1.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
127,852 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 GMC Yukon:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #40

Jun 082012

Yukon

  • 156,000 miles
I was leaving my driveway when the brake pedal on my GMC Yukon blew out. The line had rusted thorough. This occurred in 2012. Since then as a GM technician I have seen and heard of customers, friends and neighbors with GM trucks have their brake lines blow out from rust. GM has a real issue which should be investigated. The brakes lines on their truck models tend to rust out. GM has not issued a recall but offered a new brake line kit. My question to you is why" I have not seen this issue on the same model year GM cars. As far as I know no one has died as a result but there has to have been injuries. Is it not your job to investigate this issue? once again why"

- Hanover, PA, USA

problem #39

Jun 292018

Yukon

  • 109,000 miles
The right front drivers side hubs was about to come off and my entire braking system went out while driving on the highway.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #38

Jan 102017

Yukon

  • 115,000 miles
My brake lines are rusted out as describe in the article below. Costing me over $650 to repair. Less than 115K on my car! never had to replace brake lines before... I lost my brake un-expectantly during a rain storm in cohasset, MA on 1/10/2017. Luckily I was on a side road coming to a stop sign and no accident occurred nor were my 3 kids in the vehicle. I saw this article below and decided to write you. Https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/consumers-complain-of-corroded-brake-lines-in-older-GM-trucks-013014.html

- Cohasset, MA, USA

problem #37

Dec 252015

Yukon

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. Without warning, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and brake fluid was leaking. A mechanic replaced the rear brake lines; however, 1,000 miles later, the front brake lines also fractured. The mechanic replaced the front brake lines and indicated that there was extensive rust and corrosion. All of the brake lines needed to be replaced or the failure could recur. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V045000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Arnold, MO, USA

problem #36

Sep 292016

Yukon

  • 142,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. While driving approximately 40 mph, the brakes failed to work. While attempting to slow down, the brake pedal went to the floor when it was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. The ABS indicator illuminated. The contact slowly drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the hydraulic unit needed to be replaced. The technician referred the contact to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 142,000.

- New Kensington, PW, USA

problem #35

Aug 222016

Yukon

  • 203,000 miles
While approaching an intersection I applied the brakes the pedal went to the floor ABS light came on and the was total brake failure. Guided the vehicle off the road and had it towed to the shop. They found rusted brake lines at the ABS valve along with a rusted backing plate for the valve. In order to improve vehicle safety the lines will all be replaced with stainless steel so this doesn't happen again. This is a very poor design since a single failure should not cause total failure of a supposed dual breaking system.

- New Richmond, WI, USA

problem #34

Aug 132016

Yukon

  • 170,000 miles
Total brake failure while stationary and engaging drive mode in driveway. Brake pedal went to floor. Parking brake also soft and ineffective but restored normal condition shortly thereafter.. no brake or ABS system service alerts or fault warnings prior to failure. 'service brake system' alert present after failure. No obds codes present. Suspect brake line corrosion. Approximately 170,000 miles. Recent tire/brake/alignment inspection revealed no issues. This is a very clean, "new to me" used vehicle with an excellent record of service. Had just completed a trouble free 2400 mile interstate road trip.

- Henry, TN, USA

problem #33

Jul 072016

Yukon

  • 75,000 miles
I was towing a 17' boat and came to a stop sign. I pressed the brake pedal and it went to the floor. The Yukon did not slow at all. Fortunately, no one was coming and I rolled through the stop sign, made a right turn, and went down a steeper hill. Pumping the brakes as I went had no effect. The dash showed a 'service brake' message. I applied the parking brake and down-shifted, which slowed it enough that I was able to swing wide into the opposing traffic lane and barely make the turn at the bottom of the hill. I pulled off to the side of the road with the right-wheels on a soft shoulder before the vehicle slowly came to a stop. I refilled the brake reservoir and had my wife press the brake pedal. It went to the floor as brake fluid shot onto the hot exhaust manifold, leaking from a rusted joint where the steel brake line joined a flexible, braided line under the hood. The brake lines were horribly rusted, unlike anything I had ever seen in my 35+ years of driving and owning vehicles (including 20 cars and light trucks). This Yukon has spent its entire life registered in Virginia and has less than 80K miles on it. I can't imagine what they are like in northern states. Looking online, I discovered that this was a known problem that the NHTSA had investigated. Why was I not warned? I could have been injured or killed, as could have another motorist or pedestrian! when I called my local GMC dealer (ourisman of alexandria, va), the service advisor claimed to be unaware of the problem, the GM service bulletins that had been issued on it, and the availability of the pre-bent lines as a discounted kit from GM. He estimated a four-figure labor bill to do the work, so I am doing as much of it as I can myself using nickel-copper brake line and a flaring tool. People are going to die from this if the NHTSA does not force GM to do a recall.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #32

Nov 132015

Yukon

  • 219,000 miles
Lost all braking, took truck to repair shop and the brake lines had corroded and had several holes in them. I had to replace all the metal lines on the vehicle. Brakes were fine hooked up utility trailer and pulled out of my driveway. Going down hill, applied brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor.

