2016 GMC Yukon problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Yukon, most often about lighting. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 158
Recalls: 5
Crashes: 2
Fires: 0
Injuries: 4
Median mileage: 77,000 mi

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

Lighting is the most-reported problem area, named in 49 of 158 complaints (31%).
Brakes (38) and electrical system (37) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 77,000 mi.
Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries.
The 2016 GMC Yukon has 5 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
It ranks 5th of 22 GMC Yukon model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 8% fewer complaints than the 2015 model year (171).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Exterior lighting	44
Electrical system	37
Service brakes	36
Power train	28
Engine	26
Unknown or other	13
Fuel/propulsion system	7
Steering	7

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 GMC Yukon complaints that list mileage.

2016 GMC Yukon recalls (5)

Recall 19V761000Oct 24, 2019652,967 vehicles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · SERVICE BRAKES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Recall 19V645000Sep 6, 20193,456,719 vehicles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Recall 17V437000Jul 10, 201740,683 vehicles
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Recall 16V651000Sep 8, 20163,640,162 vehicles
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Recall 16V256000Apr 28, 20163,738 vehiclesDo not drive
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Risk: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.

NHTSA defect investigations

PE18012Opened Nov 20, 2018Closed Apr 10, 2022led to recall 19V645000
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extendi…

Recent 2016 GMC Yukon complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Sep 30, 2026MOBrakes
Abs system is not functioning properly, codes are being thrown for multiple things such as cylinder 2, which all spark plugs and coils and spark lines were fixed, then it ran for one day and threw a different code of cylinder 6 misfire with the abs and stailitrx system not functioning correctly. Several parts have been changed on this by professionals and they can’t figure out why this is happening. I don’t have my full hp.
NHTSA complaint #11767945 · source
Filed Sep 27, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain
Issues with the 8L90 transmission. The shuddering and hesitation has gotten very bad and having to look into options to repair or replace the transmission
NHTSA complaint #11767209 · source
Filed Sep 10, 2026ALEngine
The car lost all engine power on the interstate of I10. Leaving me without power, barely able to get to the side of the road. Warning only when lost engine power on the highway. Cannot be driven.
NHTSA complaint #11763293 · source
Filed Aug 24, 2026136,000 miWABrakes
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was waiting to be inspected. The contact stated that an…
NHTSA complaint #11759054 · source
Filed Jun 30, 2026119,637 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the inspection station for an inspection, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission had seized, and the vehicle failed to move. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred immediately after an unknown device was attached to the vehicle…
NHTSA complaint #11747485 · source
Filed May 26, 2026108,959 miAZBrakes
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal became inoperable and failed to engage properly, with no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, excessive force was needed to engage the brake pedal and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure nearly caused the vehicle to collide with another object. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not…
NHTSA complaint #11740130 · source
Filed Apr 30, 2026TXElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
Transmission went out very early. Had to get it replaced whenever I reverse. I have to really smash on the break in order for it to stop if it does stop so somethings wrong with the breaking whenever I hit a bump the left side suspension feels like I’m a lose control and sometimes my radio works and sometimes it doesn’t I’ve been trying to work with dealers I have extended warranty on it. They’re saying it’s not covered something about the brake pump is covered, but the…
NHTSA complaint #11734891 · source
Filed Apr 13, 2026NCEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Ticking sound coming from engine, possible damaged camshaft lobe due to lifter roller failure. It can cause sudden engine failure, significant power loss, and unexpected stalling while driving, increasing crash risks. The issue is linked to AFM (Active Fuel Management) system failures. The problem has been diagnosed by dealer service department. No warning lamp or message, problem first appeared 7 April 2026.
NHTSA complaint #11730883 · source

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Other 2016 GMC models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology