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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 GMC Denali Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 GMC Denali has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 23 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized GMC dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 GMC Denali. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 GMC Denali owner complaints

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Denali, describing incidents dated May 1, 2001 to April 2, 2009.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 6 complaints
  • Power Train 5 complaints
  • Service Brakes 4 complaints
  • Air Bags 2 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
  • Seat Belts 2 complaints

Of the 23 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 23 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10282600 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #10264311 · Filed

    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? *TR

  • ODI #10187546 · Filed

    TL*THE 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…

Read all 23 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 GMC Denali in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GM/FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS

NHTSA #02V253000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Head Restraint · NHTSA notice

Reported September 17, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 558,904 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 02039 · Owners notified November 8, 2002 · Vehicles built February 1, 2001 – February 28, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other GMC Denali model years

Check your 2002 GMC Denali VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your GMC Denali at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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