2002 GMC Yukon Denali problems
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 61% of complaints. Next are air bags (10%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 31 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 61% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 90,000 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 | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 25 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 90,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 104,000 miles (18 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 15th most-complained-about out of 15 model years of the GMC Yukon Denali with enough data (11 complaints in that window).
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.
Vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with another SUV ("t-bone"). Speed was approximately 35-45 MPH hit brakes, but other vehicle pulled immediately out in front of vehicle in question. Smashed front end of vehicle equally on both sides (square impact) and caused contents from vehicle to come from far back to the front seats. Went from 45-0 MPH in a few feet (almost flipped other SUV), yet air bags did not deploy. Force caused seatbelt to completely stretch out and lock in place permanently.
Dt*: the contact stated the air bags did not deploy in a frontal impact accident at 50 MPH. The air bag warning light was not illuminating prior to the accident. The dealership told the contact to call the manufacturer. The vehicle was totaled as a result of the accident. The contact sustained. Injuries. The police were notified, and a report was taken.
Consumer stated that on one occasion while coming to her vehicle, she found her five year old son dangling from the seat belt retractor at the top of the left back seat door. The left rear seat belt buckle was unattached. The seat belt was retracted and locked in place with the belt wrapped around his waist, he was injured due to this incident. *slc
I own a 2002 yukon denali, and my ABS kicks in at low speeds. There is already a recall for this issue but my [xxx] excludes me to obtain this recall. I own a 2002 yukon denali, I live in the "salt belt" states (new jersey), I am experiancing unwanted ABS activation at low speeds, my VIN does not match the suv's mentioned for this recall. I meet all quailifations for this recall except one (my VIN). So my SUV is not covered. Updated 07/17/2012
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.