The 2012 GMC Yukon has 4 recalls, all centered on the front passenger airbag inflator, which can rupture during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, posing a serious risk of injury or death.
All four recalls address the same underlying defect: the passenger-side front airbag inflator degrades over time when exposed to high heat and humidity, building up pressure that can cause it to explode rather than inflate normally. These recalls particularly affect vehicles registered in or sold in high-humidity regions including southern states, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, where the environmental conditions accelerate the propellant breakdown. Owners in those areas face the greatest exposure risk, though the defect can develop anywhere the vehicle has spent significant time in hot, humid conditions.