2002 GMC Yukon
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1992 | 19 |
| 1993 | 17 |
| 1994 | 59 |
| 1995 | 90 |
| 1996 | 70 |
| 1997 | 133 |
| 1998 | 80 |
| 1999 | 204 |
| 2000 | 166 |
| 2001 | 197 |
| 2002 | 158 |
| 2003 | 204 |
| 2004 | 158 |
| 2005 | 85 |
| 2006 | 27 |
| 2007 | 428 |
| 2008 | 187 |
| 2009 | 94 |
| 2010 | 105 |
| 2011 | 158 |
| 2012 | 62 |
| 2013 | 117 |
| 2014 | 56 |
| 2015 | 528 |
| 2016 | 266 |
| 2017 | 196 |
| 2018 | 69 |
| 2019 | 54 |
| 2020 | 36 |
| 2021 | 323 |
| 2022 | 178 |
| 2023 | 231 |
| 2024 | 102 |
| 2025 | 51 |
| 2026 | 36 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
49% of complaints: service brakes — 77 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
No warning while exiting, I was able to hit the brakes. Then, when I reached for the brakes again, it didnât break. There was no signals on the car. The car is total damage air bags came out.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250814
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 .
NHTSA ODI report, 20130911
8% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER ONE FRONTAL CAR ACCIDENT. NOT FOR SURE OF THE SPEED BUT IT WAS OOVER 50 MILES AN HOUR. I HIT BRAKE GOING AROUND THE CURVE AND FLIIPED OVER OVER FIVE TIMES AND NOT YET THE AIRBAG DIDNT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200109
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150223
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE AS DESIGNED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130918
7% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and fuses and circuit breakers.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 20190821
Also filed under ENGINE
SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THEN NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, DUE TO ELECTRICAL LOCKS FAILED AND CAR TOTAL LOSS
NHTSA ODI report, 20020308
6% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
5% of complaints: steering — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing idler and attachment and pump.
SAFETY TIMELINE
THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED
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 AR
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
Campaign 02V253000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
Campaign 03V094000 — check if this car was fixed
UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION
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 RECA
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, REIN
Campaign 05V379000 — check if this car was fixed
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
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 MANUFACTURE
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).
Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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.
Campaign 07E106000 — check if this car was fixed
Brake line corrosion failure
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 GMC Yukon — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (77 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V253000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V094000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E106000 (wheels) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2002 GMC Yukon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 GMC Yukon is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Yukon?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Yukon have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.