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GMC Yukon XL DenaliModel year report

2002 GMC Yukon XL Denali Problems

Complaints
26filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
106,600miles, 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.

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

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Yukon XL Denali. The part named most often is brakes, with 21 complaints (81% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and transmission and drivetrain (2). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 106,600 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 77 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 18 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.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “While under vehicle to replace gas filter it had become evident to me that the brake lines where they enter the ABS unit were fairly rusted. As I investigated further to areas not easily visible I had discovered that all the hydraulic brake lines are extremely rusted and imminent failure is evident. In mentioning this to a friend he suggest I check on line as he had heard of this problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10493678, filed 2013-01, 146,247 miles

Engine cooling: “- the contact owns a 2002 Gmc yukon denali xl. While driving about 65 MPH under normal dry conditions the vehicle stalled. There were no warning signs that the vehicle was about to stall. Once the failure occurred the contact lost the braking system and the power steering failed as well. The contact was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road without a crash. This failure happened on three other occasions with out incident. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where they fixed the throttle body and water pump. The failure continued to occur after the repair. …”

NHTSA complaint #10222485, filed 2008-03, 98,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Whining in engine-found to be bad bearings and metal in differential. Was told could have made car lock up at anytime (imagine that in heavy traffic). This is second car in family with exact same problem although was told it was rare .”

NHTSA complaint #10256588, filed 2009-01, 106,600 miles

Electrical system: “Vehicle lighting, especially at night, flickers constantly, has been to repair shop several times, alternator and battery check out fine. No one seems to know an answer.”

NHTSA complaint #10240595, filed 2008-09

Mileage when problems were reported

10% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 75,000 and 146,247 miles.

0%0–100%10–2510%25–5014%50–7519%75–10038%100–15019%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: 106,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2002200420092011201342018
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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 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. 77 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 77 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Yukon XL Denali

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20033267,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200226106,6000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20012297,5321———Stable

All GMC Yukon XL Denali model years

Frequently asked questions

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

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Yukon XL Denali as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Brakes is named most often, in 21 complaints (81% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.

Has the 2002 GMC Yukon XL 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.

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

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 106,600 miles and the middle half falls between 75,000 and 146,247 miles; 10% 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.

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.