2009 GMC Yukon Denali Problems
Compared with other GMC Yukon Denali years
Typical for this model
63/100 1.3× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.3× that of a typical GMC Yukon Denali year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 4 of its 46 complaints were filed by the end of 2011.
- Most reported part: Air bags (23 complaints, median 70,000 mi).
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2012
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,500miles, 32 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
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 14 mpgcombined, 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel 4WD/AWD · 12 city / 19 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali. The part named most often is air bags, with 23 complaints (50% of the total), followed by body and structure (15) and other or unknown (13). 32 of the complaints include a mileage, and 22% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1,230 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 44 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 6 GMC Yukon Denali model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 63 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Air bags23 50%
- Body and structure15 33%
- Other or unknown13 28%
- Electrical system3 6.5%
- Fuel system1 2.2%
- Seat belts1 2.2%
Example complaints
Air bags: “I am concerned of the safety of me and my passengers. Over 1 year and still no resolution. I keep on being told call back and call back. Why so long to replace? The dash board has cracked and broken due to poor quality and many owners have dashboard issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11133114, filed 2018-10, 1 milesBody and structure: “At 80,000 miles I discovered that my dash is cracked on the passenger side. I have also discovered that this is a very well known and common problem with GM vehicles and that it is potentially dangerous to passengers if the crack (that is sharp plastic) is to cut or rupture the airbag in the case of an accident. My vehicle has always been garage kept and never kept outside. This is a huge GM problem and there are thousands that need this fixed. There are even facebook groups with thousands upon thousands of people that have had the same problem across multiple vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11000284, filed 2017-06, 80,000 milesOther or unknown: “To whom it may concern, I' am submitting this correspondence in reference to numerous cracks on my dashboard on the described vehicle. More importantly, the cracks are getting worse especially around the passenger side air bag, which is now causing the air bag cover to bulge, causing concern for me and my family in the event of an accident. Your attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11120746, filed 2018-08, 90,000 milesElectrical system: “Vehicle does not start because of dead battery. Vehicle taken to the dealer. Dealer states battery is fine. On the second incident a new battery is purchased. Dealer continues to state of not seeing an issue. The vehicle has not started on three other occasions. Five times total in a two year period. The dealer does not see anything wrong. To cope with the issue we have bought a new battery and a battery jump starter. We should not have to do this for a vehicle. Our vehicle is a normal Gmc Yukon Denali. We have not added any aftermarket parts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10559431, filed 2014-01, 30,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
22% of the 32 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 98,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2009 GMC Yukon Denali version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon Denali 1500 AWD | 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 12 | 19 | 14 | $4,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali 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. 1,230 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 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…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11017868Apr 11, 2025Steering. This service bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Electrical system, Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11009531Sep 27, 2024Engine. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk…
Other model years of the GMC Yukon Denali
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 12 | 41,100 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 18 | 55,000 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Rising |
| 2015 | 73 | 58,000 | 0 | 4 | — | 85 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 29 | 58,000 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 28 | 62,000 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2011 | 96 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 15 | 74 · More | Stable |
| 2010 | 53 | 79,000 | 0 | — | 15 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2009 | 46 | 75,500 | 0 | — | 14 | 63 · Typical | Stable |
| 2008 | 58 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 14 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 120 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 21 | 77,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 49 | 79,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 109 | 74,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 72 | 94,426 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 29 | 82,870 | 0 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 35 | 96,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 18 | 98,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 27 | 105,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GMC Yukon Denali model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 23 complaints (50% of the total), followed by body and structure with 15.
Has the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali 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.
What gas mileage does the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali get?
The EPA rates the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali (Yukon Denali 1500 AWD, 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali reported?
Among the 32 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,500 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 98,000 miles; 22% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.