Most common 2011 GMC Yukon XL problems
Share of the 47 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Yukon XL complaints by model year
Best Yukon XL years: 2014, 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2015, 2024. Compare all years →
2011 GMC Yukon XL recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021.
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 GMC Yukon XL:
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.
What 2011 GMC Yukon XL owners say
Air bags all 21 →
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while starting vehicle, the air bag warning indicator light illuminated. The contact detected an abnormal burning odor in vehicle. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags). The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called yates Buick GMC 13845 w test dr, Goodyear, az 85338 [phone] who stated the remedy parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon XL. The contact noticed that the dashboard was cracked in front of the steering column. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000. Updated 08/30/16 the consumer stated there was a triangular crack going through the dash. The consumer was informed it was a design flaw, or stress point and it would cost @ 1200 to fix. Updated 10/26/16.
Transmission & drivetrain
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. …
Transmission defective @60,000 mile mark with initial sensation of getting bumped from behind when coming to a stop that the dealership routinely stated, "oh that's the way they allure". Dashboard disintegrating before my eyes with multiple plastic shards that will become deadly projectiles if ever in accident and who knows how bad it will get if air bags deploy.
2011 GMC Yukon XL engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 13 / 18 / 14 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 10 / 16 / 12 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 10 / 16 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 GMC Yukon XL a good car?
Based on 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Yukon XL rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Yukon XL at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 GMC Yukon XL?
The air bags — 21 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (8) and transmission & drivetrain (4).
How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Yukon XL have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2011 GMC Yukon XL, the most recent from February 5, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Yukon XL?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2012 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2015 and 2024. See the full GMC Yukon XL years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 GMC Yukon XL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 20% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.