2016 GMC Yukon Denali Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 39%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali, 39% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Faulty tail light housing, results in tail/brake lights not working. Not the result of damage, simply bad design in the LED housing and electrical connections. The electrical connection was poorly constructed, and the only fix is to completely replace the entire housing at $750 including labor.”
NHTSA complaint #11180154, filed 2019-02, 43,000 miles“Oem LED tail lights have failed on my Gmc with 40,000 miles on it. The bulb is good, yet the LED portion (which costs over $800 to fix) needs to be replaced. This portion is the entire rear brake light housing. This is very common among these vehicles heated seats quit working on denali. The backrests still heat up, but the bottoms don't heat up at all. Also, they will not turn on in remote start mode even though they are set to turn on in this mode.”
NHTSA complaint #11183810, filed 2019-03, 40,000 miles“Brake lights out. !! First was driver side now both sides !! Dealership says modules need to be replaced and no long have warranty coverage . It was 3 yr /30,00 !! I'm just 38,000 and just past 3 yrs !! Absolutely ridiculous $1,500.00 for each sides just for the parts !! Unbelievable!! That's not included time and labor. !! So very angry!! No recall on this but in my finding, I am hearing this is an on going problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11221884, filed 2019-06“The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the contact was notified by another driver that the rear taillights were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11638321, filed 2025-01, 104,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11014170Jan 27, 2025This service bulletin provides information on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leak Information and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10236041May 3, 2023This service bulletin provides information on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leak Information and Replacement Guidelines.
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology