Chevrolet Denali problems

General information about Chevrolet Denali
Chevrolet Denali years list
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

Denali is a nameplate used by GMC for its highest trim level on its vehicles. Vehicles with the Denali trim option carry list prices up to 47% higher than base models. Prices range from $38,600 for GMC Terrain to $109,410 for a top-of-the-line Yukon XL Denali (as of 2023).

The Denali nameplate is often used as an insignia or status symbol, and in particular is popular as a less costly alternative to the Cadillac marque. The Yukon Denali line typically represents 40% of Yukon sales in both units and dollars. In 2013 it sold more than 75,558 units of the Denali brand, which accounted for 20% of GMC's sales, making it one of GM's most successful sub-brands.

History

The Denali nameplate started as the top-of-the-line version of the GMC Yukon for the 1999 model year. It was also GM's first attempt to go after sales from the new-for-1998 Lincoln Navigator. At the time of its introduction. General Motors decided to give Cadillac its own luxury SUV so the Denali's exterior was shared with the 1999 Cadillac Escalade, with only the front fascia and lower side body panels differing from the standard Yukon. Although the Yukon was redesigned alongside the Chevrolet Suburban and Chevrolet Tahoe in 2000, the Yukon Denali, Escalade, and Tahoe Limited/Z71 retained their GMT400 base design.

The "Denali" brand was derived from the native Alaskan Athabaskans / Koyukon people's name for the tallest mountain in North America. It is also the name of the Denali National Park and Preserve that surrounds the mountain, as well as Denali State Park.

photo of Chevrolet Denali car production

Social links

Reviews

Common Chevrolet Denali problems

Chevrolet Denali cars, known for their luxury and power, have been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from their owners. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues:

In-car electronics: Many Denali owners have reported issues with the in-car electronics, such as voice control that does not engage properly. This can be frustrating for drivers who rely on voice control for hands-free operation of their vehicle.

Fluid leaks: Fluid leaks, including leaks from the power steering system and antifreeze, have been reported by Denali owners. These leaks can lead to a burning smell and potential engine damage if not addressed promptly.

Electrical power steering: The electrical power steering system in Denali vehicles has been reported to have issues, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reporting recalls related to electrical concerns.

Navigation system: Some Denali owners have reported problems with the navigation system, including the navigation screen becoming inoperable. This can be a significant issue for drivers who rely on their vehicle's navigation system for directions.

Taillights and air conditioning: Taillights that do not work and air conditioning that becomes inoperable have been reported by Denali owners. These issues can affect the safety and comfort of the vehicle.

Unexplained noises: Denali owners have reported unexplained noises coming from the vehicle's rear, which can be a sign of a more significant issue with the drivetrain or suspension system.

Sunroof motor failure: The sunroof's motor has been reported to fail in some Denali vehicles, which can be a significant inconvenience for drivers who enjoy using their sunroof.

Front airbags: Some Denali owners have reported issues with the front airbags, which can be a significant safety concern.

Rough idle: Many Denali owners have reported a rough idle, which can be related to vacuum leaks, spark plug issues, and ignition coil concerns. This issue can affect the overall drivability and performance of the vehicle.

Lifter failures: Lifter failures are a common issue with Denali's Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, which can be a substantial expense to repair or replace.

These common problems with Chevrolet Denali cars can affect their overall performance, safety, and comfort. It's essential for Denali owners to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage and ensure the safe and reliable operation of their vehicle.

How many miles does a Denali last?

250,000 miles

As long as the vehicle is maintained properly with scheduled maintenance and is driven properly, you can expect to see 250,000 miles or more.

What are the most common problems for GMC Yukon?

GMC Yukon Reliability and Common Problems

When it comes to reliability, the GMC Yukon is considered above average for a full-sized SUV. ...
The most common GMC Yukon issues include A/C condenser issues, faulty tail lights, flimsy dashboard and climate control panels, and transmission issues.

How reliable is a Yukon Denali?

The GMC Yukon Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 6th out of 14 for fullsize SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $747 which means it has average ownership costs. The frequency of repairs is average, but when issues do arise, they have a higher chance of being severe than with other models.

Why is Denali so expensive?

One of the key factors that make the GMC Canyon Denali so expensive is its range of advanced features. These include things like a 3.6L V6 engine with Direct Injection technology, an eight-speed automatic transmission system, and all-terrain tires designed to provide maximum grip on any surface.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet Denali years

We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet Denali cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Chevrolet Denali model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet Denali model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet Denali years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Chevrolet Denali car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet Denali , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems
Engine and engine cooling problems
Power train problems
Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet Denali vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Denali model years

A total of 1 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 12 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet Denali . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet Denali vehicles.

