Model year guide

2012 GMC yukon denali

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 GMC yukon denali is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.

2012 GMC yukon denali — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 GMC yukon denali at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints117
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined15–21 mpg
Typical price$17,000

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2012 GMC yukon denali recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2012 GMC yukon denali.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2012 GMC yukon denali common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2012 GMC yukon denali safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 22.8% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 GMC Yukon Denali SUV 4WD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 GMC yukon denali MPG & running costs

Combined15–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,825
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios) or Automatic 6-spd
Engine start-stopOn some versions
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,125 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2012 GMC yukon denali worth?

Low
$10,999
Typical price
$17,000
High
$21,212

From 5 comparable 2012 GMC yukon denali listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 GMC yukon denali costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,125
Fuel only$19,125
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 1694

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 1694.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

Bulletin PIP4902W · Sep 2026

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

Bulletin PIT3271Q · Apr 2026

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

Bulletin PIP6104 · Mar 2026

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

Bulletin PIP4902V · Mar 2026

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

Bulletin PIP4902U · Jan 2026

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General M…

Bulletin PIT5214G · Nov 2025

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

Bulletin 13598 · Sep 2025

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

Bulletin PIP4902T · Aug 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060,…

Bulletin PIC5650M · Aug 2025

This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.

Bulletin PIT6400 · Jun 2025

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the YUKON DENALI RWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the GMC yukon denali

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a line of full-size SUVs from Chevrolet, marketed since the 1995 model year. Marketed alongside the GMC Yukon for its entire production, the Tahoe is the successor to the Chevrolet K5 Blazer, while the Yukon replaced the full-sized GMC Jimmy. Both trucks derive their nameplates from western North America, with Tahoe referring to Lake Tahoe and Yukon referring to the Canadian Yukon.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2012 GMC yukon denali trims & engines on record

Trims
Denali
Engines
6.2L 8-cyl

2012 GMC yukon denali vehicles on record

Other GMC yukon denali model years

2012 GMC yukon denali — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 GMC yukon denali have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2012 GMC yukon denali. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC yukon denali?

Across all 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, structure, electrical system.

What is the 2012 GMC yukon denali safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 GMC yukon denali an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 3★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 GMC yukon denali get?

The 2012 GMC yukon denali has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2012 GMC yukon denali worth?

Comparable 2012 GMC yukon denali listings run roughly $10,999–$21,212, typically around $17,000 (from 5 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.