Most common 2001 GMC Yukon problems
Share of the 232 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Yukon complaints by model year
Best Yukon years: 2014, 2020, 2019. Years to avoid: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022, 2024. Compare all years →
2001 GMC Yukon recalls (7)
Engine and engine cooling
On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light May illuminate and the vehicle May run rough. The engine May stall, and if so, May re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2007. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
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…
Structure
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.
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…
Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
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.
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…
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Vehicle description: pickup and utility trucks. Some of these vehicles have an internal component in the outboard seat belt retractors for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats that could be cracked. With repeated actuation of the locking mechanism, the crack could spread to the point such that the seat belt would no longer lock.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the outboard seat belts for specific lot numbers and replace the belts if necessary. GM is enclosing an inspection procedure for the owners to use or they can have their dealers do the inspections.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles were built with a misrouted positive battery cable assembly that could come in contact with the steering shaft universal joint.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the positive battery cable for proper routing and re-route the cable in necessary. The cable will also be inspected for wear of the conduit and cable insulation, and will be replaced if necessary.
Show 1 more recall
Structure › Body
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have loose or missing rear wheelhouse plugs. Under certain vehicle operating conditions, exhaust gases can flow forward and accumulate in the rear wheelhouse.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for loose or missing wheelhouse plugs and install new plugs if necessary.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 2001 GMC Yukon:
Brake line corrosion failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility…
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…
Alleged failure of 2nd row seatbelt alr
The automatic locking retractor (alr) is a feature incorporated in the subject vehicle for locking the webbing to properly secure a child safety seat into a vehicle.this pe was opened based on a GM technical service bulletin stating that with certain child safety seats the webbing May not remain locked.there are no complaints in the odi database and only two complaints to GM.GM's instructions state for the final…
Throttle sticking closed
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (GM)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve May intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator May apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of…
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.
What 2001 GMC Yukon owners say
Brakes all 108 →
On 01/23/2018 I got into an accident. The brakes when applied hesitated for a few then finally took hold but by that time it was to late and I ended up on someones lawn after crashing through their white picket fence, then rolling completely over on its top, totally the Yukon. My concern is the no airbags deployed at all. Thankfully, I only received minor scrapes and bruises. Plus, I am very sore still. I am concerned that this could of been a worse case, where I got seriously injured or even death because the airbags did not deploy upon impact. I have notified my insurance company to make sure there is a written paper trail pertaining to these issues with the Yukon. Specifically, the brakes not catching in time and the airbags not deploying. I would appreciate a response back to this matter as soon as you can. …
Brakes were weak, almost to floor so the car was towed home. While slowly backing the car into driveway the brakes failed completely. Stepped on emergency brake and intermediate cable broke. The e-brake cable failed because of rust and the brake lines to the ebcm where they go over frame all failed. The only part on this car that has rusted beyond anything normal are the brake lines. Unbelievably rusted! When the brakes (e-brake and both lines) all failed the car rolled out of controlled into a tree. The rear hatch glass shattered and I had a sore neck for 5-days. This is apparently a common problem to this car where salt is used. The brakes started to go weak (1-line must have failed) as my wife approached a toll booth, only luck prevented a catastrophic event from happening. I can't believe we were not notified or the car was not recalled! GM and the NHTSA shame on you. …
Wheels & tires all 21 →
Tl contact owns a 2001 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the tires are replacement equipment. In 2004, she purchased four brand new tires when the vehicle was at 50,000 miles. When the tires reached 25,000 miles, each of them failed one by one and had to be replaced. The tires had a hole in them and the radial cord separated in one spot. She again purchased four new tires of the same brand and on June 19, 2007, one of the tires failed and had to be replaced. The tires are continental sport lt/SUV, p26/70r16. The correct tire size was unavailable in the drop down menu at the time of this complaint. The VIN, engine size, and purchase date were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 75,000.
While driving down highway 59 northbound before the louise, tx exit, the tread separated from my back driver side tire causing damage to my fender area and back driver side door. My Firestone steeltex at lt245/75r16 tire was not flat, the tread just came off.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Yukon. While driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 281,183.
Original equipment acdelco battery positive terminal corroded and fell off with no prior warning. No visible signs. Failure can occur at any time, with vehicle either running or parked, and at any location. Repair is a battery replacement and repair of acid-damaged parts located under the battery. I've since learned that this failure is common knowledge of GM repair centers and other GM SUV vehicle owners.
2001 GMC Yukon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 15 / 13 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 15 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 GMC Yukon a good car?
Based on 232 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Yukon rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Yukon at the same age. 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?
The brakes — 108 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the wheels & tires (21) and electrical system (19).
How many recalls does the 2001 GMC Yukon have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2001 GMC Yukon, the most recent from November 7, 2007 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Yukon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2020 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022 and 2024. See the full GMC Yukon years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Yukon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 77,000 miles; 31% 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.