Model year guide

2012 GMC Yukon

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 GMC Yukon is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 75 on record.

2012 GMC Yukon — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 GMC Yukon at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints137
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$28,011

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 GMC Yukon recalls 3

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #14V827000 · 30/12/2014

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.

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 t…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V054000 · 05/02/2021

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, Ch…

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 notific…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V051000 · 05/02/2021

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 Nort…

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 notific…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 GMC Yukon common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 137 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.
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.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2012 GMC Yukon MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,819

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 GMC Yukon worth?

Low
$16,700
Typical price
$28,011
High
$38,600

From 73 comparable 2012 GMC Yukon listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

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

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,095
Depreciation (5 yrs)$14,200
Total$33,295
Per mile$0.44

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($28,011) with the same model 5 model-years older ($13,826), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 GMC Yukon trims & engines on record

Trims
Denali · SLT · SLE · XL SLT
Engines
6.2L 8-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl · 6.0L 8-cyl

2012 GMC Yukon vehicles on record

Other GMC Yukon model years

2012 GMC Yukon — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 GMC Yukon have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2012 GMC Yukon. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Yukon?

Based on 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine, structure.

What gas mileage does the 2012 GMC Yukon get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 GMC Yukon at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway).

How much is a 2012 GMC Yukon worth?

Comparable 2012 GMC Yukon listings run roughly $16,700–$38,600, typically around $28,011 (from 73 vehicles).

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