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2009 GMC YukonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 94 owner complaints about the 2009 GMC Yukon, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-050 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.

2009 GMC Yukon
61
CarFlaw IndexSolid year35% below the Yukon median · #21 of 33 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Lowest repair rate 28%Owner complaints947 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage85kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 28, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 GMC Yukon has problems

94 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags351
Structure152
Electrical system80
Steering61
Power train41
Engine40
Fuel/propulsion system40
Engine and engine cooling20
Vehicle speed control20
5 other systems50

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2009 GMC Yukon 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.

28%repaired · 2023 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-050 · Feb 5, 2021 · 2,641,272 vehicles · 734,119 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

38%repaired · 2023 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-052 · Feb 5, 2021 · 557,023 vehicles · 212,499 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

43%repaired · 2023 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-053 · Feb 5, 2021 · 692,526 vehicles · 298,205 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 09V-154 · May 6, 2009 · 27,188 vehicles

Risk. WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

2009 vs. every other Yukon 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 median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2009 GMC Yukon safety ratings

2009 GMC Yukon 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (22.8% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 GMC Yukon, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What Yukon owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MANUFACTURER SAFETY RECALL ISSUED -NHTSA #21V050 - TRANSPORT CANADA #20591 - RECALL # N212328760 FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TAKATA INFLATOR-PRIORITY GROUP 6
Complaint 11639154 · Jan 28, 2025
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 GMC Yukon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags). The dealer had been notified on multiple occasions about the recall; however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the parts were not yet available. The…
Complaint 11435990 · Oct 8, 2021
NOTICED THE DASH CRACKING BY THE AIR BAG IN SEPTEMBER 2020 AND NOW IS CRACKING ON DRIVER SIDE HUMP BEHIND STEERING WHEEL.
Complaint 11384235 · Dec 20, 2020 · 160,000 miles

Own a 2009 Yukon?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.