repaired · 2023 Q2
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.
2012 GMC YukonProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 63 owner complaints about the 2012 GMC Yukon, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-051 the manufacturer reports only 39% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 24, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 GMC Yukon has problems
63 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
17Air bags
14Structure
5Electrical system
4Vehicle speed control
3Fuel/propulsion system
3Engine
2Seat belts
1Seats
1Service brakes
44 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 17 | 0 |
| Structure | 14 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 |
| 4 other systems | 4 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2012 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.
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
2012 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
2012 GMC Yukon safety ratings
2012 GMC Yukon SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
- 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 2012 GMC Yukon, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Yukon owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The problem started a couple of years ago as a small crack in the dashboard at the upper left corner of the airbag. The crack widened and lengthened after replacement of the air bag last year. Then the dash cracked earlier this year at the crown above the instrument cluster. It has completely…
The contact's son owned a 2012 GMC Yukon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V051000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as her son no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
I was driving and slowed down upon approaching speed bumps and going over speed bump my dashboard cover cracked. There was no warning after it cracked the more I drove the more it cracked I am currently buying a dashboard cover to go over the cracked dashboard.
Own a 2012 Yukon?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.