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 2003 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while driving there was a squealing noise that appeared to be coming from the brakes. During a normal maintenance service, the service dealer determined the squealing noise was normal. On April 4, an appointment was made with the dealer regarding the vehicle's brakes. The dealership determined the vent solenoid had failed internally and the vent solenoid and bracket parts had to be replaced. The contact was told by dealership that until work could be performed the car was driveable. On April 5th, the vehicle was in an accident. While driving 55 MPH on wet roads, the brakes failed which caused the contact to loose control of the vehicle. While the contact attempted to manuver the vehicle to the side of the road, the vehicle hit a pole and slide into a ditch. During the accident the air bags did not deploy. …
There is a recall #05068 that describes exactly what happens while driving my car. It occurs every time I drive my car, every time I accelerate and brake. (2003 GMC Yukon xl). However, GMC claims my car "isn't effected" and they refuse to fix it. My issues are 1. Getting dangerous, as the car bogs and won't accelerate without a period of hesitation and then it gives too much acceleration which can be bad if I'm on a slippery surface. Also, there is a common problem on these vehicles which is another problem I am experiencing: 2. My ABS kicks in randomly, even if the pavement is totally dry and clear. Apparently, this is caused by a corroded mounting surface for the front wheel speed sensors. The corrosion builds up causing excessive gap between mounting surface and wheel speed sensor which causes a loss of wheel speed sensor signal. …
I had a braking problem March 2015, corrosion of the brake lines. I have a 2003 Yukon 2500 quadrasteer. I was driving my truck when the brakes went. There was no warning light!!!!! I pushed the brake pedal practically to the floor, I was able to roll into a parking lot. When I got out there was brake fluid pouring out from the brake lines towards the rear of the vehicle. Why GM runs the lines right along the front of the vehicle undercarriage is a mystery to me. It is just going to be exposed to salt! I live in michigan and we use a lot of salt in the winter months. Yes things do rust, but I always wash the undercarriage of my truck! It's a case of poor engineering and it leads to premature corrosion. I am a mother of 3 young children and thank god they were not in the vehicle at the time this happened.
After stepping on my brakes aggressively to stop for a dog crossing the road. I received a brake stability notice on my dash. Since I was in the middle of the road, I put the car into drive to get over to the side of the road. The car did not slow down after I pumped the brakes, and tried to throw the car in reverse to reduce the speed. I coasted into a parked Subaru on the side of the road and because of the rear impact the Subaru that I hit pushed into Toyota highlander in front of it. Therefore three cars affected by the accident. My children were in the car with me and that was the worst part, I would have coasted right into a busy intersection on main street had I not stopped the way that I did. After taking the truck to my mechanic he mentioned that I popped two brake lines.
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon denali. While the contact was driving approximately 30 MPH on wet road conditions; approaching a traffic stop light, the brake pedal traveled to the floor with pressure applied. The vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into a pole. The contact sustained injuries to the head and body. There was no mention of a police report filed for the incident. The insurance company did not investigate the failure. The contact stated the defect was related to a manufacturer investigation action number pe10010 (service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The vehicle was repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was 15,000. The current mileage was 70,005. The VIN was unavailable.
I was leaving my driveway when the brake pedal on my GMC Yukon blew out. The line had rusted thorough. This occurred in 2012. Since then as a GM technician I have seen and heard of customers, friends and neighbors with GM trucks have their brake lines blow out from rust. GM has a real issue which should be investigated. The brakes lines on their truck models tend to rust out. GM has not issued a recall but offered a new brake line kit. My question to you is why? I have not seen this issue on the same model year GM cars. As far as I know no one has died as a result but there has to have been injuries. Is it not your job to investigate this issue? Once again why?
Total brake failure while stationary and engaging drive mode in driveway. Brake pedal went to floor. Parking brake also soft and ineffective but restored normal condition shortly thereafter.. No brake or ABS system service alerts or fault warnings prior to failure. 'service brake system' alert present after failure. No obds codes present. Suspect brake line corrosion. Approximately 170,000 miles. Recent tire/brake/alignment inspection revealed no issues. This is a very clean, "new to me" used vehicle with an excellent record of service. Had just completed a trouble free 2400 mile interstate road trip.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. Without warning, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and brake fluid was leaking. A mechanic replaced the rear brake lines; however, 1,000 miles later, the front brake lines also fractured. The mechanic replaced the front brake lines and indicated that there was extensive rust and corrosion. All of the brake lines needed to be replaced or the failure could recur. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V045000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brakes failed to work. While attempting to slow down, the brake pedal went to the floor when it was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. The ABS indicator illuminated. The contact slowly drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the hydraulic unit needed to be replaced. The technician referred the contact to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 142,000.
While approaching an intersection I applied the brakes the pedal went to the floor ABS light came on and the was total brake failure. Guided the vehicle off the road and had it towed to the shop. They found rusted brake lines at the ABS valve along with a rusted backing plate for the valve. In order to improve vehicle safety the lines will all be replaced with stainless steel so this doesn't happen again. This is a very poor design since a single failure should not cause total failure of a supposed dual breaking system.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Remedy: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; or Hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
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…
Parking brake failure
In a letter dated April 20, 2005, GM notified NHTSA that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to GM, some of these vehicles May have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an…
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 2003 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 GMC Yukon, 28% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 GMC Yukon brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-045 (service brakes, hydraulic, Feb 4, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Yukon brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 113,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 5 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.