2011 GMC Yukon Denali Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Yukon Denali, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags2646.4%
- Body & structure1526.8%
- Brakes35.4%
- Suspension23.6%
- Other / unspecified23.6%
- Electrical23.6%
- Interior & seats23.6%
- Transmission11.8%
- Driver assistance11.8%
- Engine11.8%
- Seat belts11.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRACK IN DASHBOARD ON TOP OF AIRBAG
TAMARA RECALL. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SINCE 2016 AND STILL NOT RESOLVE. I AM ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND PCSING OVERSEAS. I HAVE TO SHIP MY VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT SHIP IT WITH AN UNRESOLVED RECALL. I AM NOT SURE WHAT ELSE TO DO...I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND GMC AND THEY OFFER NO RESOLUTION FOR MY ISSUES.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNTRUP BUICK GMC (4200 I-70 NORTH OUTER RD, ST. PETERS, MO 63376, (866) 504-7492) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,314.
DASHBOARD CRACKING THROUGH OUT THE TOP OF THE WHOLE DASHBOARD INCLUDING SURROUNDING THE AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENS IN MULTIPLE TRUCKS AT THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS SHOWN PROOF
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,431.
CAME OUT OF CARWASH AND REAR SUSPENSION LOCKED UP AND BACK OF MY VEHICLE RAISED APPROXIMATELY 8/12 INCHES LIGHT CAME ON SAID SERVICE SUSPENSION AND TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAULED ANYTHING A BURNT SMELL CAME FROM BACK END. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER EVEN HIT A POTHOLE. ONLY BEEN DRIVEN LOCALLY. I'M A LITTLE FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAD IMMEDIATELY TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. AND THEY TREATED IT LIKE IT WAS NOT A BIG DEAL. WHEN BACK IN FELT LIKE IT WAS GRABBING EVERY TIME THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THEY SURE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM GIVING ME A $800.00 HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL ON A $63,000 THOUSAND DOLLAR BASICALLY BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I GOT ONLINE AND SAW MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. AND THAT SHOULDN'T BE FOR A VEHICLE THAT COULD BUY A SMALL HOUSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAME OUT OF CARWASH AND REAR SUSPENSION LOCKED UP AND BACK OF MY VEHICLE RAISED APPROXIMATELY 8/12 INCHES LIGHT CAME ON SAID SERVICE SUSPENSION AND TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAULED ANYTHING A BURNT SMELL CAME FROM BACK END. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER EVEN HIT A POTHOLE. ONLY BEEN DRIVEN LOCALLY. I'M A LITTLE FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAD IMMEDIATELY TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. AND THEY TREATED IT LIKE IT WAS NOT A BIG DEAL. WHEN BACK IN FELT LIKE IT WAS GRABBING EVERY TIME THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THEY SURE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM GIVING ME A $800.00 HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL ON A $63,000 THOUSAND DOLLAR BASICALLY BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I GOT ONLINE AND SAW MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. AND THAT SHOULDN'T BE FOR A VEHICLE THAT COULD BUY A SMALL HOUSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING SEIZED AND AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL BEARING, CALIPERS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,431.
CAME OUT OF CARWASH AND REAR SUSPENSION LOCKED UP AND BACK OF MY VEHICLE RAISED APPROXIMATELY 8/12 INCHES LIGHT CAME ON SAID SERVICE SUSPENSION AND TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAULED ANYTHING A BURNT SMELL CAME FROM BACK END. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER EVEN HIT A POTHOLE. ONLY BEEN DRIVEN LOCALLY. I'M A LITTLE FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAD IMMEDIATELY TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. AND THEY TREATED IT LIKE IT WAS NOT A BIG DEAL. WHEN BACK IN FELT LIKE IT WAS GRABBING EVERY TIME THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THEY SURE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM GIVING ME A $800.00 HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL ON A $63,000 THOUSAND DOLLAR BASICALLY BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I GOT ONLINE AND SAW MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. AND THAT SHOULDN'T BE FOR A VEHICLE THAT COULD BUY A SMALL HOUSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR SEAT WARMER IN THE BACK OF THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE OUR SEVEN YEAR OLD WAS ASLEEP IN THE CAR. HE WAS IN HIS BOOSTER SEAT. THE SEAT WARMER WAS NOT ON. (THIS WAS IN AUGUST 2018.) WE SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND THERE WAS A SMOLDERING FLAME UNDER HIS LEGS. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, NOT IN MOTION. IT WAS IDLING IN A PARKING LOT.
