2002 Gmc DENALI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
36,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 23 complaints (13.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 21.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 17.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
2001: 1; 2002: 6; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 5; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2009: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10113035 · 2005-06-02 (June 2, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON EVERY STOP, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE BRAKES FAILED, AND THE CALIPER SPLIT IN HALF. *NM THE NOISE HAD COME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE FLUID WAS FLOWING OUT. THE TEETH WAS FOUND BROKEN OUT OF THE DISC BRAKE. THE 3/4 BY 3/4 INCH HIGH BRACKET EXPERIENCED A "HUMP" INSIDE OF IT WHICH MADE THE WHEEL WOBBLE. ALSO TWO OF THE 4 WHEEL ANTILOCK DISC BRAKES WERE NOT ON THE BACK WHEELS. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10113035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125137 · 2005-06-13 (June 13, 2005)
DT: THE OWNER TURNED LEFT IN TURNING LANE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND TRUCK KEPT ON . THE BRAKES HAD BEEN MASHED, AND THEY WOULD NOT STOP. THE BRAKES HAD WORKED UP TO THE POINT BEFORE THE WRECK. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY SERVICED. OWNER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER CAR, AND CREATED A THREE CAR PILE UP. THERE WAS ONE REPORTED INJURY FROM THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AT THIS POINT FOR REPAIRS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003208 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
ENGINE TAPS LOUDLY UPON STARTUP. THIS METALLIC TAPPING OCCURS AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING AND ALSO IF SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR SO. WHEN DRIVING COLD ENGINE, VALVE CLATTER OCCURS BEFORE EACH SHIFT OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. EMAIL AND TELEPHONE CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM LEFT ME WITH THEIR OFFER TO PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ENGINE, OF WHICH I DECLINED. PART OF THEIR RESPONSE: WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW YOUR CONCERNS WITH YOUR 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI. WE HAVE EXAMINED REQUEST NUMBER 1-60877406 IN WHICH YOUR ENGINE TAPPING NOISE IS DOCUM…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162502 · 2006-07-16 (July 16, 2006)
FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION COOLER, WHICH IS INSIDE THE RADIATOR, CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX AND FLOW THROUGH ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AS A RESULT. THE REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACING THE RADIATOR, ALL ENGINE HOSES, REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION, FLUSHING ENGINE AND REPLACING FLUIDS AT A TOTAL COST OF $3047. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND ALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON SCHEDULE. THE VEHICLE, A SUV WAS NEVER USED OFF ROAD OR TO PULL A TRAILER, AND HAS 74000 MILES. THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,030 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8007438 · 2002-04-11 (April 11, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING UP AND DOWN A SMALL HILL, VEHICLE SWAYS AND STEERING SEEMS LOOSE, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8007438 at NHTSA ↗