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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
9%of 32 total for the year
Median mileage
64,766miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali, 9% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,766 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.

“2003 Gmc denali front transfer case failure. While driving on the highway I noticed a loud noise for a few seconds, then it stopped, so I drove on home and the next morning I dropped it off at my personal repair shop. To his findings it was the front transfer case. So he called the local dealership and talked to someone he knew that worked at the dealership in the parts department and they told him that the dealership had repaired several denali's with the same or similar problem just this year.”

NHTSA complaint #10203496, filed 2007-09, 104,531 miles

“When the vehicle's ignition is in the accessory position the transmission can be shifted into reverse, neutral, drive, etc. Without the brake pedal being pressed. My 3 year old was sitting in my lap in the drivers seat in a parking lot listening to the radio in accessory mode he pulled the gear selector down into neutral and the car began to roll. Thinking that this was not possible, I took the vehicle into the dealership. Their reply, oh that's weird, I didn't know it would do that . No fix, just, we will look into it .”

NHTSA complaint #10102365, filed 2004-12, 25,000 miles

“Consumer states transmission can be shifted from park without foot being applied to the brake. Contrary to information existing in the owner's manual consumer's 2 year old child changed gear from park causing a collision that resulted in major damage to the vehicle. Vehicle was parked for thirty minutes before the child inserted the key and turned it to accessory and was able to shift gears. The vehicle struck several trees and two fences. The air bags didn't deploy. The police were notified but no report was filed.”

NHTSA complaint #10026157, filed 2003-12

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200339%
200228%
200129%

Other parts of the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali

Electrical system
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali

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