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.
1999-2003 · 5 model years
GMC Denali Problems by year
Owners have filed 32 complaints about the GMC Denali across 5 model years, and it has 2 recalls. The 2003 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (32). The most reported problem area is the brakes, followed by the electrical system.
- Complaints
- 32
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Denali complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common Denali problems
GMC Denali recalls 2
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with the occupant protection requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection."
Latest Denali complaints
I have had the break/steering fluid booster replaced 3 times in a 6 month period. How gmc can call this a "problem" but not a safety issue is beyond me. I have looked it up and thousands have had problems with this along with alike vehicles from the same years. The breaks and steering lock up while driving especially around turns. It is extremely dangerous!!!!! I guess not enough people have died....Uugghhh .... So frustrating!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 (na) gmc denali. The contact stated that the exterior lighting was dim. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlight bulbs failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc denali equipped with michelin ltx ms20 tires, size: lt245/75r16. The contact stated that all four tires cracked on the sidewall. The contact also stated that all the tires had tread separation and loss of air pressure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle and tire failure mileage was 120,000. The vin was not available.
On june 4, 2014, driving on a clear, dry and sunny day in my 2003 gmc sierra denali pickup truck. On virginia drive heading eastbound in montgomery county, pa, at 32 mph; with normal braking action heading into a curve, the brake pedal surprisingly went to the floor and experienced loss of braking. Fortunately I was able to negotiate the turn, narrowly escaping running off the road, only because it was two lane road in each direction and there was no nearby traffic at the time. Brake functionality never returned...
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except for minimal capability near the end of pedal travel. Preliminary inspection after parking the vehicle indicates the brake lines showed rusting in general on the vehicle (and also the adjacent fuel lines), mostly near the front section of the vehicle; and the failure seemed to be in the hose-to-line coupling from the brake valve near the master cylinder to what appears to be the abs control assembly mounted on the frame under the driver's seat area. The lines in that suspected failure area appeared most seriously rusted and bulged. Currently speaking with a gmc dealer to understand the repair options and possible recalls. *Tr
After just a few years of ownership, my 2003 denali, which I purchased brand new, started to have "power down" issues. While driving, the vehicle would just loose power and I would have to pull over and restart the vehicle. Gmc has always acted as if it was not a big deal and have offered many expensive solutions. Early on I tried their recommendations and it would help for a while but the problem always comes back. Further, all of my gauges have quit working. Again, gm offers very expensive solutions, but...
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will never own up to the fact that these vehicles are defective. After going through this for several years, I googled these issues and discovered that there are pages and pages of complaints about the same issues. I love my vehicle and now have 230,000 miles on it. However, I know that this is very dangerous and I am always conscious that it can happen at any time. I am always prepared to pull over but there have been times when I was nearly rear-ended because of this issue. Also, I rarely let any other family member drive the vehicle and when I do I warn them of the issue so that they are prepared. This issue is first and foremost very dangerous and secondly a true hassle and inconvenience. My check engine light comes on every time the vehicle powers down. This has caused me to have trouble passing emissions as well. I have wanted to trade or sell the vehicle but I am concerned about my liability knowing about this issue. *Tr
I am filing a complaint due to a reduced engine problem and stability control which keeps enabling me to drive the vehicle. Once this light and power reduces I need to pull over from my destination and turn engine off completely. I count about ten seconds in order to restart the vehicle... Only to start it and having it reduce again. Several lights on dash board remain on such as engine. I have tried fixing the problem but I guess no one really knows how to repair and this has been costly. I have read...
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resources/consumers with the same year and vehicle make, and have found that they have occurred the same problem. I would like to know if this has been a recall on the gmc co. And or what the problem is. I feel this is a safety issue and apparently it does have to do with gmc the manufacture and would like to resolve this problem. *Tr
Questions about the GMC Denali
Which GMC Denali years have the most problems?
By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2003 (32). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2003 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What are the most common GMC Denali problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the brakes (7), electrical system (6), acceleration & cruise control (5) most often.
How many recalls does the GMC Denali have?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls across all GMC Denali model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data