NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 GMC Yukon XL Recalls & Complaints

The 2013 GMC Yukon XL has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 22 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized GMC dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 GMC Yukon XL. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 GMC Yukon XL owner complaints

Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 GMC Yukon XL, describing incidents dated September 15, 2015 to January 1, 2024.

Most-cited components

Structure 10 complaints
Unknown or Other 7 complaints
Air Bags 5 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Seat Belts 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Of the 22 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11647881 · Filed March 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning light was illuminated; however, the "Service Engine" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a…
ODI #11594210 · Filed June 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer…
ODI #11133317 · Filed October 4, 2018
I HAVE A MESSAGE ON MY DASH STATING TO SERVICE AIRBAG I'M AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY OR THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGER DUE TO THIS MESSAGE INVOLVING THE AIRBAG

Read all 22 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 GMC Yukon XL in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #21V053000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 5, 2021 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 692,526 vehicles

Repair completion: 56.96% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N212328790 · Owners notified May 11, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 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 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and 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." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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 24, 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 N212328790.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #21V054000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 5, 2021 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,778,128 vehicles

Repair completion: 63.26% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N212328800 · Owners notified May 11, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Contamination of the Chassis Electronic Module

NHTSA #14V614000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported October 1, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 106,307 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14515 · Owners notified December 26, 2014 · Vehicles built June 25, 2013 – June 29, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Safety consequence

If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Shifting out of Park/FMVSS 102/FMVSS 114

NHTSA #13V001000 · Steering — Column Locking — Anti-Theft Device · NHTSA notice

Reported January 2, 2013 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 54,686 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12331 · Owners notified January 17, 2013 · Vehicles built November 27, 2012 – December 18, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.

Safety consequence

As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Notes

General Motors' number for this recall is 12331.Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2013 GMC Yukon XL. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

22 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 GMC Yukon XL.

Engine

ODI #11647881

Incident: March 12, 2020 · Filed: March 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning light was illuminated; however, the "Service Engine" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lifters needed to be replaced once again. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer again to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Air Bags

ODI #11594210

Incident: January 1, 2024 · Filed: June 13, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer informed the contact that should the dashboard get cracked, replacing the dashboard would be at his expense. The contact called another local dealer, Cannon Motors LLC (100 N Thacker Lp., Oxford, MS 38655), who informed the contact about the dashboard possibly being cracked and the associated fees. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Air Bags

ODI #11133317

Incident: September 26, 2018 · Filed: October 4, 2018

I HAVE A MESSAGE ON MY DASH STATING TO SERVICE AIRBAG I'M AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY OR THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGER DUE TO THIS MESSAGE INVOLVING THE AIRBAG

Air Bags; Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #11113880

Incident: July 26, 2018 · Filed: July 26, 2018

THERE IS A CRACK IN MY DASHBOARD THAT COULD SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY.

Structure

ODI #11090418

Incident: April 20, 2018 · Filed: April 27, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO COUNTRYSIDE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (N8167 KELLOM RD, BEAVER DAM, WI 53916, 920-354-6097) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN TOOK PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Structure

ODI #11081954

Incident: December 1, 2016 · Filed: March 29, 2018

DEFECT CAUSED DASH TO CRACK AT THE PASSANGER AIRBAG, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY CHILDREN BEING INJURED FROM THE CRACKED DASH AS WELL AS THE SHARDS FLYING AND INJURING MY CHILD IF I WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11055289

Incident: November 22, 2016 · Filed: December 18, 2017

DASHBOARD CRACKED BY FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. SPONTANEOUS CRACK WITH NO EXTERNAL CAUSE. IT WAS NOT A HOT DAY. STATIONARY VEHICLE.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11053450

Incident: November 10, 2017 · Filed: December 8, 2017

THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE AIRBAG AND STEERING/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND BROKEN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE DASHBOARD PIECES BECOME SHARDS OF SHRAPNEL PROPELLED BY THE AIRBAG AND/OR IMPACT OF THE CRASH. THERE HAVE BEEN NO WRECKS, MODIFICATIONS, OR ANY OTHER ACTIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS DAMAGE - IT IS THE RESULT OF FAULTY PRODUCTION.

Structure

ODI #11024641

Incident: September 20, 2017 · Filed: September 20, 2017

THE DASH BOARD NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN JUST CRACKED AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR DRIVERSIDE FRONT DOOR. BOTH PIECES APPEAR TO BE CHEAP PLASTIC. I HAVE RECEIVED A QUOTE FOR $1600 TO FIX THE DOOR AND $1000 TO FIX THE DASH WHEN THESE ARE BOTH DEFECT FROM GM.

Seat Belts

ODI #11015311

Incident: August 14, 2017 · Filed: August 15, 2017

THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT WILL NOT LOCK. THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO WEAR A SEATBELT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME.

Other GMC Yukon XL model years

Check your 2013 GMC Yukon XL VIN

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