2011 GMC Yukon Xl 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 Xl, 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
- Airbags2147.7%
- Body & structure818.2%
- Powertrain (other)49.1%
- Engine36.8%
- Electrical24.5%
- Driver assistance24.5%
- Visibility24.5%
- Seat belts12.3%
- Suspension12.3%
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
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.
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Yukon Denali XL GM engine that was put in on 07/2022 has already failed. It failed as I was driving down highway at 65 mile per hour. It failed on 04/12/2025. I paid almost $7,000 to have my engine replace due to the original engine failing in early 2022. Now the engine that I paid thousands of dollars for has already failed and has no compression in cylinder 4. I have researched this and can see GM is currently in litigation over car owners reporting engine failure due to either liftors or cams. My car should be considered in this class action lawsuit against GM. It's wrong for a company to take so much money from owners and use an engine that GM knew had issues and was faulty to place it into my vehicle only to have it fail and now make my vehicle undriveable and I am told it's another $8,000 to repair it. GM should address this issue with my vehicle and replace this engine that I had put in in 07/2022. GM was aware of this engine problem with my model car Yukon. GM knew this particular engine that they used in my vehicle on 07/22 (A GM engine) had the issue that GM is being sued for and sure enough the engine has now failed in my Yukon. Please hold GM accountable for this and include my car in this lawsuit.
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
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
My Yukon Denali XL GM engine that was put in on 07/2022 has already failed. It failed as I was driving down highway at 65 mile per hour. It failed on 04/12/2025. I paid almost $7,000 to have my engine replace due to the original engine failing in early 2022. Now the engine that I paid thousands of dollars for has already failed and has no compression in cylinder 4. I have researched this and can see GM is currently in litigation over car owners reporting engine failure due to either liftors or cams. My car should be considered in this class action lawsuit against GM. It's wrong for a company to take so much money from owners and use an engine that GM knew had issues and was faulty to place it into my vehicle only to have it fail and now make my vehicle undriveable and I am told it's another $8,000 to repair it. GM should address this issue with my vehicle and replace this engine that I had put in in 07/2022. GM was aware of this engine problem with my model car Yukon. GM knew this particular engine that they used in my vehicle on 07/22 (A GM engine) had the issue that GM is being sued for and sure enough the engine has now failed in my Yukon. Please hold GM accountable for this and include my car in this lawsuit.
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
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
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.
THE DASHBOARD HAS LARGE CRACKS OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND IN THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE DASH FLOPS UP AND DOWN WHEN DRIVING. CONCERN IS CRACK COULD PREVENT PASSENGER AIR BAG FROM DEPLORING DURING A ACCIDENT OR RIPPING THE AIR BAG AT DEPLOYMENT. ALSO LIQUID COULD ACCIDENTALLY GO THRU CRACK OVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORT OR FIRE. THE CRACK CONTINUES TO GET LARGER AND LARGER.
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 DRIVING WITH MY VEHICLE IN AUTO 4WD, BECAUSE WE HAD ICY ROADS. MY VEHICLES REAR DRIVE SLIPPED ON SOME ICE AND THEN I GOT A MESSAGE INDICATING MY STABILIZER SYSTEM WAS NEEDING WORK, THEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (INSTRUMENTATION DASH) STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE AND THEN TRIED TO RESTART IT AND IT WOULD NOT START. I TRIED A 2ND TIME AND IT STARTED, PUT IT IN GEAR AND STARTED BACK OUT ON THE ROAD. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO GO CRAZY ALL OF THE SUDDEN, ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED TO FLASH, MY POWER DOORS STARTED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ITS RPM'S, AND DOWN/UP SHIFTING MY GEARS, MY DASH BOARD INSTRUMENTS STARTED FLASHING, HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING FAN WAS SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN, THEN TURNING ON AND OFF. I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE WAS POSSESSED BY A DEMON REALLY PUTTING A SCARE IN ME. I WAS SCARED THAT IT WAS GOING TO ACCELERATE AND I WAS NOT IN CONTROL AT ALL, SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. IT WOULD NOT RESTART ONCE AGAIN, ON MY 3RD ATTEMPT IT STARTED. I PUT IT IN GEAR AND IT WENT GOOD. I THINK THE INSTRUMENTATION FLASHED MAYBE ONE OR TWO TIMES, BUT OVERALL IT WAS DRIVING, THANK GOD, BECAUSE IS WAS COLD OUT AND I WAS IN A RURAL AREA. FOUR DAYS LATER I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO WORK, WENT OUT TO TAKE IT TO LUNCH AND IT WOULD NOT START, NOTHING WOULD WORK, COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO SHOTTENKIRK CHEVROLET IN QUINCY, IL, WHICH IS WHERE IT IS AWAITING THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT. 1/16/2020. I CANNOT TELL YOU ENOUGH, THE WHOLE ORDEAL SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 YUKON XL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATE BECAME STUCK AND THE SPEED INCREASED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT THEN USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP SO THE CONTACT JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. IN A HALF MILE, THE VEHICLE CRASHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER CONNECTOR FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRE WAS DANGLING DUE TO THE SEPARATION FROM THE WELD POINT. KEYSER CADILLAC (LOCATED AT 4130 SHERIDAN DR, WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221, (716) 568-7045) WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED IN THE REFLECTION OF MY WINDSHIELD A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I SAW THAT THERE WAS A CRACK THAT RAN FROM THE VENT ON THE DASHBOARD UP TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD, GOOD CONDITION, WITH 31000 MILES ON IT. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THIS CRACK AS OTHERS UNLESS FIXED WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD AND BECOME A LARGER SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. *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
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.
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
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.
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 .