2002 GMC Yukon XL

Routine

Owners filed 95 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
64,000 milesMedian miles at failure

80 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip9
100
Service Brakes9
100
Parking Brake8
000
Engine and Engine Cooling7
000
Tires5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump5
000
Steering4
000
Tires › Tread/Belt3
000
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)3
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip05V379000
Filed Aug 29, 20051,353,718 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 2022189,000 milesIL

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 31, 2020201,000 milesNY

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.

Structure › BodyCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 9, 2020195,000 milesSC

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.

Service Brakes, Air
Filed Aug 9, 2017145,000 milesNY

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.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Mar 14, 2016192,219 milesNC

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 16, 201688,000 milesWI

I DROVE APPROX. 30 MILES TO MY DESTINATION WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE. I SPENT ABOUT 2 HOURS THERE THEN STARTED MY 2002 YUKON XL TO HEAD BACK HOME. UPON MOVING THE VEHICLE I REALIZED I HAD VERY LIMITED BREAKING POWER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I DREAD THINKING ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE HEADING HOME. MY MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE LINE FAILED CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO LOSE ALL STOPPING POWER. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON EARLY 2000'S GMC TRUCKS AND SUV'S. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE. GMC SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS AND PAY TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART REPLACEMENT. THIS WILL BE AN $800 REPAIR FOR ME AND A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT IN GMC IF THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 8, 2015211,055 milesMA

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

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 2, 2014120,000 milesMI

WHILE TURNING INTO A MALL PARKING LOT FROM A MAIN STREET, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN INTO THE PARKING LOT FOR A VEHICLE TO PASS IN FRONT OF ME. WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE BREAK PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP EVEN FROM A SLOW SPEED. LUCKLY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AROUND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE THE BREAKS SEEMED TO FAIL ABOUT 95%. I PUMPED THE BREAKS A FEW TIME AND GOT INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DO TO SUDDEN BREAK FAILURE. THE REPAIR GARAGE CERTIFIED MECHANIC SAID THE BREAK LINE HAD RUSTED THRU AND THE BREAK FLUID WAS RAPIDLY LEAKING. I HAD THE GARAGE REPLACE ALL THE ENTIRE RUSTED BREAK LINES ($646.00) TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY AND AVOID ANOTHER SUDDEN BREAK FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BREAK LINES. OTHERWISE THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE FOR AND IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION. MY MECHANIC SAID THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL GMC VEHICLES WITH THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I BELIEVE GMC HAS SOLD A CAR WITH DEFECTIVE SAFETY PARTS WHICH HAVE WORN PREMATURELY. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 27, 201462,700 milesCA

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 201450,000 milesNJ

WE PURCHASED THE 2002 YUKON FROM MCGUIRE DEALERSHIP IN NJ ITS BEEN CARED FOR TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FAITHFULLY DRIVEN BY MY 50 YEAR OLD FATHER, WHEN FIRST DRIVING HE NOTICED THE PEDAL VIBRATING RAPIDLY DURING NORMAL BRAKE APPLICATIONS. THE ABS CONTROL VALVE WAS THE CULPRIT ALONG WITH A RUSTY WHEEL SENSOR. IT WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER AND AFTER 5 YEARS THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTING AND ROTTING ALONG WITH SUSPENSION PARTS AND MOST OF ALL THE BRAKES. WE CAME CLOSE TO CRASHING ONE DAY WHEN THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, WE TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE AND THEY TELL US ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT ALONG WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE REPLACED THE LINES AND MASTER CYLINDER WITH A HEFTY PRICE TAG. WE GET THE CAR BACK 3 DAYS LATER PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AGAIN, BACK AT THE MECHANIC BOTH REAR CALIPERS ARE RUSTED AND LEAKING. WE REPLACED ALL 4 CALIPERS AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED BUT NOW THE FRAME IS RUSTING AND THE ABS IS STILL VIBRATING BADLY. LONG STORY SHORT GM NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SELLING SUCH CHEAP CRAPPY TRUCKS, WE CAME CLOSE A FEW TIMES TO CRASHING, AND I FEEL SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE EMPLOYEES OF GM. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 25, 20136,800 milesTX

