2001 GMC Denali problems
The 2001 GMC Denali has 31 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (19%) concerns brakes. After that come drivetrain & axles (13%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 31 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 64,000 miles 25 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 9 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 25 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 64,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2001 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the GMC Denali with enough data (20 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Rear-ended while at a complete stop for a red light. High impact; my head hit the steering wheel then the driver side panel. My airbag did not deploy. My door was pried open by a pedestrian who checked me and asked if I knew what happened and was I okay. I opened the door, struggled out and tried to stand up to see what had hit me; my legs wouldn't hold and I leaned against my vehicle and called 911.
My wife was impacted on the right front section of her 2001 GMC denali by a hit-and-run motorist. The collision occurred in the east bound 22fwy in orange county california. The airbags did not deploy. The impact speed was more than 50MPH. The airbags should have deployed - opinion from aaa insurance and auto mechanics that repaired the car. My wife had to attend a chiropractor for over a month to adjust her spinal chord. Up to this day she has back pain.
Dt: the contact stated the transmission seal was defective after a certain amount of miles, it allowed the cooling system to leak into the transmission. When accelerating the transmission would down shift into first gear, this would make the vehicle jump. The transmission failed at an intersection. When this occurred the vehicle had to be driven home and to the dealership in first gear. It was taken to the dealership who diagnosed the problem.
Parking brake never works. Had complete system replaced at dealership 3 years ago. Did not improve the stopping capabilities. Other individuals with the same vehicle identify have explained that this is a problem they also experience. I am afraid that there is no backup brake system in the event of a primary brake system failure.