HAS WORSENED THE HEATING AND COOLING FUNCTION OF THE SEATS FAILED WITHIN MONTHS OF BUYING THE VEHICLE NEW. RADIO AND NAVIGATION SCREEN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
20201216UNKNOWN OR OTHER
LARGE CRACKS IN DASH CAUSING CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE.THIS OCCURRED IN LESS THAN A YEAR PURCHASE AND HAS WORSENED THE HEATING AND COOLING FUNCTION OF THE SEATS FAILED WITHIN MONTHS OF BUYING THE VEHICLE NEW. RADIO AND NAVIGATION SCREEN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
20201106FireAIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR IN VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED YATES BUICK GMC 13845 W TEST DR, GOODYEAR, AZ 85338 (480) 795-7563 WHO STATED THE REMEDY PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 100,000
20200427ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY ON APPROXIMATELY 04/08/2020 I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN A TICKING SOUND. I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO LOOK AT THE MOTOR TO FIND THAT 4 OF MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE BROKEN OFF. BOTH OF THE FRONT AND REAR BOLTS ON BOTH MANIFOLDS WERE MISSING AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST PORT WAS LEAKING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A SHOP TO BE LOOKED AT, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM V8 ENGINES AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE GETS OUT OF THEIR VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEY OR ANOTHER OPERATOR ISN'T PAYING ATTENTION, SOMEONE COULD GET RUN OVER. I DON'T HAVE ANY PICTURES AS MY SUV IS IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED.
20200128AIR BAGS
MY TAKATA RECALL COMES BACK AS "INCOMPLETE - WORKING ON A SOLUTION". THIS HAS BEEN GOING IN FOR YEARS. IS MY CAR SAFE?
Mileage: 50,000
Compare 2011GMCYukon XL to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2011 GMC Yukon XL have?▼
The 2011 GMC Yukon XL has 65 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 GMC Yukon XL?▼
Yes, the 2011 GMC Yukon XL has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Yukon XL?▼
The most-complained component for the 2011 GMC Yukon XL is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 21 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and STRUCTURE.
Is the 2011 GMC Yukon XL safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2011 GMC Yukon XL; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.