2001 GMC Yukon XL: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 120 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (23% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The ABS system in this vehicle and many other similar GM vehicles of this year have abs pumps that malfunction and/or randomly stop working just to begin working later. My vehicle currently has the abs fuse removed because whenever it's in the abs pump runs continuously even when the vehicle is off. The vehicle I own is in good shape with only 80,000 miles. similar gm vehicles of this age with more miles have even more issues specially with the abs system it's worse in vehicles that also come equipped with traction control.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2025
“This is the 3rd Yukon I have owned all 2001-2003. Every one of them have had serious brake issues, ABS illuminated, Parking Brake does not work, and light is illuminated, brake fluid everywhere, which when hot starts eating away at electrical components, or in my case at cooling system hoses. Which all lead too one issue after another. I really think that this shoudl be address becasue eveyone i speak with has the same issue. It's exhausting anf expensive too fix, but i have no choice becausei need 3 rows too fit all my children and cannot afford a brand new car.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2025
“IMPACT AND ACCIDENT AT A 2 WAY STOP SIGN, WHERE MY TRUCK WAS STOPPED, and a TESLA DUAL MOTOR MODEL3, SEVERED AND HIT MY TRUCK, DUE TO THE DRIVER BEING ON AUTONOMOUS MODE ORFSD BETA 10.XZXX69.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving to work in spring 2018, I approached traffic light, depressed brake, which went to floor and had to use parking break to stop. Had vehicle towed to replace front brake lines. Then, 6-8 months later, while driving, came to another stop light, depressed brakes and could not stop until I used parking/emergency brake. Had yukon xl towed to repair shop and had rear brake lines replaced in fall, 2018. Since then, brake lights and ABS lights come on and stay on, whereas other times when starting and driving, brake & ABS lights come on and then go off while driving. Braking has always seemed to be insufficient.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2018
“Vehicle stalls and loses all power at speed (60+mph). After a few minutes, it restarts, but stalls again a few miles or a few hundred yards down the road. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to get it fixed, replaced fuel pumps, sensors etc. With no luck. No error codes show up.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc yukon xl. While driving 25 mph, the anti-lock brake system engaged without being prompted and caused the vehicle not to stop in a timely manner. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 246,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2015
“While coming to stop, brake pedal went to floor. Brake line erupted and brake fluid began pouring out. No pressure and brake light came on. Repair completed, but ase shop confirmed there is a safety notice about rusted lines. Awaiting recall.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc yukon xl. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the brakes failed. As a result, the contact crashed into a ditch. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician stated that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle has been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2014
“Initially traveling at 75 mph n/b on hwy 99 in fresno county, lost vision (medical incident), wife insisted I pull over. Struck guard rail on right side of road. Second try to pull over caused my vehicle to impact a verizon junction box and then150 feet of six-foot chain-link fencing with anti-climb guards that came off the fence and shattered the windshield. The air bags did not deploy. My insurance agent told me he was going to report this incident to you, but since I haven't heard anything from you folk I've assumed my agent did not follow through. My wife and I sustained only minor injuries from flying glass. We have photo's of the vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
“The brake lines are severely rusted and this is the second failure with loss of brakes. The pedal goes to the floor. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE OR MISSING REAR WHEELHOUSE PLUGS. UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, EXHAUST GASES CAN FLOW FORWARD AND ACCUMULATE IN THE REAR WHEELHOUSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR LOOSE OR MISSING WHEELHOUSE PLUGS AND INSTALL NEW PLUGS IF NECESSARY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INTERNAL COMPONENT IN THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE 2ND AND 3RD ROW OF SEATS THAT COULD BE CRACKED. WITH REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM, THE CRACK COULD SPREAD TO THE POINT SUCH THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NO LONGER LOCK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS FOR SPECIFIC LOT NUMBERS AND REPLACE THE BELTS IF NECESSARY. GM IS ENCLOSING AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE OWNERS TO USE OR THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALERS DO THE INSPECTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 2, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH FUEL MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN FUEL PUMP WIRES CONNECTORS MAY OVERHEAT UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FUEL TANK, AND REMOVE THE MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES FROM THE TANK, AND INSTALL A NEW SERVICE KIT FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER TO OWNERS WAS MAILED ON MAY 25, 2005. THE OWNERS WERE RE-NOTIFIED ON OCTOBER 19, 2005, SINCE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
How other years compare
Check your exact Yukon XL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
NHTSA has 120 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 GMC Yukon XL. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Yukon XL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 GMC Yukon XL have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:body. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.