GMC SIERRA DENALI · model year

2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI

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

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002GMCSIERRA DENALI carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 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 SIERRA DENALI is steering with 3 filings, followed by service brakes (3) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (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 SIERRA 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.

17
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

17 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
STEERING3
SERVICE BRAKES3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
AIR BAGS1

Recalls (1)

06E04300019/05/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE

Recent Complaints

20190110SERVICE BRAKES

THE METAL BRAKE LINES HAVE CORRODED BADLY AND NOW FAILED. VERY UNSAFE, CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN.

Mileage: 90,000

20171002CrashAIR BAGS

I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SITE AND THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN OCT 2014. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE WITH 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT AND I WAS GOING 40 MPH. I STARTED TO BRAKE AS THIS WAS DOWNHILL AND A VERY LARGE TRUCK AND I DID NOT WISH TO INCREASE SPEED AS I FOLLOWED THE CURVE. MY BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND SANK TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. I HAD NO STEERING ABILITY EITHER. I ENDED UP IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A VERY LARGE TREE AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED. I SPLIT MY HEAD OPEN ON THE STEERING WHEEL DESPITE BLOCKING MY FACE WITH MY FOREARMS CROSSED; A DE-GLOVING 10-12 INCH LACERATION DOWN TO THE SKULL THAT WRAPS FROM MY NOSE BRIDGE AROUND TO MY RIGHT EAR IN THE CIRCULAR SHAPE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. MY RIGHT LEG WAS PINNED INTO THE CENTER DASH AREA AS THE ENGINE BLOCK AND STEERING COLUMN WERE SHOVED INTO THE CAB. I HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE BY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. MY QUADRASTEER WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY USAA INSURANCE AND DESTROYED WITH

20171002CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SITE AND THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN OCT 2014. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE WITH 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT AND I WAS GOING 40 MPH. I STARTED TO BRAKE AS THIS WAS DOWNHILL AND A VERY LARGE TRUCK AND I DID NOT WISH TO INCREASE SPEED AS I FOLLOWED THE CURVE. MY BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND SANK TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. I HAD NO STEERING ABILITY EITHER. I ENDED UP IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A VERY LARGE TREE AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED. I SPLIT MY HEAD OPEN ON THE STEERING WHEEL DESPITE BLOCKING MY FACE WITH MY FOREARMS CROSSED; A DE-GLOVING 10-12 INCH LACERATION DOWN TO THE SKULL THAT WRAPS FROM MY NOSE BRIDGE AROUND TO MY RIGHT EAR IN THE CIRCULAR SHAPE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. MY RIGHT LEG WAS PINNED INTO THE CENTER DASH AREA AS THE ENGINE BLOCK AND STEERING COLUMN WERE SHOVED INTO THE CAB. I HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE BY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. MY QUADRASTEER WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY USAA INSURANCE AND DESTROYED WITH

20171002CrashSTEERING

I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SITE AND THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN OCT 2014. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE WITH 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT AND I WAS GOING 40 MPH. I STARTED TO BRAKE AS THIS WAS DOWNHILL AND A VERY LARGE TRUCK AND I DID NOT WISH TO INCREASE SPEED AS I FOLLOWED THE CURVE. MY BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND SANK TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. I HAD NO STEERING ABILITY EITHER. I ENDED UP IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A VERY LARGE TREE AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED. I SPLIT MY HEAD OPEN ON THE STEERING WHEEL DESPITE BLOCKING MY FACE WITH MY FOREARMS CROSSED; A DE-GLOVING 10-12 INCH LACERATION DOWN TO THE SKULL THAT WRAPS FROM MY NOSE BRIDGE AROUND TO MY RIGHT EAR IN THE CIRCULAR SHAPE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. MY RIGHT LEG WAS PINNED INTO THE CENTER DASH AREA AS THE ENGINE BLOCK AND STEERING COLUMN WERE SHOVED INTO THE CAB. I HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE BY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. MY QUADRASTEER WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY USAA INSURANCE AND DESTROYED WITH

20140726SERVICE BRAKES

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO FLOOR, LUCKILY I HAD THE PRESENTS OF MIND TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20120110SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

100% BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUPTURED METAL BRAKE LINE, SEVERE CORROSION. ALL LINES REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. GMC NOTIFIED, NO REPLACE PARTS SUPPORTED BY MANUFACTURER. TRUCK STOPPED WITH USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

Mileage: 124,365

20101230ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK CAUSING EMISSION FAILURE AND EXHAUST LEAK. THE REPAIR BILL IS UP TO $1000. OR MORE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GARAGE DRILL OUT OLD BOLTS AND REPLACE. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

20101101SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND ALSO NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20101001SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

ABS IS ACTIVATING AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 10MPH WHEN STOPPING WITHOUT ABS LIGHT COMING ON. *TR

Mileage: 78,630

20100911SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

EVERYTIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO UNDER 10 MPH, THE VEHICLES ABS SYSTEM KICKS ON. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED ON MANY GMC MODELS BUT NOT THE SIERRA DENALI I HAVE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS WITH SIERRA DENALIS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT GREATLY INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE. FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE ISSUE HAS LED ME TO BELIEVE THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY SPEED SENSOR DUE TO THE ABS KICKING IN WHILE STOPPING AT LOW SPEED. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20090603STEERING

