GMC YUKON XL · model year

2002 GMC YUKON XL

114 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002GMCYUKON XL carries 114 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 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 YUKON XL is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 10 filings, followed by service brakes (9) and parking brake (8). 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 2 active recall campaigns, 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 XL. 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.

114
Complaints
6
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

114 filings

Crashes Reported

6 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 BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP10
SERVICE BRAKES9
PARKING BRAKE8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP6
TIRES5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5
STEERING4
TIRES:TREAD/BELT3
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)3
STEERING:COLUMN3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2

Recalls (2)

05V37900029/08/2005

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

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAR

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

Recent Complaints

20220623SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact started to slow for traffic and depressed the brake, and felt no braking. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop and drove the vehicle to his residence. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed that there was a fractured parking brake spring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

Mileage: 189,000

20200331SERVICE BRAKES

AS VEHICLE COMES TO A SLOW STOP THE BRAKES FEEL AS IF THE RELEASE AND STILL ROLL ALSO WHEN PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY OR PARKING SPOT THIS HAS HAPPED OFTEN.

Mileage: 201,000

20200109CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND I HIT A TREE RUNNING 47 MPH AND MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE VERY LUCKY BUT WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY? MY HUSBAND WAS OUT OF WORK FOR 5 MONTHS DUE TO TORN LIGAMENTS IN HIS SHOULDERS AND STILL HAS TO HAVE SURGERY.

Mileage: 195,000

20200109CrashENGINE

I SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND I HIT A TREE RUNNING 47 MPH AND MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE VERY LUCKY BUT WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY? MY HUSBAND WAS OUT OF WORK FOR 5 MONTHS DUE TO TORN LIGAMENTS IN HIS SHOULDERS AND STILL HAS TO HAVE SURGERY.

Mileage: 195,000

20170809SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE JUMPED AND HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER 8-3140697651. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20160314CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TWO YEARS AGO I HAD A SEVER ACCIDENT THAT CAUSE ME TO HIT ANOTHER CAR AND SPIN AROUND. THE GMC DEALER SAID THE CAUSE WAS RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES. TODAY IT HAPPENED, BUT I WAS LUCK ENOUGH TO BE JUST PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE BRAKE LINE MUST HAVE RUSTED OUT AGAIN BECAUSE I PUMPED THE BRAKE AND NOTICED IT COMING OUT OF THE LEFT REAR LINE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WILL LIKELY ONLY HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THERE IS NO PRE WARNING. IT WILL JUST HAPPEN. PERHAPS THEY ARE MAKING THE BRAKE LINES OUT OF THINNER MATERIAL BECAUSE WE HAVE MANY VEHICLES MUCH OLDER, AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 192,219

20160216SERVICE BRAKES

I DROVE APPROX. 30 MILES TO MY DESTINATION WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE. I SPENT ABOUT 2 HOURS THERE THEN STARTED MY 2002 YUKON XL TO HEAD BACK HOME. UPON MOVING THE VEHICLE I REALIZED I HAD VERY LIMITED BREAKING POWER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I DREAD THINKING ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE HEADING HOME. MY MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE LINE FAILED CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO LOSE ALL STOPPING POWER. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON EARLY 2000'S GMC TRUCKS AND SUV'S. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE. GMC SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS AND PAY TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART REPLACEMENT. THIS WILL BE AN $800 REPAIR FOR ME AND A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT IN GMC IF THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES.

Mileage: 88,000

20150108SERVICE BRAKES

DURING LOW SPEED THE ABS KICKS IN ON NO SLIP CONDITIONS CAUSING IT TO TAKE LONGER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS STARTED OCCURRING IN JUNE 2014. I SEE A RECALL ON 2002 YUKON XL VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT DOES NOT SHOW UP ON THE VIN REPORT. *TR

