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FaultScore report

2009 GMC Yukon Denali XL problems

Owners have filed 30 complaints about the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali XL with NHTSA between 2012 and 2021. The largest single group is the other & unspecified. Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 13 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the GMC Yukon Denali XL All 2009 cars
B

FaultScore 26/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the GMC Yukon Denali XL.

How this is worked out

The numbers

30

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

85,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

4%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 29 vs 50 Severity 34 vs 50 Early failure 7 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 29
Against the median year of the GMC Yukon Denali XL. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 34
6.7% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 7
4% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2009 compares with every other GMC Yukon Denali XL

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2009 GMC Yukon Denali XL

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Other & Unspecified 8 26.7%

Median failure at 99,814 miles

Airbags 7 23.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 86,914 mi

Doors, Latches & Locks 3 10.0%

Median failure at 49,500 miles

Body & Structure 3 10.0%

Median failure at 74,200 miles

Electrical System 3 10.0%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 3 10.0%

Median failure at 180,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 3.3%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Brakes 1 3.3%

Median failure at 180,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 3.3%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 4.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 4 17.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 6 26.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 5 21.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 8.7%
150,000+ miles 5 21.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 2012 peak 4 Sep 2021

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Modesto, CA Crash 3 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 GMC YUKON DENALI XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN DRIVING AT 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME ACROSS THE DRIVERS PATH AND CRASH DIRECTLY HEAD ON INTO THE DRIVERS VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIP LASH AS WELL AS THE TWO CHILD PASSENGERS BUT MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS TO INSPECT THE DAMAGES. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10892106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 90,000 miles Playa Vista, CA

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle experienced delayed acceleration. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11434907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Granville, OH

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON, OIL PRESSURE FLUCTUATION OCCURS AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AFTER NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE INSTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #11131887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Granville, OH

ENGINE

AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON, OIL PRESSURE FLUCTUATION OCCURS AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AFTER NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE INSTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #11131887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Granville, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON, OIL PRESSURE FLUCTUATION OCCURS AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AFTER NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE INSTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #11131887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,480 miles Burton, MI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL. MY DENALI HAS FALLEN ILL TO THE WELL DOCUMENTED POORLY ENGINEERED DASH CRACKING, IN MY CASE AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG OPEN. THIS CREATES AN EMINENT PERSONAL INJURY SAFETY HAZARD TO FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. IF A SITUATION AROSE WHEREAS AIR BAG WAS ACTIVATED, AS AIRBAG COVER EJECTED, THE DASH BECOMES AN INSTANT INSTRUMENT OF CAPABLE OF GREAT BODILY HARM OR EVEN DEATH, AS SHRAPNEL FILLS THE CABIN, FROM DISINTEGRATING DASH PLASTIC FLYING BACK, IN CERTAIN INJURY TO PASSENGER. GM IS WELL AWARE OF THE DEFECT, YET REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE.

NHTSA complaint #11120014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,200 miles Annapolis, MD

AIR BAGS

IN JAN. 2018 NOTED CRACK IN DASHBOARD ON DRIVERS SIDE. ALSO THERE WAS A SMALL SLIT IN MIDDLE OF DASH. IN ABOUT 2 WKS NOTED SPLITS ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH. ? WHEN IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA complaint #11072342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,200 miles Annapolis, MD

STRUCTURE:BODY

IN JAN. 2018 NOTED CRACK IN DASHBOARD ON DRIVERS SIDE. ALSO THERE WAS A SMALL SLIT IN MIDDLE OF DASH. IN ABOUT 2 WKS NOTED SPLITS ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH. ? WHEN IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA complaint #11072342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10 miles North Branford, CT

AIR BAGS

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE USED. ITS THE SAME PROBLEM SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING. MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ON BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE ALL THE WAY TO THE AIRBAG. WE HAVE EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT IF THE AIRBAG GOES OFF, THAT WHOEVER IS DRIVING OR A PASSENGER WILL GET HIT WITH PIECES OF PLASTIC FROM THE DASH CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY. I COULD KEEP PASSENGERS OUT OF THE FRONT, BUT THE DRIVER I CANNOT..WE NEED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I WORK AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.PAX SIDE HAD A SMALL CRACK WHEN PURCHASED BUT IT IS NOW ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG EACH..

