Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the airbag recall. After the recall repair was performed, the airbag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer failed to repair the vehicle on the scheduled date and retained the vehicle without providing a loaner vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
the passenger-side frontal airbag inflators, The determination was made that the propellant in these inflators may degrade after long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature cycling, which could cause the inflator to rupture during a deployment.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. While driving at approximately 25 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not stop. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle did not accelerate. Another vehicle crashed into the front passenger of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered a concussion and the pregnant front passenger sustained back injuries and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Takata recall, I was making a right hand turn with the light when I was struck by another vehicle. I had the right of way, (not at faught) was the police report. There where 3 vehicles involved. Truck (1) hit car (2) and I was car 3.was hit at right fender and door post and down the whole right side of car. Cracked windshield . Front bumper cover and hood where damaged along with right fender, rt. Passenger dore, rt. Passenger door, rt quarter panel and rear bumper cover.. I also was injured in accident. Had pinched nerves below neck and had 4-5 months of therapy.
On 06/07/2019 I purchased my 2008 GMC Yukon slt in a private sale with 43K miles on it hardly driven, a well taken care of SUV no cracks in the dash now a month and 1000 miles later I am driving and notice it has a crack in the driver's side of the dash 4" long near the seam in front of the instrument cluster, and a crack in the passenger's side of the dash 2" long at the corner of the airbag. I immediately saw this as a safety issue. The Takata air bag inflators are under recall with a status of remedy not yet available according to the carfax I ran and at safercar.gov making the dash a ticking time bomb with shrapnel as a bonus to possibly injure or kill myself or my wife in the event the air bags deploy the dealership quoted a ridiculous repair price and admitted that a cracked dashes are an issue with the Yukon. A dash cover is nothing but a band aid on a broken leg. …
I've received letters from the GMC dealership that my vehicle needs a recall with a dangerous Takata airbag, but there is no part available yet. It has been over 2 years since I was first notified of this issue. I live in a hot and humid area (hawaii), which is supposedly worse for the issue with the airbag. I am concerned for the safety of my family which driving this vehicle. The vehicle is almost 11 years old, I feel the auto maker is trying to buy time until the engine goes out possibly. I plan on keeping this vehicle for another 10 years at least, replacing the engine if need be. I would like some help getting this issue resolved, and in the meantime will try to get approved for an on/off switch for the affected airbag. It also seems strange that only one side would be affected, as the explosive propellant causing the issue would no doubtedly be on both sides.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the service air bag warning indicator illuminated upon starting the vehicle. The contact called andy mohr Chevrolet (2712 e main st, plainfield, in 46168 [phone]), where it was confirmed that the recall remedy parts were not available and that the service air bag warning indicator could be related to the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V383000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was then informed about NHTSA campaign number: 16V383000 (air bags). The contact then called (henry brown Buick GMC 1550 e drivers way, gilbert, az 85297) where he was then informed that the part was not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated three years ago and the vehicle was serviced at an independent mechanic. The contact had also stated that the driver side air bag light reappeared. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN tool confirms that parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon denali. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer (reedman toll auto world, 1700 east Lincoln hwy #101, langhorne, pa 19047) where it was diagnosed that an air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the vehicle being included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V383000 (air bags) and the decision on the petition was pending. The repair for the warning sensor would cause the bumper to have to be removed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Related recalls
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 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas,…
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 23, 2021.
NHTSA investigations
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.
Airbag complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 118 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 GMC Yukon, 48% of the model year's 245 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 GMC Yukon airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-050 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-052 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 GMC Yukon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.