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. SINCE THAT TIME, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE TRUCK HAS STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION. AFTER REVIEWING THE RECALL INFORMATION AND CALLING GM AND OUR DEALERSHIP, NO OPEN RECALLS APPLY TO THE TRUCK. THEY WILL OF COURSE BE HAPPY TO CHARGE US AND MINIMUM OF $101.00 AND MORE TO LOOK AT THE TRUCK AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS A RECALL, WHY DOES IT NOT APPLY? *TR

Mileage: 145,300

20090131STEERING

I PURCHASED A 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI IN SEPT 2002 NEW FROM A LOCAL DEALER. I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND DO NOT ABUSE THE VEHICLE. I KEEP ALL THE SERVICE WORK UP ON IT THRU THE SELLING DEALER. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THE QUDARSTEER CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT AND I CALLED GM FOR A SERVICE REQUEST. GM SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME WITH THE SELLING DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED OUT MY TRUCK AND TOLD ME THAT THE QUDRASTEER MODULE WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED. THEY GOT ON THEIRE COMPUTER AND TRIED TO LOCATE A STEERING MODULE. BELIVE IT OR NOT THERE ISN'T ONE IN THE UNITED STATES. GM DOSEN'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE THEY HAVE BEEN DISCONTUINED. GM PRODUCED THIS TRUCK UNTILL 2005, I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY HAD TO SUPPLY PARTS FOR VEHICLES THAT THEY MADE FOR AT LEAST 10 YR'S I AM NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK WITH 50,285 MILES ON IT AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER NOT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT WOULD WEAR UOT MY TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP DISABLED THE QUDRASTEE

Mileage: 49,800

20090131ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED A 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI IN SEPT 2002 NEW FROM A LOCAL DEALER. I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND DO NOT ABUSE THE VEHICLE. I KEEP ALL THE SERVICE WORK UP ON IT THRU THE SELLING DEALER. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THE QUDARSTEER CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT AND I CALLED GM FOR A SERVICE REQUEST. GM SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME WITH THE SELLING DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED OUT MY TRUCK AND TOLD ME THAT THE QUDRASTEER MODULE WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED. THEY GOT ON THEIRE COMPUTER AND TRIED TO LOCATE A STEERING MODULE. BELIVE IT OR NOT THERE ISN'T ONE IN THE UNITED STATES. GM DOSEN'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE THEY HAVE BEEN DISCONTUINED. GM PRODUCED THIS TRUCK UNTILL 2005, I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY HAD TO SUPPLY PARTS FOR VEHICLES THAT THEY MADE FOR AT LEAST 10 YR'S I AM NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK WITH 50,285 MILES ON IT AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER NOT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT WOULD WEAR UOT MY TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP DISABLED THE QUDRASTEE

Mileage: 49,800

20080623SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS WHEEL HUB WAS PULSATING, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ABS HUB SENSORS HAD ENGAGED AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT HE LOST ALL SENSE OF BRAKING CONTROL. HE DROVE HOME AND CALLED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE ABS SENSORS WERE DIRTY AND NEEDED TO BE CLEANED OR REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE YET BEEN MADE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK) WAS RELATED TO HIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08 *JB

Mileage: 55,000

20080623SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS WHEEL HUB WAS PULSATING, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ABS HUB SENSORS HAD ENGAGED AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT HE LOST ALL SENSE OF BRAKING CONTROL. HE DROVE HOME AND CALLED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE ABS SENSORS WERE DIRTY AND NEEDED TO BE CLEANED OR REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE YET BEEN MADE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK) WAS RELATED TO HIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08 *JB

Mileage: 55,000

20070424SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING UNDER 10 MPH, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL PULSATED AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO RECALL #05V379000. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36000. *AK UPDATED 06/06/07 *TR

Mileage: 36,000

20060619SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

VEHICLE HAD SEVERE SYMPTOMS OF NEEDING BRAKE REPLACEMENT AT 32,000 MILES (REARS) AND AGAIN AT 42,000 MILES (FRONTS). A BURNING SMELL COUPLED WITH VERY HOT BRAKE COMPONENTS AND SEVERE PEDAL PULSATION WAS NOTICED. WHEN REPAIRS WERE DONE THE BRAKES WERE FOUND TO BE PREMATURELY WORN OUT AND ALL PARTS SHOWED UNUSUALLY SEVERE RUST DAMAGE. THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE DELAMINATED AND FALLING APART. THE REAR BACKING PLATES, WHICH USUALLY LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, HAD HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THEM. THE VALVES WERE SO RUSTED THAT THEY NO LONGER CAN BE USED TO BLEED THE OLD FLUID OUT AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN INTERNAL RUST CONDITION THAT CAN CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, ON A VEHICLE THAT HAD INADEQUATE BRAKES TO BEGIN WITH, A LARGE PORTION OF THE ROTOR SURFACES WAS NOT EVEN BEING CONTACTED BY THE BRAKE PAD. THIS CAUSED AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHICH DRASTICALLY INCREASED THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THIS VEHICLE. NEW PARTS WERE INSTALLED AND THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *JB

Mileage: 32,000

Compare 2002GMCSIERRA DENALI to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI have?
The 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI has 17 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI?
Yes, the 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI?
The most-complained component for the 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI is STEERING with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 2002 GMC SIERRA 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.