GMC DENALI · model year

2002 GMC DENALI

28 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002GMCDENALI carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 DENALI is engine and engine cooling:engine with 3 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2) and power train:automatic transmission (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2002 DENALI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

28
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

28 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT1
SUSPENSION1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
STEERING1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT1

Recalls (1)

02V25300017/09/2002

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.

Recent Complaints

20090901POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WE OWN A 2002 DENALI, THAT WE BOUGHT USED. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AROUND NOV. 2008 (APPR. 120,000 MILES) WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BUT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER (AROUND 150,000). THROUGH CIVIL LITIGATION, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT PREVIOUSLY, AT AROUND 70,000 MILES. WE ARE WONDERING IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DENALIS AND IF ANY COMPENSATION IS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20090901ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WE OWN A 2002 DENALI, THAT WE BOUGHT USED. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AROUND NOV. 2008 (APPR. 120,000 MILES) WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BUT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER (AROUND 150,000). THROUGH CIVIL LITIGATION, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT PREVIOUSLY, AT AROUND 70,000 MILES. WE ARE WONDERING IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DENALIS AND IF ANY COMPENSATION IS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20090406EXTERIOR LIGHTING

FRONT RUNNING LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND IS OUT AGAIN. MY MECHANIC STATED HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL GMC AUTOS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL OR REASON? *TR

20070411SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VBRAKED VIBRATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD A FEW FEET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL # 05V379000 FOR THE HYDRAULIC ANTILOCK SERVICE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WASS 31,857 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,843.

Mileage: 31,843

20060915POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ON A CITY STREET, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION FAILING TO SHIFT GEARS UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR TEETH WERE FRACTURED AND WORN. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE GEAR TEETH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/6/2006 - THE STABILIZER BECAME WORN. *NM

Mileage: 77,600

20060915SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ON A CITY STREET, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION FAILING TO SHIFT GEARS UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR TEETH WERE FRACTURED AND WORN. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE GEAR TEETH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/6/2006 - THE STABILIZER BECAME WORN. *NM

Mileage: 77,600

20060716POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION COOLER, WHICH IS INSIDE THE RADIATOR, CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX AND FLOW THROUGH ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AS A RESULT. THE REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACING THE RADIATOR, ALL ENGINE HOSES, REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION, FLUSHING ENGINE AND REPLACING FLUIDS AT A TOTAL COST OF $3047. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND ALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON SCHEDULE. THE VEHICLE, A SUV WAS NEVER USED OFF ROAD OR TO PULL A TRAILER, AND HAS 74000 MILES. THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM AS THE COOLER IN INSIDE THE RADIATOR AND CANNOT BE SERVICED. THE RESULT OF THIS IS EARLY FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE NEED TO REPLACE SEVERAL ENGINE COMPONENTS THAT WERE IMPACTED. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS DETECTED BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAUSED A BREAKDOWN OR ACCIDENT. OTHER INCIDENCES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM WERE NOTED UPON INTERNET RESEARCH. *JB

Mileage: 74,030

20060703ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

WE HAD HEARD UNDER THE HOOD LOUD NOISE. MAINLY WHEN WE ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE. AFTER ASSESSING THE NOISE, WE FOUND THAT WE HAD A BROKEN TENSIONER AND IT WAS MAKING THE BELT WEAK. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND REPLACED THE BELT AND THE TENSIONER, FOR A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THROUGH A GMC SOURCE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON THING FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT GMC HAD NOT PUT A FILTER ON THE COMPRESSOR AND IT WOULD CAUSE IT TO FAIL. IF THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS THEN THEY WILL NOT DO A RECALL AND THIS SHOULD COST THE CONSUMER AT LEAST $1,500. LAST NIGHT AS MY HUSBAND FOLLOWED ME ON HIS BIKE, THE TENSIONER FAILED AGAIN AND IT THREW THE BELT BEHIND ME ALMOST HITTING MY HUSBAND IN THE HEAD. I CANT IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD DO TO GLASS OR A PERSONS HEAD AT 65 MPH. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND UNTIL IT RESULTS IN A FATALITY, GMC WILL NOT RECALL THIS. I HAVE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT GMC WILL PAY A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT AS OPPOSED TO PAYING TO RECALL ALL OF THEIR "PROFESSIONAL GRADE" PRODUCTS.

Mileage: 48,000

20051118CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS SIDE SWIPED AND KNOCKED INTO THE MEDIAN, IN WHICH THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

Mileage: 25,000

20050613CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: THE OWNER TURNED LEFT IN TURNING LANE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND TRUCK KEPT ON . THE BRAKES HAD BEEN MASHED, AND THEY WOULD NOT STOP. THE BRAKES HAD WORKED UP TO THE POINT BEFORE THE WRECK. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY SERVICED. OWNER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER CAR, AND CREATED A THREE CAR PILE UP. THERE WAS ONE REPORTED INJURY FROM THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AT THIS POINT FOR REPAIRS.*AK

