2012 GMC Yukon

▲ Better than typical
2012 GMC Yukon
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:21:17.781Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Yukon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 1986: 1 complaints 1986 1987: 1 complaints 1992: 19 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 58 complaints 1995: 90 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 133 complaints 1998: 80 complaints 1999: 204 complaints 2000: 166 complaints 2000 2001: 197 complaints 2002: 158 complaints 2003: 204 complaints 2004: 158 complaints 2005: 85 complaints 2005 2006: 27 complaints 2007: 428 complaints 2008: 185 complaints 2009: 94 complaints 2010: 105 complaints 2010 2011: 158 complaints 2012: 62 complaints 2012 2013: 116 complaints 2014: 56 complaints 2015: 528 complaints 2015 2016: 264 complaints 2017: 194 complaints 2018: 69 complaints 2019: 51 complaints 2020: 33 complaints 2020 2021: 290 complaints 2022: 162 complaints 2023: 207 complaints 2024: 86 complaints 2025: 46 complaints 2025 2026: 19 complaints 2026
2012: 62 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
19871
199219
199317
199458
199590
199670
1997133
199880
1999204
2000166
2001197
2002158
2003204
2004158
200585
200627
2007428
2008185
200994
2010105
2011158
201262
2013116
201456
2015528
2016264
2017194
201869
201951
202033
2021290
2022162
2023207
202486
202546
202619

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 27%

27% of complaints: air bags — 17 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231211

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231109

LARGE CRACK IN DASH AT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER APPEARED IN SEPT 2013. ANOTHER LARGE CRACK APPEARED OVER STEERING WHEEL COLUMN IN AUGUST 2014.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141107

STRUCTURE 15%

15% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231211

STARTING IN AUG 2012 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES AND AS OF TODAY STARTED ON THE SECOND ROUND OF REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLES, THEY CONTINUE TO POP OUT WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130524

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20150212 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 14V827000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210511 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 21V051000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210511 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 21V054000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 GMC Yukon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 14V827000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V051000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V054000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2020 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2019

WORST YEARS

■ 2015 ■ 2007 ■ 2021

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 GMC Yukon reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 GMC Yukon is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Yukon?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Yukon have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.