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GMC Yukon XL 1500Model year report

2002 GMC Yukon XL 1500 Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
96,218miles, 21 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
14 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 1500. The part named most often is brakes, with 14 complaints (61% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine cooling (2). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 96,218 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 70 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 10 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.

Example complaints

Brakes: “I tried to stop and when I applied the brakes the ABS activated without any reason. The roads were clean and dry. There was not any warning indicator for the ABS brakes, I am told there is a recall for this issue but the dealer says mine was already done. Obviously the fix was not effective if I am experiencing the problem now.”

NHTSA complaint #10584439, filed 2014-04, 149,921 miles

Electrical system: “I purchased a 2002 Gmc yukon xl 2 days ago, sold as is with no warranty. At the bottom of the speedometer are the lights that indicate the position of the shifter (park, reverse, neutral, overdrive, and gears 3,2 and 1) and also the odometer reading. These indicator lights worked fine during the test drive but became intermittent on the drive home from the dealership and while driving the vehicle since then. You lose all indication of what gear you are in and of the odometer reading. …”

NHTSA complaint #10357467, filed 2010-09, 85,350 miles

Engine cooling: “I have a 2002 Gmc yukon xl. This vehicle that I recently purchased has stalled on two occasions while driving. Both times I was in traffic and had difficulty safely getting off the roadway, as I had no power. I have done a fair amount of research and found that I am 1 of many with this complaint.”

NHTSA complaint #10344480, filed 2010-07, 167,235 miles

Electronic stability control: “Early in the morning I start up the truck to warm it up. I put the truck in reverse and as soon as I put the truck in drive the reduce engine power light comes on, then the truck goes limp mode (not allowing the truck to go no more than 20 MPH in motion). I have to restart the truck 5 times for the reduce engine power light to turn off. Leaving the service engine light on. This problem occurs every morning, no matter hoe long I warm up the truck. I bought this truck 3 years ago from a used car lot, and I didnt start having issues until 1 year ago. …”

NHTSA complaint #11180691, filed 2019-02

Mileage when problems were reported

14% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 76,000 and 149,921 miles.

0%0–105%10–2510%25–5010%50–7529%75–10024%100–15024%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 96,218 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20062007200820092010520132014520172019
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 Yukon XL 1500 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 XL 1500 2WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Yukon XL 1500 4WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121513$5,150
Yukon XL 1500 2WD5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Yukon XL 1500 4WD5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic121614$4,800

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 XL 1500 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. 70 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 70 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Yukon XL 1500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012541,2500417—Not enough data
20111259,9262—17—Not enough data
2010893,0000—16—Not enough data
20091159,7770—16—Not enough data
20081865,0000—16—Stable
20076041,6730—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
2006519,9870—14—Not enough data
20052468,0000—15—Stable
20043675,0000—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20036395,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20022396,2180—14—Stable
200129124,5060—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200015118,9760—14—Stable

All GMC Yukon XL 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 1500 have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 1500 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 14 complaints (61% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 1500 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 XL 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 1500 (Yukon XL 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 1500 reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 96,218 miles and the middle half falls between 76,000 and 149,921 miles; 14% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.