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2002 GMC Sierra 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: 12 of 13 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. 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.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

13 reports
90,000 miles · Jan 10, 2019
Service Brakes

THE METAL BRAKE LINES HAVE CORRODED BADLY AND NOW FAILED. VERY UNSAFE, CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11166237

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2017
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SITE AND THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN OCT 2014. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE WITH 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT AND I WAS GOING 40 MPH. I STARTED TO BRAKE AS THIS WAS DOWNHILL AND A VERY LARGE TRUCK AND I DID NOT WISH TO INCREASE SPEED AS I FOLLOWED THE CURVE. MY BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND SANK TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RES…

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I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SITE AND THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN OCT 2014. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE WITH 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT AND I WAS GOING 40 MPH. I STARTED TO BRAKE AS THIS WAS DOWNHILL AND A VERY LARGE TRUCK AND I DID NOT WISH TO INCREASE SPEED AS I FOLLOWED THE CURVE. MY BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND SANK TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. I HAD NO STEERING ABILITY EITHER. I ENDED UP IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A VERY LARGE TREE AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED. I SPLIT MY HEAD OPEN ON THE STEERING WHEEL DESPITE BLOCKING MY FACE WITH MY FOREARMS CROSSED; A DE-GLOVING 10-12 INCH LACERATION DOWN TO THE SKULL THAT WRAPS FROM MY NOSE BRIDGE AROUND TO MY RIGHT EAR IN THE CIRCULAR SHAPE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. MY RIGHT LEG WAS PINNED INTO THE CENTER DASH AREA AS THE ENGINE BLOCK AND STEERING COLUMN WERE SHOVED INTO THE CAB. I HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE BY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. MY QUADRASTEER WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY USAA INSURANCE AND DESTROYED WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I CALLED USAA 3 DAYS AFTER THE CRASH AFTER FINDING SO MANY BRAKE FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE/YEAR MODEL AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ALREADY DESTROYED, SO DOING AN INVESTIGATION WAS NOT POSSIBLE. I HAVE LIVED IN PAIN AND ALSO PARALYZING FEAR OF DRIVING SINCE THEN; 3 YEARS. I AM A DISABLED MILITARY VETERAN WITH PTSD AND PRIOR BRAIN SURGERY AND THIS ACCIDENT CAUSED TO ME ISOLATE SO SEVERELY I COULD NOT EVEN ATTEND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS DUE TO MY NEW FEARS OF DRIVING & RIDING IN VEHICLES. MY LIFE IS NOW RUINED BY THIS ACCIDENT. DECREASING VA DISABILITY DUE TO INABILITY TO ATTEND APPOINTMENTS CAUSED A $1000.00 PER MONTH LOSS OF BENEFITS. I CAN'T AFFORD MY BILLS AND HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THE VA TO GAIN ACCESS TO MEDICAL EVALUATIONS SINCE THEY ARE NOW STRIVING TO CUT BENEFITS FROM ANYONE THEY CAN. PLEASE RECALL NOW!!!!! WHO ELSE HAS TO BE HURT OR KILLED?????

NHTSA ODI #11030762

100,000 miles · Jul 26, 2014
Service Brakes

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO FLOOR, LUCKILY I HAD THE PRESENTS OF MIND TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616474

124,365 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

100% BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUPTURED METAL BRAKE LINE, SEVERE CORROSION. ALL LINES REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. GMC NOTIFIED, NO REPLACE PARTS SUPPORTED BY MANUFACTURER. TRUCK STOPPED WITH USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443253

80,000 miles · Dec 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK CAUSING EMISSION FAILURE AND EXHAUST LEAK. THE REPAIR BILL IS UP TO $1000. OR MORE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GARAGE DRILL OUT OLD BOLTS AND REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373399

75,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND ALSO NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND ALSO NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10363466

78,630 miles · Oct 1, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

ABS IS ACTIVATING AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 10MPH WHEN STOPPING WITHOUT ABS LIGHT COMING ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358569

100,000 miles · Sep 11, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

EVERYTIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO UNDER 10 MPH, THE VEHICLES ABS SYSTEM KICKS ON. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED ON MANY GMC MODELS BUT NOT THE SIERRA DENALI I HAVE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS WITH SIERRA DENALIS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT GREATLY INCREASES STOP…

