RoadVitals

2002 GMC Denali

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Sep 1, 2009
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 17, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 GMC Denali, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 95 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine622.2%
  • Brakes414.8%
  • Transmission311.1%
  • Exterior lighting27.4%
  • Steering27.4%
  • Suspension27.4%
  • Airbags27.4%
  • Powertrain (other)27.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

Sep 17, 2002
558,904 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.
The 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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 02039View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP05009ClosedDefect Petition

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Dec 20, 2005
Closed May 31, 2006

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.

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

EngineTransmission
Filed Sep 1, 2009

WE OWN A 2002 DENALI, THAT WE BOUGHT USED. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AROUND NOV. 2008 (APPR. 120,000 MILES) WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BUT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER (AROUND 150,000). THROUGH CIVIL LITIGATION, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT PREVIOUSLY, AT AROUND 70,000 MILES. WE ARE WONDERING IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DENALIS AND IF ANY COMPENSATION IS AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10282600
Incident
Nov 15, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 6, 2009

FRONT RUNNING LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND IS OUT AGAIN. MY MECHANIC STATED HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL GMC AUTOS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL OR REASON? *TR

NHTSA ID
10264311
Incident
Apr 2, 2009
Brakes
Filed Apr 11, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VBRAKED VIBRATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD A FEW FEET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL # 05V379000 FOR THE HYDRAULIC ANTILOCK SERVICE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WASS 31,857 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,843.

NHTSA ID
10187546
Incident
Apr 10, 2007
Mileage
31,843 mi
SuspensionTransmission
Filed Sep 15, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ON A CITY STREET, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION FAILING TO SHIFT GEARS UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR TEETH WERE FRACTURED AND WORN. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE GEAR TEETH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/6/2006 - THE STABILIZER BECAME WORN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10168365
Incident
Sep 11, 2006
Mileage
77,600 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 16, 2006

FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION COOLER, WHICH IS INSIDE THE RADIATOR, CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX AND FLOW THROUGH ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AS A RESULT. THE REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACING THE RADIATOR, ALL ENGINE HOSES, REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION, FLUSHING ENGINE AND REPLACING FLUIDS AT A TOTAL COST OF $3047. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND ALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON SCHEDULE. THE VEHICLE, A SUV WAS NEVER USED OFF ROAD OR TO PULL A TRAILER, AND HAS 74000 MILES. THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM AS THE COOLER IN INSIDE THE RADIATOR AND CANNOT BE SERVICED. THE RESULT OF THIS IS EARLY FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE NEED TO REPLACE SEVERAL ENGINE COMPONENTS THAT WERE IMPACTED. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS DETECTED BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAUSED A BREAKDOWN OR ACCIDENT. OTHER INCIDENCES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM WERE NOTED UPON INTERNET RESEARCH. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162502
Incident
Jun 21, 2006
Mileage
74,030 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 3, 2006

WE HAD HEARD UNDER THE HOOD LOUD NOISE. MAINLY WHEN WE ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE. AFTER ASSESSING THE NOISE, WE FOUND THAT WE HAD A BROKEN TENSIONER AND IT WAS MAKING THE BELT WEAK. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND REPLACED THE BELT AND THE TENSIONER, FOR A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THROUGH A GMC SOURCE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON THING FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT GMC HAD NOT PUT A FILTER ON THE COMPRESSOR AND IT WOULD CAUSE IT TO FAIL. IF THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS THEN THEY WILL NOT DO A RECALL AND THIS SHOULD COST THE CONSUMER AT LEAST $1,500. LAST NIGHT AS MY HUSBAND FOLLOWED ME ON HIS BIKE, THE TENSIONER FAILED AGAIN AND IT THREW THE BELT BEHIND ME ALMOST HITTING MY HUSBAND IN THE HEAD. I CANT IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD DO TO GLASS OR A PERSONS HEAD AT 65 MPH. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND UNTIL IT RESULTS IN A FATALITY, GMC WILL NOT RECALL THIS. I HAVE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT GMC WILL PAY A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT AS OPPOSED TO PAYING TO RECALL ALL OF THEIR "PROFESSIONAL GRADE" PRODUCTS. WHAT A SHAME. I REFUSE TO HAVE THIS BELT FLY OFF AND HIT SOMEONE RESULTING IN DEATH. THIS IS A HAZARD AND GMC SHOULD RECALL ALL OF THEM. SINCERELY, KIM BOGGS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10161284
Incident
Jul 2, 2006
Mileage
48,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 18, 2005
Crash reported2 injuries reported

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS SIDE SWIPED AND KNOCKED INTO THE MEDIAN, IN WHICH THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

NHTSA ID
10143140
Incident
Jul 31, 2004
Mileage
25,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 13, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT: THE OWNER TURNED LEFT IN TURNING LANE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND TRUCK KEPT ON . THE BRAKES HAD BEEN MASHED, AND THEY WOULD NOT STOP. THE BRAKES HAD WORKED UP TO THE POINT BEFORE THE WRECK. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY SERVICED. OWNER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER CAR, AND CREATED A THREE CAR PILE UP. THERE WAS ONE REPORTED INJURY FROM THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AT THIS POINT FOR REPAIRS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10125137
Incident
Jun 8, 2005
Mileage
36,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

16-NA-383

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

18-NA-099

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

24-NA-098

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Denali by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015180032.3
2014500
2013500
2012600
2011110026.3
2010500
2009200
2008400
2007300
2003320244.2
2002Viewing231147.8
2001221143.9
2000211250.1
1999141038.4
1998000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.