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Engine coolingPart report

2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
13%of 32 total for the year
Median mileage
137,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL, 13% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 137,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving my yukon 2003 denali and the error message showed up reduced engine power . I wasn't able to get the speed up to 30 MPH on the highway. I pulled into a parking lot and had someone come pick me up. When I went to pick up my vehicle, the message no longer appeared and it functioned at normal speeds. I am nervous about traveling with my family in the vehicle now.”

NHTSA complaint #10432820, filed 2011-10, 175,981 miles

“2003 yukon denali. Reduced engine power while driving down the interstate, highway and or street. No matter what the speed without warning the power shuts down and you have no choice but to try to get the side and turn off the key and let it sit. Then try again. I have had it in the shop six times over the past three months still not repaired and ongoing hazard to me and whoever is in the vehicle with me or behind me. Help please!”

NHTSA complaint #10378669, filed 2011-01, 160,000 miles

“When driving at low speeds (less than 10 miles per hour) or starting from a stop, the traction control will automatically engage when the gas pedal is applied. When the traction control engages, a total loss of input to the engine results and the vehicle does not move (it essentially stalls). I was almost struck in an intersection while waiting to make a left turn on a green light in early december of 2011. I was stopped in the middle of the intersection waiting to turn left. …”

NHTSA complaint #10441727, filed 2011-12, 68,650 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Gmc yukon denali. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, the engine shut down completely with no prior warning. The contact was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road and had it towed to an authorized dealership. The dealer stated that although not certain, the fuel tank could have caused the failure. The failure occurred several times. In january 2010, the dealer replaced the throttle body assembly. The current and failure mileages were approximately 115,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10325444, filed 2010-04, 115,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201512%
200812%
200619%
200539%
200424%
2003413%

Other parts of the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL

Brakes
16 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology