2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- —not in EPA data
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 13 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags (7) and body and structure (7). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 37% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 57,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1,482 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 58 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Other or unknown13 57%
- Air bags7 30%
- Body and structure7 30%
- Engine1 4.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.3%
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “The dash board is cracked and rattles near the air bag. This is concerning that if an accident would occur, the cracked dash could cause further bodily harm. This defect just showed up unexpectedly and I am afraid will crack more as time goes on. I cannot recall if it occurred while driving or stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #11101509, filed 2018-06, 99,500 milesAir bags: “Cracked dashboard. This is the second GM vehicles I've owned in which cracks appear on the dashboard for no apparent reason. My concern is if the air bag is deployed, small shards of plastic may lead to serious injury.”
NHTSA complaint #11083730, filed 2018-04, 75,000 milesBody and structure: “My vehicle was parked in my driveway, stationary, on a suburban street in a small town overnight beginning at about 8pm on friday august 12,2016. The following morning, august 13, 2016 at at about 7:30 am I entered the vehicle to go to the store and observed a large crack running perpendicular with the dash from near the window to a over the instrument cluster. This is a known defect with similar GM models between 2007-2013(14). The safety concern is that the poorly crafted plastic dashboard cracks easily with no pressure applied to it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10895500, filed 2016-08, 80,000 milesElectronic stability control: “2012 Gmc yukon. Consumer writes in regards to after dealership serviced vehicle, noises, shaking sensation, stabili trac light illuminates, hesitates then stops. Consumer notices flames underneath vehicle before completely engulfed in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #10926888, filed 2018-04Mileage when problems were reported
37% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 80,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon Denali XL 1500 · SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 23.7% risk |
| Yukon Denali XL 1500 · SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 23.7% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2013: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,482 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11019693Jun 9, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the GMC Yukon Denali XL
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 29 | 42,212 | 0 | 4 | — | 97 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 65 | 60,000 | 0 | 4 | — | 94 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 5 | 51,510 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 13 | 68,975 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 23 | 57,000 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 69 | 76,000 | 0 | — | — | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 29 | 70,000 | 0 | — | — | 22 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2009 | 22 | 72,100 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 42 | 86,000 | 0 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 61 | 89,010 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 11 | 102,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 34 | 82,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 49 | 103,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 32 | 130,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GMC Yukon Denali XL model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 13 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags with 7.
Has the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali XL reported?
Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 57,000 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 80,000 miles; 37% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.