Home · 2011 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500 · Complaints

What 399 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (399)Crash / fire / injury (8)Airbags (161)Body & structure (74)Engine (20)Electrical system (16)Transmission & drivetrain (13)Brakes (9)Fuel system (8)Speed control (7)Wheels (5)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (4)

Newest first · 399 complaints · page 2 of 16

Nov 8, 2021Airbags

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified of the recall; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11439688

Nov 3, 2021Airbags

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11439170

Oct 25, 2021Airbags

2011 GMC YUKON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE.

NHTSA ODI 11438105

Jul 14, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

I have replaced the battery and alternator. My door locks keep locking and unlocking on the own while driving, all my electrical in my car dim and keep resetting, my gauges are going all over the place. My car will turn itself off. While stopped at a red light, it seems to want to go on its own. While not running, I get in to leave, and my key at times don’t want to turn over. Then at times I try to start it and it will tell me theft control and won’t crank. When I’m out of my vehicle at home, my car will lock itself when the setting is turned off. The problem has been going on for a year but only getting worse now.

NHTSA ODI 11424772

May 13, 2021AirbagsCrash1 injury

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY AND HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIS HOME ADDRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11416501

May 5, 2021

DASH IS CRACKING.

NHTSA ODI 11415340

Apr 9, 2021

DASH CRACKED

NHTSA ODI 11407285

Apr 3, 2021AirbagsBody & structure

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 OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON GMC YUKONS. STARTED NOTICING THE CRACK IN AUGUST OF 2020. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI 11406200

Mar 22, 2021Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS FRUSTRATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE RECALL NOTICE HOWEVER, THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION THAT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED SOUTHERN BUICK GMC GREENBRIER (1300 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320) OF THE RECALL NOTICE AND THE DEALER OFFERED THE CONTACT ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR PURCHASE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11404313

Feb 9, 2021Airbags

AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR YEARS AND THEY HAVE YET TO REPLACE THEM EVEN AFTER ACQUIRING AT MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS.

NHTSA ODI 11395358

Jan 31, 2021Airbags

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2011 GMC YUKON FROM MY PARENTS. THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. THIS VEHICLE WAS KEPT UNDER THIER CARPORT AND NOT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. THE DASHBOARD HAS MULITPLE CRACKS. MOST CONCERNING IS THE CRACKS NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. WHAT IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DASHBOARD COULD BECOME SHRAPNEL IMPALING MYSELF OR MY PASSENGER. ALSO THE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD COULD SPLINTER AND PUNCTURE THE AIRBAG MAKING THEM INEFFECTIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND EVEN LAWSUITS. I AM APPALLED TO KNOW YOU AND GMC ARE AWARE OF THE RISKS OF THE CRACKED DASHBOARD CAUSING GREAT BODILY HARM OR DEATH. YOU AND GMC HAVE DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2002 HONDA ACCORD THAT SITS IN THE SUN AND THE DASHBOARD IS IN PERFECT CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI 11390914

Jan 20, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

MY 5TH CYLINDER EXPLODED. I HAD A P0305 CODE FOR 5TH CYLINDER MISFIRE, TOOK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE COIL PACK ON THAT CYLINDER ON 10/20/2020 AND 01/17/2021 THE 5TH CYLINDER EXPLODED CAUSE CHUNKS OF METAL TO BE THROWN THROUGH THE SIDE AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. IT WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT BUT I WAS JUST ABOUT TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN I HEAR A NOISE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GM FOR THE HIGH FAILURE RATE OF 2010-2014 YEARS FOR VEHICLES THAT USED THE 5.3LITER ENGINES; THE 6.2 LITER ENGINE, THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE, WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME PLANT AS THE 5.3 LITER. GM FAILED TO DISCLOSE TO THE PUBLIC OF THE KNOWN DEFECT TO THE ENGINES.

NHTSA ODI 11389079

Dec 16, 2020Electrical systemAirbags

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.

