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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 16, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I WAS JUST WONDERING WHY MY 2001 YUKON DENALI WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE ABS SENSORS. I HAVE HAD TWO 2001 TAHOE'S AND A 2002 AVALANCHE ALL OF WHICH WERE COVERED BUT MY DENALI WAS NOT. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE ABS SENSORS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN LET GM GET AWAY WITH RECALLING THE …

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I WAS JUST WONDERING WHY MY 2001 YUKON DENALI WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE ABS SENSORS. I HAVE HAD TWO 2001 TAHOE'S AND A 2002 AVALANCHE ALL OF WHICH WERE COVERED BUT MY DENALI WAS NOT. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE ABS SENSORS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN LET GM GET AWAY WITH RECALLING THE CHEVROLET BRAND BUT NOT THE GMC BRAND. IT'S THE SAME PART NUMBER AND SAME PARTS USED ON BOTH BRANDS. PLEASE REPLY WITH A JUSTIFICATION IF YOU CAN SO THAT I MAY BETTER UNDERSTAND THE REASONING. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10178815

68,640 miles · Feb 9, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND PARK THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE DRIVELINE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. DUE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND PARK THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE DRIVELINE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. DUE TO THE INABILITY OF THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. A MECHANIC FROM A DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED REPLACING THE DRIVELINE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT.

NHTSA ODI #10149867

50,600 miles · Dec 23, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

1. VEHICLE QUIT RUNNING ON HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP. ENGINE WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT START. PUSHED TO SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS TO START, ENGINE DID START. WOULD NOT RESTART NEXT DAY. 2. FUEL PUMP WIRING IN THE GAS TANK MELTED AND ONE TERMINAL IN THE MODULE'S CONNECTOR EXHIBITED SIGNS OF ARCING/HEAT. 3. BOTH THE FUEL PUMP…

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1. VEHICLE QUIT RUNNING ON HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP. ENGINE WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT START. PUSHED TO SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS TO START, ENGINE DID START. WOULD NOT RESTART NEXT DAY. 2. FUEL PUMP WIRING IN THE GAS TANK MELTED AND ONE TERMINAL IN THE MODULE'S CONNECTOR EXHIBITED SIGNS OF ARCING/HEAT. 3. BOTH THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT MODULE AND THE CONNECTOR WERE REPLACED. I DO HAVE POSSESSION OF BOTH PARTS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145986

64,300 miles · Oct 25, 2005
Exterior LightingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS DEFECTIVE AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILES, IT ALLOWED THE COOLING SYSTEM TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR, THIS WOULD MAKE THE VEHICLE JUMP. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VE…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS DEFECTIVE AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILES, IT ALLOWED THE COOLING SYSTEM TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR, THIS WOULD MAKE THE VEHICLE JUMP. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRIVEN HOME AND TO THE DEALERSHIP IN FIRST GEAR. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SEAL BROKE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOWN SHIFTING TOO HARD. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - THE HEADLAMP LENS WAS LOOSE. THE POWER STEERING PULLEY WAS OUT OF POSITION AND CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT IS SQUEAKING. THE PULLEY WAS REPOSITIONED. A SMALL FUEL VAPOR LEAK WAS DETECTED POSSIBLY FROM FUEL FILLER CAP NOT BEING FULLY TIGHTENED. THE FUEL PUMP LEAKED WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT. *NM A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS PERFOMED ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/19/06.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10140731

15,000 miles · Jul 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2001 YUKON DENALI THAT HAS THE PROBLEM DETAILED IN INVESTIGATION # PE05020. THE ABS ACTIVATES AT LOW SPEED. I HAD BROUGHT THIS TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY FIXED THE DRIVERS SIDE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THEY ASSUME THE PASENGER SIDE ABS SENSOR NOW HAS A PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE FRONT BRAKE DRUMS REPLACED TWICE ON …

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I HAVE A 2001 YUKON DENALI THAT HAS THE PROBLEM DETAILED IN INVESTIGATION # PE05020. THE ABS ACTIVATES AT LOW SPEED. I HAD BROUGHT THIS TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY FIXED THE DRIVERS SIDE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THEY ASSUME THE PASENGER SIDE ABS SENSOR NOW HAS A PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE FRONT BRAKE DRUMS REPLACED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT ONLY HAS 21,000 MILES ON IT.I HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH THHIS PROBLEM IN THE WINTER.

