2002 GMC Denali YUKON XL - Engine Blew after driving through a puddle

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on December 19, 2002:

From:

RE: 2002 GMC Denali YUKON XL - Engine Blew after driving through a puddle

I normally by BMW or Lexus, but in this case I needed more space. So, I took a chance and bought my GMC Denali over a Ford Excursion because I thought GMC was a higher quality product and the company would stand behind their work. Driving home from my child’s birthday party with my wife in the pouring California rain, we suddenly found ourselves in a puddle of water gradually getting deeper the SUV began to get slower as we drove through the puddle that was getting deeper. I gave the GMC gas to get out of the 6” deep puddle and before I knew it the engine blew. The SUV died and I was stranded with my 18 month child and wife. At the time I did not know what had happened and took the SUV to the Dublin GMC dealership. They called me a day later to saying that the warranty will not be honored. I discovered from their inspector that the air intake is located under the right headlight which just happens to be where water typically collects on the roads. GMC claims that enough water was sucked into the motor blowing the engine. What if any recourse to I have with GMC? Buyers beware. Thanks - Nelson