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GMC DenaliModel year report

2002 GMC Denali Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
36,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 GMC Denali (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Denali. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and brakes (4). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 77% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 36,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 67 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “We own a 2002 Denali, that we bought used. The transmission went out around nov. 2008 (appr. 120,000 miles) we had the transmission replaced but the transmission went out again shortly thereafter (around 150,000). Through civil litigation, we found out that the transmission had went out previously, at around 70,000 miles. We are wondering if this is a common problem with denalis and if any compensation is available.”

NHTSA complaint #10282600, filed 2009-09, 70,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “At 34,000 miles it started with a squeaking noise under the truck when moving. Dealership could not find a problem. Noise continued. Individual found that the plastic parts used in the universal joint were broken up inside. Replacement parts consisted of the same plastic parts which are in need of replacement now at 62,000 miles. Service departments are not fully knowledgeable of the denahli system or its parts and spend more time ordering the wrong parts. Also the engine has cut out on me while driving. Luckly I was traveling at less than 15 miles an hour. …”

NHTSA complaint #10105964, filed 2005-01, 32,000 miles

Brakes: “Dt: the owner turned left in turning lane and applied the brakes and truck kept on . The brakes had been mashed, and they would not stop. The brakes had worked up to the point before the wreck. The vehicle was constantly serviced. Owner's vehicle hit another car, and created a three car pile up. There was one reported injury from this incident. The vehicle is in the shop at this point for repairs.”

NHTSA complaint #10125137, filed 2005-06, 36,000 miles

Air bags: “Dt: while driving on the interstate at 70 MPH the consumer was side swiped and knocked into the median, in which the side air bags failed to deploy. Updated 12/27/05.”

NHTSA complaint #10143140, filed 2005-11, 25,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

77% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 48,000 miles.

23%0–100%10–2554%25–5015%50–758%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 36,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

200120026200320042005200620072009
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 GMC Denali → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 67 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 67 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Denali

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20151856,0000———Falling
2014567,0000———Not enough data
2013524,4000———Not enough data
2012682,0000———Not enough data
201111114,2390———Not enough data
2010591,3250———Not enough data
20033250,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20022336,0001———Stable
20012264,3001———Stable
20002187,7021———Stable
19991482,5001———Not enough data

All GMC Denali model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 GMC Denali have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Denali as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 GMC Denali is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.

Has the 2002 GMC Denali been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 GMC Denali reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 36,000 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 48,000 miles; 77% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.