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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I have a 2002 GMC Yukon 4wd and have had recurring problems with my ABS activating at slow speeds. The vehicle has been repaired by the local GMC dealer 3-5 times but keeps recurring 10-15K miles later. The problem occurs at slow speeds, such as coming to a stop or in heavy commuter traffic. The ABS activates and the Yukon is difficult to stop. The dealer claims they are unaware of any problems along this line, but I have paid several times to get it repaired and nobody seems to know why it keeps failing. The failure to stop has resulted in two small collisions but no damage was done to my vehicle or the others. The problem is occurring again, but the $500/pair of sensors is proving to be a burden to keep fixing. I believe the speed sensor was adjusted the other times the ABS was faulty, but the details are difficult to determine. Any and all help is appreciated! …
On several occasions when applying brakes to stop the Yukon it fails to stop and then ABS kicks in causing brake pedal to vibrate and loss of pressure in brake pedal then truck does not stop it slides. I have replaced master cylinder did not help, truck needs all new brake lines due to rust. I have quickly move around cars to prevent a accident, due to this brake failure. Since I am in south florida GM won't fix this known manufacture defect because sf is not a "salt belt" state, but I live on the beach and the salt water has started to have a major impact just like the northern states on these faulty brake lines. The break lines are covered in rust and this is a major safety concern and GM should fix all vehicles with this known defect not just some. This 2002 Yukon is sle with a 5.3l VIN z.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon. The contact stated after he drove the vehicle at a very low speed, the vehicle unexpectedly experienced unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. The contact stated he was forced to drive at a higher speed in order to avoid this issue. The contact notified the dealer, cable dahmer Buick GMC of kansas city address: 907 w 104th st, kansas city, mo 64114) however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware and offered little assistance. The failure mileage was 128,000. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The VIN was previously repaired under this recall however the failure recurred.
The first occurance was a year ago when driving to play golf. When I was about one mile from the course, the brake pedal went to the floor when depressed. I was able to make to the course and called a tow truck. The repair was made by the local dealer. He asked me if I lived at the coast due to the corrosion found on the brake line. I do not live near the coast and the vehicle is garage kept with only 102,000 miles on it. Most recently while driving in town, I depressed the brake pedal and the same thing happened. It went to the floor and was very slow to stop. In my estimation, this is very poor workmanship on behalf of general motors! I hope that no person has been killed due to this defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon. While driving 5 MPH, the ABS engaged without warning when the brake pedal was depressed. The issue made it difficult to stop the vehicle for at least five car lengths. The brake pedal became stiff and the vehicle was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle came to a stop only after the brake pedal was depressed several times. The hydraulic pump malfunctioned and caused the contact to have a difficult time parallel parking without the vehicle rolling away. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would experience increased stopping distant when depressing the brake pedal. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent and occurred on both wet and dry pavements. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The failure mileage was 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon denali. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact applied the brakes, but the anti lock brakes activated independently. The anti lock brake warning light illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The contact independently removed the anti lock brake fuse. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the failure listed in NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH and towing a boat, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was able to come to a stop. Upon inspection, it was discovered that brake fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the failure was caused by rusted brake lines. The brake lines were replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.
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 2002 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 96 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 GMC Yukon, 51% of the model year's 187 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 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 2002 GMC Yukon brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 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.