Gmc YUKON XL DENALI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
80 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
93,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 to 2003 model years. Data snapshot: . 71 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 80 complaints (21.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 42 | 52.5% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 5.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 17 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 9 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
Service Brakes: 17; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 14; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 9; Electrical System: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 4; Power Train: 4; Tires: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 21 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 21; 150,000 and above: 11
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
2002: 1; 2003: 6; 2004: 7; 2005: 2; 2006: 9; 2007: 5; 2008: 8; 2009: 5; 2010: 5; 2011: 5; 2012: 7; 2013: 6; 2014: 8; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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 10053946 · 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
PROBLEMS WITH 2001 DENALI XL/ SUV DIED AND THERE WAS LOSS OF BRAKES, STEERING AND ACCELERATION.*MR VEHICLE WAS AT IDLE WHEN IT DIED THE FIRST TIME. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT KNEW IT HAD TO DO WITH THE FUSE. CONSUMER WAS GIVEN FUSES BUT THEY ALL FAILED WITHIN 50 MILES. VEHICLE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THIRD FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE BRAKES, STEERING AND ACCELERATION FAILED. THE CONSUMERS ESCAPED…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156788 · 2006-05-04 (May 4, 2006)
LOW SPEED BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AS THE 5 VEHICLE IN LINE TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE LIGHT. I WAS BRAKING LIGHTLY TO CONTROL MY SPEED AS TO ASSUME MY POSITION IN LINE TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I DID NOT NEED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS APPROACHING THE FOURTH CAR. THE THIRD CAR IN THE LINE SUDDENLY BRAKED HARD IN THE INTERSECTION CAUSING THE FOURTH CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO BRAKE HARD. I ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM AN EMERGENCY STOP BUT I EXPERIENCED A HA…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135681 · 2005-09-07 (September 7, 2005)
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAD RECALLS ON SAME SUV BUT OF DIFFERENT YEARS, BUT FAILED TO INCLUDE THE 2001 YUKON XL DENALI. STEERING WHEEL COMES LOOSE!!!*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 97,532 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537466 · 2013-08-27 (August 27, 2013)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST OIL SPILLED ON EXHAUST SYSTEM. THEN THE SMOKE GOT WORSE AND HAD A TERRIBLE ODOR. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE CENTER CONSOLE AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM AROUND THE EDGES AND THE ASH TRAY AREA. I STARTED LOOKING FOR A PULLOFF AS I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD. AS I FOUND ONE FIRE STARTED COMING UP THROUGH THE GAPS. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT I HAD A FIRE THAT WAS GOING TO DESTROY THE VEHICLE. SO, ONCE I WAS STOPPED I LOOKED FOR MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT COUL…
Owner-reported narrative. 164,486 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052101 · 2017-12-03 (December 3, 2017)
THE MOTOR ON THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WHEN DENALI WHEN THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. I HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY FOR IT TO STOP RUNNING
Owner-reported narrative. 3 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10862463 · 2016-05-02 (May 2, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC YUKON XL DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT END DIFFERENTIAL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FAILED, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED BY A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THE FAILURE REOCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10862463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026157 · 2003-12-24 (December 24, 2003)
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.*AK 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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060960 · 2004-02-27 (February 27, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A SOUND, AND VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 21,834 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222485 · 2008-03-27 (March 27, 2008)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON DENALI XL. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH UNDER NORMAL DRY CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO STALL. ONCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT LOST THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS WELL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A CRASH. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS WITH OUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FIXED THE THROTTLE BODY AND WATER PUMP. THE FAILURE CONTI…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222485 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10471949 · 2012-08-22 (August 22, 2012)
BROKEN/LEAKING BRAKE LINES DUE TO SEVERE UNDERBODY CORROSION: FRAME,BRAKE AND GAS LINES, FRONT SUSPENSION, SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY, NUTS, BOLTS, EXHAUST PIPES, ETC. ALONG WITH THIS I REPLACED TWO TRANSMISSIONS, ONCE DUE TO RADIATOR FAILURE, FUEL PUMP FAILURE, BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE, A FEW SETS OF REAR PARKING BRAKE SHOES BECAUSE THE ADJUSTMENTS DONT WORK PROPERLY, THREE WINDOW REGULATORS AND ALL WITHIN 163,630 MILES. YEA I'M PIS@#$ OFF. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 163,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471949 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
2001: 1; 2002: 0; 2003: 0