repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 GMC Yukon XLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 47 owner complaints about the 2011 GMC Yukon XL, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-050 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 27, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 GMC Yukon XL has problems
47 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
21Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
8Structure
4Power train
3Engine
2Visibility
2Electrical system
1Suspension
1Seat belts
1Vehicle speed control
11 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 21 | 1 |
| Structure | 8 | 0 |
| Power train | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| 1 other systems | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2011 GMC Yukon XL recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power,…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other Yukon XL year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Yukon XL median. How we score
'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 GMC Yukon XL, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Yukon XL owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Dash is cracking badly on its own. Is cracking also where airbag is held. Pieces can fly as projectiles and cause bodily harm when airbag deploys.
THE DASHBOARD HAS SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED IN TWO LOCATIONS AFTER SITTING IN OUR GARAGE. A 6" CRACK HAS NO FORMED OVER THE CURVED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY ON DRIVER SIDE AND A 1" CRACK HAS OCCURRED NEAR THE AIR BAG COVER CORNER ON PASSENGER SIDE. THESE CRACKS ARE SIMILAR IN LOCATION AND SIZE TO…
LARGE CRACKS IN DASH CAUSING CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE.THIS OCCURRED IN LESS THAN A YEAR PURCHASE AND HAS WORSENED THE HEATING AND COOLING FUNCTION OF THE SEATS FAILED WITHIN MONTHS OF BUYING THE VEHICLE NEW. RADIO AND NAVIGATION SCREEN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
Own a 2011 Yukon XL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.