- Culloden, WV, USA

problem #31

Dec 252015

Yukon

  • 101,200 miles
Brake line failure - St. Louis mo. Brakes failed while attempting to slow from 60mph speed on christmas day. Narrowly escaped accident/collision. 2 brake lines were found ruptured/split due from rust/corrosion then repaired. Other brake lines are showing corrosion & will need attention soon. Vehicle is 2003 GMC Yukon with 101,300 miles.

- Arnold, MO, USA

problem #30

Oct 232015

Yukon

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and it traveled all the way down to the floorboard. The contact had to gear down in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake fluid line needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #29

Apr 012015

Yukon

  • 110,000 miles
There is a recall #05068 that describes exactly what happens while driving my car. It occurs every time I drive my car, every time I accelerate and brake. (2003 GMC Yukon XL). However, GMC claims my car "isn't effected" and they refuse to fix it. My issues are 1. getting dangerous, as the car bogs and won't accelerate without a period of hesitation and then it gives too much acceleration which can be bad if I'm on a slippery surface. Also, there is a common problem on these vehicles which is another problem I am experiencing: 2. my ABS kicks in randomly, even if the pavement is totally dry and clear. Apparently, this is caused by a corroded mounting surface for the front wheel speed sensors. The corrosion builds up causing excessive gap between mounting surface and wheel speed sensor which causes a loss of wheel speed sensor signal. When the ABS module sees the loss of signal it thinks the vehicle is sliding out of control so it will activate the traction control or ABS. Description from recall #05068: Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont... hazard:this can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.

- Channahon, IL, USA

problem #28

Sep 302015

Yukon

  • 155,000 miles
I lost all braking ability while traveling the interstate highway. I was able to stop the vehicle and found brake fluid flowing from the main brake line feeding the anti-lock controller.

- Wauseon, OH, USA

problem #27

May 042015

Yukon 4WD 8-cyl

  • 132,800 miles
Rear brake line burst without warning and brake pedal went to the floor. Upon inspection the brake line is completely rusted out.

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

problem #26

Mar 242015

Yukon 4WD 8-cyl

  • 227,000 miles
Brake line going to rear brakes was rusted out. Situation luckily happened while my wife was backing out of the driveway. No harm or injury occurred. Disabled vehicle. Further inspection shows that all brake lines are suspect and will need to be replaced.

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #25

Mar 112015

Yukon

  • 89,000 miles
I had a braking problem March 2015, corrosion of the brake lines. I have a 2003 Yukon 2500 quadrasteer. I was driving my truck when the brakes went. There was no warning light!!!!! I pushed the brake pedal practically to the floor, I was able to roll into a parking lot. When I got out there was brake fluid pouring out from the brake lines towards the rear of the vehicle. Why GM runs the lines right along the front of the vehicle undercarriage is a mystery to me. It is just going to be exposed to salt! I live in Michigan and we use a lot of salt in the winter months. Yes things do rust, but I always wash the undercarriage of my truck! it's a case of poor engineering and it leads to premature corrosion. I am a mother of 3 young children and thank god they were not in the vehicle at the time this happened.

- Garden City, MI, USA

problem #24

Jan 012015

Yukon 4WD 8-cyl

  • 155,000 miles
While stopping from low speeds the ABS system activates on dry surfaces. This causes increased stopping distances.

- Amesbury , MA, USA

problem #23

Nov 202014

Yukon 4WD 8-cyl

  • 137,123 miles
My daughter was driving her son, our grandson, home from school in my Yukon. As she was leaving the city limits just starting to get up to legal 55 mph and the brake system completely failed without warning. She fortunately saw a body shop and managed to maneuver the vehicle in there and down shifted to stop. She was fortunate to find this location. As you leave town there is a large hill we are thankful the brakes did not fail as she was going down it. I just am upset there was no warning, and we find out the whole brake line failed. It is hard to imagine what could have happened.

- Columbia, KY, USA

problem #22

Aug 012014

Yukon 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
My brakes would engage but they will not disengaged and my brakes are buringing and smelling like burnt rubber. Brakes are also sticking. The electrical system keeps blinking on and off. Replace fuse but still not working. Not displaying the correct speed on dash board I'm going slower than the speed say.

- Merrillville, IN, USA

problem #21

Jul 022014

Yukon

  • 129,000 miles
I own a 2003 youkon XL went to stop hard truck took to long to stop. Went to smithtown chev says brake lines rusty and there is seepage at all fittings. Truck laid up.

- Mount Siani, NY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »