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2002 GMC YukonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 158 owner complaints about the 2002 GMC Yukon, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2002 GMC Yukon
44
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the Yukon median · #13 of 33 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints15828 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage128kService brakes, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 14, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Jones028 from Hong Kong, CC BY 2.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 GMC Yukon has problems

158 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes373
Service brakes, hydraulic352
Air bags119
Power train100
Electrical system102
Seat belts70
Steering70
Suspension60
Wheels50
15 other systems452

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2002 GMC Yukon recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 05V-379 · Aug 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front assembly: head restraint

Recall 02V-253 · Sep 17, 2002 · 558,904 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Mileage at failure

When do service brakes problems start?

128kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 35 service brakes complaints. 20% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles7under 100k miles28100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Yukon year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Yukon median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 GMC Yukon safety ratings

2002 GMC Yukon 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 GMC Yukon, and the recalls they led to.

  1. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREDP05009 · closed May 31, 2006
    No recall
  2. THROTTLE STICKING CLOSEDEA02015 · closed Jan 12, 2004
    No recall
  3. UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATIONPE05020 · closed Sep 13, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-379
  4. Brake line corrosion failurePE10010 · closed Jan 5, 2011
    No recall
In owners' words

What Yukon owners report

Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

No warning while exiting, I was able to hit the brakes. Then, when I reached for the brakes again, it didn’t break. There was no signals on the car. The car is total damage air bags came out.
Complaint 11680768 · Aug 14, 2025
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HE DROVE THE VEHICLE AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY EXPERIENCED UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS FORCED TO DRIVE AT A HIGHER SPEED IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT…
Complaint 11343897 · Aug 7, 2020 · 128,000 miles
BRAKES WENT. BOUGHT A CT CAR IN SC. LUCKILY DRIVING 5PMH WHEN THEY WENT. WAITING AT THE SHOP NOW TO GET FIXED. SPENT THE NIGHT IN MY CAR AS I WAS MOVING TO CT
Complaint 11297549 · Jan 7, 2020 · 175,000 miles

Own a 2002 Yukon?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.