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2001 GMC Yukon Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2001 GMC Yukon has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Brake line corrosion and rupture causing brake failure.” GMC trucks and SUVs use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — the same algorithm as Chevrolet. Because GMC's lineup is exclusively trucks and SUVs, severe-service intervals apply to most owners (towing, hauling, off-roading). The schedule below surfaces the items most relevant to GMC's truck-focused buyer.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 GMC Yukon.

Reported to NHTSA

Brake line corrosion and rupture causing brake failure

SERVICE BRAKES

102 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2025-03

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11317738
“THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE WITH LOSS OF BRAKES. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10629897
“BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH. PUMPED BRAKES TO GET SLOWED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. EXITED VEHICLE ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND FOUND FLUID PUDDLE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON PUMPING THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10490957

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS pump running continuously after vehicle shutoff

SERVICE BRAKES

11 NHTSA complaints · 2006-08 → 2026-02

“The ABS system in this vehicle and many other similar GM vehicles of this year have abs pumps that malfunction and/or randomly stop working just to begin working later. My vehicle currently has the abs fuse removed because whenever it’s in the abs pump runs continuously even”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11720057
“ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. DROVE 3 MILES TO A MEETING. WHEN IGNITION TURNED OFF THE LIGHT WENT OUT BUT I COULD HEAR A HUM. UNABLE TO LOCATE SOURCE OF HUM. SPENT 5 HOURS IN MEETING AND HUM WAS STILL PRESENT. CAR STARTED OK BUT ABS LIGHT CAME BACK ON. LATE IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10485844
“FAILURE OF ABS MODULE - 2001 GMC YUKON XL 1500 PUMP MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10166457

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parking brake failure to hold vehicle

PARKING BRAKE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2006-04 → 2010-07

“MY 2001 GMC YUKON XL 1500 SLT PARKING BRAKE HAS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS 66000 MILES AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED. THE PARKING BRAKE FOOT LEVER GOES TO THE FLOOR AND DOES NOT HOLD AT ALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10161196
“PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD. VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACK WITH THE BRAKE FULLY APPLIED. VEHICLE HAS 35000 MILES. BRAKE HAS BEEN USED ONLY ABOUT 10 TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATES THE BRAKE CANNOT BE ADJUSTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10156135
“PARKING BRAKE FAILURE EVERY YEAR FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. YUKON XL WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. HAVE REPLACED REAR ROTORS DUE TO PARKING BRAKE SHOE MALFUNCTION. REAR BRAKE SHOE DOES NOT DISENGAGE AND WEARS PREMATURELY CAUSING PARKING BRAKE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10170505

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in frontal or side impact

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2006-08 → 2021-01

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC YUKON WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 110,000 MILES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CRASH TOOK PLACE ON A DRY DAY. THE DRIVER BEGAN CHOKING AND PASSED OUT. THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10187683
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SEIZED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10679032
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11066095

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and loss of power while driving

ENGINE

13 NHTSA complaints · 2006-06 → 2015-12

“ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. INTERMITTENTLY. AND ENGINE WON'T RE-START WITHOUT NUMEROUS TRIES. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. STALLING 3 OR TIMES A DAY, WITHOUT WARNING. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10230059
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10630187
“WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, HOWEVER THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUSE OF THE FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10168864

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering pump failure or binding

STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2020-08

“UPON COMPLETING A 400 MILE VACATION, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME, WHILE PULLING A LARGE CAMPER, AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED, GOOD THING I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST GM. DEALER AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10239691
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED DUE TO BINDING. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE PUMP BINDING. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND BUMPY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10163086
“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING SHARPLY AT LOW SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A POPPING NOISE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED GREASING THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THIS WOULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10153170

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when OLS reaches 0% or every 12 months. dexos1-approved synthetic required on Sierra 1500 5.3L/6.2L; dexos2 specified on Duramax diesel.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Sierra and Yukon owners running 4x4 should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Towing accelerates pad wear by 30-50%; check more often if towing regularly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

DOT 3 brake fluid: test annually, replace when moisture exceeds 3% or fluid is darker than copper.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

Long-life cellulose filter rated 45,000 miles. Trucks driven on unpaved roads or construction sites should inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (towing 5,000+ lbs regularly, heavy stop-and-go): every 45,000 miles. Normal: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI for 6L80/6L90, Mobil 1 LV ATF HP for 10L80/10L1000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace every 45,000 miles. Use GM Auto-Trak II for active 4WD; GM 9986115 for selectable 4WD.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Differential Fluid (front + rear)

Every 50,000 mi

Replace front and rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. G80 limited-slip rear axles require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on the L83/L84 5.3L and L86/L87 6.2L V8 are rated 100,000 miles. AFM/DFM cylinder deactivation can cause uneven plug wear — check at 75,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000. Duramax diesel uses ELC (red) — different chemistry, do not mix.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Sierra HD and Yukon XL owners in dusty work environments should replace at 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

217 crashes 1990–2024

How the 217 occupant deaths break down

154

driver deaths

63

passenger deaths

217

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

35

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2001 GMC Yukon reflects GMC's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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