Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 GMC Yukon XL 2500 problems
Owners filed 73 complaints about the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 2500 with NHTSA between May 2013 and Aug 2024. The most-cited component is air bags (22).
Complaints
73
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags22
- Structure17
- Electrical system8
- Engine3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Power train2
- Service brakes2
- Seat belts2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Visibility/wiper1
- Visibility1
- Steering1
- Seats1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
3
1
9
12
8
8
14
9
1
5
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
22 reports
“The problem started a couple of years ago as a small crack in the dashboard at the upper left corner of the airbag. The crack widened and lengthened after replacement of the air bag last year. Then the dash cracked earlier this year at the crown above the instrument cluster. It has completely separated and is nearly 12” in length. Not only does it rattle to the point of driver distraction, but I would think there is a high risk of shattering during a collision potentially causing facial lacerations, blindness and the like. I really don’t want to wait to find out. According to [XXX] , this is a well known issue with GM trucks, Suburbans and Yukons from 2007 to 2014 and GM has failed to make good on the problem.”
Structure
17 reports
“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.”
Electrical system
8 reports
“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.”
Engine
3 reports
“LIFTER FAILURE. HOPING NO CAMSHAFT DAMAGE. 3 WEEKS WAITING ON PARTS THAT APPARENTLY CAN'T BE FOUND. WAS DRIVING APPROX 35 MPH WHEN HORRIBLE TICKING NOISE OCCURRED. QUICKLY ASSESSED NOTHING IN WHEEL WELL. NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. LIMPED CAR DIRECTLY TO MECHANIC AS FEARED MORE DAMAGE OR COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE IF DRIVEN MORE MILES. SINCE BECOME AWARE OF ISSUES WITH THIS ENGINE AND THAT CHANGES WERE MADE IN 2014. LESS THAN 90K MILES ON THE CAR.”
Vehicle speed control
3 reports
“WHEN DRIVING IT SOMETIMES BEGINS TO HESITATE REDUCE POWER THE TRACTION AND STABILITY AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE RPM GAUGE AS WELL STOPS WORKING. IF I PULL OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD AND TURN OFF AND RESTART MOST TIMES THE IGNITION WILL HANG AND KEEP TRYING CRANK THE VEHICLE. IT'S HESITANT TO CRANK WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND SOMETIMES CRANKS AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DIES. IT WILL SHIFT HARD JUST BEFORE POWERING INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. IF YOU TURN OFF RESTART TURN YOUR WHEEL ALL THE WAY LEFT AND THEN ALL THE WAY RIGHT AND CRANK IT WILL SOMETIMES MAKE THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND YOU THINK RESET BUT AS SOON AS YOU START DRIVING IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM A LOT AND I MEAN A LOT ARE HAVING SO NOT SURE WHY THIS ISN'T BEING INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED. MOST SAY NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED OR REPLACE THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST SO THERE IS A ROOT THAT'S CREATING THE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FOUND AND ADDRESSED BY GENERAL MOTORS! FORGOT TO MENTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL AS WELL GETS REALLY HARD! THIS A PROBLEM THAT'S BEEN CONTINUOUS OFF AND ON SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE.”
Power train
2 reports
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.