2003 Gmc DENALI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 32 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 21.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 18.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 5; 2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2016: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 10019218 · 2003-05-24 (May 24, 2003)
2003 GMC YUKON DENALI XL PURCHASED 10/02 NEW FROM DEALER: COUNTRY GMC HUNTINGTON N.Y. CAR STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE STREET WHEN BRAKE INTERLOCK FEATURE DID NOT PREVENT VEHICLE FROM COMING OUT OF PARK. IGNITION SWITCH WAS IN THE FIRST FORWARD CLICK POSITION. IN THIS ONLY IGNITION SWITCH POSITION, GEAR LEVER EASILY COMES OUT OF PARK TO ANY MOBILE GEAR. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 8,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147916 · 2006-01-17 (January 17, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE PIPE FULLY FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V151000, REGARDING THE BRAKE PIPING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10147916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030219 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST STEERING AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051678 · 2003-12-17 (December 17, 2003)
STEERING LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATED STEERING WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055582 · 2004-01-21 (January 21, 2004)
VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD THEN STALLED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE LOST POWER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10248959 · 2008-11-17 (November 17, 2008)
THE SUV HAS INTERMITTENT STOPS/STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC. AT THAT POINT THE TRACTION ALMOST AS QUICK AS THE MOTOR POWERS DOWN IT RESETS AND GOES AGAIN. THE GMC DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT SO WE WENT TO A HIGHLY RATED ANGIES LIST AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SUGGESTED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WE HAVE DONOR LAST APRIL. UNFORTUNATELY THAT WAS NO HELP EITHER. I HAVE HAD NO LUCK FINDING A SOLUTION ON THE INTERNET AS WELL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10248959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105454 · 2004-12-28 (December 28, 2004)
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING, WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR BACK AND FORTH IN ORDER FOR THE GEARS TO SHIFT PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10393087 · 2011-03-28 (March 28, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC DENALI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY BUT RECURRED MOST DURING WARMER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE THROTTLE BODY, WIRING HARNESS AND SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE R…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393087 at NHTSA ↗