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2003 GMC Yukon Denali Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali, most often about the electrical (35% of complaints, typically around 82,000 miles). It is 5th of 19 Yukon Denali model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2003 GMC Yukon Denali problems
Electrical
25 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, horn.
Speedometer has quit working. We had an 2004 impala that there was a recall on the speedometer, thought there might be on this one also.
Truck started to have major eletrical issues. Blubs burning out often sockets burning out had to replace too often. Light covers melting. Headlights out and will not come back on for days, have to tap them to get them to come back on. Horn blows from alarm all times of the day and night. Inside lights on dash…
Brakes
18 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock.
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the brakes were applied and failed and the brake pedal was depressed into the floorboard. The contact had to utilize the emergency brake and the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic discovered that the brake line was…
I was traveling down a city street and went to stop at a red light. I applied the brakes and the pedal was very soft so I pushed a little harder and the pedal went to the floor. I had to swerve into a gas station parking lot to avoid an accident and apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. I crawled under the…
Engine
12 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 128,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
I was driving approximately 65 MPH uphill when my engine and traction light came on. My speed was immediately reduced to about 35 MPH even though I tried to accelerate. I drove home about 8 miles at a reduced speed because I had my children in the truck and it was raining. I took the truck to a mechanic the next day…
Driving on hwy going aprx 65mph. Vehicle said reduced engine power and started slowing down. I had to pull to side of the road. I managed not to be rear ended. This has happened often. It is a potentially life threatening situation. GMC know about this problem and how difficult it is to find the proper fix. Someone is…
Stability control
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles.
I have had multiple ongoing electrical issues with this vehicle. Starting in 2005, the exterior electronics (I.e. Signal lights, stop lights, head lights, etc) began to malfunction. For example, I would trigger the signal for one direction and all of the signals for all directions would trigger... Even pressing the…
The service engine light and traction control turn on and the information center on my cluster reads "engine power reduced" and "stability system disable", then my speed is reduced and only runs between ten and twenty miles per hour. I have to turn off my truck and turn it back on after a few minutes to continue, but…
Speed control
5 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 128,000 miles.
I was driving approximately 65 MPH uphill when my engine and traction light came on. My speed was immediately reduced to about 35 MPH even though I tried to accelerate. I drove home about 8 miles at a reduced speed because I had my children in the truck and it was raining. I took the truck to a mechanic the next day…
Driving on hwy going aprx 65mph. Vehicle said reduced engine power and started slowing down. I had to pull to side of the road. I managed not to be rear ended. This has happened often. It is a potentially life threatening situation. GMC know about this problem and how difficult it is to find the proper fix. Someone is…
Lights
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: headlights.
'03 Yukon Denali - while driving in complete darkness while making a left sweeping turn every visible interior light turns of and on for 1-2 sec. This includes headlights. This is becoming very dangerous and distracting to other drivers. The dealer blames it on a loose headlight switch. They replaced it. That did not…
While driving at night the headlights and dash lights flicker off and on. This condition only occurs while traveling at speeds above 35 MPH and when hitting a bump or making a curve. This condition is not only distracting, but when driving at night with no other ambient light I am unable to see adequately ahead of my…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: tread/belt.
I was traveling south on summit crossing rd. Fredericksburg va. 22408 at approx.45 mil.per hr. ,when I heard a big bang ,the steering locked ,the vehicle went directly hard left,and struck large trees destroying the front end. About 3 minutes after the crash the steering wheel air bag went off in my face.I exited the…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: glass, side/rear.
Wiper blades do not clear drivers side of windshield at speeds greater than 55 MPH. This makes it difficult to drive during rain day or night - especially at night when the water film disperses the light and makes it difficult to see.
When the top right hinge broke away from the glass on the rear door of my 2003 Yukon Denali (~50,000 mi.), and after discussing it with my dealer, I thought it was an isolated case. The resulting twisting of the misaligned window has caused the left hinge bond to partially crack and separate as well. My vehicle is…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 GMC Yukon Denali recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Parking brake failure
Summary
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.
Questions about the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (25 complaints, typically around 82,000 miles); brakes (18 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); engine (12 complaints, typically around 128,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 GMC Yukon Denali. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the GMC Yukon Denali?
- It is 5th of 19 Yukon Denali model years by number of complaints, with 72 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.