2001 GMC Yukon Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 18, 2025 · 197 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Yukon years
More complaints than other years 8th of 33 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 GMC Yukon. That ranks 8th out of 33 Yukon model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (57 complaints, 29%), typically at around 61,622 miles. Complaints mention 23 crashes, 14 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.

GMC Yukon
25 GMC Yukon XL Denali - Shot at Earnhardt Buick GMC in Mesa AZ. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: HJUdall, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2001 GMC Yukon problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic57 · ~61,622 mi
Service Brakes23 · ~143,579 mi
Air Bags18 · ~81,000 mi
Electrical System17 · ~27,913 mi
Tires17 · ~30,000 mi
Seat Belts15 · ~89,343 mi
Parking Brake14 · ~40,076 mi
Power Train13 · ~49,248 mi
Steering10 · ~82,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling9 · ~22,275 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems5729%61,622“anti lock” (12%)$1,750
Service Brakes2312%143,579——
Air Bags189%81,000——
Electrical System179%27,913——
Tires179%30,000——
Seat Belts158%89,343——
Parking Brake147%40,076——
Power Train137%49,248——
Steering105%82,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling95%22,275——
Fuel System, Gasoline95%76,600——
Structure74%76,750——
Visibility74%70,000——
Seats63%———
Exterior Lighting53%31,000——
Suspension42%———
Electronic Stability Control (esc)32%89,767——
Engine32%120,500——
Vehicle Speed Control32%66,096——
Latches/locks/linkages21%———
Trailer Hitches21%———
Unknown or Other21%———
Equipment11%———
Interior Lighting11%———
Service Brakes, Air11%45,365——
Visibility/wiper11%86,600——
Wheels11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2005, with 31 complaints
2000: 320002001: 272002: 2420022003: 172004: 2420042005: 31312006: 1420062007: 52008: 720082010: 42011: 720112012: 42013: 720132014: 112015: 420152016: 12017: 220172018: 12020: 220202021: 12025: 12025

n = 197 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2001 GMC Yukon recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Engine and engine coolingNov 7, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V521000 · 11,974 vehicles

Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period.

Risk: If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipAug 29, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V379000 · 1,353,718 vehicles

Problem: 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, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.

Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

StructureMar 7, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V094000 · 3,674 vehicles

Problem: Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.

Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. 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 southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.

Seats:front assembly:head restraintSep 17, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V253000 · 558,904 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Seat belts:front:retractorMay 17, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V159000 · 9,196 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: pickup and utility trucks. Some of these vehicles have an internal component in the outboard seat belt retractors for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats that could be cracked. With repeated actuation of the locking mechanism, the crack could spread to the point such that the seat belt would no longer lock.

Risk: In a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the outboard seat belts for specific lot numbers and replace the belts if necessary. Gm is enclosing an inspection procedure for the owners to use or they can have their dealers do the inspections. Owner notification began july 2, 2001. 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 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.

Structure:bodyOct 25, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V343000 · 35,659 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have loose or missing rear wheelhouse plugs. Under certain vehicle operating conditions, exhaust gases can flow forward and accumulate in the rear wheelhouse.

Risk: These gases could flow into the passenger compartment if the plug is missing or loose and could cause possible illness, unconsciousness, or death.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for loose or missing wheelhouse plugs and install new plugs if necessary.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Brake line corrosion failure (PE10010) — opened Mar 30, 2010, closed Jan 5, 2011.
  • Parking brake failure (DP05009) — opened Dec 20, 2005, closed May 31, 2006.
  • Unwanted low-speed abs activation (PE05020) — opened Apr 28, 2005, closed Sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V379000.
  • Alleged failure of 2nd row seatbelt alr (PE02067) — opened Sep 25, 2002, closed Feb 11, 2003.
  • Throttle sticking closed (EA02015) — opened Aug 1, 2002, closed Jan 12, 2004.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

UNKNOWN one the the main problem wheel hub engine electrictrical

Electrical System · received Nov 18, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11700167

On january 3rd, 2021, i was driving to work on slushy, icy secondary roads. The rear end caught some slush, slid sideways and sent me sliding across the oncoming traffic lanes and into a ditch where i collided with a tree head on. Upon impact no airbags deployed.

Air Bags · received Jan 4, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11386374

No matter how many times i get my brakes fixed there is always the break and the air brake lights that appear. I have changed to sensors, fuses and still it remains. Every mechanic tells me that no matter what the brake and air brake lights will appear. That needs to be a recall. Seeing any type of…

Electronic Stability Control (esc) · received May 7, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11323607

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc yukon. The contact stated that pulling up to a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard extending the braking distance. The contact stated that the abs and brake warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent…

Service Brakes · received Mar 12, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11317738

On 01/23/2018 i got into an accident. The brakes when applied hesitated for a few then finally took hold but by that time it was to late and i ended up on someones lawn after crashing through their white picket fence, then rolling completely over on its top, totally the yukon. My concern is the no…

Air Bags · received Jan 31, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11066095

Other GMC Yukon years

← 2000 Yukon · 2002 Yukon →

See all GMC Yukon problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 GMC Yukon?

Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, service brakes, air bags problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 57 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2001 GMC Yukon?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2001 GMC Yukon a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Yukon model years, the 2001 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.