Model year guide

2002 GMC yukon denali

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 GMC yukon denali is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2002 GMC yukon denali at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints342
Combined12 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 GMC yukon denali recalls 1

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E025000 · 21/03/2006

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, …

Fix: POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 GMC yukon denali common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 342 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2002 GMC yukon denali safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2002 GMC yukon denali MPG & running costs

Combined12 mpg
City10 mpg
Highway14 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$5,600
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$16,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 GMC yukon denali costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$28,000
Fuel only$28,000
Per mile$0.37

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

About the GMC yukon denali

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a line of full-size SUVs from Chevrolet, marketed since the 1995 model year. Marketed alongside the GMC Yukon for its entire production, the Tahoe is the successor to the Chevrolet K5 Blazer, while the Yukon replaced the full-sized GMC Jimmy. Both trucks derive their nameplates from western North America, with Tahoe referring to Lake Tahoe and Yukon referring to the Canadian Yukon.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2002 GMC yukon denali trims & engines on record

Engines
6.0L 8-cyl

2002 GMC yukon denali vehicles on record

Other GMC yukon denali model years

2002 GMC yukon denali — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 GMC yukon denali have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 GMC yukon denali. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC yukon denali?

Across all 342 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, engine and engine cooling.

What is the 2002 GMC yukon denali safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2002 GMC yukon denali crash-test ratings of frontal 3★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2002 GMC yukon denali get?

The 2002 GMC yukon denali has a U.S. EPA estimate of 12 mpg combined (10 city / 14 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.