NHTSA ODI #10129076

48,500 miles · Jun 6, 2005
Steering

I HAD A POWER STEERING FAILURE THAT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT ON SAT. JUNE4TH SHORTLY AFTER TURNING ON MY AIR CONDITIONING. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT WHEN I THOUGHT MY ENGINE HAD STALLED BECAUSE I HAD NO POWER STEERING. HAD THE TIMING IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING BEEN IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION IT COULD HAVE BEEN TR…

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I HAD A POWER STEERING FAILURE THAT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT ON SAT. JUNE4TH SHORTLY AFTER TURNING ON MY AIR CONDITIONING. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT WHEN I THOUGHT MY ENGINE HAD STALLED BECAUSE I HAD NO POWER STEERING. HAD THE TIMING IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING BEEN IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION IT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC FOR ME, MY FAMILY AND/OR OTHERS !!! I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO KELLER AUTOMOTIVE IN SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI. AFTER I HAD CAUSED JIM CAUSLEY PONTIC IN MT. CLEMENS MICHIGAN TO FIND OUT IF THIS ITEM MIGHT STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER I FOUND OUT IT WASN'T I TOOK IT TO KELLERS WHERE THEY ALMOST IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I BELIEVE THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE SHAFT IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT FAILS. THOUGH THEY DID SAY THEY HAVE NOT SEEN IT OFTEN IN MY MODEL THEY SAID IT WAS SEEN IN OTHER LIGHT DUTY GM TRUCKS THAT SHARE THE SAME POWER STEERING PUMP. THEY STATED TO ME THAT GM HAS UPGRADED THEIR PUMPS TO HAVE A HEAVIER DUTY SHAFT WHICH WAS $394 FOR THE PART ALONE. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM I WOULD DEFINITELY CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE AND EXPECT GM TO ANNOUNCE A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I WILL HOLD ON TO MY RECEIPT IN HOPES THAT GM WOULD COME TO THE TABLE REGARDING RESOLVING THIS ISSUE OR THAT THE NHTSA COULD POSSIBLY FORCE THE ISSUE IF NECCESSARY. IF THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT I'M SORRY FOR WASTING YOUR TIME BUT I WOULD HOPE THAT SOMETHING COULD BE DONE BEFORE THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF LIFE OCCURS IF I AM CORRECT IN UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP !!, SINCERELY, PERRY M. HOUSER

NHTSA ODI #10124309

63,900 miles · May 10, 2005
Power TrainSteering

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN GOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN HE WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND LOST THE POWER STEERING. BEING SO CLOSE TO HOME, HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. MY HUSBAND ALSO NOTICED THAT AN AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING AS WELL AND THIS WAS ALSO CONSIDERED COMMON FOR PROBLEMS. WE USE THIS VEHICLE AS OUR ONLY FAM…

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MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN GOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN HE WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND LOST THE POWER STEERING. BEING SO CLOSE TO HOME, HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. MY HUSBAND ALSO NOTICED THAT AN AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING AS WELL AND THIS WAS ALSO CONSIDERED COMMON FOR PROBLEMS. WE USE THIS VEHICLE AS OUR ONLY FAMILY CAR, SO NATURALLY WE HAD IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY. WHAT REALLY CONCERNED AND ALERTED MYSELF TO THIS COMPLAINT WAS WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO GET LOOKED AT A MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAVE FIXED THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS MANY TIMES BEFORE AND IT WOULD ONLY TAKE TWO HOURS. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, I ASKED FOR MYSELF AGAIN, AND THE SAME MECHANIC TOLD ME IT IS VERY COMMON WITH THESE VEHICLES (SUV"S) WHY DID THIS HAPPENED WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES? THIS IS NOT VERY ENCOURAGING AND IS SOMEWHAT UPSETTING. I AM VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE I AM RELOCATING TO TEXAS AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IF WE WERE TRAVEING WITH THIS VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY A TRAILER ATTACHED. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AS I NOTICED THERE WAS A SIMILAR COMPLAINT BEFORE MINE AND THE SAME VEHICLE MAKE AND YEAR. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A STEERING PUMP WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AFTER IT WAS TURNED IN FROM A LEASE. I AM CONVINCED THAT I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM ALREADY IN MOTION, ALTHOUGH I CANNOT PROVE IT. I WOULD APPRECIATE THIS LOOKED INTO AND A RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT IN A TIMELY FASHION. I MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED THIS BUT CONSIDERING THIS MECHANIC INFORMED ME AND MY HUSBAND THAT HE HAS WORKED ON THESE MANY TIMES BEFORE REALLY CONCERNS ME. I WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10120581

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL PUMP OVER HEATED AND BURNED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10101493

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE IDLES THEN CUTS OFF, ESPECIALLY ON A TURN OR A INCLINE. I HAVE TO SMALL CHILDREN AND THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. LAST NIGHT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE IN MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047418

34,651 miles · Nov 5, 2003
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD BE IDLING AND WOULD DIE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT KNEW IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUSES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED…

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WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD BE IDLING AND WOULD DIE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT KNEW IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUSES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE. ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE APPROACHING AN INCLINE AND A CURVE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THIS PROBLEM BE INVESTIGATED. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10046359

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.