AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2012 GMC Yukon Xl
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 GMC Yukon Xl, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1,552 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 2 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 3 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 4 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 5 |
| Dec 2017 | 2 | 7 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 8 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 9 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 10 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 11 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 12 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 13 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags529.4%
- Electrical317.6%
- Engine211.8%
- Body & structure211.8%
- Brakes15.9%
- Interior & seats15.9%
- Steering15.9%
- Transmission15.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11557861
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2023
- Mileage
- 248,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11414353
- Incident
- Apr 28, 2021
- Mileage
- 116,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11398112
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2019
- Mileage
- 75,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11170805
- Incident
- Jan 16, 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11139924
- Incident
- Oct 12, 2018
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 CAUSING INJURY AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT 5THE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD PLASTIC COULD HAVE CRACKS THAT WOULD CAUSE WIRING TO BE PINCHED, CUT OR SEVERED CAUSING HEAT, FIRE, AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES 6SUN SHINING THRU THE WINDSHIELD COULD CAUSE THE CRACKS TO WIDEN 7OUR FAVORITE 87 YEAR OLD MOM USUALLY RIDES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE IS IRREPLACEABLE AND INVALUABLE. 8THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A 'KNOWN' ISSUE TO GMC. 9WE ARE BOTH DISABLED AND ON FIXED INCOMES. WE ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THIS OURSELVES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO. SAFETY AND DEPENDABILITY IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE ALWAYS PURCHASED GMC YUKONS. THIS IS OUR 4TH GMC YUKON/SUBURBAN. WE NEVER DOUBTED THAT GMC MADE QUALITY PRODUCTS THAT WERE CONSUMER SAFE. NOW THIS DASHBOARD AIRBAG ISSUE HAS US VERY WORRIED AND CONCERNED FOR OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY AND THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL OUR FAMILY AND PASSENGERS
- NHTSA ID
- 11119259
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2017
- Mileage
- 78,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11055971
- Incident
- May 1, 2015
- Mileage
- 65,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11052503
- Incident
- Dec 4, 2017
- Mileage
- 98,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 52.6 |
| 2025 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 48.2 |
| 2024 | 62 | 2 | 3 | 59.7 |
| 2023 | 191 | 4 | 3 | 65.0 |
| 2022 | 151 | 4 | 3 | 66.3 |
| 2021 | 201 | 12 | 4 | 69.7 |
| 2020 | 45 | 2 | 0 | 61.0 |
| 2019 | 65 | 2 | 0 | 60.0 |
| 2018 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 57.9 |
| 2017 | 144 | 1 | 0 | 45.9 |
| 2016 | 199 | 3 | 1 | 56.8 |
| 2015 | 306 | 2 | 1 | 50.3 |
| 2014 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 58.8 |
| 2013 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 51.0 |
| 2012Viewing | 13 | 4 | 1 | 44.7 |
| 2011 | 47 | 3 | 1 | 53.3 |
| 2010 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 49.2 |
| 2009 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 50.3 |
| 2008 | 69 | 4 | 1 | 55.2 |
| 2007 | 96 | 4 | 2 | 62.5 |
| 2006 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 44.5 |
| 2005 | 42 | 6 | 0 | 48.0 |
| 2004 | 87 | 4 | 0 | 49.3 |
| 2003 | 102 | 4 | 2 | 54.0 |
| 2002 | 95 | 2 | 3 | 53.5 |
| 2001 | 120 | 5 | 6 | 62.4 |
| 2000 | 69 | 7 | 6 | 62.0 |
| 1999 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.