Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 GMC Yukon XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact started to slow for traffic and depressed the brake, and felt no braking. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop and drove the vehicle to his residence. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed that there was a fractured parking brake spring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
Two years ago I had a sever accident that cause me to hit another car and spin around. The GMC dealer said the cause was rusted out brake lines. Today it happened, but I was luck enough to be just pulling into my parking spot when it happened. The brake line must have rusted out again because I pumped the brake and noticed it coming out of the left rear line. This is very dangerous because it will likely only happen when you are in an emergency situation. There is no pre warning. It will just happen. Perhaps they are making the brake lines out of thinner material because we have many vehicles much older, and never had this problem.
I drove approx. 30 miles to my destination without any trouble. I spent about 2 hours there then started my 2002 Yukon XL to head back home. Upon moving the vehicle I realized I had very limited breaking power. The brake pedal went right to the floor. I dread thinking about what could have happened if I was on the interstate heading home. My mechanic said the brake line failed causing the rear brakes to lose all stopping power. He said he has seen several cases of this same problem on early 2000's GMC trucks and SUV's. I researched this issue and found many of the same complaints online. GMC should stand behind this and pay to repair this obviously defective part replacement. This will be an $800 repair for me and a big disappointment in GMC if they don't stand behind their vehicles.
Consumer's vehicle followed a school bus, no children were on the bus. Around 7:50 am the bus stopped for red light. Speed was approximately 20-25 MPH. As the brake pedal was pushed down the vehicle began to slow down, but it did not slow as quickly as normal. The ABS engaged, but the vehicle continued to proceed forward. There was plenty of room and time that the vehicle should have stopped but it did not. The vehicle bumped the rear of the bus, pushing in the bumper of vehicle. This incident followed the pattern set forth in NHTSA recall 05V379000 on August 29 2005. However, on November 18, 2005 the local dealer performed the procedure that GMC recommended to correct this problem, but I feel that the vehicle still failed in this incident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle jumped and hesitated without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel speed sensor was corroded and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided case number 8-3140697651. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
During low speed the ABS kicks in on no slip conditions causing it to take longer to stop the vehicle. This started occurring in June 2014. I see a recall on 2002 Yukon XL vehicles for this problem but it does not show up on the VIN report.
Events leading up to the failure: 2002 Yukon 73,000 miles. No previous events leading up to the problem. Failure/consequences: 2002 Yukon: I started my car and ABS light stayed on. While driving, I could feel an abnormal vibration throughout my car. (with my two small children, we pulled off to the side of the road on the right of way. I cut off my car (removed key out of ignition) and the car sounded like it was still on. Correct the problem: I called my GMC dealer in austin texas where I had purchased the vehicle and the service manager told me that he has seen many incidents such as this. He indicated that if I left the ABS motor running, that my battery would die and/or the motor would ruin. So, he instructed me to raise the hood and remove the 60amp ABS fuse. By doing so, the vibration/motor stopped. He said to bring it into the garage for service. …
When applying brakes, pedal unexpectedly went to floor & barely avoided collision. Had car towed to dealer, notified dealer of brake line failure that NHTSA & GM are aware of, after there for 2 days & dealer not returning our calls, was eventually notified 4 corroded brake lines need replacement at my expense, still waiting for estimate of repair cost going on 3 days. My husband was a mechanic at GM dealers for over 12 years & never seen 1 static brake line rupture nevermind 4 become defective at the same time especially considering the vehicle barely has 60,000 miles on it & has always been well maintained. …
While under vehicle to replace gas filter it had become evident to me that the brake lines where they enter the ABS unit were fairly rusted. As I investigated further to areas not easily visible I had discovered that all the hydraulic brake lines are extremely rusted and imminent failure is evident. In mentioning this to a friend he suggest I check on line as he had heard of this problem. I was absolutely taken aback to see how common this failure is on these vehicles and that GMC is aware of it, yet they have never apprised me of this "possible condition"' and that I should take necessary action to prevent failure which could result in serious injury or death ! I have been a mechanic for many years and had worked for GM some years back. I have never observed such deterioration in a vehicle of this age. …
We purchased the 2002 Yukon from mcguire dealership in nj its been cared for taken to the dealership faithfully driven by my 50 year old father, when first driving he noticed the pedal vibrating rapidly during normal brake applications. The ABS control valve was the culprit along with a rusty wheel sensor. It was replaced at the dealer and after 5 years the frame of the truck is rusting and rotting along with suspension parts and most of all the brakes. We came close to crashing one day when the pedal went straight to the floor, we take it to the local Firestone and they tell us all the brake lines are rusted out along with the master cylinder. We replaced the lines and master cylinder with a hefty price tag. We get the car back 3 days later pedal goes to the floor again, back at the mechanic both rear calipers are rusted and leaking. …
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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.
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…
NHTSA investigations
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
In a letter dated August 29, 2005, GM notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that May result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).GM's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently…
Parking brake failure
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
Brake complaints in other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 GMC Yukon XL, 49% of the model year's 121 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 GMC Yukon XL brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-379 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Aug 29, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Yukon XL brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.