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GMC Sierra DenaliModel year report

2002 GMC Sierra Denali Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,315miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
12 mpgcombined, 6.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 11 city / 14 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali. The part named most often is brakes, with 10 complaints (77% of the total), followed by steering (3) and air bags (1). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,315 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 71 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Example complaints

Brakes: “Everytime the brakes are applied and the vehicle slows down to under 10 MPH, the vehicles ABS system kicks on. I did some research and found that this has been recalled on many Gmc models but not the Sierra Denali I have. I have also found that many others with sierra denalis have had the same issue and it greatly increases stopping distance. Further research into the issue has LED me to believe this could be caused by a faulty speed sensor due to the ABS kicking in while stopping at low speed.”

NHTSA complaint #10355015, filed 2010-09, 100,000 miles

Steering: “I purchased a 2002 Gmc Sierra Denali in sept 2002 new from a local dealer. I am the primary driver and do not abuse the vehicle. I keep all the service work up on it thru the selling dealer. The problem that I have is that the qudarsteer control module went out and I called GM for a service request. Gm set up an appointment for me with the selling dealer to check out the problem. The dealership checked out my truck and told me that the qudrasteer module was bad and needed replaced. They got on theire computer and tried to locate a steering module. …”

NHTSA complaint #10257056, filed 2009-01, 49,800 miles

Air bags: “I did not know about this site and this accident happened in oct 2014. I was going around a curve with 40 MPH speed limit and I was going 40 MPH. I started to brake as this was downhill and a very large truck and I did not wish to increase speed as I followed the curve. My brakes did not respond and sank to the floor with no resistance. I had no steering ability either. I ended up in a head-on collision with a very large tree and the airbags failed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11030762, filed 2017-10

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 100,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2525%25–508%50–7533%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,315 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2006200720082009201042012201420172019
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 GMC Sierra Denali version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sierra Denali 1500 AWD6.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111412$5,600

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 71 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 71 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Sierra Denali

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20201120,0000———Not enough data
2019265,2690——77 · MoreFalling
20181728,0000———Falling
20171560,0000———Falling
20163048,0000——50 · TypicalFalling
20152247,8000———Stable
20141459,4960———Not enough data
2013870,0000———Not enough data
20121050,0000———Not enough data
20112865,0000——0 · FewerFalling
20101045,2840———Not enough data
2009794,0000———Not enough data
20081858,0000———Stable
2006561,0000———Not enough data
20041144,0000———Not enough data
20021379,3150—12—Not enough data

All GMC Sierra Denali model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Brakes is named most often, in 10 complaints (77% of the total), followed by steering with 3.

Has the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali get?

The EPA rates the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali (Sierra Denali 1500 AWD, 6.0L 8-cyl) at 12 mpg combined, 11 city and 14 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,315 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 100,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.