Most common 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500 problems
Share of the 18 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Yukon XL 2500 complaints by model year
Best Yukon XL 2500 years: 2004, 2002. Years to avoid: 2001. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500:
Crank position sensor failure - stall
In a letter dated November 7, 2007, general motors (GM) reported to the office of defects investigation (odi) that it will conduct a safety recall (07v-521) to replace the crank position sensor (ckp) in approximately 12,000 model year (my) 2001 Chevrolet silverado and GMC sierra vehicles equipped with 8.1 liter engines manufactured on or before November 15, 2000.according to GM, the ckp can fail intermittently or…
What 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500 owners say
Engine & cooling
While traveling at highway speeds the engine stopped working / stalled. Shifting to neutral and trying to start the vehicle was not successful. The vehicle without the assistance of power steering or power brakes had to be carefully stopped . This was extremely dangerous! After looking at an on-line forum, the vehicle with the 8.1 liter engin had some vehicles recalled with a cam lobe sensor fault which causes this to happen. After contacting the dealer, they told me that my vehicle was not in this recall. However, when the vehicle was new, they had already replace the same part when the vehicle was 3-5 months old. I questioned them as to the replacement part as the first part only caused the check engine light, not completely disabling the engine. It May be they replace the factory original part with a part which was defective and covered by the recall. …
GMC Yukon XL 2500, 8.1l engine... Purchased truck (2nd owner) 8/2005 from GMC dealer. Noticed first occasion of stalling app. 10/05 or 11/05. Dealer said "couldn't reproduce complaint" and released the vehicle. Truck drove OK for awhile and began stalling again, this time GM dealer said "fuel pump" ($900+). Truck continued to stall on and off for years, each time no one could find problem.. Recently, summer of 09, it has become worse (more frequent and longer time to re-start) and after two independent diagnostic tests by two separate certified mechanics, it was determined to be the crank positioning sensor. I had already heard about this problem but since my VIN wasn't included in the recall (even though its the same year, model and engine) I am being told that the dealership will not cover!!! I don't know what else to do.. …
Brakes
While on a hill holding the vehicle with the brakes activated, a large amount of white smoke came billowing out of the engine compartment. I was able to determine that the fluid was clear and dripping on the hot exhaust manifold. The brake reservoir dropped with successive brake applications. After having the vehicle towed to a repair facility, it was determined that multiple fixed metal brake lines were corroding and one had enough to corrosion to cause a failure of the metal causing a leaking break line. All fixed metal brake lies were replace at a very high expense due to the labor to install the new lines. Part were only a fraction of the labor to install new brake lines along the body framing. Ironically, the repair shop owner had a 2500 series GM pickup truck which experience the same brake line failures just months before. …
Accelerated rigid brake line corrosion resulted in brake line failure and complete loss of vehicle stopping ability. Brake lines are inspected regularly and did not appear rusted. Vehicle was in motion traveling at approximately 20 MPH when operator stepped on brake to slow and stop vehicle. Brake pedal felt soft and then pressed completely to floor without any braking action. Operator used emergency brake to slow and stop vehicle. Vehicle required immediate towing as it was not road worthy and was unsafe to drive without braking ability.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500 a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Yukon XL 2500 rates use caution: 2.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Yukon XL 2500 at the same age. It is one of the Yukon XL 2500 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (5) and wheels & tires (2).
How many recalls does the 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Yukon XL 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001. See the full GMC Yukon XL 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.