VehicleVerdict

2001 GMC Yukon XL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 151 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Yukon XL year — the 2001 model ranks #7 of 28 Yukon XL years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 8 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 51% of all reports (77 of 151), far ahead of fuel system at 12.

151

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

6

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Yukon XL years?

Yukon XL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted404 complaints1999: 3 complaints2000: 77 complaints2001: 151 complaints2002: 114 complaints2003: 115 complaints2004: 118 complaints2005: 58 complaints2006: 24 complaints2007: 123 complaints2008: 86 complaints2009: 32 complaints2010: 37 complaints2011: 67 complaints2012: 22 complaints2013: 26 complaints2014: 13 complaints2015: 404 complaints2016: 267 complaints2017: 206 complaints2018: 68 complaints2019: 79 complaints2020: 57 complaints2021: 271 complaints2022: 203 complaints2023: 269 complaints2024: 90 complaints2025: 39 complaints2026: 32 complaints
Yukon XL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Yukon XL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 GMC Yukon XL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes7751%
Fuel System128%
Steering96%
Tires & Wheels85%
Electrical System85%
Other85%
Body & Structure75%
Lighting53%
Transmission43%
Driver Assistance32%
Engine32%
Speed Control21%
Suspension11%
Seat Belts11%
Airbags11%
Seats11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2001 GMC Yukon XL have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

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.

Consequence

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.

05V379000BrakesAugust 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 units

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.

Consequence

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.

05V155000Fuel SystemApril 14, 2005 · 316,508 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE IGNITION CIRCUIT WIRE IS EXPOSED, THE FUEL PUMP FUSE WILL BLOW, DISABLING THE FUEL PUMP AND CAUSING AN ENGINE STALL OR NO-START CONDITION. IF SUFFICIENT HEAT IS CONDUCTED TO THE PASS-THROUGH CONNECTOR, A HOLE IN THE CONNECTOR MAY RESULT, WHICH MAY CAUSE A 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED DURING THE EMISSION SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC ROUTINE. FUEL VAPOR AND IN SOME CASES LIQUID FUEL MAY LEAK OUT OF THE FUEL TANK THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE CONNECTOR BODY. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. ALSO IF THE IGNITION CIRCUIT OR GROUND WIRE IS EXPOSED AND SHORTS TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENDER CARD WIRES, INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS MAY RESULT.

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.

01V159000Seat BeltsMay 17, 2001 · 9,196 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN A CRASH, INCREASED OCCUPANT INJURY COULD RESULT FROM THE NO-LOCK CONDITION.

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.

00V343000Body & StructureOctober 25, 2000 · 35,659 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THESE GASES COULD FLOW INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IF THE PLUG IS MISSING OR LOOSE AND COULD CAUSE POSSIBLE ILLNESS, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, OR DEATH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR LOOSE OR MISSING WHEELHOUSE PLUGS AND INSTALL NEW PLUGS IF NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 26, 2014 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GASOLINE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS AND STALLS AT INTERSECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PART. THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVEN AFTER THE PART WAS REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL, # 05V155000 FOR THE PROBLEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 27, 2006

“LOST STEERING AND BRAKES. SHAFT IN PUMP SNAPPED OFF INSIDE HOUSING. TOWED TO GM GARAGE AND NEW PUMP INSTALLED. HAPPENED WHEN BACKING AND TURNING SHARPLY OVER ROUGH GROUND. NIGHT. 70 DEGREES. RETURNED TO CAMPGROUND USING TWO HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL AND PARKING BRAKE. ON 4000 MILE TRIP PULLING 3 TON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 16, 2004

“COMPLAINT AGAINST GENERAL MOTOR CORPORATION. *BF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT HIS VEHICLE CAME OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE WITH A DEFECT IN THE VOLTAGE TO BULB CONFIGURATION THAT CAUSED THE BULBS TO BURN OUT. *TC THE CRUISE CONTROL BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AT 45000 MILES. THE TIRES LOSE AIR PERIODICALLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 1, 2004

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 26, 2022 · crash

2001 GMC Yukon XL — common questions

Is the 2001 GMC Yukon XL reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 151 complaints put the 2001 model at #7 of 28 Yukon XL years. It is one of the Yukon XL years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Yukon XL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (77 complaints), fuel system (12 complaints), steering (9 complaints).

Does the 2001 GMC Yukon XL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 GMC Yukon XL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 GMC Yukon XL under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Yukon XL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Yukon XL years to avoid are 2015, 2021, 2023, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2001, 2007, 2004, 2024, 2008, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2013, 2012, 2014. The cleanest record among Yukon XL years belongs to 1999.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.