2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 32 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
32
owner complaints
0
fire reports
130,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest Yukon Denali XL years (#9 of 9 by complaints, age-adjusted)No fire reportsNo recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 130,000 mi)Weak spot: service brakes (29%)
Common problems
Computed from 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Service Brakes (brakes)29% · 9 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)13% · 4 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)13% · 4 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)10% · 3 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)10% · 3 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)10% · 3 complaints
“There is no warning code for the hydraulic brake booster when it starts to go bad that shows up on the ABS/odb scanner. You will be driving and all of the sudden your steering gets stiff, the brake pedal is hard to press and you can't stop as good as your used to in the vehicle. This issue can cause accidents if someone stops suddenly in front of you.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2017
“The stability control warning has come on several times on my vehicle. The brakes do not work, as you have to push all the way to the floor and sometimes it takes time before the vehicle stops. I have had brake lines repairs and the problem still is there. We cannot use vehicle until the issue is resolved. Our mechanic advised us to file a complaint on this issue because it is an active issue with gmc denali yukon's for years. We need assistance to have this resolved to use our vehicle.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jul 2016
“I let my freind take vehicle and she said when she braked the pedal went to floor.she was half mile away and made it back .I looked at level in master cylinder and had to put fluid in.noticed brake fluid on the undercarrige which led me to rusted brake line up front.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving with my 14month old baby in the car and all of a sudden I had no brakes at all. My parking brake couldn't stop me either so I put the car in neutral and then forced it into park so I didn't crash. The brake lines are completely corroded and I didn't have any notice or idea until the brakes were already gone.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2015
“Just bought car electrical has been acting up for a while now (30 days) and now dash has gone out sunroof wont open pr close and driver side passenger window doesnt work auto store wont fix or take back car”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jul 2015
“A dog ran out in front of me I applied my brakes and the pedal went to the floor had it checked at bale chevrolet in little rock ark. Wanted to charge me 6800.00 to repair had it towed back to il. Where I live that cost was 500.00 besides 200 miles that was covered by aaa I,m a 62 yr old woman had my grandchildren with me in little rock ark this experience was the scariest time in my lifetime no warning just all of a sudden no brakes in the worst traffic ever. The money spent on this trip was very expensive not to mention the stress. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2015
“Brake pipe blew out from corrosion... Light front damage to gmc and rear end damage to car in front from lack of braking power. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2015
“Tl - the contact owns a 2003 gmc yukon denali xl. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the ABS engaged without any warnings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the speed sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 176,000. Pm”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc yukon denali xl. The contact stated that while driving 1 mph and making a left into a parking lot, the vehicle power steering failed. The vehicle was shifted into neutral and was able to resume to normal. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage 91,000. Updated 9/18/14*cn the consumer stated the failure only occurred while making a left turn. Updated 2/11/2015 *js”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2014
“I was driving down the road to work and I hit the brakes and the brake pedal was not firm. I hit the brake pedal again and the brake pedal went to the floor. I had a hard time stopping the big suv and would have hit another car had this happened at a stop light or anywhere where I have to rely on my brakes as the stopping distance was easily quadrupled if not more. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jan 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL reliable?
NHTSA has 32 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The most complained-about area is service brakes (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 130,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.