2012 GMC Yukon Denali Problems
Compared with other GMC Yukon Denali years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
0/100 0.3× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.3× 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.
- None of its 28 complaints were filed by the end of 2014.
- Most reported part: Other or unknown (11 complaints, median 60,000 mi).
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
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles, 23 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
- 15 mpgcombined, 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel AWD · 13 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 11 complaints (39% of the total), followed by air bags (8) and body and structure (8). 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 62,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1,526 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 62 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 10 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 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than 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.
- Other or unknown11 39%
- Air bags8 29%
- Body and structure8 29%
- Electrical system2 7.1%
- Engine2 7.1%
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “I am the orginal owner of my Gmc Yukon Denali 2012 and it has been garaged most of its life. About 2 months ago my dash started to vibrate then I notice a large crack in the dash just above the speedometer. The fact I have taken such good care of this vehicle leads me to believe this is a defect in the design. The cars value is diminished dramatically due to this visible defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #11023975, filed 2017-09, 100,000 milesAir bags: “Dash is cracked and compromised in 2 places:. Middle clip is broken behind center speaker, and dash is cracked at the front left side of the passenger side airbag. Concerned about flying shards of broken dash plastic in the event the airbags deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11229750, filed 2019-07, 106,200 milesBody and structure: “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 .”
NHTSA complaint #11024611, filed 2017-09, 60,000 milesElectrical system: “Key gets stuck in the ignition all the time. The truck goes into complete shut down of all electrical components, I mean absolutely no power. I can't even call on the blue on star button. I took it to walker Gmc in alexandria, la on january 15, 2018 because the engine light was on. They said they fixed it and although the engine light is no longer coming on, the truck continues to go into complete electrical shut down every few days. I took it to another dealership to test the battery and the alternator but they reported the battery was at 100 percent and the alternator passed all the checks. …”
NHTSA complaint #11066061, filed 2018-01, 126,283 milesMileage when problems were reported
17% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 51,000 and 86,000 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. 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 · SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 22.8% risk |
| Yukon Denali · SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 24.6% 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.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 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 | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Yukon Denali 1500 Hybrid 4WD | 6.0L 8-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
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 2012 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. 1,526 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
| 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 2012 GMC Yukon Denali have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 11 complaints (39% of the total), followed by air bags with 8.
Has the 2012 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.
How did the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali 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.
What gas mileage does the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali get?
The EPA rates the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali (Yukon Denali 1500 AWD, 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali reported?
Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 62,000 miles and the middle half falls between 51,000 and 86,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.