Model year record

2002 GMC Sierra Denali recalls & problems

The 2002 GMC Sierra Denali has 1 safety recall and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (7 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints13filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Sierra Denali 1500 AWD

12mpg combined

City / highway	11 / 14 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	7	0	0	55,000 mi
Steering	3	1	1	—
Service brakes	3	1	1	—
Electrical system	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, electric	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system	1	0	0	—
Air bags	1	1	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
THE METAL BRAKE LINES HAVE CORRODED BADLY AND NOW FAILED. VERY UNSAFE, CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Jan 9, 2019 · 90,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
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.…
Oct 5, 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
Aug 1, 2013 · 100,000 miles
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
Jan 9, 2012 · 124,365 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
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
Dec 30, 2010 · 80,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Oct 31, 2010 · 75,000 miles
Service brakes, electric
ABS IS ACTIVATING AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 10MPH WHEN STOPPING WITHOUT ABS LIGHT COMING ON. *TR
Oct 1, 2010 · 78,630 miles
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 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
Aug 1, 2010 · 100,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.