GMC Yukon problems
131 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When filling the fuel tank with fuel the pump constantly shuts off due to pressure in the fuel tank not being released. Took this in to the GMC dealership and had the fuel tank and various component replaced under warranty. The problem did not go away. It does not matter what…
At some point near 65000 miles, a very large crack appeared over the instrument panel, as well as a small crack extending into the passenger side airbag area. I worry about my children's safety if we were in an accident and plastic pieces go flying.
The motor that opens and closes the trunk has burned out twice already. There is something in the system that will make the motor get stuck and burn out until it stops working. We have tried replacing it twice, and the same thing happens. Our trunk won't close now and it…
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2012 GMC Yukon reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 GMC Yukon is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 GMC Yukon?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 GMC Yukon does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 GMC Yukon?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 37 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 62,423 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 62,423 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Yukon has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 GMC Yukon?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 131 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.