2016 GMC Yukon: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 265 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (37% of complaints); the 2014 and 2018 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 3 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 265 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,959.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2026
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2026
“Vehicle been in the shop 3 times. [XXX] suspension light repeat come on. Working with warranty company. Light came on again 3 more times after Vehicle left the shop INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2026
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“When making a slow turn in drive or reverse the park assist screen shows it's not working. Then all screens in the car turn black and the steering locks while driving. Making it impossible to turn or move. This is happening while driving, while parking. Putting my safety and others at risk due to not being able to control the steering. Park assist failure screen pops up then all screens turn black. Car is still on just unable to move. I have not had it checked by a mechanic yet.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2026
“Misfire then replaced plugs,coils and wires, then change fuel injector, and problem still there, then started truck and was tossing power and motor started ticking. Every shop told me this is the same common problem they're having with all 6.2L engine and they're all on recall by GM. I know 2016 are not in recall but I think they should be because this problem is in all 6.2L engine”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2025
“On [XXX], while idling in my driveway the engine abruptly stopped with a loud clunk and refused to turn over when I attempted to restart it. The vehicle was towed to Bergstrom GMC in Appleton WI. Upon inspection it was determined that a connecting rod and crankshaft bearing had failed requiring replacement of the engine. The vehicle has a 6.2-litre V-8 engine with 106,000 miles on it. The vehicle is currently still at the dealership waiting for the engine replacement at an estimated cost of $18,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2025
“THE fuel pressure line from the fuel pump to the flex fuel sensor chaffed a pin hole leak near the front top of the fuel tank. This caused a significant fuel smell and trace leak at the front of the fuel tank which could lead to a fire or explosion. The new hose has a longer chaffing covering leading me to believe gm knew about this issue. vehicle has 127,000 miles. I feel gm should reimburse me for this repair as a fuel line should not have ever chaffed through and leaked.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2025
“The LED left turn signal and blind spot detection ( safety feature) on the left outside rear view mirror suddenly stopped working. The is a TSB for warranty for 2016-2018 GM YUKON (#10-08-64-002D) and it states that the bulletin has been revised to include 2016-2018 year models for this defect. I am starting this claim because I am told by GM that my VIN is not covered under this warranty, yet I am experiencing the same issue stated in the TSB listed above.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2025
“Engine light keeps appearing and when checked it shows catalytic converter needs replaces and its sensors need replaced. Brake light has short in it and I repaireable”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Yukon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 GMC Yukon reliable?
NHTSA has 265 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 GMC Yukon. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Yukon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,500 miles or less.
Does the 2016 GMC Yukon have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.