GMC Yukon XL · model year

2012 GMC Yukon XL

22 NHTSA complaints, and 4 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
22
Recalls
4

The verdict

The 2012 GMC Yukon XL posts top-quartile complaint standing among its own model-year siblings.

Top 11%
fewest complaints, own model years
4
recall campaigns

The 2012GMCYukon XL carries 22 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 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 2012 Yukon XL is unknown or other with 5 filings, followed by air bags (5) and structure:body (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 4 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 2012 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.

22
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2012 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.

Total Complaints

22 filings

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

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
AIR BAGS5
STRUCTURE:BODY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ENGINE2
STEERING1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
SERVICE BRAKES1
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)1

Recalls (4)

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

12V11200022/03/2012

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

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.

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,

21V05100005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, Californi

Recent Complaints

20231201POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

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.

Mileage: 248,000

20210428ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 116,000

20210428ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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.

Mileage: 116,000

20210226STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

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.

Mileage: 75,000

20210226AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 75,000

20190118AIR BAGS

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.

20190118STRUCTURE: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 MAINTAINED AND GARAGED IT'S WHOLE LIFE.

20181012SERVICE 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.

20181012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20180810AIR BAGS

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 AND WITHOUT THE RESULT OF BEING IN AN ACCIDENT THUS HARMING ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT 2THE BROKEN DASH COULD RESULT IN TERRIFIC INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AS THE BRITTLE PIECES AND SHARP EDGES OF CRACKED PLASTIC BECOME FLYING IN THE CAR 3THE AIRBAG COULD MISFIRE DUE TO THE DAMAGED LID (FOR EXAMPLE; HITTING AND BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND NOT PROTECTING THE HEAD OF THE PASSENGER) CAUSING FURTHER INJURY AND HARM 4THE CRACK IN THE PLASTIC OF THE DASHBOARD COULD BE EVEN MORE EXTENSIVE THAN WE CAN SEE. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD COULD BE DEFECTIVE AND CRACKED AND SUDDENLY FALL OFF AS THE RESULT OF A BUMP OR POTHOLE

Mileage: 78,000

20180810UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 AND WITHOUT THE RESULT OF BEING IN AN ACCIDENT THUS HARMING ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT 2THE BROKEN DASH COULD RESULT IN TERRIFIC INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AS THE BRITTLE PIECES AND SHARP EDGES OF CRACKED PLASTIC BECOME FLYING IN THE CAR 3THE AIRBAG COULD MISFIRE DUE TO THE DAMAGED LID (FOR EXAMPLE; HITTING AND BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND NOT PROTECTING THE HEAD OF THE PASSENGER) CAUSING FURTHER INJURY AND HARM 4THE CRACK IN THE PLASTIC OF THE DASHBOARD COULD BE EVEN MORE EXTENSIVE THAN WE CAN SEE. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD COULD BE DEFECTIVE AND CRACKED AND SUDDENLY FALL OFF AS THE RESULT OF A BUMP OR POTHOLE

Mileage: 78,000

20171221AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20171221UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20171205VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

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.

Mileage: 98,000

20170828ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 101,600

20170828ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 101,600

20170828STEERING

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.

Mileage: 101,600

20170320UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 95,000

20161003UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASH IS CRACKING AROUND AIRBAGS. AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED

Mileage: 120,000

20160321AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 70,000

Compare 2012GMCYukon XL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 GMC Yukon XL have?
The 2012 GMC Yukon XL has 22 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 GMC Yukon XL?
Yes, the 2012 GMC Yukon XL has 4 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 2012 GMC Yukon XL?
The most-complained component for the 2012 GMC Yukon XL is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2012 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 2012 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.