GMC YUKON DENALI · model year

2002 GMC YUKON DENALI

31 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002GMCYUKON DENALI carries 31 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 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 YUKON DENALI is service brakes with 8 filings, followed by air bags (3) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3). 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 YUKON 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.

31
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

31 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES8
AIR BAGS3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
SUSPENSION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT1
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC1

Recalls (1)

06E02500021/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THA

Recent Complaints

20171029AIR BAGS

ADD ME TO THE CHECK YOUR AIRBAG LAWSUIT

20160716SERVICE BRAKES

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AN APPROXIMATE 12 MONTH PERIOD, I HAD TO REPLACE A BRAKE LINE FAILURE. UNTIL NOW, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT GM HAS A "REPLACEMENT REBUILD KIT". HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME MY SISTER WAS DRIVING AND HAD A BRAKE FAILURE WITH A CAR LOAD OF FAMILY ABOARD, IN JACKSONVILLE FL. A NATIONALLY KNOWN COMPANY REPLACED THE PORTION OF THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUPTURED, BUT THEY DID WARN ME THAT RUST WAS RAMPART BECAUSE OF THE SALT. YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON I495, D.C. BELTWAY AT 50 MPH, WHERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TRAVEL DAILY AND I HAD ANOTHER CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE AT 50 MPH. THAT SCENARIO, JUST THINKING ABOUT IT AGAIN, SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH AND I JUST FIXED THE SAME THING LAST YEAR FOR 600.00+ AND UNEXPECTEDLY IT HAPPENS AGAIN. ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED OR HAD SUBSTANTIAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. WHAT I FOUND OUT LATER AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM, AND THE SAME COMPANY WHO REPLACED THE FIRST BRAKE LINE SAID IT WOULD BE 1500.00 TO FIX A PORTION

Mileage: 128,000

20150723SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REMOVED THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE FUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20140910SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PUMPED THEM REPEATEDLY WHICH DID NOT HELP MUCH AT ALL. I WAS NOT ABLE TO SLOW DOWN, MUCH LESS STOP AT THE STOP SIGN. WITH NO CHOICE, I ROUNDED THE TURN AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THANKFULLY THE APPROACHING VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO AVOID ME. HAD I ARRIVED AT THE INTERSECTION A FEW SECONDS LATER THE RESULT WOULD HAVE LIKELY BEEN DIFFERENT. AS THIS OCCURRED LATE AT NIGHT WITH ALMOST NO TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED WITH HEAVY BRAKE PUMPING. UPON INSPECTION IN MY DRIVEWAY I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT A CORRODED BRAKE LINE THAT LEADS TO THE REAR BRAKES HAD BURST. THE PLACEMENT OF THIS PART ON TOP OF THE FRAME RAIL PREVENTS INSPECTION BY OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 89,740

20140824SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002YUKON DENALI WITH 105,000 MILES WE HAD BRAKE FAILURE FOR THE SECOND TIME. WE WERE TOWING OUR 21 FOOT GULF STREAM AMERILITE TRAVEL TRAILER AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US STEPPED ON THEIR BRAKES MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO BEGIN SLOWING DOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WE HAD NO BRAKES. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT WE WERE NOT KILLED. THIS IS THE SECOND BRAKE LINE RUPTURE WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS EXTEMELY WELL MAINTAINED. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IT HAS BEEN VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE OUR VEHICLE TOWED TWICE AND REPAIRED. I WILL BE CONTACTING GMC AND ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. OUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF MANY OTHERS HAVE BEEN PUT IN DANGER HERE. WHY IS THEIR NOT A RECALL WITH SO MANY POSTINGS OF THE THIS PROBLEM? ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH STAINLESS STEEL LINES THAT WILL NOT RUST. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE PRIOR TO CONTACTING AN ATTORNEY. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

20140717SERVICE BRAKES

DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY 2002 YUKON DENALI, HEAVY RUST/CORROSION WAS FIRST IDENTIFIED ON THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS UNDER THE RADIATOR. AS I FOLLOWED IT BACK, MORE RUST/CORROSION IS VISIBLE. THEY ARE RUSTING/CORRODING IN EXPOSED AS WELL AS PROTECTED AREAS. CONCERNED FOR SAFETY AND A POTENTIAL FAILURE I STARTED TO INVESTIGATE, ON LINE, AND FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE HAS AFFECTED MANY TRUCKS AND SUV'S IN AND AROUND MY MODEL YEAR. I ALSO FOUND THAT GM IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HAS FAILED TO INITIATE A RECALL. VEHICLES OF THIS SIZE ARE PURCHASED FOR LARGE FAMILIES, TOWING AND HAULING HEAVY LOADS. ALL THE MORE REASON FOR GM TO RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL DANGER AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. *TR

Mileage: 131,506

20140328ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH INTO THE START POSITION. THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,809.