Mileage: 36,000

20050225SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON EVERY STOP, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE BRAKES FAILED, AND THE CALIPER SPLIT IN HALF. *NM THE NOISE HAD COME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE FLUID WAS FLOWING OUT. THE TEETH WAS FOUND BROKEN OUT OF THE DISC BRAKE. THE 3/4 BY 3/4 INCH HIGH BRACKET EXPERIENCED A "HUMP" INSIDE OF IT WHICH MADE THE WHEEL WOBBLE. ALSO TWO OF THE 4 WHEEL ANTILOCK DISC BRAKES WERE NOT ON THE BACK WHEELS. *SC *JB

20050225STRUCTURE

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON EVERY STOP, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE BRAKES FAILED, AND THE CALIPER SPLIT IN HALF. *NM THE NOISE HAD COME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE FLUID WAS FLOWING OUT. THE TEETH WAS FOUND BROKEN OUT OF THE DISC BRAKE. THE 3/4 BY 3/4 INCH HIGH BRACKET EXPERIENCED A "HUMP" INSIDE OF IT WHICH MADE THE WHEEL WOBBLE. ALSO TWO OF THE 4 WHEEL ANTILOCK DISC BRAKES WERE NOT ON THE BACK WHEELS. *SC *JB

20050225UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON EVERY STOP, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE BRAKES FAILED, AND THE CALIPER SPLIT IN HALF. *NM THE NOISE HAD COME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE FLUID WAS FLOWING OUT. THE TEETH WAS FOUND BROKEN OUT OF THE DISC BRAKE. THE 3/4 BY 3/4 INCH HIGH BRACKET EXPERIENCED A "HUMP" INSIDE OF IT WHICH MADE THE WHEEL WOBBLE. ALSO TWO OF THE 4 WHEEL ANTILOCK DISC BRAKES WERE NOT ON THE BACK WHEELS. *SC *JB

20050113STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

Mileage: 45,000

20050108POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT

AT 34,000 MILES IT STARTED WITH A SQUEAKING NOISE UNDER THE TRUCK WHEN MOVING. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. NOISE CONTINUED. INDIVIDUAL FOUND THAT THE "PLASTIC PARTS" USED IN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WERE BROKEN UP INSIDE. REPLACEMENT PARTS CONSISTED OF THE SAME PLASTIC PARTS WHICH ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT NOW AT 62,000 MILES. SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT FULLY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE DENAHLI SYSTEM OR ITS PARTS AND SPEND MORE TIME ORDERING THE WRONG PARTS. ALSO THE ENGINE HAS CUT OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING. LUCKLY I WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 15 MILES AN HOUR. ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE TODAY THE MUFFLER HAS A HOLE, THE SIZE OF A NICKLE, RUSTED OUT OF IT AND CONDENSATION WATER SHOOTING EVERYWHERE. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. HIGH PRICED TRUCK, LOW QUALITY PARTS. REPAIRS ARE IN THE PROCESS. *AK

Mileage: 32,000

20040830LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

BOTH REAR TAILGATE STRAPS SNAPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 39,000

20031018ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

UPON FIRST START-UP IN THE MORNING THE ENGINE TAPS FOR 10 TO15 SECONDS. THE LENGTH OF TIME AND NOISE LEVEL INCREASES WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS FOR TWO DAYS. IT IS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND AND THE OIL LEVEL IS GOOD. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A LIFTER IS LEAKING DOWN. SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT WAS BROUGHT BACK BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DISC THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL CONNECTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS WHERE THE OIL WAS ORIGINATING FROM AND CORRECTED THE LOOSE VENT CONNECTOR. THE DEALER SERVICE INVOICE DOESN'T STATE HOW MUCH FLUID WAS ADDED IF ANY. SERVICE ADVISOR DID NOT KNOW THE ANSWER. *LA

Mileage: 592

20030722ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE OVERHEATING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. THIS HAS OCCURRED OVER FIVE TIMES. OVERHEATING UP TO OVER THE RED SIGN OF OVERHEATING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING.*AK

Mileage: 3,200

20030306CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB

20030122ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE TAPS LOUDLY UPON STARTUP. THIS METALLIC TAPPING OCCURS AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING AND ALSO IF SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR SO. WHEN DRIVING COLD ENGINE, VALVE CLATTER OCCURS BEFORE EACH SHIFT OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. EMAIL AND TELEPHONE CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM LEFT ME WITH THEIR OFFER TO PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ENGINE, OF WHICH I DECLINED. PART OF THEIR RESPONSE: WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW YOUR CONCERNS WITH YOUR 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI. WE HAVE EXAMINED REQUEST NUMBER 1-60877406 IN WHICH YOUR ENGINE TAPPING NOISE IS DOCUMENTED WITH THE GMC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND WE ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE POSITION PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED TO YOU. UNDER THE TERMS OF THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY, OUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. SINCE THIS IS CONSIDERED A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS NO REPAIR NECESSARY. WE ASSURE YOU THAT IT WILL NOT EFFECT THE DRIVABILITY OR SAFETY OF YOUR VEHICLE.

Mileage: 2,000

Compare 2002GMCDENALI to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 GMC DENALI have?
The 2002 GMC DENALI has 28 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 GMC DENALI?
Yes, the 2002 GMC DENALI has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC DENALI?
The most-complained component for the 2002 GMC DENALI is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2002 GMC DENALI safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.