2009 GMC Yukon Denali problems
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 39% of complaints. Next are body & structure (25%) and electrical system (5%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 59 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 39% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 73,000 miles 41 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 4 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 12 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 7 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 41 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 73,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (13 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 82% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 15 model years of the GMC Yukon Denali with enough data (18 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Our 2009 GMC yukon denali was totaled in a crash. The battery was destroyed ,cutting all electrical power to the vehicle. The doors,which automatically lock when in drive, were locked, and in her confusion could not exit the vehicle. The communications equipment was also useless. There needs to be a backup battery in a less vulnerable location.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 GMC yukon denali. The contact stated the vehicle was parked in the garage for 20 hours when it caught fire. The fire started in the electrical fuse box. The vehicle was pushed out of the garage while it was on fire and extinguished by the contact. The fire department was contacted also assist with extinguishing the fire. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company. There were no injuries. A fire report was filed. The dealer was contacted but refused to repair the vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 GMC yukon denali. When the contact started the vehicle, he noticed that the check engine warning light illuminated; the failure was similar to recall 09v154000 (fuel system, gasoline). He was able to reset the light and it turned off; however, the next day the contact was traveling approximately 50 MPH when the check engine warning light illuminated again. Shortly after, the vehicle stalled and was towed to an authorized dealer.
2009 yukon denali... On 2 separate occasions while attempting to open vehicle using external door handles, the front passenger side door handle & rear driver's side door handle came off. These are the chrome plated models. I was told by multiple sales personnel, service techs, & service managers that this is a common problem (apparently there is some sort of issue with the chrome plated models). I also have friends with similar models- yukon & tahoe that have experienced the same issue.
A crack had appeared on the dashboard going to the direction of the airbag. I had attempted to consult with the local GMC dealership that stated it's no threat and basically sent me on my way. It's been a year later and now not only has it cracked in that one area but I have 2 additional cracks and the dash has separated approx. 1/2" at the airbag. It seriously concerns me considering I have custody of my grandchildren (11 & 9) who are riding in this vehicle 99.5% of the time.