2002 GMC Yukon XL: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 95 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints).
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 95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact started to slow for traffic and depressed the brake, and felt no braking. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop and drove the vehicle to his residence. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed that there was a fractured parking brake spring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2022
“As vehicle comes to a slow stop the brakes feel as if the release and still roll also when pulling into a driveway or parking spot this has happed often.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2020
“I swerved to miss a deer and I hit a tree running 47 mph and my air bags didn't deploy and no one can tell me why. My husband and I were very lucky but why didn't the air bags deploy? My husband was out of work for 5 months due to torn ligaments in his shoulders and still has to have surgery.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc yukon xl. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle jumped and hesitated without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel speed sensor was corroded and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided case number 8-3140697651. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Jun 2017
“Two years ago I had a sever accident that cause me to hit another car and spin around. The gmc dealer said the cause was rusted out brake lines. Today it happened, but I was luck enough to be just pulling into my parking spot when it happened. The brake line must have rusted out again because I pumped the brake and noticed it coming out of the left rear line. This is very dangerous because it will likely only happen when you are in an emergency situation. There is no pre warning. It will just happen. Perhaps they are making the brake lines out of thinner material because we have many vehicles much older, and never had this problem.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2016
“During low speed the ABS kicks in on no slip conditions causing it to take longer to stop the vehicle. This started occurring in june 2014. I see a recall on 2002 yukon xl vehicles for this problem but it does not show up on the VIN report. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc yukon xl. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after eight attempts. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the crankshaft position sensor was faulty. There was a recall issued for the 2001 gmc yukon model under NHTSA campaign id number 07v521000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 62,700.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2014
“Stepped on brake pedal and brakes failed to stop vehicle. Inspected vehicle and noticed rusted brake lines failed.I am the original owner of this vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2013
“The antilock brake sensors are malfunctioning and causing extended stopping distances that could lead to an accident. The original recall was completed in 2006, according to gmc they only cleaned the parts and did not replace them. As a result there is severe corrosion on the antilock brake sensor causing increased stopping distances that could cause an accident. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
“Broken exhaust manifold studs are causing environmental hazard and may lead to failed catalytic converter and other engine problems. This is a manufacturing defect that should be recalled, as it renders the vehicle either unusable or unable to pass environmental testing. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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 2002 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
NHTSA has 95 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 GMC Yukon XL. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Yukon XL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,605 miles or less.
Does the 2002 GMC Yukon XL have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning wheels:hub. 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.