NHTSA complaint #11067397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Pilesgrove, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC YUKON DENALI XL. WHILE STATIONARY, THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE BECAME CRACKED ACROSS THE AIR BAG SECTION. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 8-3684476402. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

NHTSA complaint #11055677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 230,000 miles Broomfield, CO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SAID ''ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, BRAKES WERE HARDLY WORKING AND I COULD HARDLY STEER OR TURN THE WHEELS. MY CAR COPMLETLY LOST CONTROL AND I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO CARS BY ME OTHERWISE AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN INEVITABLE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NO ANSWER AND THEY SUGGESTED TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR TO BEGIN WITH. NO GUARANTY THAT IT'LL FIX MY PROBLEM THEY SAID. READING ONLINE FORUMS LOOKS LIKE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT OTHERWISE SOONER OR LATER LIFES WILL BE LOST.

NHTSA complaint #11002421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 230,000 miles Broomfield, CO

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SAID ''ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, BRAKES WERE HARDLY WORKING AND I COULD HARDLY STEER OR TURN THE WHEELS. MY CAR COPMLETLY LOST CONTROL AND I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO CARS BY ME OTHERWISE AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN INEVITABLE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NO ANSWER AND THEY SUGGESTED TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR TO BEGIN WITH. NO GUARANTY THAT IT'LL FIX MY PROBLEM THEY SAID. READING ONLINE FORUMS LOOKS LIKE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT OTHERWISE SOONER OR LATER LIFES WILL BE LOST.

NHTSA complaint #11002421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Edmond, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ON BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCIDENT OR OTHER DAMAGE, IT JUST CRACKED. I AM CONCERNED THAT WERE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY THAT THE DASHBOARD FRAGMENTS WOULD BECOME PROJECTILES.

NHTSA complaint #10994384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Santa Clara, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE AND A SAFETY HAZARD. IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYS IT COULD SEND PLASTIC SHRAPNEL THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10994334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eugene, OR

AIR BAGS

THERE HAS YET TO BE AN OFFER TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS IN OUR FAMILY VEHICLE. OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ARE BEING SENT NOTICES TO DISCONTINUE USE BY NOT ALLOWING ANYONE TO SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND TO GET IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY, AND YET THERE IS NO SUCH ACTION FOR OUR FAMILY VEHICLE. WE DEMAND A REPAIR BE MADE AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND WE CAN NOT FIT OUR ENTIRE FAMILY IN IT WITHOUT SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10959623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Dyess AFB, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I GOT IN MY TRUCK, STARTED IT UP, AND HEARD THE DASH CRACK.

NHTSA complaint #10948085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Dyess AFB, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASHBOARD CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I GOT IN MY TRUCK, STARTED IT UP, AND HEARD THE DASH CRACK.

NHTSA complaint #10948085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fulshear, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL...I LOOKED UP MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT AND MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST A YEAR SINCE AND HAVE NOW TAKEN IT TO TRADE IN ON A NEW CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME IT IS PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND SINCE THE RECALL IS UNREPAIRABLE AND IS A FATAL RECALL THEY WILL SCRAP THE CAR. I AM NOW OUT MONEY DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN ANDHAVEBEEN DRIVING MY 3 CHILDREN AROUND IN A CAR THAT HAD A FATAL RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10914130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portland, OR

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THERE IS A CRACK ON MY DASHBOARD NEAR IT AIRBAG.

