2012 GMC Yukon Airbags Problems
The 2012 GMC Yukon has 25 airbag complaints, 27% of its 91 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 60,330. Two related recalls (21V051000 and 21V054000) cover front passenger air bag inflator replacement, though most owner reports describe dashboard cracking near the airbag area rather than inflator failure.
- Airbags complaints
- 25
- 27% of 91
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 60,330 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners describe dashboard cracks forming near the passenger-side airbag cover, often starting as a small crack that widens over time.
- Some report the crack extends from the top edge of the dash toward the windshield or steering column area, raising concern about plastic shards during airbag deployment.
- Several owners report the air bag warning light illuminating, in some cases traced to a faulty air bag control module that dealers replaced and reprogrammed.
- Owners note dealers were often aware of the dashboard cracking issue affecting multiple GM SUV models but declined to repair it without corporate approval.
- A few complaints mention the cracking occurred even though the vehicle was consistently garaged or shaded, ruling out sun exposure as the sole cause.
When 2012 GMC Yukon airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 3, 2014, latest Dec 11, 2023.
Airbags recalls for the 2012 GMC Yukon
- NHTSA 21V051000Feb 5, 2021Airbags284,645 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 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." 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 May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.
- 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 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does the 2012 GMC Yukon have?
- NHTSA lists 25 airbag-related complaints for the 2012 GMC Yukon, accounting for 27% of the 91 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2012 GMC Yukon?
- Yes. Two recalls, 21V051000 and 21V054000, cover the 2012 GMC Yukon for front passenger air bag inflator replacement, both reported on 2021-02-05.
- What airbag problems do owners report most on the 2012 GMC Yukon?
- The most common pattern in owner complaints is dashboard cracking near the passenger airbag cover, sometimes accompanied by an illuminated air bag warning light or a failed air bag control module.
- At what mileage do 2012 Yukon airbag problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 60,330 at the time these airbag-related complaints were filed.
- Have airbag issues caused crashes or injuries on the 2012 Yukon?
- NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries associated with the airbag complaints filed for the 2012 GMC Yukon.