2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL Problems
Compared with other GMC Yukon Denali XL years
More complaints than typical for this model
97/100 2.9× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 2.9× that of a typical GMC Yukon Denali XL year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 15 of its 29 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Exterior lighting (15 complaints, median 42,712 mi).
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 42,212miles, 24 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- —not in EPA data
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 15 complaints (52% of the total), followed by other or unknown (6) and electrical system (4). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 71% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,212 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 365 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 57 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 4 GMC Yukon Denali XL model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 97 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Exterior lighting15 52%
- Other or unknown6 21%
- Electrical system4 14%
- Engine2 6.9%
- Suspension2 6.9%
- Brakes1 3.5%
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “My vehicle has only 47,000 miles and my passenger side brake light is out. There is also water and moisture that builds up in both taillights. I was told it would be $800 each to replace and was no longer under warranty. I am the original owner and purchased the vehicle new. The vehicle has never been in any accidents. This is a serious issue and needs to be covered by the manufacturer. The LED lights should not go out this quickly.”
NHTSA complaint #11195302, filed 2019-04, 47,000 milesOther or unknown: “My 2016 Gmc yukon xl denali's air conditioner started blowing hot air after approx. 30,000 miles. The dealership informed me that I need a new air conditioner condenser and that the part is on national back order. Based on my online research, this seems to be a very common issue with Gmc, chevy and cadillac SUV's/trucks, so wanted to make sure that my complaint was also logged with the many others.”
NHTSA complaint #10993747, filed 2017-06, 30,000 milesElectrical system: “Electrical issues: while driving the information panel go's blank. We have experienced this twice while driving, we lose the speedometer, tech, and everything on the display panel. Radio, skips channels even after the switch was replaced. Drive train: down shifts abruptly while accelerating onto interstate on ramps, either lunging forward or lunging backward. Been in the GM shop three time to try and fix issue. There have been bulletins issued to try and fix without success to-date. …”
NHTSA complaint #11058223, filed 2018-01, 25,079 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “At 76,000 miles the transmission began to shudder violently and hestitate. Dealership Gmc wants me to spend 400 on a fluid upgrade and hope it fixes it if not, I will have to buy a new updated torque converter because they shrewdly took the drivetrain warranty down to 60000 miles months before I bought new”
NHTSA complaint #11112728, filed 2018-07, 76,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
71% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 52,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon Denali XL 1500 · SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 · 21.2% risk |
| Yukon Denali XL 1500 · SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 · 20.3% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 365 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the GMC Yukon Denali XL
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 29 | 42,212 | 0 | 4 | — | 97 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 65 | 60,000 | 0 | 4 | — | 94 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 5 | 51,510 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 13 | 68,975 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 23 | 57,000 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 69 | 76,000 | 0 | — | — | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 29 | 70,000 | 0 | — | — | 22 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2009 | 22 | 72,100 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 42 | 86,000 | 0 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 61 | 89,010 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 11 | 102,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 34 | 82,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 49 | 103,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 32 | 130,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GMC Yukon Denali XL model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 15 complaints (52% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 6.
Has the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL reported?
Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,212 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 52,000 miles; 71% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.