2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 41,250miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and body and structure (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 41,250 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 370 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 49 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 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 unknown2 40%
- Air bags1 20%
- Body and structure1 20%
- Tires1 20%
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “Cracked dashboard above instrument cluster and at passenger airbag location. I do not know if the vehicle was in motion or stationary when it happened. I noticed it while vehicle was stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #10954121, filed 2017-02, 41,250 milesTires: “5 tire failures in 24 months and 26833 miles. 2 were broken tread failures and 3 were flats. Of the flats 2 were in the same tire within 1 week with no obvious nail or other foreign material in the tire. As a result I replaced all 4 tires with another brand and have had no further problems. The first broken tire occurred at around 7700 miles, the second broken tire at 10700 miles. Flats occurred at around 7800 miles and 26800 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10681531, filed 2015-02, 7,700 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,700 and 62,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500. 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 XL 1500 · SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 23.7% risk |
| Yukon XL 1500 · SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 23.7% risk |
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 XL 1500 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 XL 1500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Yukon XL 1500 2WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Yukon XL 1500 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Yukon XL 1500 AWD | 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 13 | 18 | 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 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 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. 370 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 XL 1500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 | 41,250 | 0 | 4 | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 12 | 59,926 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 8 | 93,000 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 11 | 59,777 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 18 | 65,000 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 2007 | 60 | 41,673 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 5 | 19,987 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 24 | 68,000 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 36 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 63 | 95,000 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 23 | 96,218 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 29 | 124,506 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 15 | 118,976 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
All GMC Yukon XL 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.
Has the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 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 XL 1500 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 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 XL 1500 get?
The EPA rates the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 (Yukon XL 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 GMC Yukon XL 1500 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 41,250 miles and the middle half falls between 7,700 and 62,000 miles; 67% 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. 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.