List of Chevrolet Denali complaints

Chevrolet Denali 2005

Date Of Incident: 2015-09-25
Date Complaint: 2015-09-30
VIN: 1GKEK63U15J
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
Summary: MY DENALI HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND THEY CANNOT FIND WHAT IS HAPPENING. MY STABILITY DISABLED AND TRACTION ACTIVE LIGHTS/SENSORS KEEP COMING ON. MASS AIR FLOWER AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE MESSAGES STILL KEEP COMING ON. MY TRUCK HAS EVEN LOST SPEED IN MIDST OF DRIVING. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT I TRANSPORT AND THIS IS NOT SAFE. GM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THIS ISSUE - IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THERE IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON HERE ABOUT THIS! PLEASE HELP SOLVE THIS ISSUE!

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2005

Date Of Incident: 2010-03-31
Date Complaint: 2012-03-15
VIN: 1GKET66M956
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING. FUEL LEVEL ALWAYS SHOWS EMPTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON CAUSING CAR TO FAIL EMISSIONS. GM DEALER ESTIMATES COSTS TO REPAIR AT OVER $700.

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2006

Date Of Incident: 2011-04-12
Date Complaint: 2011-09-18
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: AT 101000 MI. I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. REPAIRMEN RELATED THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS. REPAIRMEN RELATED COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS REGARDING SAME PROBLEM. REPAIRMEN STATED THE PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AS IT MAY START A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *TT

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2004

Date Of Incident: 2010-01-12
Date Complaint: 2010-03-08
VIN: 1GKFK66U64J
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,STRUCTURE
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 CHEVROLET DENALI. THE CONTACT IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE DEALER SAID THE UNDER CARRAIGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE NEAR A BEACH EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT DOES NOT LIVE NEAR A BEACH. THE CONTACT FOUND OUT THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS RUSTED OUT WHEN THE BRAKE LINES SPLIT AND HE LOST BRAKING POWER.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44199. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43000 MILES.

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2005

Date Of Incident: 2005-05-01
Date Complaint: 2007-06-21
VIN: 1GCHK232X5F
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND THE TRANNY REDLINES WHEN TOWING OTHER VEHICLES. THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF YEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REMEDIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4.

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2004

Date Of Incident: 2006-12-09
Date Complaint: 2006-12-10
VIN: 1GKEK63UX4J
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: 2004 CEVY DENALI SPEEDO STUCK ON 120 MPH. *NM

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2000

Date Of Incident: 2004-11-01
Date Complaint: 2004-11-01
VIN: KL23C52C6YK
Components: VISIBILITY
Summary: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2001

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Date Complaint: 2004-04-15
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2002

Date Of Incident: 2003-08-01
Date Complaint: 2003-09-17
Crash: 1
VIN: 1GKFK66UX2J
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary: VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR ATTACHED TRAFFIC REPORT, AND ENCLOSED DOCUMENT THAT EXPLAINED THE VEHICLE HAD ACCELERATED APPROX 20-30MPH TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION UPON IMPACT HITTING A SOLID CONCRETE LIGHT POLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO ENCLOSED IS THE DEALER ITEMIZED QUOTE FOR REPAIRS OF THE OVERALL DAMAGES INCURRED. *CB

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2003

Date Of Incident: 2003-06-20
Date Complaint: 2003-07-28
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2003

Date Of Incident: 2003-07-07
Date Complaint: 2003-07-08
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: ABS SYSTEM HASS FAILED. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED 5 TIMES BEFORE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Add Complaint

Chevrolet Denali 2003

Date Of Incident: 2003-01-10
Date Complaint: 2003-01-23
VIN: 1GCHK29153E
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Summary: THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWED THE VEHICLE WAS IN 4 LOW, WHEN IT WAS NOT, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO LOCK INTO POSITION. *TS. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT 1,036 MILES.*JB

Add Complaint

Latest 5 recalls Chevrolet Denali

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 7 recalls for different components of the Chevrolet Denali.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

Model: Chevrolet Denali 2003
Report Received Date: 2006-07-17
Manufacturer: TRADESONIC
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Model: Chevrolet Denali 2002
Report Received Date: 2006-07-17
Manufacturer: TRADESONIC
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Model: Chevrolet Denali 2004
Report Received Date: 2006-07-17
Manufacturer: TRADESONIC
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Model: Chevrolet Denali 2005
Report Received Date: 2006-07-17
Manufacturer: TRADESONIC
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Model: Chevrolet Denali 2006
Report Received Date: 2006-07-17
Manufacturer: TRADESONIC
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.