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: 13 of 23 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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.
3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
23 reports
32,000 miles · Jan 8, 2005
Power Train
AT 34,000 MILES IT STARTED WITH A SQUEAKING NOISE UNDER THE TRUCK WHEN MOVING. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. NOISE CONTINUED. INDIVIDUAL FOUND THAT THE "PLASTIC PARTS" USED IN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WERE BROKEN UP INSIDE. REPLACEMENT PARTS CONSISTED OF THE SAME PLASTIC PARTS WHICH ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT NOW AT 62,000 MIL…
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AT 34,000 MILES IT STARTED WITH A SQUEAKING NOISE UNDER THE TRUCK WHEN MOVING. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. NOISE CONTINUED. INDIVIDUAL FOUND THAT THE "PLASTIC PARTS" USED IN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WERE BROKEN UP INSIDE. REPLACEMENT PARTS CONSISTED OF THE SAME PLASTIC PARTS WHICH ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT NOW AT 62,000 MILES. SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT FULLY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE DENAHLI SYSTEM OR ITS PARTS AND SPEND MORE TIME ORDERING THE WRONG PARTS. ALSO THE ENGINE HAS CUT OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING. LUCKLY I WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 15 MILES AN HOUR. ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE TODAY THE MUFFLER HAS A HOLE, THE SIZE OF A NICKLE, RUSTED OUT OF IT AND CONDENSATION WATER SHOOTING EVERYWHERE. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. HIGH PRICED TRUCK, LOW QUALITY PARTS. REPAIRS ARE IN THE PROCESS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10105964
39,000 miles · Aug 30, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages
BOTH REAR TAILGATE STRAPS SNAPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10089965
592 miles · Oct 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
UPON FIRST START-UP IN THE MORNING THE ENGINE TAPS FOR 10 TO15 SECONDS. THE LENGTH OF TIME AND NOISE LEVEL INCREASES WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS FOR TWO DAYS. IT IS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND AND THE OIL LEVEL IS GOOD. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A LIFTER IS LEAKING DOWN. SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT WAS BROUGHT BACK BECAUSE OF AN OI…
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UPON FIRST START-UP IN THE MORNING THE ENGINE TAPS FOR 10 TO15 SECONDS. THE LENGTH OF TIME AND NOISE LEVEL INCREASES WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS FOR TWO DAYS. IT IS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND AND THE OIL LEVEL IS GOOD. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A LIFTER IS LEAKING DOWN. SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT WAS BROUGHT BACK BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DISC THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL CONNECTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS WHERE THE OIL WAS ORIGINATING FROM AND CORRECTED THE LOOSE VENT CONNECTOR. THE DEALER SERVICE INVOICE DOESN'T STATE HOW MUCH FLUID WAS ADDED IF ANY. SERVICE ADVISOR DID NOT KNOW THE ANSWER. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043146
3,200 miles · Jul 22, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE OVERHEATING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. THIS HAS OCCURRED OVER FIVE TIMES. OVERHEATING UP TO OVER THE RED SIGN OF OVERHEATING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10029871
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2003
Air BagsCrash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10010052
2,000 miles · Jan 22, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE TAPS LOUDLY UPON STARTUP. THIS METALLIC TAPPING OCCURS AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING AND ALSO IF SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR SO. WHEN DRIVING COLD ENGINE, VALVE CLATTER OCCURS BEFORE EACH SHIFT OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. EMAIL AND TELEPHONE CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM LEFT ME WITH THEIR OFFER TO PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ENGINE, O…
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ENGINE TAPS LOUDLY UPON STARTUP. THIS METALLIC TAPPING OCCURS AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING AND ALSO IF SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR SO. WHEN DRIVING COLD ENGINE, VALVE CLATTER OCCURS BEFORE EACH SHIFT OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. EMAIL AND TELEPHONE CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM LEFT ME WITH THEIR OFFER TO PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ENGINE, OF WHICH I DECLINED. PART OF THEIR RESPONSE: WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW YOUR CONCERNS WITH YOUR 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI. WE HAVE EXAMINED REQUEST NUMBER 1-60877406 IN WHICH YOUR ENGINE TAPPING NOISE IS DOCUMENTED WITH THE GMC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND WE ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE POSITION PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED TO YOU. UNDER THE TERMS OF THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY, OUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. SINCE THIS IS CONSIDERED A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS NO REPAIR NECESSARY. WE ASSURE YOU THAT IT WILL NOT EFFECT THE DRIVABILITY OR SAFETY OF YOUR VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10003208
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2002
Power TrainFire
FRONT AXLE, WIRE HARNESS BURNT, WHEEL FENDER BURNT.
NHTSA ODI #769490
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, HAD VEHICLE CHECKED SEREVAL TIMES. DEALER FINALLY FOUND THAT WATER PUMP HAD BUSTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8017301
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2002
Seat Belts
CONSUMER HAD TO HIT BRAKES SUDDENLY. REAR SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE. DIDN'T HOLD CHILD IN PLACE, CHILD LAUNCHED FORWARD, AS A RESULT OF SEATBELT LOOSENING UP INSTEAD OF TIGHTENING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8017300
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Seat Belts
PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS TIGHT AGAINST PASSENGER--YOU HAVE TO UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO MOVE FOR WHATEVER REASON
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 ↗
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.
2002 GMC Denali Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year