NHTSA complaint #10893057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Modesto, CA Crash 3 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 GMC YUKON DENALI XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN DRIVING AT 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME ACROSS THE DRIVERS PATH AND CRASH DIRECTLY HEAD ON INTO THE DRIVERS VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIP LASH AS WELL AS THE TWO CHILD PASSENGERS BUT MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS TO INSPECT THE DAMAGES. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10892106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,629 miles Norman, OK

AIR BAGS

WHEN I ENTERED MY VEHICLE I NOTICED A CRACK ON MY DASHBOARD LEADING TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG PANEL. THE CRACK LEADS TO THE TOP LEFT OF THE AIRBAG PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, LOCATED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WILL THIS INTERFERE WITH DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG? IN THE EVENT OF DEPLOYMENT, WILL THE DASH COME REMOVED AND INJURE A RIDER? WILL THE PLASTIC SHARDS CAUSE BODILY HARM?

NHTSA complaint #10875841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,629 miles Norman, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I ENTERED MY VEHICLE I NOTICED A CRACK ON MY DASHBOARD LEADING TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG PANEL. THE CRACK LEADS TO THE TOP LEFT OF THE AIRBAG PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, LOCATED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WILL THIS INTERFERE WITH DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG? IN THE EVENT OF DEPLOYMENT, WILL THE DASH COME REMOVED AND INJURE A RIDER? WILL THE PLASTIC SHARDS CAUSE BODILY HARM?

NHTSA complaint #10875841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Davie, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD CRACKED 2 YEARS AGO WAS REPLACED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AFTER INSTALLATION THE DASH CRACKED AGAIN ONE YEAR LATER. THE DEALER WILL NOT HONOR A WARANTY WHEN THIS IS ACTUALLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE IT IS CRACKED NEAR THE AIRBAG. IF IT WEE TO EVER DEPLY PIECES OF BROKEN PLASTIC WOULD BECOME PROJECTILES.

NHTSA complaint #10764532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Mount Juliet, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR THREE YEARS. ROUGHLY EVERY 3 MONTHS IT WILL HAVE ERRATIC ELECTRICAL SHORTS AND MOST COMMONLY THE CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS DEAD. SOMETIME THE SHORTS HAPPEN WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM TURNS OFF AND ON, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY FLASHES OFF AND ON, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN. ON A FEW OCCASIONS THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS SWITCHED OVER TO HEAT ONLY WHILE THE BLOWER CONTINUED AS BEFORE. ON A FEW OCCASIONS THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF,ONLY TO THEN TURN BACK ON. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND THEN TURNED BACK ON. THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECELERATED AND THEN TURNED BACK ON AND LUNGED FORWARD. WE CONSIDER THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AT THIS POINT. WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT ANY MORE, OTHER THAN TO GET IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR PERSON WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. WE HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED THREE TIMES AT TWO SEPERATE GM DEALERS. WE HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THEIR PHONE SUPPORT. THEIR ONLY SUGGESTION IS TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALER EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. THIS HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. I FEEL THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND I HAVE INFORMED GM OF THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10761089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Cadillac, MI

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS NOT OPERATING. 2 OF OUR DOORS FAIL TO LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON OR KEY FOB. WE MUST MANUALLY PUSH OR PULL THE DOOR LOCKS TO GET THEM TO FULLY LOCK OR UNLOCK CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. OUR YOUNG KIDS COULD OPEN THE REAR DOORS AT ANY TIME IF WE DON'T MANUALLY LOCK THEM. ALSO DOORS WILL NOT LOCK LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY FOB. THIS ISSUE IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THERE'S EVEN A YOUTUBE VIDEO ON HOW TO REPLACE THEM! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10701358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Cadillac, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED ON 2 OF OUR 4 DOORS. GM REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I'M WAITING FOR OTHERS TO FAIL NOW AS THIS IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH SIMILAR FAILURES FOR THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. DEALER WANTS OVER $350 PER DOOR TO FIX. IT'S SO BAD THERE'S A YOU TUBE VIDEO ON HOW TO FIX IT YOURSELF. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10563350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.