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2002 GMC Sierra Denali problems

The most common problem on the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali is brakes, typically around 78,630 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Sierra Denali model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
70/100
Owner complaints
13
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
71
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2002 GMC Sierra Denali problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    10
  • Steering
    3
  • Airbags
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    10
  • Steering
    3
  • Airbags
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali 71

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 71 bulletins for the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali

What 2002 GMC Sierra Denali owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 10, 2019 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · MN

The metal brake lines have corroded badly and now failed. Very unsafe, crash waiting to happen.

Filed Oct 2, 2017 · Airbags, Brakes · WA · crash · 1 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. 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?????

Filed Jul 26, 2014 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Jan 10, 2012 · Brakes · 124,365 miles · MA

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.

Filed Dec 30, 2010 · Engine · 80,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Nov 1, 2010 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Oct 1, 2010 · Brakes · 78,630 miles · MA

Abs is activating at low speeds under 10mph when stopping without ABS light coming on.

Filed Sep 11, 2010 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Jun 3, 2009 · Steering · 145,300 miles · WI

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?

Filed Jan 31, 2009 · Electrical, Steering · 49,800 miles · VA

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!!!!!!

Compare the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali

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Questions about the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali

Is the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali reliable?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali, close to a typical Sierra Denali model year.

What is the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali year score?

The 2002 GMC Sierra Denali scores 70 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Sierra Denali: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali?

Brakes, with 10 complaints, typically around 78,630 miles. Next is steering (3).

How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra Denali have?

No recalls on record.

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