KnownCarProblems2011 GMC Yukon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Yukon, most often about the air bags (50% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles). It is 14th of 28 Yukon model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2011 GMC Yukon problems
Air bags
79 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
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…
The plastic dash is cracked next to the passenger airbag. According to the internet there are many and gm will not recall them. Don't know what would happen to the passenger if the airbag deployed with the plastic dash cracked around it.
Other or unspecified
55 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
Found 2 cracks in my dashboard...this is not normal wear and tear. One crack above the instrument panel and one crack near the passenger airbag. I am very concerned about one deep crack by the airbag. Is this safe? With the concern over the takata air bag issues and no possible way to remedy that at this time I am…
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.
Body and structure
27 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked around the passenger side air bag area the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000. Updated 06/02/17 the consumer stated the manufacturer was…
My dashboard is cracking for no reason. There is a crack where the passenger side airbag is installed. I'm concerned that in the event of an accident, items like the speaker in the dash board will become projectiles. I am also concerned that if the airbag deploys then potentially shards of broken plastic will also be…
Engine
14 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 135,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
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 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…
Transmission
7 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles.
Travelling at speed on the highway (60 MPH) , the engine light comes on and a stabilitrak message is shown. Power to the engine is dramatically reduced. Car shakes violently and it is difficult to get off the highway. A seconday message appears to check throttle body assembly. Very close to getting rear ended. This is…
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…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 4%Mutiple redistributing of vechicle by framed police retaliation and terriffs controling signal and cummunications through the negligent use of parts from my trucks build based off of sales men claiming to protect the financing departments and transfer of titles of incorporated deals dealers rights to investigating…
Speed control
5 complaints · 3%The truck was parked and running. It suddenly began to idle as if someone was pushing down on the gas. I immediately shut the car off. I turned it back on and the engine light was on and it read "reduced engine power". It seemed to drive ok. I called dealership and made apt for tuesday. (it was thursday) the next day…
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…
Electrical
5 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: wiring.
2011 GMC Yukon. Consumer has attempted to get vehicle fixed. The consumer stated the safety issue is created when an unknown electrical problem in the vehicle results in the anti-theft fuse blowing thus causing the vehicle to stall while driving. When the vehicle stalls, the power steering is also disabled making the…
I have a 2011 GMC Yukon, I recently learned from GMC that they have a known issue with these vehicles by where they shut off randomly when an rfid key tag in or around the vehicle interrupts the vehicles electronics. Our vehicle has turned itself off on multiple occasions which has created a huge safety concern for my…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 GMC Yukon recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on february 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 1, 2021. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n212328760.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2007-2011 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext, chevrolet avalanche, silverado 1500, suburban, tahoe, gmc sierra 1500, yukon, yukon xl, and 2009-2011 chevrolet silverado 2500, silverado 3500, gmc sierra 2500 and sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, gm is recalling certain 2007-2008 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext, chevrolet avalanche, silverado 1500, suburban, tahoe, gmc sierra 1500, yukon, yukon xl vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missou
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on february 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on may 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on january 24, 2022. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm'
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2014 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, chevrolet silverado 2500, silverado 3500, suburban, tahoe, gmc sierra 2500, sierra 3500, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of al, ca, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, sc, tx, pr, as, gu, the mp, and vi or "zone a." additionally gm is recalling certain 2011-2014 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, chevrolet silverado 2500, silverado 3500, suburban, tahoe, gmc sierra 2500, sierra 3500, yukon, yukon xl and 2011-2013 cadillac escalade ext, chevrolet avalanche, silverado 1500, and gmc sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of az, ar, de, dc, il, in, ks, ky, md, mo, ne, nv, nj, nm, nc, oh, ok, pa, tn, va, and wv or "zone b." additionally, gm is recalling certain 2010-2014 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, chevrolet silverado 2500, silverado 3500, sub
Electrical: 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, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on february 12, 2015. Owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (gmc). Gm's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext, chevrolet avalanche, silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe, gmc sierra ld, sierra hd, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "start" position.
Steering: linkages
Risk: This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 13, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling certain model year 2011cadillac escalade, escalade esv; chevrolet silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe; and gmc sierra hd, sierra ld, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts may not have been tightened to the proper specification.
Suspension: spindle
Risk: The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and gmc canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2011 GMC Yukon
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Yukon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (79 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); other or unspecified (55 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); body and structure (27 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Yukon have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 5, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the GMC Yukon?
- It is 14th of 28 Yukon model years by number of complaints, with 158 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.