Mileage: 90,000

20140216SERVICE BRAKES

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CAR TOWED TO VAN CHEVROLET IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ. DEALER ONLY REPLACED ONE FAILED LINE. APPROX. 1 YEAR LATER, FRONT LEFT LINE FAILED, AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, AND WAS REPLACED. AFTER INSPECTION ALL HARD BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEED REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

20130927SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20130927FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20130729SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND STARTED TO BRAKE AND THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD THE STAND ON IT TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE I FOUND A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. FURTHER REVIEW FOUND ALL 4 LINES 8 INCHES BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER AND LOWER SERIOUSLY CORRODED. FLUID RESERVOIR WAS STILL FULL OF FLUID. THE LINE BROKE OUT UNDER THE CARRIAGE, FRONT DRIVER SIDE, JUST BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL WELL. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE OF THE CORRODED LINES. *TR

Mileage: 113,706

20120309SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINE. BRAKING WAS NOT EXISTENT AS THE PEDAL TRAVELS TO THE FLOOR. THANK GOD FOR NOT BEING IN A BUSY STREET AND BEING ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. THIS IS A HEAVY VEHICLE AND WITHOUT BRAKING ABILITY IT COULD EASILY KILL PEOPLE. AFTER ADDING SOME BRAKE FLUID (MOST OF WHICH LEAKED THROUGH THE BROKEN LINE) THERE'S NOT EVEN A WARNING LIGHT ON TO ALERT OF A BRAKING PROBLEM DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. THE OTHER IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE IS THAT THE FAILURE IN THE LINE APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED IN A PART OF THE LINE THAT APPEARS TO BE INSIDE THE CAR FRAME WHICH MAKES IT THE MOST PROTECTED LINE FROM THE OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. IF THAT'S THE FIRST LINE TO FAIL, IT WOULD SUGGEST SUB STANDARD MATERIALS BEING USED IN MANUFACTURING THESE LINES. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

20110815STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FAILED TO SECURE THE DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 65,000. UPDATED 11/03/11*LJ UPDATED 11/23/11

Mileage: 65,000

20110706SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING, THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE AND CAUSE THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Mileage: 167,000

20100625SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 3-10 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WOULD ENGAGE. THE DEALER ADVISED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 05V379000: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK), HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

Mileage: 56,000

20100310STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 5 MPH HE SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AS PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD BREAK FREE TO TURN AND THEN RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000. UPDATED 04-15-10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH GM AND THE DEALER A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ORDERED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED ON APRIL 13TH. UPDATED 05/05/10.*JB

Mileage: 74,000

20090102SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE ON 2002 YUKON DENALI IN MICHIGAN. MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM OF THE RECALL. THOUGH MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE RECALL. GM IS REFUSING TO FIX MY VEHICLE BECAUSE MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE DOES NOT SHOW UP IN THE GM COMPUTER SYSTEM AS REQUIRING THE RECALL. PLEASE GET GM TO PUT VEHICLE REQUIRED BY RECALL IN THEIR SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20080419SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

I HAVE A 2002 YUKON DENALI AWD. I TOOK A LONG TRIP THIS WEEK FOR VACATION AND NOTICED THAT THE ABS LIGHT AS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF, AND NOW ITS ON ALL THE TIME. WHENEVER IM MOVING AT LOW SPEEDS IT TENDS TO PULSE WHEN I BRAKE OR HAVE THE ABS ACTIVATE MAKING AN EASY SLOW STOP BECOME AND LONG STOP THAT HAS MADE ME SWERVE TO MISS MANY NEAR COLLISIONS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. IM ALSO HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND AT LOW SPEEDS IN THE DRIVE SIDE WHEEL ONLY WHEN I TURN RIGHT, BETWEEN THE 2 THAT HAVE JUST RECENTLY APPEARED MADE MY 900 MILE TRIP A NIGHTMARE, NOT KNOWING WHAT IT IS. I'VE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND NOTICE THERE WAS A RECALL IN CANADA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO GET IT IN THE U.S. SO HOW MANY PPL NEED TO RISK BEING INJURED OR KILLED FOR GM TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THEY OBVIOUSLY NO SOMETHING IS WRONG AND IS NOT WILLING TO HELP THE CONSUMERS. THANKS *TR

20071219SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

ANTILOCK BRAKES PULSE AND MAKE ACTIVATION NOISE AT LOW SPEED REGARDLESS OF ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR

Mileage: 212,850

20070119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

I OWN A 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI AND LITTLE BY LITTLE THE LIGHTS BEHIND THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE DASH AND STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS HAVE BLOWN OUT. THE DEALER SAID THE ONLY REPLACEMENT WOULD BE FOR THE ENTIRE UNITS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. COMPONENTS WORK FINE BUT CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT WHICH MAKES DRIVING AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE INSTRUMENTS ARE DIFFICULT.*JB

Mileage: 66,000

Compare 2002GMCYUKON DENALI to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI have?
The 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI has 31 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI?
Yes, the 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI?
The most-complained component for the 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI is SERVICE BRAKES with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 2002 GMC YUKON 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.