2002 GMC Yukon XL Reliability
The 2002 GMC Yukon XL has 342 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine & cooling. Compared with nearby Yukon XL model years (2000–2004), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Yukon XL's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
342
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
23
Complaints citing a crash
4
Complaints citing a fire
2002 GMC Yukon XL complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 model year, filed between 2001 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 158 | 46% |
| Engine & cooling | 25 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 7% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 22 | 6% |
| Steering | 19 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 18 | 5% |
| Tires | 17 | 5% |
| Air bags | 16 | 5% |
2002 GMC Yukon XL recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2002 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05V379000 | Aug 29, 2005 | Service brakes — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (abs) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut,… |
| 07E106000 | Dec 17, 2007 | Wheels — hub | Certain federal-mogul replacement wheel hub assemblies with the brand names: national, carquest p/nos. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, and 515060, shipped between January 23, 2006, and December 20, 2007, sold for light duty and medium duty… |
How the 2002 compares with nearby Yukon XL years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Yukon XL analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 7 | — | Too few reports |
| 2001 | 393 | 5 | Service brakes | Caution |
| 2002 (this page) | 342 | 2 | Service brakes | Caution |
| 2003 | 517 | 4 | Electrical system | Avoid |
| 2004 | 446 | 4 | Electrical system | Caution |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2002 GMC Yukon XL
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2002 GMC Yukon XL can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2002 GMC Yukon XL reliability FAQ
Is the 2002 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
The 2002 GMC Yukon XL has 342 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine & cooling. Compared with nearby Yukon XL model years (2000–2004), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Yukon XL's typical year.
What are the most common 2002 GMC Yukon XL problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 GMC Yukon XL are service brakes (158), engine & cooling (25), electrical system (24), powertrain / transmission (22). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2002 GMC Yukon XL have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2002 GMC Yukon XL, including 05V379000 (service brakes — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip) and 07E106000 (wheels — hub). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2002 GMC Yukon XL compare with the 2001 and 2003 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2001 has 393 complaints and 5 recalls (caution); the 2003 has 517 complaints and 4 recalls (avoid). The 2002 has 342 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2002 GMC Yukon XL?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More GMC Yukon XL research
Other GMC Yukon XL model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2002 Yukon XL, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.