NHTSA ODI 11383702

Nov 28, 2020Speed controlBrakesEngine

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. WEATHER DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR OR SPEED. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DON'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HAD THEM REPLACE BEARINGS AS WELL AS SPEED SENSORS AND IT IS STILL HAPPENING. AND I HAD A CODE COME UP FOR CYLINDER MISFIRE AND KNOCK SENSOR. THEN TAKE IT GARAGE AND NOTHING IS WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 11376909

Nov 24, 2020Airbags

THIS AIR BAG DANGER HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE. I CONTACT THE DEALER AND NO ACTION TO FIX. THEY INDICATE NO SOLUTION AND NO PARTS TO REPAIR AT PRESENT.

NHTSA ODI 11376157

Nov 23, 2020Airbags

THE DASHBOARD HAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND COULD CAUSE HARMFUL PLASTIC TO SHOOT TOWARDS PASSENGER IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE INTERIOR TO MAKE LOUD DASH SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING AFFECTING THE EXPERIENCE OF THE DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11376054

Nov 9, 2020Airbags

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE IN MULTIPLE PLACES ON TOP OF AND ALONG SIDE OF THE INNER AIRBAGS AND UNDER A COLLISION THESE PIECES OF THE DASH COULD AND IN MY OPINION AND THE OPINION OF GM BODY REPAIRMAN WILL VERY LIKELY BECOME A FLYING PROJECTILE CAUSING POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO OCCUPANTS. I AM REQUESTING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF THIS UNSAFE SITUATION BEFORE TURNING IT OVER TO COUNCIL FOR RECOVERY. ALSO BE ADVISED THAT ALL PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN TO PROTECT THE DASHBOARD WITH USE OF WINDSHIELD SUN DEFLECTORS/SHADES.

NHTSA ODI 11373753

Nov 6, 2020AirbagsFire

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR IN VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED YATES BUICK GMC 13845 W TEST DR, GOODYEAR, AZ 85338 (480) 795-7563 WHO STATED THE REMEDY PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11373488

Aug 15, 2020

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 ODI 11349531

Aug 15, 2020Wheels

THE CHROME MAGS ON MY TIRES/VEHICLE WEAR DOWN AT THE TIRE LINE CAUSING MY TIRES TO LOSE AIR. THIS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. ALTHOUGH I WILL RECORD LAST OCCURRENCE, THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN PAST 5 YEARS RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11349370

Aug 11, 2020Body & structure

DASH IS CRACKED NEXT TO THE AIR BAG TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD AND IS DROPPED DOWN. AFRAID IF IT KEEPS DROPPING DOWN OR IS BUMPED HARD WILL SET THE AIR BAG OFF. IF THE AIR BAG GOES OFF THE DASH COULD SHATTER CAUSING DAMAGE TO WHOEVER IS IN THE VEHICLE. AFRAID IT BEING NEXT TO THE AIR BAG.

NHTSA ODI 11348567

Aug 7, 2020

2 DASH BOARD CRACKS - BELIEVE CAUSE IS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION OF DASHBOARD DUE TO POOR DESIGN BY GMC. ONE CRACK RUNS APPROX 5-6" DIRECTLY ABOVE SPEEDOMETER WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY AFFECT THE AIRBAGS AND SPEEDOMETER FUNCTION. THE SECOND CRACK IF ON PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE GLOVE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11343817

Jun 3, 2020

THE DASH BOARD CRACKED. IT WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY TO A BRAND NEW ONE BY GM AND IT CRACKED WORST. THE AIRBAG AND A SPEAKER ARE THERE AND IT'S CONCERNING WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327166

Jun 2, 2020AirbagsBody & structure

DASHBOARD CRACKED ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326967

May 25, 2020Airbags

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS YUKON DENALI AND ABOUT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, A CRACK DEVELOPED ON MY DASH. I'M NOT SURE HOW IT HAPPENED, BUT ONE DAY, I JUST NOTICED IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM, AND THEY QUOTED ME ABOUT $2000 TO REPAIR IT. IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE, AND I'M AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY ON IT'S ON SOMETIME BECAUSE THE CRACK KEEPS GETTING BIGGER. I ALSO NOW HAVE A CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI 11325888

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Working with the data? Download all 399 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500 verdict →