2002 GMC Yukon XL Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about brakes: unwanted anti-lock activation at low speed, brake lines that fail with a pedal to the floor, and parking brakes that will not hold. A second recurring theme is a clunk or rattle felt through the steering wheel on turns, which dealers often treated by lubricating or replacing the intermediate steering shaft. Complaints span very low mileage to over 200,000 miles, so these appear both as early-life noises and as failures on high-mileage trucks.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed / pedal vibrates when stopping

   • 13 complaints (14%)
   • median 78,500 mi at 7.1 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2017

   Owners describe the anti-lock system coming on during gentle, low-speed braking on dry pavement, with a vibrating or rumbling pedal and the truck lurching or rolling past the intended stop. Several say the ABS warning light came on, sometimes with a loud noise or a running pump even after the key was removed, and a few report a dead battery afterward. Complaints mention dealers replacing wheel speed sensors, hub assemblies or the ABS control module; some owners whose VIN was outside the salt-belt recall were told the campaign covered only cleaning the sensors, and they report the symptom returning. Reported from a few hundred miles up to about 210,000 miles, but most often between roughly 50,000 and 100,000 miles, and frequently at speeds under 15 mph.

   Recall 05V379000

   What to check: Ask whether campaign 05V379000 was performed and whether the wheel speed sensors were cleaned or replaced, and test drive at walking pace with the windows down to listen and feel for unwanted ABS activation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs light came on; drove a few days after that. While driving at approximately 7 miles per hour, I tried to stop for a light and nearly hit car in front of me. Brakes rumbled to a halt, fortunately. Took car to brake check, had to have bolts on hub bearing replaced. Contacted Gmc to help share in cost of repair, as there has been a recall (2002 Gmc yukon recall id from NHTSA: 05v379000 ) in certain salt belt states , due to corrosion. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10171359, filed 2006-10, 82,532 miles

   “The antilock brake sensors are malfunctioning and causing extended stopping distances that could lead to an accident. The original recall was completed in 2006, according to Gmc they only cleaned the parts and did not replace them. As a result there is severe corrosion on the antilock brake sensor causing increased stopping distances that could cause an accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10480664, filed 2012-10, 192,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Clunk or rattle in steering, loose-feeling steering shaft

   • 11 complaints (12%)
   • median 27,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2013

   Owners describe a knocking or rattling felt and heard through the steering wheel when turning or going over bumps, and sometimes a loose, wandering feel with excessive play. Complaints say dealers lubricated or replaced the intermediate steering shaft, in some cases repeating the repair after the noise returned. A few owners also report heavy steering or a power steering failure, with one told the vehicle was just past warranty. Recurring from very low mileage, commonly between about 6,000 and 90,000 miles, and reappearing after a prior repair.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while stationary and drive over uneven pavement to listen for a clunk; ask for receipts showing whether the intermediate steering shaft was greased or replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 07/14/03 at 22602 miles, we took our 2002 Yukon Xl (regency edition) to suss pontiac in denver, colorado, to investigate a clunking/knocking sound coming from the suspension when turning which caused the steering wheel to vibrate. On occasion, the steering wheel had excessive play in the wheel and would hesitate when turning. Suss pontiac verified the complaint and found the intermediate steering shaft dry and clunking. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10145155, filed 2005-12, 22,602 miles

   “Knocking noise is heard coming from the front of the vehicle and is felt as a clunk through the steering wheel. Happens when parallel parking....tight, slow turns in reverse. Feels like gears in the differential are sticking and lurching. It has been happening on and off for a long time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10298664, filed 2010-01, 45,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls while driving (crankshaft sensor, fuel pump)

