How is Yukon Quality Overall?

[budmanl98]

I just bought a 2003 Yukon SLT. As of today, it only has a little over 2000 miles on it. Unfortunately, I have had it in for service three times already. The problems so far have been a leak in the sunroof, headliner rattling, heated seat controls failing, memory seats failing, no sound from the speakers when the radio was on, and a pulley-like noise that won't go away.

I know that I expected more from $47K automobile. Is my experience a one-off or are these Yukons problem prone?

[Bandit67]

That's a bummer. I hope we don't have that many problems with ours. We only have 550 miles on our Denali XL, but we got it because we know a few regular Yukon owners that have had no service issues, and the newest one had 47k miles on it when he turned it in at the end of his lease (he then moved up to a Denali XL). I also drove one with 20k miles on it, and it was still solid, tight, and rattle free. This is my first GM product in 11 years, as I had some less than good luck with previous GM products. So I won't be one to keep quiet if this one becomes a problem vehicle.

[camdadz28]

budmanl98,
I have had GMC's since 1992, very little problems. I presently have a 2001 Yukon XL and a 2001 Yukon. Other than the piston slap, they have been pretty much trouble free vehicles. I do recall that even on the 2001's, there was a bulletin about pully noise that required GM to change the pully if it was causing a problem. I had it changed on my Yukon, not the XL. Hopefully they will get these problems taken care of for you and you can begin to enjoy the vehicle. Good luck.

[wax_trax357]

I just picked up a 2002 Denali with 18K miles on it and ironically enough have had almost the exact same problems you've had with yours. Heated/Memory Seats are out, CD changer wont take CDs, Sound pops out of stereo speaker (driver side), and lights on right steering wheel controls are out. I've got a nice list of items for the dealer to fix.

I also have the pulley noise as well.

Does anyone know the TSB number on the pulley noise so I can mention it at the dealer?

[camdadz28]

Your dealer's service department should be able to run a recall search or bulletin search to find out the fix for the pully noise. Ask them to pull it up on their computers. My service advisor pulls bulletins up for me everytime I bring in my truck to check for any outstanding bulletins on my vehicles..

[copout221]

I have owned two Yukons. My first was a 1996 SLT that had a few minor problems that didn't bother me too much and I missed that truck big time after I got rid of it. My current Yukon is an 03 Denali with every option including Navigation. It is very nice and I cannot really comment on any problems with it since I only have 500 miles on it. Overall, it is not a Mercedes or Lexus but is one tough animal that will get you almost anywhere you need to go.

Ken

[wax_trax357]

Thanks for the responses...

I did talk to my uncle, he is actually a member of the design team for the Denali interior at GMC. He was brought onto the project for the 2003 model year. Which, BTW, he said the entire electronics system for all the system controls was completely re-designed. You would notice obvious differences (such as independant climate control), but he said there were some other changes made to improve the performance of the system as well. Perhaps there were many with problems.

I'm dropping it off at the dealer Monday morning. I'll reply when I know more from the dealer.

[budmanl98]

Add one more problem to the lot. Got in the Yukon and turned it on. The dash showed the phrase "Service 4WD". I looked at the selections for Auto 4WD, 2 High, 4 High, & 4 Low and the lights were not on for any of them. Great.

I have heard that the Trailblazers and Envoys had similar problems with the control modules failing.

I am starting to seriously think that I made a huge mistake buying this vehicle.

[surfdog]

i also had a sercive 4wd light. it is an electrical issue and not mechanical. more than likely the 2wd,auto4wd,4wdlow,4wdhigh push button panel needs to be replaced...about $35. the dealer does several a week, very common problem.

[wax_trax357]

my girlfriends 2002 trailblazer had similar problems with the 4WD switch. Her switch would go randomly through the different drive settings on its own. sometimes it would actually change the drive, others it would just look like it was on the switch. like above, common problem.

[denalio34ceo]

My '03 Denali is my second GMC. My first is a '94 Jimmy SLT 4WD which has over 117k. Very few problems. Just regular maintenance and replacement of a water pump and alternator through the 9 years. My Denali has over 3,300 miles and is working great. I'm impressed with the vehicle, down to the weatherstripping. Customer service has improved with GMC over the years as well.