Does the 2001 GMC Denali have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 GMC Denali, the most recent reported on September 17, 2002 (Seats: front assembly, head restraint). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (5 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (3).

How many 2001 GMC Denali complaints mention a crash or fire?

2 of 22 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 GMC Denali recalls and problems

1 recall and 22 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 GMC Denali.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 GMC Denali recalls

Seats: front assembly, head restraint

NHTSA campaign 02V253000 · reported September 17, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 558,904 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Power train5
Engine and engine cooling3
Fuel system, gasoline3
Service brakes, hydraulic3
Steering3
Air bags2
Electrical system2
Service brakes2
Exterior lighting1
Parking brake1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jan 18, 2016 · Unknown or other
1. DASHBOARD CRACKED / CRACKING ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL. 2. DASHBOARD CRACK / CRACKING TOP LEFT CORNER OF AIRBAG. A. DASHBOARD CRACK IS ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG B. DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR AIRBAG IS 1 AND A HALF INCH LONG.

Jul 9, 2014 · Air bags · 111,000 miles · crash reported
REAR-ENDED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. HIGH IMPACT; MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL THEN THE DRIVER SIDE PANEL. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY DOOR WAS PRIED OPEN BY A PEDESTRIAN WHO CHECKED ME AND ASKED IF I KNEW WHAT HAPPENED AND WAS I OKAY. I OPENED THE DOOR, STRUGGLED OUT AND TRIED TO STAND UP TO SEE…

Mar 25, 2014 · Service brakes · 94,000 miles
TRIED TO STOP AT RED LIGHT ,AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN I HAD TO JUMP THE CURB NOT TO HIT ANOTHER CAR. MY HUSBAND CAME AND LOOKED AT THE TRUCK AND SAW THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH AND FLUID WAS COMING OUT. HE PUT A WHOLE CAN OF BRAKE FLUID IN SO THAT I COULD MOVE THE TRUCK DOWN THE STREET TO A…

Jan 23, 2013 · Service brakes · 155,000 miles
BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MALL PARKING LOT - PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, THANKFULLY STILL HAD SOME (TINY) BRAKE LEFT TO STOP. LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING UNDERNEATH. ALL BRAKE LINES LOOK COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT MAKING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE.

Dec 5, 2011 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 159,000 miles
WE HAVE NOTICED THAT OUR CARS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE WHEN WE GET TO A LOW SPEED OF ABOUT 5 MPH, CAUSING OUR STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED US TO REAR-END ANOTHER CAR. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ON THANKSGIVING OF THIS YEAR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS…

Denali model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	1	21	3	0
2001	1	22	2	0
2002	1	23	3	1
2003	0	32	3	0

Across all years, the 2003 Denali has the most complaints (32). All GMC Denali years →

Questions

Does the 2001 GMC Denali have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 GMC Denali, the most recent reported on September 17, 2002 (Seats: front assembly, head restraint). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 GMC Denali?: Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (5 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (3).
How many 2001 GMC Denali complaints mention a crash or fire?: 2 of 22 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 18, 2016.