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 2012 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The dashboard is cracked on driver side with plastic pieces falling down into dash, dashboard is also cracked on passenger side on the corner of the airbag. This is a known issue and I want it fixed. I feel that the airbags ability to deploy on passenger side is compromised if an accident occurs. I bought this vehicle with thoughts of being safe for me, my wife and two small children. GM has said they are not going to fix it, this is my last plea for help. Replacing is expensive but feel like it's defect in vehicle design(evident by how many complaints I found). If there is a accident in this vehicle and airbag fails I will hold GM accountable for any harm caused to my family.
Two weeks ago, a crack in the dashboard near the passenger air bag suddenly appeared. In doing some research, I have found that many other people have had a similar experience. This problem seems to have affected the following models: GMC Yukon, Cadillac escalade, GMC sierra, Chevrolet silverado, Chevrolet tahoe, Chevrolet suburban, and Chevrolet avalanche. My concern is with the fact that this crack is very close to the passenger airbag and is a safety concern. I am also concerned that the airbags May not work properly when needed because of this defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Yukon denali. While attempting to open the front driver's door, the handle fractured. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (jim murphy, 3000 walden ave, depew, ny 17043, [phone]) and the handle was replaced. The contact stated that the failure occurred on eight separate occasions, and all four door handles failed and were replaced at some point since 2013. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.
I have a 2012 GMC Yukon denali. I've had several occasions where I'm driving and the truck turns off/or experiences a "short" for a few seconds. I have checked all electrical cables and have exchanged batteries twice (as they "drained"). A few months back my dashboard started cracking as well, first it was a small crack near the passenger side airbag. Later another crack by the steering wheel, which had now formed a large "v".
The plastic dashboard structure of the front dash (ABS plastic) is cracking and separating spontaneously. Large crack developed in from of the driver and is expanding with multiple offshoots causing the dash structure to split in two and is in danger of fragmenting. Crack occurred while vehicle was stationary and is growing each day.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured on the passenger side over the air bag, and along the driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Dashboard cracked for no reason and another crack appeared randomly within 6 months all while vehicle was stationary. Dashboard is cracking at will for no reason at all. Makes a terrible rattling sound when its hot outside; but no noise when it is cold outside.
There are two cracks in the dashboard. One small hairline by the speaker and one big one by the airbag. I am concerned that if I have an accident and my kids are in the car, the airbag will not deploy. Car was stationary when it happened.
Body complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2012 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the body & structure of the 2012 GMC Yukon, 24% of the model year's 91 complaints. The component named most often is body (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 GMC Yukon body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2012 GMC Yukon, though it has 3 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 2012 GMC Yukon body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 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.