GMC Denali Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 162 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the GMC Denali (1999–2015) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 32. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (33 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Denali model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 18 | 56,000 | 0 | 115 | — | Falling |
| 2014 | 5 | 67,000 | 0 | 106 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 5 | 24,400 | 0 | 106 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 6 | 82,000 | 0 | 103 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 11 | 114,239 | 0 | 96 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 5 | 91,325 | 0 | 91 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 32 | 50,000 | 0 | 91 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 23 | 36,000 | 1 | 67 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 22 | 64,300 | 1 | 62 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 21 | 87,702 | 1 | 56 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 14 | 82,500 | 1 | 9 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes33 22%
- Other or unknown21 14%
- Electrical system20 13%
- Transmission and drivetrain19 13%
- Air bags17 11%
- Steering14 9.4%
- Engine cooling14 9.4%
- Exterior lighting11 7.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2013: “Dash board on my Gmc truck is cracked in three places. One of the places is a corner on the dash that encases the airbag. I have religiously covered the dash since day one, because I had a similar problem on my 2007 sierra. Dash cracked in one place. Dealer replaced it for free.”
NHTSA complaint #11298822, filed 2020-01, 24,400 miles2011: “Takata recall I receive a notice stating that takata is filing chapter 11 and on the notice it tells me to call my GM dealer and have my airbags replaced, after contacting my selling dealer on 11/2/2017 I was told that GM is not addressing the issue today and they will notify me when the matter is settled, I'am getting two different stories, what I s the real story, please let me know, thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11042678, filed 2017-11, 40,000 miles2003: “I have had the break/steering fluid booster replaced 3 times in a 6 month period. How Gmc can call this a problem but not a safety issue is beyond me. I have looked it up and thousands have had problems with this along with alike vehicles from the same years. The breaks and steering lock up while driving especially around turns. It is extremely dangerous!!!!! I guess not enough people have died....uugghhh .... So frustrating!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11165106, filed 2019-01, 120,000 milesOther GMC models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology