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2002 GMC Yukon Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 GMC Yukon has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS activation at low speed and wheel speed sensor corrosion.” 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 2002 GMC Yukon.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS activation at low speed and wheel speed sensor corrosion

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

37 NHTSA complaints · 2006-10 → 2020-08

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE ABS WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE CAUSING THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10660433
“THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON DRY PAVEMENT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS, RESULTING IN A LONGER THAN NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10293178
“ONE MONTH LATER, HE NOTICED INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE ABS ACTIVATES UNEXPECTEDLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10264365

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS module or pump running with warning light on

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

7 NHTSA complaints · 2006-07 → 2014-05

“2002 YUKON W/ABS LIGHT ON AND SOME KIND OF MOTOR RUNNING EVEN IF MY VEHICLE IS OFF. THE NEXT MORNING MY BATTERY WAS DEAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10175517
“AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE WE COULD HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A MOTOR OR FAN NOISE RUNNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10201102
“ABS PUMP RUNNING ALL THE TIME, SCARED TO DRIVE IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10161335

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parking brake not holding vehicle

PARKING BRAKE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2006-04 → 2013-05

“WHILE PARKING THE TRUCK THE PARKING BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DOES NOT HOLD THE TRUCK FROM MOVING , EVEN AFTER PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10166269
“THIS INVOLVES THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE WHEN APPLIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10511449
“COULDN'T GET CAR INSPECTED BECAUSE OF A WORN OUT EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT WE NEVER USE. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10177948

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread separation and sidewall cracking

TIRES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2007-08 → 2016-01

“MICHELIN LTX M/S 2 P265/70/16R DATED 2412 & 2512; TIRES HAVE TREAD SEPARATION, CRACKING BETWEEN TREADS AND NOT HOLDING AIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10706289
“FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED WITH APPROX 80% OF THE TREAD AND BELT SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND NUMEROUS HOLES IN THE TIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10277517
“CONTINENTAL SPORT LT/SUV TIRE TREAD WAS COMING APART ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10198864

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Corroded brake line leaks and pedal-to-floor loss

SERVICE BRAKES

66 NHTSA complaints · 2010-04 → 2018-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10873458
“I COMPLETELY LOST THE BRAKES. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10638270
“STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS ENOUGH ROOM IN ANOTHER LANE TO EVENTUALLY SLOW DOWN WITHOUT A COLLISION. GOT UNDER REAR OF VEHICLE AND LOCATED LEAKING BRAKE FLUID LINE. RIGHT REAR PASSENGER BRAKE LINE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10605062

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall while driving

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

16 NHTSA complaints · 2006-07 → 2017-05

“ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING: I HAVE A YUKON XL 2002. OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10327021
“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER EIGHT ATTEMPTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10575129
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND A BATTERY INDICATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10367093

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in frontal collision

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2020-01

“FRONT OF YUKON IMPACTED THE REAR OF OTHER VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF YUKON. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. YUKON WAS TOTALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10937117
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. HIS VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10261762
“THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 50 MPH. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10153072

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear liftgate glass hinge failure

STRUCTURE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2008-05 → 2010-09

“2002 GMC YUKON XL REAR TAILGATE GLASS FAILED/BROKEN HINGE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THIS RESULTS IN THE REAR GLASS HELD ON BY ONE HINGE INSTEAD OF TWO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10356376
“BACK WINDOW HINGE, PASSENGER SIDE, 02 YUKON XL, SEPARATED FROM WINDOW/BROKE. NO ROUGH USE, JUST SNAPPED WHEN I OPENED IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10229404
“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE BACK LIFT GLASS BLEW OFF THE TAILGATE AND HIT A MOTORCYCLIST HE WAS NOT INJURED BUT THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO HIS BIKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10249021

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)

197 crashes 1990–2024

How the 197 occupant deaths break down

119

driver deaths

77

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

197

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 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.

23

complaints mentioning a crash

4

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 2002 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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