   • 11 complaints (12%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2014

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning at road speeds and either restarting after several attempts or not at all, with a few owners pointing to a crankshaft position sensor after diagnosis. Others report rough running in cold weather traced to intake gaskets, or a hard start and no-start traced to the fuel pump. Dealers and shops variously diagnosed the crank sensor, fuel pump or ignition switch, and some owners report repeated unsuccessful repair attempts. Reported from about 14,000 to 145,000 miles, with several cases under 65,000 miles; cold weather is mentioned in some complaints.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records on the crankshaft position sensor and fuel pump, and note any history of hard starting or stalling when the tank is below a quarter full.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Gmc yukon 2500 with the 8.1l stalls while driving. This is unexplainable and unrepeatable. This has occurred probably 6 or 7 times and is a real danger as you loose power steering and brakes. I believe it is the cam positioning sensor. What is my recourse to have fixed by manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10207896, filed 2007-11, 71,123 miles

   “Original problem: my 2002 Yukon Xl was running poorly when the weather turned cold - below 30 degrees. Problem diagnosed as faulty intake gaskets due to improper design. Second problem: it became hard to start, and a couple of days later, it would not start at all. Problem diagnosed as faulty fuel pump. Both problems are because they were designed for use with ethanol or unleaded gas. I only use unleaded (never have seen a station that sells ethanol). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10151625, filed 2006-03, 57,800 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Parking brake will not hold, pedal to the floor

   • 9 complaints (9%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2022

   Owners report pressing the parking brake all the way down and having it reach the floor without holding the truck, sometimes discovered during a state safety inspection. Complaints describe the dealer replacing the parking brake assembly or rear brake components, with one owner told the linings wore prematurely and another told it was normal wear not covered by warranty. One complaint also mentions a fractured parking brake spring found at a dealer. Reported from near-delivery mileage up to about 78,000 miles, with most cases between roughly 48,000 and 80,000 miles.

   What to check: Set the parking brake on a slope and confirm it holds the vehicle, and ask whether the parking brake shoes or assembly have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “During 2004 state vehicle emissions and safety inspection it was determined that the parking brake did not work. As a result vehicle failed inspection and will not pass until issue resolved. Gmc customer assistance notified 12/21 and diagnosis and repair to begin 12/22. When parking brake is pressed, the pedal easily reaches the floor and does not hold vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10104291, filed 2004-12, 48,500 miles

   “Parking brake failure. Parking brake no longer holds vehicle in place. Dealer claims linings wore prematurely. Parts were not in stock, so waiting for repair. Very similar to parking brake recall on 2001 Gmc sierra pickup recall #05v161000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10138620, filed 2005-10, 48,796 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake lines rust through and pedal goes to the floor

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 13.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2017

   Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor with little or no warning, sometimes while pulling into a parking spot and sometimes in traffic. Owners report a mechanic or dealer identifying rusted-through brake lines, in one case the same line failing again after an earlier repair. Pads and rotors also come up as heavily rusted in the same complaints, and a few mention a fractured parking brake spring found during diagnosis. Mostly reported on older, higher-mileage trucks, from about 88,000 to over 215,000 miles, and often in vehicles that lived in road-salt areas.

   What to check: Have the steel brake lines running along the frame inspected for rust and pitting before buying, and ask whether any hard lines or hoses have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We purchased the 2002 yukon from mcguire dealership in nj its been cared for taken to the dealership faithfully driven by my 50 year old father, when first driving he noticed the pedal vibrating rapidly during normal brake applications. The ABS control valve was the culprit along with a rusty wheel sensor. It was replaced at the dealer and after 5 years the frame of the truck is rusting and rotting along with suspension parts and most of all the brakes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10568634, filed 2014-03, 50,000 miles

   “Two years ago I had a sever accident that cause me to hit another car and spin around. The Gmc dealer said the cause was rusted out brake lines. Today it happened, but I was luck enough to be just pulling into my parking spot when it happened. The brake line must have rusted out again because I pumped the brake and noticed it coming out of the left rear line. This is very dangerous because it will likely only happen when you are in an emergency situation. There is no pre warning. It will just happen. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10849598, filed 2016-03, 192,219 miles

Buying note. Brakes and steering-shaft noise account for most of what owners wrote about this model year, and brake line rust on older examples is worth a hands-on inspection rather than a paperwork check. Service records for the ABS campaign, crankshaft position sensor and fuel pump give a reasonable picture of how well a particular truck has been maintained.

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.