2011 Gmc YUKON XL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
72,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 47 complaints (44.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 21 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Air Bags: 21; Unknown Or Other: 21; Power Train: 4; Structure: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Engine: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 11; 2018: 4; 2019: 9; 2020: 6; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10628578 · 2014-08-26 (August 26, 2014)
THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CRACKED AND THEN CREATED A HOLE WITH NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO IT BEING DONE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO SIMILAR VEHICLES BY OTHER CUSTOMERS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AS IT LEAVES SHARP ANGLES AND COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE A PASSENGER IF THE AIRBAG SHOULD DEPLOY. THERE IS A SERIOUS FLAW IN THE DASHBOARD THAT WARRANTS IMMEDIATE FIXES BY GMC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,010 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10639762 · 2014-09-29 (September 29, 2014)
AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED IN THE REFLECTION OF MY WINDSHIELD A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I SAW THAT THERE WAS A CRACK THAT RAN FROM THE VENT ON THE DASHBOARD UP TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD, GOOD CONDITION, WITH 31000 MILES ON IT. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THIS CRACK AS OTHERS UNLESS FIXED WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD AND BECOME A LARGER SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 31,016 miles reported. Look up ODI 10639762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10652819 · 2014-11-05 (November 5, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 YUKON XL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATE BECAME STUCK AND THE SPEED INCREASED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT THEN USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP SO THE CONTACT JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. IN A HALF MILE, THE VEHICLE CRASHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10652819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10701720 · 2015-03-25 (March 25, 2015)
THE DASH OF MY YUKON XL 2011 IS CRACKING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GMC IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO, THE BUTTONS ON THE A/C ARE WEARING OFF. I THINK FOR WHAT WE PAY FOR THE VEHICLES WE SHOULD HAVE BETTER QUALITY. I HAVE 2 SISTERS THAT ALSO DRIVE THE SAME VEHICLE AND BOTH OF THEIR DASHES ARE CRACKED ALSO. GMC WANTS US TO PAY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10701720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10825692 · 2016-02-11 (February 11, 2016)
AT ABOUT 3 YEARS OF AGE THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK. IT MEANDERED THROUGH THE DASHBOARD AND SOON WILL BE EFFECTIVELY SPLITTING THE DASHBOARD IN HALF WITH A THOROUGH CRACK. THE CAR IS NOW 5 YEARS OLD.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10825692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10860157 · 2016-04-18 (April 18, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A TRIANGULAR CRACK GOING THROUGH THE DASH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW, OR STRESS POINT AND IT WOULD COST @ 1200 TO FIX…
Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10860157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10863962 · 2016-05-09 (May 9, 2016)
I PURCHASED A 2011 GMC YUKON XL IN JANUARY 2011. IN AUGUST 2014 (57545 MILES), THE DASH BEGAN TO SPLIT ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG. A LOCAL GMC DEALER REPLACED THE DASH AT A DEDUCTIBLE CHARGE FROM ME OF $150. IN APRIL OF 2016 (87116 MILES) THE INSTALLED REPLACEMENT DASH HAS SPLIT NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIRBAG. THE SAME DEALER HAS SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE SECOND DASH AT A 30% DISCOUNT, COSTING ME $600. IT IS PLAIN TO ME THAT GM IS REPLACING FAULTY DASHES WITH DASHES MADE FROM THE SAME FAULTY MATERIAL , …
Owner-reported narrative. 87,116 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10888580 · 2016-07-26 (July 26, 2016)
DASH IS CRACKING ON DRIVER'S SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TOP LEFT CORNER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10888580 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V827000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-12-30 (December 30, 2014)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V050000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
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, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V054000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
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, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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's number for this recall is N212328800.
NHTSA campaign record ↗