2012 GMC Yukon Xl Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 GMC Yukon Xl.

20112013
Complaints
22
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2012 GMC Yukon Xl Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#15 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:72,000 mi
#22 complaints

Electrical Faults

#32 complaints

Engine Problems

Considering a 2012 GMC Yukon Xl?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 GMC Yukon Xl.

Airbags
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,000
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Interior Panels:Dashboard
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 GMC Yukon Xl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 GMC Yukon Xl

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,153,124 vehicles.

21V051000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~284,645 affected

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, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

21V054000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,778,128 affected

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 A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

14V827000Electrical System:ignition
~84,192 affected

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. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

12V112000Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman
~6,159 affected

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND SUBURBAN VEHICLES, AND GMC SAVANA AND YUKON XL HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY HARDENED AND COULD FRACTURE.

Other GMC Yukon Xl Years

2012 GMC Yukon Xl — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 GMC Yukon Xl reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2012 GMC Yukon Xl has 22 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 5 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 GMC Yukon Xl?
Top reported problems: Airbags (5 complaints, avg 72,000 mi); Electrical Faults (2 complaints); Engine Problems (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 GMC Yukon Xl?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 72,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
Does the 2012 GMC Yukon Xl have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,153,124 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 GMC Yukon Xl?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Yukon Xl reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2012 GMC Yukon Xl

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99