The Lemon Index2002 GMC Yukon.
The 2002 GMC Yukon is about average by owner complaints: 83 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 106, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 12 to 15 mpg combined. The best GMC Yukon year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 187 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Yukon year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 43K to 131K miles on the car (131 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 107K–145K miles
Recalls 6
- wheels 2007
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, …
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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, 2…
- lights 2006
CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPL…
Show all 6 recalls
- brakes 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION.
- body structure 2003
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.
- seats 2002
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 572 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Abs light on, dtc's c0265, c0201, u1041 set and/or loss of communication with brake module
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2010–2011
- ClosedParking brake failure2005–2006
- ClosedUnwanted low-speed abs activation2005
- ClosedThrottle sticking closed2002–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side — · rollover ★★☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4300–5350 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
I had to replace a set of rear disc rotors that were rusted on inside disc walls. Will not pass inspection.
2002 GMC Yukon owner · NHTSA complaint 10118068
More owner reports
2002 GMC Yukon front wheel assembly had to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10144298
When just about to stop in dry weather, the abs brake system kicks in and makes stopping distance longer.
NHTSA complaint 10125540
Quick answers
Is the 2002 GMC Yukon reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 106; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Yukon year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2002 GMC Yukon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (28%), electrical (10%) and airbags (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Yukon have?
6 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 GMC Yukon get?
12 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Yukon problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 43,900 and 131,000 miles. The middle report was at 79,000 miles, from 131 complaints.
Does the 2002 GMC Yukon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 GMC Yukon cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $5350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 GMC Yukon have?
4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What GMC Yukon year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2020 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works