2011 GMC Yukon Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Yukon are dominated by cracked dashboard plastic, which is usually reported between roughly 30,000 and 70,000 miles and often surrounds the passenger airbag area. A second, smaller group of complaints covers rough-running or stalling engine behavior and reduced-power warnings, typically at higher mileage. Airbag recall notifications also appear in the sample, with several owners saying parts were not yet available.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Cracked dashboard, especially around the passenger airbag

   • 78 complaints (49%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (53 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2024

   Owners describe cracks appearing in the top of the dashboard, most often above the instrument cluster and around the passenger airbag opening, with some reports of pieces separating or rattling. Many say the cracks started on their own and lengthened over time while driving. According to the complaints, dealers typically quoted full dashboard replacement at significant cost, and some owners reported a replacement dash cracking again later. Several owners raised concern about what the plastic could do if the airbag deployed. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 70,000 miles, with some appearing at higher mileage; a number of owners note garage-kept vehicles that saw little sun exposure.

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dash above the gauges and around the passenger airbag seam for hairline cracks, and ask whether the dash has ever been replaced. A replacement panel does not guarantee the problem is gone.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My dashboard is cracking for no reason. There is a crack where the passenger side airbag is installed. I'm concerned that in the event of an accident, items like the speaker in the dash board will become projectiles. I am also concerned that if the airbag deploys then potentially shards of broken plastic will also be flying through the cabin.”

   NHTSA complaint #11253272, filed 2019-09, 47,000 miles

   “My dash board has tow cracks and is ready to fall apart. One crack runs the full width of my dashboard and is directly above my speedometer and the other is just to the right of my glove box. Concerned that this could eventually cause issues with my speedometer and air bags. The crack above my speedometer started about 3 years ago and the other 2 years ago.”

   NHTSA complaint #11349531, filed 2020-08, 50,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Stall or sudden loss of power with warning lights

   • 17 complaints (11%)
   • median 109,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2025

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out or dropping into reduced power while driving, sometimes with a stabilitrak or traction control message and a check engine light, and in some cases the vehicle restarted on its own. Owners report the throttle position sensor or throttle body being replaced or codes being cleared, and some say the problem returned or could not be reproduced by the dealer. One owner reported the anti-theft circuit blowing a fuse and stalling the vehicle. Reports span roughly 40,000 to 110,000 miles, with several occurring at highway speed.

   Recall 14V8270002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for any stored or pending engine and throttle codes, and whether the throttle body, throttle position sensor, or ignition switch has been serviced. Note that a service bulletin covers intermittent no-crank or start-stall symptoms with a security light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Having an ongoing issue while driving. I've ben on the highway in the rain and snow going 65-70 MPH as well as dry pavement. All of a sudden my dashboard will light up saying service traction control, brake system, ABS , park assist off and check engine lights up and blinks . I will loose my brakes I then have to pump my brakes several times to get to even slow down or stop . It's also happened when I am driving down a residential street. When I pull over turn the truck off and goes back to normal for a short distance. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11376909, filed 2020-11, 125,000 miles

   “Abs brake problem. Reoccurring engine problems such as misfire, low cylinder compression, afm lifters, camshaft, fuel mix and brake switch causes check engine light to come on. This causes stabilitrak and traction control to be turned off. Discussions with several mechanics indicated a new engine would be the only way to fix this problem. Even with a new engine, the problem persists. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11091958, filed 2018-05, 140,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag recall remedy not available

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners state they were notified of an airbag inflator recall but were told the repair parts were not yet available, and some describe waiting an extended period for a remedy. A few reports mention a service airbag message or an airbag warning light coming on. One owner described a collision in which the front airbags did not deploy; dealers were not involved in that report. Mileage varies widely, from about 37,000 to over 160,000 miles, with most reports filed between 2017 and 2021.

   Recall 21V050000Recall 21V054000

   What to check: Check whether the vehicle still has an open airbag inflator recall by running the VIN, and confirm with a dealer that the remedy has been completed rather than just scheduled.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall contacted GM dealer in baton rouge louisiana and was told there are no fixes to this recall. What do I need to do to ensure my employees safety while operating this vehicle”

   NHTSA complaint #11043675, filed 2017-11, 130,000 miles

   “Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Gmc Yukon. While driving and coming to a stop, the engine revved as if the vehicle accelerated. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11189806, filed 2019-03, 158,000 miles

Buying note. A used 2011 Yukon should be checked carefully for dashboard cracks around the airbag areas, since this is the most common owner complaint and repair costs are often quoted in the thousands. Confirm the airbag recall status by VIN, and scan for engine, throttle and brake codes on a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.