2001 GMC Denali recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.
What could happen: 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,…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 DENALI.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V253000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
Summary: 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.
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.
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).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (6), Transmission / drivetrain (5), Hydraulic (3), Engine (3), Fuel system (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/18/2016 · 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.
07/09/2014 · Airbags · crash
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 WHAT HAD HIT ME; MY LEGS WOULDN'T HOLD AND…
03/25/2014 · Brakes
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 SERVICE CENTER. AGAIN THE REPAIR MAN SAID A…
01/23/2013 · Brakes
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. *TR
12/05/2011 · Brakes
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 PROBLEM THROUGH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:…
03/05/2011 · Body / structure
2001 GMC YUKON DENALI WITH 82,133 MILES. THE LIFTGATE GLASS LOOSEN IT FROM HIS DOOR HINGES. *TR
02/24/2010 · Airbags · crash
MY WIFE WAS IMPACTED ON THE RIGHT FRONT SECTION OF HER 2001 GMC DENALI BY A HIT-AND-RUN MOTORIST. THE COLLISION OCCURRED IN THE EAST BOUND 22FWY IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT SPEED WAS MORE THAN 50MPH. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED - OPINION FROM AAA INSURANCE AND AUTO MECHANICS THAT REPAIRED THE CAR. MY WIFE HA…
01/16/2009 · Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC DENALI. WHILE MAKING TURNS AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE ENGINE MAKES A RUMBLING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAS FOUND COMPLAINTS FOR HER VEHICLE REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AT $96 PER H…