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2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali problems

The most common problem on the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali is electrical system, typically around 67,000 miles. It has 1.2 times the complaints of a typical Yukon XL Denali model year.

Typical year1.2x the typical complaints
Year score
67/100
Owner complaints
32
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
116
Worst area
Electrical

The worst 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali problems

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

Problems by type

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

  • Electrical
    13
  • Driver assistance
    5
  • Engine
    4
  • Brakes
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Suspension
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali

Loss of power 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Parking brake failureOpened December 20, 2005, closed May 31, 2006

Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.

DP05009

Parking brake failureOpened April 9, 2004, closed May 10, 2005

In a letter dated april 20, 2005, gm notified the federal safety agency that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to gm, some of these vehicles may have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.gm's action covers an estimated total of 142,585 vehicles.dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with the pbr parking brake system and install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly on vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system. A total of 58 non-duplicative complaints were received by odi and gm concerning the approximately 59,000 my 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series pickup trucks with the pbr parking brake system.these included 22 alleged rollaway incidents, resulting in a rate of 38.5 rollaway incidents per 100,000 vehicles.odi is aware of 24 complaints regarding the my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series manual transmission trucks recalled by gm, including 5 alleging rollaway incidents.though the conditions described in gm's letter are also present in the c/k trucks with automatic transmissions, the rollaway rate in those vehicles was similar to those observed in peer vehicles studied by odi in this investigation.this engineering analysis is closed. For additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA04011

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali 116

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

See all 116 bulletins for the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali

What 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 12, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 173,000 miles · FL

About a month a ago my 2003 yukon xl all of a sudden would not drive over15 miles an hr in rush hour traffic. I took the truck to the shop to have diagnostics ran. I was told it was the battery. The truck ran for about a month then all of a sudden the battery was back dead. Returned the truck back to the shop another battery was put in. It's been about another month. This time I was driving from miami to jacksonville and the truck lost power 100 miles outside jacksonville on I-95 north. It had all power just would not crank. Had it towed to the shop now I'm being to there's a problem with electrical.

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · MA

Driving home when I push the brakes, the brakes didn't work, brake service warning came on upon checking all the brake lines are rusted and when it press the brakes it appears the pressure puncture a line.

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 166,081 miles · UT

We were driving up in the mountains and we lost power briefly to the engine. The lights flickered and the dash board went out. Then the loss of engine power came on and the stability/traction came on too. This has happened weekly for the last two years. This last time was alarming since we were coming down a mountain in a storm and could have been stranded up there with no running vehicle to keep us warm. This needs to get a recall or investigation going on these vehicles. If you google this issue you will see that there are hundreds if not thousands of people that are affected with this issue. It will kill people if they expect to have power to get through an intersection fast enough and the vehicle gives out on them.

Filed Dec 27, 2013 · Brakes · 177,880 miles · KY

I was traveling on a two lane county road located in oldham county kentucky and upon approaching a curve, I attempted to apply the brake to slow the vehicle but the brake pedal went to the floor and provided no braking action (severely rusted brake lines burst and resulted in total brake failure ). The curve was followed by an intersection with a stop sign in my lane. Luckily there were no vehicles in front of me and no opposing traffic at that moment, which enabled me, through the use of gears and the emergency brake, to get the vehicle stopped just beyond the stop sign. It was my understanding that modern vehicles were designed with redundancy in the braking system which would prevent total braking failure, but apparently that is not true with this vehicle. I have read several accounts of similar failures with this family of vehicles and I think action needs to be taken quickly as the next victim may not be as fortunate as me and my 10 year old granddaughter were this past week.

Filed Dec 18, 2012 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 117,900 miles · NV

Driving 65 MPH on the highway and all of a sudden my car loses power. This is very dangerous! The dash says reduced engine power. Engine light comes on. Codes for the problem p0120, p0171, p0174, p0300, p2135. I got everything done that was suggested the codes are gone and it's still happening!! Not sure what the gmc dealership is up to but they don't have a clue to what's causing it or how to fix it!

Filed Aug 15, 2012 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 27,000 miles · AZ

Reduced engine power, stability system disabled

Filed Feb 7, 2011 · Driver assistance · 140,000 miles · IL

For the last 2 years I've had a problem with the stability control / reduced engine power. The problem can occur anytime while driving or even after it has been sitting. I must stop the vehicle and turn it off several times for it to reset before I can continue. I've had the vehicle in the shop for repairs at the dealer, they can't seem to fix the problem. After several visits to repair shops and spending nearly $2000 on repairs it still has the same problem. This needs to addressed as a failure and dangerous situation by g.m. The vehicle is a 2003 gmc yukon denali xl.

Filed Oct 11, 2010 · Visibility · 128,000 miles · AL

The right hinge of the rear lift glass on my 2003 gmc yukon failed causing a dangerous condition whereby the rear glass could blow out, or otherwise fall off the car while driving. The dealer told me the entire rear lift glass module must be replaced.

Filed Jan 8, 2010 · Seats · 55,500 miles · MN

Burning smell in 2003 gmc yukon denali xl. Eventually found child's velour car seat smoldering at base with holes burned through the leather heated seat. Child had touched control with foot and turned heated seat on. When discovered, the car seat and leather seats were beginning to smoke.....could have been a tragedy.

Filed Jul 19, 2009 · Brakes · 120,394 miles · FL

2003 gmc yukon xl denali brake lines rusty and burst while wife was driving and lost brakes. This caused a very dangerous situation. About a year ago the dealership replaced several brake lines due to the same problem. Also they replaced the calipers due to rusted bleed valves. They are using substandard materials and making a very dangerous situation for people that drive gm vehicles.

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Other model years

200120022003

Questions about the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali

Is the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali reliable?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali, 1.2 times a typical Yukon XL Denali model year.

What is the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali year score?

The 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali scores 67 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Yukon XL 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 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali?

Electrical system, with 13 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles. Next is driver assistance (5).

How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali have?

No recalls on record.

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