2001 GMC Yukon XL Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2001 GMC Yukon XL most often describe brake-related problems: unwanted ABS activation at low speeds, an ABS pump motor that keeps running after the vehicle is shut off, and rusted brake lines that leak fluid and let the pedal go to the floor. A second frequent theme is a parking brake that will not hold the vehicle, often noticed at state inspection and attributed by dealers to normal wear. Complaints arrive at widely spread mileages, from under 30,000 to well past 150,000, so condition and climate history matter as much as odometer reading.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates or runs at low speed; pump keeps running

   • 40 complaints (33%)
   • median 70,500 mi at 5.2 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,180 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2026

   Owners describe the ABS engaging or grinding during low-speed braking, sometimes letting the vehicle slide past a stop, and an ABS warning light that stays on. Others report a humming or buzzing pump motor that continues after the ignition is off, with some disconnecting the battery or pulling the ABS fuse to stop it, which leaves ordinary braking without ABS. Complaints note corrosion at the wheel speed sensors and hub assemblies, and several say they were told their vehicle was not covered by the ABS recall. Described from roughly 18,000 to 130,000 miles, with many reports between 40,000 and 80,000 and several in cold, road-salt climates.

   Recall 05V3790001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS recall work was done and whether the ABS light stays off after start-up; after a test drive, listen for a pump motor that keeps running once the key is off. Check front hub and sensor areas for heavy corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs brake failure on my Gmc 2001 yukon01. 1st failure occurred at 18000 miles. Dealer would only fix if I spend $600 on all new rotors & pads(all 4 wheels). Ask to check all other sensors at the time. They said the where ok. 2 nd failure 1800 miles later. Would fix for $495”

   NHTSA complaint #10120747, filed 2005-05, 18,000 miles

   “The antilock braking system activates consistently at low speeds on my 2001 Gmc Yukon Xl. The manufacturer has issued a service bulletin addressing the problem but there is no recall. They place the blame on rust affecting the sensors but I have never experienced the problem on any other anti-lock braking system I have had, nor have I ever heard of the problem before. I believe the problem results from the system's design and believe it is a safety issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10093397, filed 2004-09, 48,050 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Parking brake will not hold; wears early

   • 21 complaints (18%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2006

   Owners report the parking or emergency brake pedal going to the floor or failing to hold the vehicle on a slope, sometimes rolling while in neutral. Several found the problem at inspection time, and some had the brake shoes and drums replaced only to have the same result return. Complaints describe dealers calling it normal wear and declining warranty or goodwill coverage. Reported from as little as a few thousand miles up to around 80,000, often noticed at inspection or during routine service.

   What to check: On a slope, apply the parking brake and confirm the vehicle holds in neutral. Ask for service records showing parking brake shoes, drums and hardware replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2001 Yukon Xl has experienced a mechanical parking brake problem since purchase in 2000. At approximate mileage 11500 I took the vehicle into the Gmc dealership where it was purchased to complain that the parking brake went to the floor when applied. They told me that was the way it was designed. Since that time I have tried to use the parking brake several times and found that it did not hold the vehicle when applied. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10091068, filed 2004-09, 11,500 miles

   “Heard slight grinding noises while making turns. Short time later I discoverd the parking brake would not hold the vehicle while in neutral with the motor running. Vehicle begin rolling down my driveway. Made appointment with dealer and discovered parking brake drums and shoes were worn out. Repaired under warranty, but considering the work involved, I am sure it would have been rather expensive. I hope the dealer used the new style spring clip.”

   NHTSA complaint #10120702, filed 2005-05, 33,348 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Rusted brake lines leak; pedal goes to floor

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor with reduced stopping, followed by diagnosis of heavily corroded brake lines leaking fluid, in some cases above the fuel tank or along the frame. Owners report the lines being replaced, sometimes all of them front to rear, and several mention a shop or mechanic noting a related safety notice about rusted lines. Mostly reported between roughly 66,000 and 175,000 miles, in vehicles with long exposure to road salt and age.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the hard brake lines inspected along the frame and above the fuel tank and spare tire area for rust and seepage; service bulletins describe pre-formed replacement pipe kits. Ask how many lines have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving to work in spring 2018, I approached traffic light, depressed brake, which went to floor and had to use parking break to stop. Had vehicle towed to replace front brake lines. Then, 6-8 months later, while driving, came to another stop light, depressed brakes and could not stop until I used parking/emergency brake. Had Yukon Xl towed to repair shop and had rear brake lines replaced in fall, 2018. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11265318, filed 2019-10, 160,000 miles

   “I was traveling approximately 40 MPH on a 4 lane street. As I approached a stop light, the light changed from green to red. I applied the brakes and they did not work. I drove right through the intersection and avoided a collision with 2 other vehicles. I was going downhill and picking up speed as I approached the next intersection. The light changed to red and by this time I was going approximately 50 MPH. As 2 cars went across in front of me from opposite directions, I was somehow able to drive between them. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10670299, filed 2015-01, 72,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering pump shaft failure, loss of assist

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report sudden loss of power steering, sometimes with a popping noise, described by shops as a sheared or detached shaft inside the power steering pump. Several say it happened at low speed while backing or turning, leaving the wheel very hard to turn until the pump was replaced. Reported between about 40,000 and 92,000 miles, with a couple of reports in cold weather and during sharp low-speed turns.

   What to check: During the test drive, listen for whine or binding from the pump and check for fluid leaks and steering effort at parking-lot speeds; ask whether the pump or hydro-boost has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Wife was backing out of the driveway and heard a loud popping sound and the power steering went out. It was hard to turn the vehicle and she eventually made it home. I checked the steering and it was malfunctioning. I have heard this has been recalled in the past and we notified the manufacturer Gmc and they stated our vehicle VIN was not on the list and could not be repaired unless we paid for the vehicle repair. I believe this is a safety hazard. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10138321, filed 2005-10, 92,400 miles

   “Power steering pump failure  2001 Yukon Xl. Dealer determined failure to be a sheared shaft on the power steering pump, which caused immediate loss of power steering. Fortunately the failure occurred at low speed in a parking lot. Dealer and GM conclude that failure was due to cold weather . Temperature (according to log from local airport) was 21.2 degrees f at the approximate time of failure (about 5:30 pm on 2-5-2004). Vehicle mileage was approximately 46,000 miles at the time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10056891, filed 2004-02, 46,000 miles

Buying note. Check the brake system carefully on a 2001 Yukon XL: confirm recall work on the ABS, inspect the steel brake lines for rust, and verify the parking brake holds. Ask for receipts showing whether brake lines, ABS components and the power steering pump have been replaced, and have a shop look at the rear glass hinges.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.