YearToAvoid

2011 GMC Yukon XL Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 51 airbag complaints for the 2011 GMC Yukon XL, 40% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 80,734 miles. Two related recalls (21V050000 and 21V054000) cover Takata front passenger airbag inflators.

Airbags complaints
51
40% of 128
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
80,734 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Owners report dashboard cracking near the passenger-side airbag housing, with the crack sometimes running from the airbag to the vent or instrument panel.
  • Some describe the cracked dash piece breaking off entirely, leaving a hole near the airbag opening.
  • Several owners worry that a growing dash crack could cause the airbag to deploy improperly or send broken plastic pieces at passengers, including children in car seats.
  • Multiple complaints reference the Takata recall, including one report of airbags failing to deploy in a multi-vehicle front-end crash and another describing a burning odor with the air bag warning light on.
  • One owner reported being told no replacement parts were available for the Takata recall repair and having a scheduled appointment cancelled.

When 2011 GMC Yukon XL airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 4, 2015, latest Jul 8, 2024.

2011 GMC Yukon XL airbags complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2015Jul 2016Jan 2017Jul 2017Sep 2018Aug 2019Jan 2020Mar 2022
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2015 to Jul 2024; peak Jul 2016 (4).

Airbags recalls for the 2011 GMC Yukon XL

  1. NHTSA 21V050000Feb 5, 2021Airbags2,641,272 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 21V054000Feb 5, 2021Airbags1,778,128 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Airbags complaints by Yukon XL model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201029 (45%)
  2. 201151 (40%)
  3. 201213 (32%)
  4. 201312 (34%)
  5. 20143 (19%)
  6. 20151 (0%)
  7. 20163 (1%)
  8. 20174 (3%)
  9. 20182 (4%)
  10. 20193 (4%)
  11. 20201 (2%)
  12. 20214 (2%)
  13. 20223 (2%)
  14. 20232 (1%)
  15. 20240 (0%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA lists 51 airbag complaints for the 2011 Yukon XL, which is 40% of the 128 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 GMC Yukon XL airbags?
Yes. Two recalls, campaign 21V050000 and 21V054000, cover replacement of the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one at no charge.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2011 Yukon XL is 80,734 miles.
Did any airbag complaints involve crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2011 Yukon XL includes 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries among the reported complaints.
Is the 2011 Yukon XL worse for airbag complaints than other years?
Yes, relative to other Yukon XL model years. The 2011 year's 40% share of complaints tied to airbags is higher than most other years, though the 2010 model year is slightly higher at 45%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.