2011 GMC DENALI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE ENGINE AND BATTERY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO ROUGHLY 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A FAILED BATTERY. HOWEVER, THE BATTERY HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED ONE YEAR EARLIER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING. MY CHILD WAS SLEEPING AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER HIS BOOSTER SEAT AND HIS LEGS. I CONTACTED GMC AND THEY SAID THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND WE SHOULD CONTACT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY, THOUGH, WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP (FOR THE INSPECTION), THEY SAW WHERE TWO WIRES WERE ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER AND THE SEAT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY STORIES OUT THERE, I AM JUST NOT SURE IF PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THEM---OR IF THEY REALIZE THAT GMC MAKES SIMILAR CARS SO CADILLAC, SIERRAS, AND OTHER CARS COME FROM THE SAME MOLD.
UPPER DASH HAS SPLIT. MAKING THIS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. ALSO, THE HEATED SEATS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DO NOT WORK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55-60 MPH AND TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY. HE DID NOT HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HE FELT THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. FURTHERMORE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED "HARD" AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD RETURN HIS CALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 325.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING THROUGH BOSTON IN THE FAST LANE, GOING ABOUT 70MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT AND MY VEHICLE TOTALLY LOST POWER TO THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE SLOW LANE BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO GO FASTER THAN 35MPH AND THERE WAS HARDLY POWER TO MY GAS PEDAL. LUCKILY, I MADE IT TO AN OFF RAMP, AS I STARTED TO COME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SHAKING THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH. I BARELY MADE IT INTO A EMPTY PARKING LOT AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC, WHO GOT A THROTTLE SENSOR CODE FROM THE ENGINE. HE TOLD ME ABOUT A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT #12273B FROM GMC, REGARDING THIS EXACT ISSUE AND TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO GMC. GMC TOLD ME, MY VEHICLE ISN'T LISTED FOR THIS ADJUSTMENT, EVEN THOUGH, IT SAYS IT SHOULD COVER 2008-20111 GMC YUKONS. APPARENTLY, GMC SAID MY VIN ISN'T LISTED AS HAVING THE FAULTY PART. I ALMOST DIED THIS MORNING IN THE FAST LANE IN BOSTON WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM GMC DESCRIBES IN THE 12273B. GMC SAID I'M NOT COVERED AND HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. ABSURD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING THROUGH BOSTON IN THE FAST LANE, GOING ABOUT 70MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT AND MY VEHICLE TOTALLY LOST POWER TO THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE SLOW LANE BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO GO FASTER THAN 35MPH AND THERE WAS HARDLY POWER TO MY GAS PEDAL. LUCKILY, I MADE IT TO AN OFF RAMP, AS I STARTED TO COME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SHAKING THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH. I BARELY MADE IT INTO A EMPTY PARKING LOT AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC, WHO GOT A THROTTLE SENSOR CODE FROM THE ENGINE. HE TOLD ME ABOUT A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT #12273B FROM GMC, REGARDING THIS EXACT ISSUE AND TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO GMC. GMC TOLD ME, MY VEHICLE ISN'T LISTED FOR THIS ADJUSTMENT, EVEN THOUGH, IT SAYS IT SHOULD COVER 2008-20111 GMC YUKONS. APPARENTLY, GMC SAID MY VIN ISN'T LISTED AS HAVING THE FAULTY PART. I ALMOST DIED THIS MORNING IN THE FAST LANE IN BOSTON WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM GMC DESCRIBES IN THE 12273B. GMC SAID I'M NOT COVERED AND HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. ABSURD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A RADIAN 80SLMODEL # US18500 ABOUT 6 MONTHS OR SO AGO AND I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH IT COMING LOSE WITH THE LATCH SYSTEM AND SEATBELT. I DISCONTINUED USING IT AND HAD TO BUY A REPLACEMENT SEAT FOR MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I NEVER COULD GET THE SEATBELT TO TIGHTEN ENOUGH TO NOT MOVE A GREAT AMOUNT. THE LATCH SYSTEM WAS THE SAME. I DRIVE A YUKON 2011. SEAT WAS INSTALLED IN CENTER AND THIRD ROW. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2011, MAKE=YUKON XL, MODEL=GMC). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .