Does the 2002 GMC Denali have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 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 2002 GMC Denali?

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints), followed by power train (5).

How many 2002 GMC Denali complaints mention a crash or fire?

3 of 23 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 3 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 GMC Denali recalls and problems

1 recall and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 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.

2002 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.

Engine and engine cooling6
Power train5
Service brakes, hydraulic3
Air bags2
Exterior lighting2
Seat belts2
Steering2
Suspension2
Latches/locks/linkages1
Service brakes, air1

What owners report

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

Sep 1, 2009 · Power train · 70,000 miles
WE OWN A 2002 DENALI, THAT WE BOUGHT USED. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AROUND NOV. 2008 (APPR. 120,000 MILES) WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BUT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER (AROUND 150,000). THROUGH CIVIL LITIGATION, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT PREVIOUSLY, AT AROUND 70,000…

Apr 6, 2009 · Exterior lighting
FRONT RUNNING LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND IS OUT AGAIN. MY MECHANIC STATED HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL GMC AUTOS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL OR REASON?

Apr 11, 2007 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 31,843 miles
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VBRAKED VIBRATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD A FEW FEET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL # 05V379000 FOR THE HYDRAULIC ANTILOCK…

Sep 15, 2006 · Power train · 77,600 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ON A CITY STREET, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION FAILING TO SHIFT GEARS UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR TEETH WERE FRACTURED AND WORN. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE GEAR TEETH NEEDED TO…

Jul 16, 2006 · Power train · 74,030 miles
FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION COOLER, WHICH IS INSIDE THE RADIATOR, CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX AND FLOW THROUGH ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AS A RESULT. THE REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACING THE RADIATOR, ALL ENGINE HOSES, REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION, FLUSHING ENGINE AND REPLACING…

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 2002 GMC Denali have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 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 2002 GMC Denali?: Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints), followed by power train (5).
How many 2002 GMC Denali complaints mention a crash or fire?: 3 of 23 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 3 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 1, 2009.