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2001 GMC Denali

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 22 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

22 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2016
Unknown Or Other

1. DASHBOARD CRACKED / CRACKING ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL. 2. DASHBOARD CRACK / CRACKING TOP LEFT CORNER OF AIRBAG. A. DASHBOARD CRACK IS ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG B. DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR AIRBAG IS 1 AND A HALF INCH LONG.

NHTSA ODI #10820750

111,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

REAR-ENDED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. HIGH IMPACT; MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL THEN THE DRIVER SIDE PANEL. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY DOOR WAS PRIED OPEN BY A PEDESTRIAN WHO CHECKED ME AND ASKED IF I KNEW WHAT HAPPENED AND WAS I OKAY. I OPENED THE DOOR, STRUGGLED OUT AND TRIED TO STAND UP TO SEE WHAT HAD HIT …

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REAR-ENDED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. HIGH IMPACT; MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL THEN THE DRIVER SIDE PANEL. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY DOOR WAS PRIED OPEN BY A PEDESTRIAN WHO CHECKED ME AND ASKED IF I KNEW WHAT HAPPENED AND WAS I OKAY. I OPENED THE DOOR, STRUGGLED OUT AND TRIED TO STAND UP TO SEE WHAT HAD HIT ME; MY LEGS WOULDN'T HOLD AND I LEANED AGAINST MY VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. I LOOKED AROUND AND AT THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME, SOME WERE SMOKING AND EVERYONE WAS IN A GENERAL STATE OF SHOCK AND PANIC. THERE SEEMED TO BE NUMEROUS VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH. THE AMBULANCE CAME, TOOK ME AWAY AND A POLICE OFFICER CAME TO MY BEDSIDE TO LET ME KNOW THE SKETCHY DETAILS THAT HE'D LEARNED FROM THE OTHER VICTIMS AND WITNESSES. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SUBSEQUENT MRIS SHOWED THAT I HAVE MULTIPLE BULGING DISCS IN MY NECK AND LOWER BACK, SOME OF WHICH ARE PRESSING ON NERVES AND CAUSING PAIN IN MY NECK, SHOULDERS, BACK, CALVES, ANKLES AND ARMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609275

94,000 miles · Mar 25, 2014
Service Brakes

TRIED TO STOP AT RED LIGHT ,AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN I HAD TO JUMP THE CURB NOT TO HIT ANOTHER CAR. MY HUSBAND CAME AND LOOKED AT THE TRUCK AND SAW THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH AND FLUID WAS COMING OUT. HE PUT A WHOLE CAN OF BRAKE FLUID IN SO THAT I COULD MOVE THE TRUCK DOWN THE STREET TO A SERVICE CENTER…

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TRIED TO STOP AT RED LIGHT ,AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN I HAD TO JUMP THE CURB NOT TO HIT ANOTHER CAR. MY HUSBAND CAME AND LOOKED AT THE TRUCK AND SAW THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH AND FLUID WAS COMING OUT. HE PUT A WHOLE CAN OF BRAKE FLUID IN SO THAT I COULD MOVE THE TRUCK DOWN THE STREET TO A SERVICE CENTER. AGAIN THE REPAIR MAN SAID ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT. WE REPAIRED ONE A SUMMER AGO WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574775

155,000 miles · Jan 23, 2013
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MALL PARKING LOT - PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, THANKFULLY STILL HAD SOME (TINY) BRAKE LEFT TO STOP. LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING UNDERNEATH. ALL BRAKE LINES LOOK COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT MAKING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494460

159,000 miles · Dec 5, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WE HAVE NOTICED THAT OUR CARS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE WHEN WE GET TO A LOW SPEED OF ABOUT 5 MPH, CAUSING OUR STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED US TO REAR-END ANOTHER CAR. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ON THANKSGIVING OF THIS YEAR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM THRO…

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WE HAVE NOTICED THAT OUR CARS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE WHEN WE GET TO A LOW SPEED OF ABOUT 5 MPH, CAUSING OUR STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED US TO REAR-END ANOTHER CAR. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ON THANKSGIVING OF THIS YEAR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM THROUGH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V379000. WE CALLED GMC HOTLINE AND THEY SAY IT ISN'T COVERED BY THE RECALL. I SEE THE RECALL HAS BEEN REVISED SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT DOES OCCUR? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438646

82,133 miles · Mar 5, 2011
Structure

2001 GMC YUKON DENALI WITH 82,133 MILES. THE LIFTGATE GLASS LOOSEN IT FROM HIS DOOR HINGES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386544

32,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Air BagsCrash

MY WIFE WAS IMPACTED ON THE RIGHT FRONT SECTION OF HER 2001 GMC DENALI BY A HIT-AND-RUN MOTORIST. THE COLLISION OCCURRED IN THE EAST BOUND 22FWY IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT SPEED WAS MORE THAN 50MPH. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED - OPINION FROM AAA INSURANCE AND AUTO MECHANICS THAT …

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MY WIFE WAS IMPACTED ON THE RIGHT FRONT SECTION OF HER 2001 GMC DENALI BY A HIT-AND-RUN MOTORIST. THE COLLISION OCCURRED IN THE EAST BOUND 22FWY IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT SPEED WAS MORE THAN 50MPH. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED - OPINION FROM AAA INSURANCE AND AUTO MECHANICS THAT REPAIRED THE CAR. MY WIFE HAD TO ATTEND A CHIROPRACTOR FOR OVER A MONTH TO ADJUST HER SPINAL CHORD. UP TO THIS DAY SHE HAS BACK PAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313665

70,000 miles · Jan 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC DENALI. WHILE MAKING TURNS AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE ENGINE MAKES A RUMBLING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAS FOUND COMPLAINTS FOR HER VEHICLE REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD DIAG…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC DENALI. WHILE MAKING TURNS AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE ENGINE MAKES A RUMBLING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAS FOUND COMPLAINTS FOR HER VEHICLE REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AT $96 PER HOUR. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HER RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10255315

90,000 miles · Jun 18, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC DENALI. EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE UNDERGOES A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT HAS TO PLACE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL BACK IN THE ENGINE SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLES SPORADICALLY LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE ALTERNATOR TO FAIL. THIRDLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE 4 …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC DENALI. EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE UNDERGOES A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT HAS TO PLACE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL BACK IN THE ENGINE SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLES SPORADICALLY LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE ALTERNATOR TO FAIL. THIRDLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SPONTANEOUSLY ENGAGES. LASTLY, THE VEHICLE IDLES ROUGHLY WHEN IT IS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS COPIES OF THE VEHICLE'S SERVICE HISTORY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

NHTSA ODI #10231471

37,000 miles · Feb 28, 2007
Parking Brake

PARKING BRAKE NEVER WORKS. HAD COMPLETE SYSTEM REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP 3 YEARS AGO. DID NOT IMPROVE THE STOPPING CAPABILITIES. OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE IDENTIFY HAVE EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY ALSO EXPERIENCE. I AM AFRAID THAT THERE IS NO BACKUP BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY BRAKE SYSTEM FAI…

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PARKING BRAKE NEVER WORKS. HAD COMPLETE SYSTEM REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP 3 YEARS AGO. DID NOT IMPROVE THE STOPPING CAPABILITIES. OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE IDENTIFY HAVE EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY ALSO EXPERIENCE. I AM AFRAID THAT THERE IS NO BACKUP BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10183813

Official recalls

1

02V253000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Sep 17, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP05009 · Parking Brake Failure

Opened Dec 20, 2005 · Closed May 31, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake; Parking Brake:conventional; Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Parking Brake:conventional

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:mechanical

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

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.