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 2001 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Yukon. While driving at an unknown speed on the highway, the contact depressed the brake pedal with excessive force in order to avoid another vehicle. The contact noticed that some of the brake functionality was lost. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a piston was defective and needed to be replaced. Three months later, while trying to shift gears, the contact heard an abnormal popping sound. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake lines were defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
Brakes completely failed. Traveling 35 MPH, I had to brake suddenly and the pedal sunk to the floor. Had minor resistance, then just completely gave way. No brakes! Was able to avoid an incident by veering into the oncoming lane that was luckily vacant. Turned onto a side street to safely roll to a stop. Too scared to drive it the remaining 1.5 miles home, I have it towed to a shop. Advised that all brake lines need to be replaced, this is a common problem with GMC that he has seen a dozen times. The brake lines corrode, and eventually burst. Absurd! To think this could of happened on a family road trip at 65mph... I will buying a vehicle outside of GMC and their umbrella of poorly made vehicles- asap!
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that pulling up to a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard extending the braking distance. The contact stated that the ABS and brake warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake line disintegrated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
I have a Yukon denali 2001. I had an accident. The antilock brakes activate at low speeds. I saw there is an investigation # peo5-020 underway since a recall was in effect in Canada. The accident was minor and involved no injurty. It was due to increased stopping distance whern approaching my garage, I had the vehicle reaired and am bringing it in to GMC to fix the problem.
Hard brake lines have completely corroded and brake fluid flows profusely from the corroded lines. Brake pedal goes to floor and vehicle is unable to stop. Had to put into neutral and use parking brake to avoid an accident. GMC service department is unaware of any service bulletins or kits to replace defective and corroded brake lines on these truck and suvs.
While traveling over railroad tracks I had to brake suddenly to not hit a car that quickly stopped in font of me. I was going about 25-30 MPH. As I braked over the tracks the ABS kicked in caused the vehicle to swerve to the right. I hit the guard rail with the right front quarter causing $3500 in damage. Nothing has been done to fix this problem.
The brake lines have rusted and at least 1 has ruptured leaving vehicle without any brakes. Brake petal goes directly to the floor and no brake fluid was found in the master cylinder reservoir. I have read that many other similar vehicles have had the same issue.
Having low speed (under 8mph) ABS activation regardless of weather/road conditions. Basically the same issue as NHTSA campaign id number : 05V379000 but apparently my VIN is not covered, I live in illinois.
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
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…
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 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 108 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 GMC Yukon, 47% of the model year's 232 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 GMC Yukon 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 2001 GMC Yukon brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.