Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 GMC Yukon Denali XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall: I am wanting to know when the recall will have a remedy? I had an accident in dec 2016 and the air bags didn't deploy. I had a pretty severe wreck running into 3 vehicles with substantial front end damage including broken tire rod. Below is just a picture of the damage. Body shop was in disbelief that the airbags didn't deploy??
Our Yukon has a crack on the corner of the passenger side airbag, and also a very large crack on the instrument panel hump of the dash. This crack continues to lengthen daily. We have real fears of the plastic breaking apart into sharp shards in the case of an accident. I worry about my teenagers riding in the front seat as I don't want them injured. Additionally we have concerns about the crack near the airbag breaking the dash into pieces if the airbag inflates. We received the Takata airbag recall over a year ago, and are still waiting for replacement. We are members of a facebook group with 6,200+ members, all with cracks in GM vehicles in the exact location. GM denies that this is a defective part and tries to blame the issue on car being in the hot sun, use of armor all, etc... But it seems to me if everyone has the exact same issue, it's a manufacturing defect. …
Takata recall GM recall 49151 to replace the passenger side air bag inflator. This has yet to be resolved, no further notice has been made of any actions, and research of the matter indicates that 'incomplete remedy not yet available'. After all this time, and that notice was made July 2016, the condition had been investigated by the NHTSA and found no solution. That is unacceptable! My wife, my kids, my friends travel in that seat. What happens to them if this unit ignites with or without a collision type situation, and they get severely burnt, or maimed by this device which is apparently degrading each year they delay. What alternatives do I have now, just wait for it to explode? I really think this has gone far to long already, and needs immediate action before someone gets hurt or killed. Thank you.
Takata recall my vehicle has been identified as having a defective passenger air bag as indicated in the letters I have received. This is dated July 2016. I contacted my local GMC dealer, where I purchased the vehicle, about getting a replacement. (November 13, 2017) the service department told me that it was safe. Those were her exact words. She also stated that GMC was conducting their own safety testing to ensure that they agree with Takata in that the airbag is unsafe. She said that my vehicle was safe to drive and that they would contact us when the testing was done. I told her to send me that response in an email. Naturally, she said that she could not because they had not reached a resolution yet. My local GMC dealer is courtesy GMC in lafayette, la. [phone]
Truck started sputtering while driving. I had it towed home and then towed to the dealer and they stated the lifters in the engine were broke and there was damage to the can shaft. Told me this is normal and happens to vehicles like mine regularly. I have only owned the truck three years and have maintained it well with low mileage.they told me it would be $6700 to fix. When I complained, the rep told me $5500. I asked for a supervisor who then stated that GMC would offset the cost and it was now $3311. It would seem that if this is a regular occurrence in vehicles like mine, GMC would do something to ensure it doesn't happen. In addition there is still no remedy available for the tamara inflator.
My dashboard is severely cracked around the passenger side airbag and cluster, which a May cause malfunctioning of the air-bag. I have done numerous searches on the internet and I am seeing this same complaint over and over. I am very curious with it happening so much why this has not been recalled and GMC taken care of this problem. I am extremely worried about safety and the high cost of repairing this myself, but I know it needs to be taken care of. I've owned GMC vehicles forever and have been very happy, up until this point. I think the company needs to address this problem, and quickly.
Takata recall we received a recall letter and scheduled an appointment with beck and masten for today to have this addressed. I was contacted this morning and told that no parts are available and my appointment was cancelled. We contacted GM and spoke with mary, then shane and finally brenda and we were told that until there was an "event" (which I interpreted as a death) that there was nothing that GMC would do to remedy the issue. Brenda refused to escalate any further in GM after being asked 7 times for her boss's information.
The dashboard has cracked in two separate place. I am extremely concerned that should the passenger air bag deploy that the section of dash now unattached will be send flying into the passenger compartment causing a fatal wound. This is now the 2nd vehicle I have purchased where this has occurred. There is an obvious safety defect in the dashboard of the full size GM truck/SUV platform and a recall should be issued. The vehicle was stationary overnight when this cracking occurred both times.
Takata recall: the dashboard on our vehicle is cracked at the air bag on the passenger side and at the steering wheel on the driver side. There is also a Takata recall which GMC does not have a remedy. These 2 items have potential to be disastrous when combined together. The inflator exploding and the dash board breaking into pieces and sent throughout the cabin. We are asking for GMC to replace the inflator and replace the dashboard.
We bought our used GMC Yukon Denali XL in November 2015. In May we noticed the upper left dashboard of the passenger side upper left corner next to airbag has a few cracks in it. My husband started our car to drive it today and the piece that cracked completely fell into the dashboard leaving a 1" hole. I am concerned that it will effect the airbag and what other effects it May have on the dashboard itself in a safety related way.
Airbag complaints in other Yukon Denali XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 GMC Yukon Denali XL?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 GMC Yukon Denali XL, 39% of the model year's 69 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 GMC Yukon Denali XL airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2011 GMC Yukon Denali XL. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 GMC Yukon Denali XL airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.