2016 GMC Yukon Denali Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher 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 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and electrical system (3). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 548 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 82 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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 lighting7 39%
- Electrical system3 17%
- Other or unknown3 17%
- Steering3 17%
- Air bags1 5.6%
- Brakes1 5.6%
- Engine1 5.6%
- Seat belts1 5.6%
Also reported: Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “Brake light went out at 58k miles, it's an LED light and should not go out that fast. Upon research this seems to be a manufacture defect effecting 2015-2017 Gmc yukons. At no point did my car alert me of the issue, luckily someone pointed it out to me before it caused a wreck”
NHTSA complaint #11151847, filed 2018-11, 58,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Since the day I purchased this 2016 Gmc yukon xl denali there has been a vibration in what I think is the passenger rear end. I've taken it in 3 times and each time the dealer and the GM representative say it is within spec. This problem has persisted. The vehicle is now almost un-drivable due to the shaking. It affects the steering wheel at all speeds. This happens at all speeds on all terrains. This happens when the vehicle is cold as well as warm/hot. The vehicle will sometimes jerk to the left or right when the shaking gets real bad. …”
NHTSA complaint #10919298, filed 2016-10, 100 milesElectrical system: “We were traveling in our yukon when all power was lost to the vehicle. The steering wheel lock function enabled before we were stopped. Since there was no power and it is push button start, there was no way to control the vehicle. Our dealer said to their knowledge there is no way to unlock the wheel. Luckily our children were not in the vehicle and no one was injured. The dealer said the negative battery cable is fully intact, but had failed internally. What is more concerning is the fact there is no way to unlock the wheel to steer if this happens. Even at 65 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11208663, filed 2019-05, 44,000 milesOther or unknown: “Takata recall something is wrong with the anti-theft system. It has happened two days in a row with no warning and my vehicle will not start. Battery is good and alternator is good. My vehicle was parked both times when this happened. Security light will flash in my windshield but truck will not start. A message will display on my screen saying battery saver active .”
NHTSA complaint #11165981, filed 2019-01, 68,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
43% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 70,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. 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 · SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 22.2% risk |
| Yukon Denali · SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 22.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning standard, 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 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. 548 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…
- 11023343Sep 15, 2025Other or unknown. This PI advises dealers to inspect for a missing pump gasket if the vehicle exhibits no movement following a VB replacement
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
Other model years of the GMC Yukon Denali
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 12 | 41,100 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 18 | 55,000 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Rising |
| 2015 | 73 | 58,000 | 0 | 4 | — | 85 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 29 | 58,000 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 28 | 62,000 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2011 | 96 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 15 | 74 · More | Stable |
| 2010 | 53 | 79,000 | 0 | — | 15 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2009 | 46 | 75,500 | 0 | — | 14 | 63 · Typical | Stable |
| 2008 | 58 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 14 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 120 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 21 | 77,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 49 | 79,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 109 | 74,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 72 | 94,426 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 29 | 82,870 | 0 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 35 | 96,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 18 | 98,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 27 | 105,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GMC Yukon Denali model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.
Has the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali 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 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali 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 reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,000 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 70,000 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.