Mileage: 211,055

20141102SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE TURNING INTO A MALL PARKING LOT FROM A MAIN STREET, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN INTO THE PARKING LOT FOR A VEHICLE TO PASS IN FRONT OF ME. WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE BREAK PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP EVEN FROM A SLOW SPEED. LUCKLY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AROUND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE THE BREAKS SEEMED TO FAIL ABOUT 95%. I PUMPED THE BREAKS A FEW TIME AND GOT INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DO TO SUDDEN BREAK FAILURE. THE REPAIR GARAGE CERTIFIED MECHANIC SAID THE BREAK LINE HAD RUSTED THRU AND THE BREAK FLUID WAS RAPIDLY LEAKING. I HAD THE GARAGE REPLACE ALL THE ENTIRE RUSTED BREAK LINES ($646.00) TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY AND AVOID ANOTHER SUDDEN BREAK FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BREAK LINES. OTHERWISE THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE FOR AND IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION. MY MECHANIC SAID THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL GMC VEHICLES WITH THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I BELIEVE GMC HAS SOLD A CAR WITH DEFECTIVE SAFETY PARTS WHI

Mileage: 120,000

20140327ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER EIGHT ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE 2001 GMC YUKON MODEL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,700.

Mileage: 62,700

20140311SERVICE BRAKES

WE PURCHASED THE 2002 YUKON FROM MCGUIRE DEALERSHIP IN NJ ITS BEEN CARED FOR TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FAITHFULLY DRIVEN BY MY 50 YEAR OLD FATHER, WHEN FIRST DRIVING HE NOTICED THE PEDAL VIBRATING RAPIDLY DURING NORMAL BRAKE APPLICATIONS. THE ABS CONTROL VALVE WAS THE CULPRIT ALONG WITH A RUSTY WHEEL SENSOR. IT WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER AND AFTER 5 YEARS THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTING AND ROTTING ALONG WITH SUSPENSION PARTS AND MOST OF ALL THE BRAKES. WE CAME CLOSE TO CRASHING ONE DAY WHEN THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, WE TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE AND THEY TELL US ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT ALONG WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE REPLACED THE LINES AND MASTER CYLINDER WITH A HEFTY PRICE TAG. WE GET THE CAR BACK 3 DAYS LATER PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AGAIN, BACK AT THE MECHANIC BOTH REAR CALIPERS ARE RUSTED AND LEAKING. WE REPLACED ALL 4 CALIPERS AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED BUT NOW THE FRAME IS RUSTING AND THE ABS IS STILL VIBRATING BADLY. LONG STORY SHORT GM NEEDS TO BE HEL

Mileage: 50,000

20140311SUSPENSION

WE PURCHASED THE 2002 YUKON FROM MCGUIRE DEALERSHIP IN NJ ITS BEEN CARED FOR TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FAITHFULLY DRIVEN BY MY 50 YEAR OLD FATHER, WHEN FIRST DRIVING HE NOTICED THE PEDAL VIBRATING RAPIDLY DURING NORMAL BRAKE APPLICATIONS. THE ABS CONTROL VALVE WAS THE CULPRIT ALONG WITH A RUSTY WHEEL SENSOR. IT WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER AND AFTER 5 YEARS THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTING AND ROTTING ALONG WITH SUSPENSION PARTS AND MOST OF ALL THE BRAKES. WE CAME CLOSE TO CRASHING ONE DAY WHEN THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, WE TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE AND THEY TELL US ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT ALONG WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE REPLACED THE LINES AND MASTER CYLINDER WITH A HEFTY PRICE TAG. WE GET THE CAR BACK 3 DAYS LATER PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AGAIN, BACK AT THE MECHANIC BOTH REAR CALIPERS ARE RUSTED AND LEAKING. WE REPLACED ALL 4 CALIPERS AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED BUT NOW THE FRAME IS RUSTING AND THE ABS IS STILL VIBRATING BADLY. LONG STORY SHORT GM NEEDS TO BE HEL