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EVERYTIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO UNDER 10 MPH, THE VEHICLES ABS SYSTEM KICKS ON. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED ON MANY GMC MODELS BUT NOT THE SIERRA DENALI I HAVE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS WITH SIERRA DENALIS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT GREATLY INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE. FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE ISSUE HAS LED ME TO BELIEVE THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY SPEED SENSOR DUE TO THE ABS KICKING IN WHILE STOPPING AT LOW SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355015

145,300 miles · Jun 3, 2009
Steering

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. SINCE THAT TIME, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE TRUCK HAS STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION. AFTER REVIEWING THE RECALL INFORMATION AND CALLING GM AND OUR DEALERSHIP, NO OPEN RECALLS APPLY TO THE TRUCK. THEY WILL OF COURSE BE HAPPY TO CHARGE US AND MINIMUM OF $101.00 AND MORE TO LOOK…

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THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. SINCE THAT TIME, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE TRUCK HAS STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION. AFTER REVIEWING THE RECALL INFORMATION AND CALLING GM AND OUR DEALERSHIP, NO OPEN RECALLS APPLY TO THE TRUCK. THEY WILL OF COURSE BE HAPPY TO CHARGE US AND MINIMUM OF $101.00 AND MORE TO LOOK AT THE TRUCK AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS A RECALL, WHY DOES IT NOT APPLY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272751

49,800 miles · Jan 31, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

I PURCHASED A 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI IN SEPT 2002 NEW FROM A LOCAL DEALER. I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND DO NOT ABUSE THE VEHICLE. I KEEP ALL THE SERVICE WORK UP ON IT THRU THE SELLING DEALER. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THE QUDARSTEER CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT AND I CALLED GM FOR A SERVICE REQUEST. GM SET UP AN APPOINTMENT F…

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I PURCHASED A 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI IN SEPT 2002 NEW FROM A LOCAL DEALER. I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND DO NOT ABUSE THE VEHICLE. I KEEP ALL THE SERVICE WORK UP ON IT THRU THE SELLING DEALER. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THE QUDARSTEER CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT AND I CALLED GM FOR A SERVICE REQUEST. GM SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME WITH THE SELLING DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED OUT MY TRUCK AND TOLD ME THAT THE QUDRASTEER MODULE WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED. THEY GOT ON THEIRE COMPUTER AND TRIED TO LOCATE A STEERING MODULE. BELIVE IT OR NOT THERE ISN'T ONE IN THE UNITED STATES. GM DOSEN'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE THEY HAVE BEEN DISCONTUINED. GM PRODUCED THIS TRUCK UNTILL 2005, I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY HAD TO SUPPLY PARTS FOR VEHICLES THAT THEY MADE FOR AT LEAST 10 YR'S I AM NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK WITH 50,285 MILES ON IT AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER NOT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT WOULD WEAR UOT MY TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP DISABLED THE QUDRASTEER BUT WHEN I DRIVE IT I HAVE TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE RT ABOUT A QUARTER TURN. IT DRIVES LIKE A VEHICLE WITH A CENTER BOLT BROKEN IN THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MY RECORSE IS WITH GM. I CANNOT PUT ANOTHER REAR END IN IT FROM ANOTHER TRUCK BECAUSE THE DENALI'S REAR END IS 5 1/2" WIDER THAN A RUGULAR PU. I THINK GM SHOULD BE MADE TO START MAKING THE PARTS THAT THESE TRUCK'S NEED. I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS RUN INTO THIS PROBLEM. ALL GM IS DOING FOR ME IS GIVING ME A LIST OF WEB SITES TO LOOK UP AND TRY TO FIND THE PART MYSELF. THERE ARE NONE!!!!!! MSRP ON THE TRUCK WAS $43,000. THE QUDRASTEER OPTION WAS $4,000. I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PARK MY TRUCK BECAUSE GM DOSEN'S WANT TO MAKE THE PART ANYMORE!!!!!! THE QUDRASTEER WENT OUT IN NOVENBER 2008, I STOPPED AT THE POST OFFICE TO CHECK MY MAIL AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY TRUCK AND STARTED IT THE SERVICE FOUR WHEEL STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. INEED THIS PART!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257056

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.