Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
At 80,000 miles I discovered that my dash is cracked on the passenger side. I have also discovered that this is a very well known and common problem with GM vehicles and that it is potentially dangerous to passengers if the crack (that is sharp plastic) is to cut or rupture the airbag in the case of an accident. My vehicle has always been garage kept and never kept outside. This is a huge GM problem and there are thousands that need this fixed. There are even facebook groups with thousands upon thousands of people that have had the same problem across multiple vehicles. This crack literally happened out of no where.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 GMC Yukon. The contact stated the dashboard was cracked near the passenger side air bag, by the front windshield, and over the steering column. The contact stated the cracks were extremely severe and getting worst. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 GMC Yukon denali. While driving at an unknown speed, a rattling noise emitted from the center of the instrument panel. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered a crack from the instrument panel leading down to the passenger side air bag. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 GMC Yukon denali. The contact stated that the dashboard exhibited fractures at the driver and passenger side air bag areas. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
Dashboard above instrument cluster cracked without incident. Just noticed one day there was a large crack and not aware of how it could have happened since it was not in any accidents. Concerned that the sharp pieces could injure passengers in an accident. Also concerned the air bags could be affected.
I came out to a cracked dashboard this morning. The crack is right around the airbag and I'm concerned the cracked dash can either punture the airbag if deployed or send plastic peices flying at a high rate of speed
2009 Yukon denali... On 2 separate occasions while attempting to open vehicle using external door handles, the front passenger side door handle & rear driver's side door handle came off. These are the chrome plated models. I was told by multiple sales personnel, service techs, & service managers that this is a common problem (apparently there is some sort of issue with the chrome plated models). I also have friends with similar models- Yukon & tahoe that have experienced the same issue. Some have replaced all 4 door handles. I fear that I will be replacing the remaining door handles in the near future. I have an extended warranty but was told that it is not covered. Of course they consider this a cosmetic issue & not a safety issue so I truly doubt that there will be a recall. …
The dash where the passenger airbag and above the instrument panel cracked. When I was searching to find a repair shop near me, I came across several blogs (http://repairpal.com/the-upper-dash-May-crack-554 and http://www.carcomplaints.com/GMC/Yukon/2009/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard.shtml) many people complaining of the exact cracks. When I called GMC they explained any recall has to be processed through this association, which I certainly wasn't aware of, and I do not think the other people were either because it's an approximately $1,600 repair at the dealership, and people have paid it. I really think this is an issue that should be rectified through GMC, so if this one complaint is not enough, please give me an opportunity to find others with the same issue to file a complaint as well. Thank you!
Upper dash board cracking severely above the instrument panel as well as the plastic "clips" that hold the dash board in place broken loose. This will be the second time I've had to replace the dashboard (1st time under warranty - broken plastic clips). The crack just suddenly appeared after I heard some rattling in and around the center of the dash board. Didn't notice until there was a 6" crack. Could possibly hinder steering column if plastic pieces from the crack fall into the area. Plastic shards could pose dangerous if accident were to occur. Numerous complaints and concerns online about this issue. Others report cracks by passenger airbag.
February 2014 I had noticed 3 cracks on my dash board, 2 of them being right by the passenger airbag. I have contacted GM to fix the issue before anything bad happens with the air bags. They want me to pay $900 to have this fixed but it is a safety issue. I am in constant worry if my air bags will deploy at any point in time due to the cracks. Or if I happen to get into an accident will my air bags not deploy or will there be a defect in the air bags due to plastic cutting the air bag open on deploy. GM is very aware of this problem as I know 500 cases already with this same issue as they all have the same concern.
Body complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2009 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the body & structure of the 2009 GMC Yukon, 21% of the model year's 140 complaints. The component named most often is body (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 GMC Yukon body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2009 GMC Yukon, though it has 5 recalls for other components. 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 2009 GMC Yukon body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to body & structure 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.