VehicleVerdict

2002 GMC Yukon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2002 GMC Yukon sits mid-pack among Yukon years: 187 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 134, with 5 recalls and 4 closed investigations. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 44% of all reports (82 of 187), far ahead of electrical system at 13.

187

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Yukon years?

See all Yukon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 GMC Yukon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes8244%
Electrical System137%
Airbags126%
Fuel System116%
Transmission105%
Tires & Wheels105%
Steering84%
Seat Belts74%
Engine74%
Suspension63%
Speed Control42%
Other42%
Body & Structure42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Lighting32%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Seats11%

Does the 2002 GMC Yukon 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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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).

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.

03V094000Body & StructureMarch 7, 2003 · 3,674 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

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.

02V253000SeatsSeptember 17, 2002 · 558,904 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

HIT BRAKES, STARTED TO SLOW THEN PEDDLE DROPPED, NO WARNING LIGHT . PEDDLE SANK TO FLOOR ,PUMPED PEDDLE TO STOP, HIT LIGHTPOLE AFTER WHICH BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON . ON INSPECTION ,BRAKE LINE BETWEEN ABS BOX AND REAR AXLE BADLY RUSTED , FAILED AT POINT ABOVE CROSSMEMBER ,IN FRONT OF GAS TANK.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 10, 2013 · crash

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THEN I CAME TO MY STOP WHEN I NOTICE MY CAR WAS TRYING TO START AGAIN WHILE IT WAS IN PARK AND I NOTICE THAT MY CAR THEN STARTED SMOKING WHILE TRYING TO START ON IT OWN AFTER THAT HAPPEN MY CAR HAS NEVER STARTED AGAIN PLEASE HELP

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 10, 2019 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DETAILS OF THE COLLISION WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 6, 2015 · crash

DT:CONSUMER STATES: VEHICLE LOST POWER GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, VEHICLE LOST BRAKES, LIGHTS, GAS. CAN'T DO ANYTHING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP. NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS WARM OUTSIDE.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 15, 2004

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN AT 15 MPH, THE REAR DRIVELINE DIFFERENTIAL BROKE FOLLOWED BY A BANGING NOISE AS THOUGH IT WAS DRAGGING. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. WHILE THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVELINE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT COMPLETELY SEPARATED.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 28, 2006

2002 GMC Yukon — common questions

Is the 2002 GMC Yukon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Yukon: 187 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 Yukon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (82 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints), airbags (12 complaints).

Does the 2002 GMC Yukon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 GMC Yukon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 GMC Yukon under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Yukon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Yukon years to avoid are 2015, 2007, 2021, 2016, 2023, 1999, 2001, 2017, 2003, 2008, 2022, 2011, 2010, 2013, 2024, 2009, 2012, 2014. The cleanest record among Yukon years belongs to 1987.

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.