Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 GMC Yukon XL 1500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 175 owner complaints for the 2010 GMC Yukon XL 1500. Most complaints involve air bags (83) and structure (35). The EPA rates it 14–17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–17mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2010
Owner complaints
175
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment

Free remedy

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

EquipmentReported Sep 3, 2010NHTSA 10E043000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

175 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2010 – Oct 2025
  1. Air bags83
  2. Structure35
  3. Engine13
  4. Steering6
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)6
  6. Electrical system4
  7. Vehicle speed control4
  8. Power train3
  9. Seat belts2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Yukon XL 1500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2010175
2011393
201284
2013133
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

83 reports2 crashes
“I was in a head-on collision (T-bone) going over 40 mph. Despite the severity of the collision no airbags deployed and both front seatbelts failed. Error Codes: B0052:00 Deployment commanded; B0015:04 Driver seat belt buckle tensioner deployment loop open; B0022:04 Passenger seat belt buckle tensioner deployment loop open. I have a police report but it exceeds the 10mb limit.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2025Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11661872

Structure

35 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Yukon. The contact stated the front driver’s side dashboard was fractured. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) and took the vehicle to a local dealer to be repaired. The dealer declined to service the vehicle under recall due to the dashboard being fractured. The dealer and manufacturer informed the contact that the recall repair would be performed once the dashboard was replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2023Air bags, StructureODI 11528859

Engine

13 reports1 fire
“Valve spring snapped clear in half inside the engine while driving on the highway. This caused me to be stranded on the side of the road in the middle of the Arizona desert with my two dogs in the heat. Thankfully I did not lose control of the vehicle. No warning signs whatsoever until out of nowhere- vehicle check engine light started flashing as well as 'service stabiltrak' and 'traction control disabled'. I immediately pulled over. Thankfully I shut off the engine in time to prevent further damage to the pistons. Vehicle was towed and inspected by Holden's Auto Service in Kingman, AZ. Valve spring broke clean in half and was given to me after valve spring was replaced. Compression tests were performed after valve spring replacement. engine was run until warm and normal compression resumed. No other mechanical issues found. Checked for recalls on this vehicle. nothing found related to this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2025EngineODI 11692214
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Yukon XL 1500 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, FFV · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,550523
Yukon XL 1500 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, FFV; Active Fuel Management · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,750555
Yukon XL 1500 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, FFV · Rear-Wheel Drive
121914$4,300635
  • Yukon XL 1500 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, FFV
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Yukon XL 1500 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, FFV; Active Fuel Management
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,750/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Yukon XL 1500 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, FFV
    12 city · 19 hwy · $4,300/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 GMC Yukon XL 1500 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 5738
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Yukon XL 1500 questions

How many recalls does the 2010 GMC Yukon XL 1500 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 GMC Yukon XL 1500 problems?

Owners filed 175 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (83), structure (35), engine (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 GMC Yukon XL 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 GMC Yukon XL 1500 at 14–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026