Most common 2002 GMC Yukon problems
Share of the 187 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 →
2002 GMC Yukon recalls (3)
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2002 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…
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 2002 GMC Yukon owners say
Brakes all 96 →
While coming towards an intersection, the car in front of me hit her brakes suddenly. I reacted by hitting me brakes and while I was slowing down my brake petal suddenly went all the way down to the floor. I was traveling approx 5-10 MPH when I hit the vehicle in front of me. After moving our vehicles from the road, I discovered brake fluid dripping from under my engine. I inspected the brake fluid reservoir and the master cylinder... Both looked normal. I got under the front of my truck and I could see brake fluid had been sprayed all over the lower front of the engine and front bumper. I could see that the brake lines were very rusty. Before the accident there wasn't any indication that I was having problems with my brakes. I seems as though the brake line just failed. I was traveling on a local road in a straight line approx 30-35 MPH when the accident occurred.
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.
Air bags
Vehicle was involved in a roll over one frontal car accident. Not for sure of the speed but it was oover 50 miles an hour. I hit brake going around the curve and fliiped over over five times and not yet the airbag didnt deploy. Forced cause of the seat bealt to strecch and lock in place. Police and tow truck was surprise the airbag should have deplyed. Now the truck is total which mean cant be fix destroyed and not repairable. The vehicle was in pound.
Tl contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that after being involved in a collision, the air bags failed to deploy. The details of the collision were not available. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back injuries that did not require medical attention. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the instrument panel indicators ceased to function. The contact stated that the odometer, speedometer, and various gauges were not visible. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 231,256.
I was driving the car and then I came to my stop when I notice my car was trying to start again while it was in park and I notice that my car then started smoking while trying to start on it own after that happen my car has never started again please help
2002 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 / 17 / 14 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 10 / 14 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 GMC Yukon a good car?
Based on 187 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Yukon rates average: about 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 2002 GMC Yukon?
The brakes — 96 complaints, 51% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the air bags (14) and electrical system (13).
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Yukon have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2002 GMC Yukon, the most recent from August 29, 2005 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). 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 2002 GMC Yukon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 27% 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.