Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified of the recall; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
As per Tread Act that confirms reimbursement for recalled items, I replaced the Takata airbag on 09/18/2019 after a recall issue by NHTSA, but prior to GMC manufacture initiating the repair. General Motors refused to reimburse the cost of the replacement of the airbag. Under Tread Act the manufacturer is required to reimburse any repair prior to actual recall.
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while attempting to stop at a stop sign, the vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a head injury and had to seek medical attention. The vehicle was drivable and the contact was able to drive the vehicle back to his home address. The vehicle was repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Takata recall - my airbags haven't been replaced. I purchased the vehicle as a certified preowned vehicle 6/2014 and purchased an extended warranty. Shortly after, I noticed my dash was cracked. I took vehicle in and was told about the Takata airbags. Was also told the size of the airbag causes dashes to crack. They replaced it 8/14. Approx 6 months later it cracked again, this time its much worse. They won't repair it for free or under warranty. They only offer a 1 time courtesy repair. They also said it will continue to crack because of the airbag. So now what? I'm supposed to drive this way. The entire dash rattles while driving. If I drive over speed bumps you can see it bounce. If the dash is cracked and the airbags are defective, how do I protected for possible injury? Am, I supposed to keep shelling out $250 for dash replacements that will continue to crack? Please help! …
Cracked dash by the passage side airbag and it's a safety hazard. It poses a threat of flying debris in the event that the airbag is deployed. My vehicle has always been kept in a garage and haven't been in the direct sunlight anymore the 5-6 hours a day no more than 4 days a week. I noticed the crack around November 2015 and I spoke with a GMC service rep and they told me that I have to replace the dash because it's a common issue in the SUV's. He informed me that I will have to pay $1200 to get it replaced and that he could not investigate my complaint about an electric spark sound in my dash under the speaker because if he did that I might as well replace the dash because the labor charge would be the same. …
My Yukon's dash is cracked in several places, some extending 14 inches interfering with the passenger airbag. This is a safety concern for myself and my family. The second large crack is located above and behind the steering wheel on the dashboard as well. Nothing was dropped or anyway I or my family cracked it. After researching, this is a common issue with my make model and year. I believe GM should own this defect and protect its loyal drivers and consumers, rather than wait and see if an airbag doesn't deploy properly, god forbid, risking the lives of innocents. I served my country in iraq because I chose to, GM can choose to defend its consumers as well. Even a discount on repair or replacement would be appreciated as I know people just expect everything to be given to them. Thank you for your consideration
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon. While driving and coming to a stop, the engine revved as if the vehicle accelerated. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called southtowne Chevrolet Buick GMC (located at 695 bullsboro dr, newnan, ga 30265, [phone]) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
As you're already aware of from several previous complaints, the dash board in our vehicle is cracked over the instrument panel, and is also cracked in the middle of the dash. It is spreading over the entire dash and compromised the airbag system, which is truly a hazard. I'm afraid to drive it. And, this is not a result of heat cracking the dashboard b/c we keep our car in the garage and hardly drive it during the week! This is definitely a defect with GMC and I don't know why they won't recall it!! Even Toyota has the same issue, except they offered a recall and allowed owners the opportunity to get the issue fixed. This is truly a safety hazard and I'm so disappointed in GMC. Cheap and won't fix their manufacture mistake!!!
My GMC denali 2011 dashboard suddenly cracked in two places -they are clearly stress cracks with no support underneath. One crack is on the corner of the passenger air bag, other above steering wheel. Should the pass airbag deploy, I'm not sure if it would work properly. There are hundreds of identical situations with these models in particular. GMC offers no compensation because there are 100s of complaints out there regarding this issue, maybe more. Websites are organized for GMC cracked dashboards! This vehicle has no accident history. It cracked randomly. The dash needs to be replaced because the cracks are growing with the vibration of the car while in motion. Thank you
Related recalls
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.
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.
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 2011 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 105 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 GMC Yukon, 41% of the model year's 254 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 GMC Yukon airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-054 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-050 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 GMC Yukon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.