2001 GMC Yukon: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 197 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% 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 197 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“On january 3rd, 2021, I was driving to work on slushy, icy secondary roads. The rear end caught some slush, slid sideways and sent me sliding across the oncoming traffic lanes and into a ditch where I collided with a tree head on. Upon impact no airbags deployed.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc yukon. The contact stated that pulling up to a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard extending the braking distance. The contact stated that the ABS and brake warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake line disintegrated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2020
“No matter how many times I get my brakes fixed there is always the break and the air brake lights that appear. I have changed to sensors, fuses and still it remains. Every mechanic tells me that no matter what the brake and air brake lights will appear. That needs to be a recall. Seeing any type of warning lights drives me crazy if there is nothing wrong with my brakes then there should be no warnings. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · May 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Brake lines extremely corroded and line to rear brakes completely failed leaking fluid. Vehicle failed while driving and attempting to stop. Vehicles stopping distance greatly increased.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2016
“Hard brake lines have completely corroded and brake fluid flows profusely from the corroded lines. Brake pedal goes to floor and vehicle is unable to stop. Had to put into neutral and use parking brake to avoid an accident. Gmc service department is unaware of any service bulletins or kits to replace defective and corroded brake lines on these truck and suvs.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc yukon. While driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 281,183.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel became seized causing the vehicle to crash into an embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a crushed pelvis in three areas, left leg and ankle nerve damage and dislocated right shoulder. The front passenger sustained a broken left leg and ankle, broken jaw and front and side teeth were knocked out which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2014
“I was traveling at approximately 35 mph when the car in front braked suddenly. I pressed the brake pedal quickly and firmly to slow the vehicle, and the brakes worked normally. A half mile or so later, at an intersection, when I applied the brakes gradually, the pedal was soft and went all the way to the floor, only barely stopping the vehicle before it entered the intersection. I drove the vehicle home (about a mile) slowly and cautiously and inspected the brakes and found brake fluid coating the underside of the vehicle and what appeared to be rust or corrosion on the brake lines where they crossed the frame near the driver's side wheel axle. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2014
“Pulling into the driveway under normal, dry conditions, the brake pedal went down to the floor, and the brake light on the dash illuminated. We came a few feet from crashing through the garage door. This was a result of the driver's rear brake line springing a leak with no warning whatsoever. The affected part is the formed metal line that is attached to the top of the axle. It appears that the brake line just rusted completely through. It is likely that all other brake lines could be affected in the exact same manner. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc yukon. While driving approximately 50 mph, the engine stalled without warning and the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS OVER THE PINCH POINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2002. 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, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAN OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR FAIL COMPLETELY. IF THE SENSOR OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY, THE SES LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE MAY RUN ROUGH. THE ENGINE MAY STALL, AND IF SO, MAY RE-START IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER A COOL DOWN PERIOD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
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 PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. 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 SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
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 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 197 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 GMC Yukon. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Yukon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 GMC Yukon have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:front assembly:head restraint. 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.