PURCHASED A NEW 2002 GMC YUKON XL, AT ABOUT 6800 MILES THE STEERING DEVELOPED A RATTLE, DEALER UNDER WARRANTY REGREASED THE STEERING SHAFT, THIS HELPED FOR A ABOUT A YEAR AND IT STARTED AGAIN. DEALER RE-GREASED WITH WHAT THEY SAID WAS A NEW GREASE THAT SHOULD SOLVE THE RATTLE PROBLEM. IT HAS STARTED THE RATTLE AGAIN AND ONLY HAS 38000 MILES. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A REDESIGNED STEERING SHAFT THAT SOLVES THIS RATTLE PROBLEM. HERE IS THE BULLETIN TO SOLVE THE POOR SHAFT DESIGN, SHOULD BE A RECALL BUT LOOKS LIKE GM IS ONLY REPLACING ON A CASE BY CASE ISSUE WAITING FOR YOUR WARRANTY TO BE OUT, AT WHICH TIME THEY CHARGE YOU FOR THE POOR DESIGN STEERING SHAFT. GMC TECH BULLETIN 00-02-35-003M (LATEST REVISION) SUBJECT: CLUNKING NOISE UNDER HOOD AND CAN BE FELT IN STEERING WHEEL AND/OR STEERING COLUMN (REPLACE UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT (I-SHAFT) ASSEMBLY) #00-02-35-003M - (01/31/2007) MODELS: 2002-2006 CADILLAC ESCALADE MODELS 1999-2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO MODELS (CLASSIC) 2000-2006 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, TAHOE MODELS 2002-2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1999-2007 GMC SIERRA MODELS (CLASSIC) 2000-2006 GMC YUKON, YUKON XL MODELS 2003-2006 HUMMER H2 . *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 2013215,000 milesNJ

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

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 16, 2012192,000 milesIN

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 6, 2011145,000 milesNY

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

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 6, 2011103,029 milesNY

VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS, FUEL GAUGE READ 1/4 TANK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 25, 2011156,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND WAS IN THE INTERSECTION BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED. THE BRAKING ISSUES PERSISTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS CONTINUOUSLY DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 22, 2010116,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON XL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND A BATTERY INDICATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

Visibility
Filed Sep 19, 2010103,000 milesGA

2002 GMC YUKON XL REAR TAILGATE GLASS FAILED/BROKEN HINGE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THIS RESULTS IN THE REAR GLASS HELD ON BY ONE HINGE INSTEAD OF TWO. REAR GLASS DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND IS AT RISK TO DETACH FROM VEHICLE. MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE (AND SISTER VEHICLES TAHOE AND SUBURBAN) HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DEFECT. GM FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 22, 201089,000 milesOH

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING: I HAVE A YUKON XL 2002. OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. IT HAS OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED AND AT LOW SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER NO LESS THAN 5 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS REPRESENTS A MAJOR DANGER AS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN THE CAR BECOMES DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND MOVING OUT OF THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC HAS BEEN EACH TIME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO ME AND TO OTHER DRIVERS. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Apr 14, 2010158,000 milesMN

I HAVE A 2002 GMC YUKON XL AND IT DOES NOT HAVE THE LATCH SYSTEM. I LEARNED FROM THE LOCAL SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT ALL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN THE YEAR 2002 AND AFTER SHOULD HAVE THE LATCH SYSTEM. *TR

20 of 95 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202632300Do not drive
202527100Routine
202470200Routine
2023212400Above average
2022164400Routine
20212201210Above average
202046210Routine
201967200Do not drive
201853210Do not drive
2017147100Routine
2016200320Do not drive
2015306230Above average
201411300Routine
201322400Routine
201213400Routine
201147310Routine
201028300Routine
200923500Routine
200869410Routine
200797400Routine
200617300Routine
200542600Routine
200487420Routine
2003102400Routine
2002 — this page95210Routine
2001120502Fatalities reported
200069700Routine
19993000Routine

Compare every Yukon XL year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 17, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.