Most common 2012 GMC Yukon problems
Share of the 91 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Yukon complaints by model year
Best Yukon years: 2014, 2020, 2019. Years to avoid: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022, 2024. Compare all years →
2012 GMC Yukon recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,…
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 2012 GMC Yukon:
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 2012 GMC Yukon owners say
Air bags all 25 →
The problem started a couple of years ago as a small crack in the dashboard at the upper left corner of the airbag. The crack widened and lengthened after replacement of the air bag last year. Then the dash cracked earlier this year at the crown above the instrument cluster. It has completely separated and is nearly 12" in length. Not only does it rattle to the point of driver distraction, but I would think there is a high risk of shattering during a collision potentially causing facial lacerations, blindness and the like. I really don't want to wait to find out. According to [redacted] , this is a well known issue with GM trucks, Suburbans and Yukons from 2007 to 2014 and GM has failed to make good on the problem.
The contact's son owned a 2012 GMC Yukon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V051000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as her son no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Body & structure all 22 →
The problem started a couple of years ago as a small crack in the dashboard at the upper left corner of the airbag. The crack widened and lengthened after replacement of the air bag last year. Then the dash cracked earlier this year at the crown above the instrument cluster. It has completely separated and is nearly 12" in length. Not only does it rattle to the point of driver distraction, but I would think there is a high risk of shattering during a collision potentially causing facial lacerations, blindness and the like. I really don't want to wait to find out. According to [redacted] , this is a well known issue with GM trucks, Suburbans and Yukons from 2007 to 2014 and GM has failed to make good on the problem.
The dashboard is cracked in several places because the brackets under the dash are broken due to vibration during every day driving. As I searched for a repair kit from GMC, I found there are thousands of GMC owners who have this same issue in their truck/SUV. The suggestion the GMC website offers is for the owner to disassemble the dash, fix the crack with a hot staple gun and epoxy, then reattach the dash. I am shocked this is their suggestion which would involve unplugging 3 or 4 major functions of the vehicle. I would assume this should be done by a certified GMC repair center. Considering the enormous price of these types of vehicles, I am again amazed GMC has not issued a recall to replace these faulty parts found in thousands of their trucks/SUV's.
Electrical system
While working on an airbag warning light I encountered 2 distinct problems with my airbag and vehicle system. 1. The main underhood fuse panel on my vehicle has portion of oxidation on the fuses themselves. This oxidation is causing fuses to appear intact but are causing the circuit to open. This was the root cause of my airbag system to not be operating properly. 2. While diagnosing the airbag system, I was cautious about unpluggin the battery during any troubleshooting that I was performing. But, at the end of the diagnosis period and all modules/system were reconnected to electrical mating connectors I reconnected the battery and started the vehicle to cool the interior. The central airbag module which is located in center console was already electrically connected but not mounted. …
When driving it sometimes begins to hesitate reduce power the traction and stability and engine light comes on. When this happens the RPM gauge as well stops working. If I pull over on side of road and turn off and restart most times the ignition will hang and keep trying crank the vehicle. It's hesitant to crank when this happens and sometimes cranks and then immediately dies. It will shift hard just before powering into a reduced power mode. If you turn off restart turn your wheel all the way left and then all the way right and crank it will sometimes make the lights go off and you think reset but as soon as you start driving it happens again. I understand this is a problem a lot and I mean a lot are having so not sure why this isn't being investigated and recalled. …
2012 GMC Yukon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | RWD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
| 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 / 15 |
| 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 2012 GMC Yukon a good car?
Based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Yukon rates better than average: 41% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Yukon 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 2012 GMC Yukon?
The air bags — 25 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (22) and electrical system (7).
How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Yukon have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2012 GMC Yukon, 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2020 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022 and 2024. See the full GMC Yukon years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 GMC Yukon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 27% 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.