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GMC Yukon DenaliModel year report

2002 GMC Yukon Denali Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
82,870miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
12 mpgcombined, 6.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 10 city / 14 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali. The part named most often is brakes, with 19 complaints (66% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and electrical system (3). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,870 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 317 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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: “Anti-lock brake failure on 2002 Yukon Denali in michigan. My vehicle is experiencing the problem of the recall. Though my vehicle falls under the recall. Gm is refusing to fix my vehicle because my particular vehicle does not show up in the GM computer system as requiring the recall. Please get GM to put vehicle required by recall in their system.”

NHTSA complaint #10253580, filed 2009-01, 60,000 miles

Air bags: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10153072, filed 2006-03, 16,000 miles

Electrical system: “I own a 2002 Gmc Yukon Denali and little by little the lights behind the instruments on the dash and steering wheel buttons have blown out. The dealer said the only replacement would be for the entire units and I would have to pay for it. Components work fine but cannot see at night which makes driving and trying to figure out the instruments are difficult.”

NHTSA complaint #10179203, filed 2007-01, 66,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Consumer noticed a noise coming from right rear of vehicle intermittently. Dealer was contacted, and changed the exhaust system. Noise stopped for a while, but returned.”

NHTSA complaint #10022844, filed 2003-06

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 128,000 miles.

0%0–108%10–258%25–5029%50–7513%75–10025%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 82,870 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’02’05’07’09’11’135’15’17
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Yukon Denali · sedan not rated3 / 4——3
Yukon Denali XL · sedan not rated4 / 4——3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 GMC Yukon 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
Yukon Denali 1500 AWD6.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic101412$5,600
Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD6.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic101412$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 Yukon 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. 317 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 317 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Yukon Denali

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20171241,10004——Not enough data
20161855,00004——Rising
20157358,00004—85 · MoreStable
20132958,00004150 · FewerStable
20122862,00004150 · FewerStable
20119675,0000—1574 · MoreStable
20105379,0000—1543 · TypicalStable
20094675,5000—1463 · TypicalStable
20085870,0000—1450 · TypicalFalling
200712090,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20062177,0000———Stable
20054979,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200410974,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20037294,4260——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20022982,8700—12Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20013596,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20001898,0000———Stable
199927105,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

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

Frequently asked questions

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

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

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

Brakes is named most often, in 19 complaints (66% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 2002 GMC Yukon 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 Yukon Denali get?

The EPA rates the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali (Yukon Denali 1500 AWD, 6.0L 8-cyl) at 12 mpg combined, 10 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 Yukon Denali reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,870 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 128,000 miles; 17% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.