Mileage: 50,000

20140311STRUCTURE:BODY

WE PURCHASED THE 2002 YUKON FROM MCGUIRE DEALERSHIP IN NJ ITS BEEN CARED FOR TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FAITHFULLY DRIVEN BY MY 50 YEAR OLD FATHER, WHEN FIRST DRIVING HE NOTICED THE PEDAL VIBRATING RAPIDLY DURING NORMAL BRAKE APPLICATIONS. THE ABS CONTROL VALVE WAS THE CULPRIT ALONG WITH A RUSTY WHEEL SENSOR. IT WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER AND AFTER 5 YEARS THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTING AND ROTTING ALONG WITH SUSPENSION PARTS AND MOST OF ALL THE BRAKES. WE CAME CLOSE TO CRASHING ONE DAY WHEN THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, WE TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE AND THEY TELL US ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT ALONG WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE REPLACED THE LINES AND MASTER CYLINDER WITH A HEFTY PRICE TAG. WE GET THE CAR BACK 3 DAYS LATER PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AGAIN, BACK AT THE MECHANIC BOTH REAR CALIPERS ARE RUSTED AND LEAKING. WE REPLACED ALL 4 CALIPERS AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED BUT NOW THE FRAME IS RUSTING AND THE ABS IS STILL VIBRATING BADLY. LONG STORY SHORT GM NEEDS TO BE HEL

Mileage: 50,000

20130825STEERING

PURCHASED A NEW 2002 GMC YUKON XL, AT ABOUT 6800 MILES THE STEERING DEVELOPED A RATTLE, DEALER UNDER WARRANTY REGREASED THE STEERING SHAFT, THIS HELPED FOR A ABOUT A YEAR AND IT STARTED AGAIN. DEALER RE-GREASED WITH WHAT THEY SAID WAS A NEW GREASE THAT SHOULD SOLVE THE RATTLE PROBLEM. IT HAS STARTED THE RATTLE AGAIN AND ONLY HAS 38000 MILES. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A REDESIGNED STEERING SHAFT THAT SOLVES THIS RATTLE PROBLEM. HERE IS THE BULLETIN TO SOLVE THE POOR SHAFT DESIGN, SHOULD BE A RECALL BUT LOOKS LIKE GM IS ONLY REPLACING ON A CASE BY CASE ISSUE WAITING FOR YOUR WARRANTY TO BE OUT, AT WHICH TIME THEY CHARGE YOU FOR THE POOR DESIGN STEERING SHAFT. GMC TECH BULLETIN 00-02-35-003M (LATEST REVISION) SUBJECT: CLUNKING NOISE UNDER HOOD AND CAN BE FELT IN STEERING WHEEL AND/OR STEERING COLUMN (REPLACE UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT (I-SHAFT) ASSEMBLY) #00-02-35-003M - (01/31/2007) MODELS: 2002-2006 CADILLAC ESCALADE MODELS 1999-2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO MODELS (CLASSI

Mileage: 6,800

20130731SERVICE BRAKES

STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. INSPECTED VEHICLE AND NOTICED RUSTED BRAKE LINES FAILED.I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 215,000

20121016SERVICE BRAKES

THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SENSORS ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS COMPLETED IN 2006, ACCORDING TO GMC THEY ONLY CLEANED THE PARTS AND DID NOT REPLACE THEM. AS A RESULT THERE IS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SENSOR CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 192,000

20110906ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS ARE CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AND MAY LEAD TO FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS IT RENDERS THE VEHICLE EITHER UNUSABLE OR UNABLE TO PASS ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

20110906FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS ARE CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AND MAY LEAD TO FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS IT RENDERS THE VEHICLE EITHER UNUSABLE OR UNABLE TO PASS ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

20110506FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS, FUEL GAUGE READ 1/4 TANK

Mileage: 103,029

20110425SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND WAS IN THE INTERSECTION BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED. THE BRAKING ISSUES PERSISTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS CONTINUOUSLY DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

Mileage: 156,000

Compare 2002GMCYUKON XL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 GMC YUKON XL have?
The 2002 GMC YUKON XL has 114 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 GMC YUKON XL?
Yes, the 2002 GMC YUKON XL has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC YUKON XL?
The most-complained component for the 2002 GMC YUKON XL is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and PARKING BRAKE.
Is the 2002 GMC YUKON XL 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.