2016 GMC Yukon XL Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about rear tail/brake lights that stop working intermittently, and about low-speed brake pedal problems where the pedal goes firm and the vehicle rolls. Transmission shudder and slipping complaints are also common, frequently tied to the torque converter, and most reports arrive between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Rear LED tail/brake light fails intermittently

   • 72 complaints (36%)
   • median 55,300 mi at 3.9 yrs old (52 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 27 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2023

   Owners describe the rear brake/tail light on one side going out intermittently and then staying out, usually with no warning on the dash; other drivers flag it first. Complaints say the LED circuit board is sealed into the housing, so the whole assembly is replaced rather than a bulb, and several mention a dealer quoting several hundred dollars per side. Some owners report a special coverage program for the part, but say it is limited by time or mileage, and dealers have declined repairs past that limit. Most reports fall between about 20,000 and 92,000 miles, often within the first two to three years of ownership.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check both rear brake and tail lights with the pedal pressed and the lights on, and watch for flicker rather than a clean on/off. Ask whether the tail light assemblies have been replaced and whether any special coverage was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Right rear brake light works intermittently. No warning lights or messages on the dash. People have told me we have a brake light out, but when I check it later it works. Was pulled over for inoperable brake light, but later that evening the tail light was working. Seems to be a lot of info on internet about a broken strip of metal. Safety issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11329074, filed 2020-06, 91,000 miles

   “My car has 60,000 mi on a 2016. The rear brake light went out on passenger side and I am being told by dealer I have to replace the complete assembly- not just a bulb. Estimated cost is $800.00 for one side. In researching I have found this issue is not uncommon. This is ridiculous for what should be the cost of a bulb.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321581, filed 2020-04, 60,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Low-speed brake pedal goes firm, vehicle will not stop

   • 24 complaints (12%)
   • median 59,800 mi at 3.3 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2022

   Complaints describe the brake pedal becoming hard and the vehicle continuing to roll at low speeds, such as in parking lots, drive-thrus, or stop-and-go lines, and stopping only if the pedal is pushed very hard. Some owners link it to a brake vacuum pump and report a pump replacement or a software reprogram per a recall, while others say the pedal still feels unresponsive afterward. A few describe a delay before the brakes engage at higher speeds. Reported from roughly 38,000 to 91,000 miles, usually in slow-speed maneuvering after repeated pedal use.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the brake vacuum pump and any brake-related recall or software updates were performed, and test the pedal at walking pace in a parking lot to feel for a hard pedal or delayed grab.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Received a recall notice for my 2016 Yukon Xl, due to brake vacuum pump faulty. However mcgrath auto in cedar rapids, ia resolve to this recall was to simply reprogram the electronic brake control module. This was completed 12/19. By 2/20 my brakes were requiring me to push harder and at times sounded like they were skipping and braking felt delayed. I also was hearing a squeak/clicking sound coming from what seems the front of my vehicle engine area. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11331946, filed 2020-07, 38,000 miles

   “Beginning around 70k miles, my wife complained of brakes not working at low speed in parking lots, especially in reverse, with very hard pedal, occasional occurring. While I was driving, occurred multiple times at gas station at very low speed during stop over on a long road trip at 80k miles. Upon taking to GM dealership for another issue, GM service technician verified the concern. Vacuum pump replaced on 12/14/18. Few miles since but test driving has not had another occurrence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11162421, filed 2018-12, 70,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, slipping, and harsh shifts

   • 23 complaints (11%)
   • median 65,175 mi at 3.9 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe shuddering or shaking while accelerating or shifting in lower gears, delayed engagement, and occasional slipping, with some reporting the vehicle lunging or hesitating at speed. Dealers according to complaints have flushed the transmission fluid, replaced the transmission temperature sensor, or pointed to the torque converter; some repairs were repeated and a few vehicles needed a full transmission replacement. Several owners also mention long waits for parts. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 134,000 miles, often noticed first under light acceleration.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at light throttle and moderate speeds to feel for shudder or hesitation, and ask for transmission service records, especially any torque converter or fluid work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We were on our way back from pittsburg, pa to maryland and the transmission started slipping when we stopped in kent island at chick fil a. The vehicle stopped moving completely and would not move forward as we were turning into the drive thru. We had to have the vehicle towed to a Gmc dealership in easton, md. Upon their evaluation of the vehicle, we were told that the torque converter came apart and damaged the transmission. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11353770, filed 2020-09, 91,000 miles

   “Instructed Gmc dealer to perform 90,000 mile transmission maintenance (as per Gmc manual: change automatic transmission fluid, if equipped. If filter is serviceable, change filter ). Gmc dealer decided to perform transmission flush instead which does not include a filter change. Within short period of time, transmission started to shudder when in 3rd and 4th gear. Dealer insists this has nothing to do with service they performed and told me there is a known problem with the torque converters. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11331165, filed 2020-06, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine misfire, lifter and valve problems

   • 21 complaints (10%)
   • median 62,675 mi at 3.6 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe the check engine light coming on along with shaking, misfires, and in some cases a knock or stalling. Owners report dealers diagnosing a failed lifter, a broken valve spring that damaged the engine, or an engine replacement; a few mention reduced power mode with the vehicle limited to low speed. One owner reported an idle vibration on a nearly new vehicle that was described as normal. Spread widely, from near-new mileage up to about 175,000 miles, with several reports past 90,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look for a steady or flashing check engine light, listen for ticking or knocking at idle, and ask for oil change records and any engine-related repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In my yukon while idlel the car start shaking so bad, it has a vibration you can see the needle going up and down, took it several time to the dealer and they said they know is a problem with the car but general motor company has not issue any repair for that at this moment, I contact general motor company they said the car is operating normal base on the report provided by the dealers, for me is not normal having a brand new car shaking and vibrating like if will turn of, looks like if misfired on the engine,”

   NHTSA complaint #10887641, filed 2016-07, 30 miles

   “Vehicle has 125k miles and had a broken valve spring which dropped the valve into the cylinder which is requiring a new engine. I was stopped at a stop light when this occured on a city street.”

   NHTSA complaint #11397570, filed 2021-02, 125,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Power steering assist drops out

   • 8 complaints (4%)
   • median 91,617 mi at 4.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the power steering suddenly losing assist and then coming back, typically while coming to a stop or making a slow turn. In one case a dealer replaced several modules and a wiring harness, with the owner paying the bill; another complaint ties the loss of steering assist to the vehicle being hard to control at speed. Reported between about 64,000 and 100,000 miles, mostly at low speed or while turning.

   Recall 16V256000 · DO NOT DRIVE1 related service bulletin

   What to check: During the test drive, turn the wheel slowly at parking speed and note any change in effort or warning messages; ask whether steering modules or the harness have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 64,497 my wife's power steering went out on her vehicle. This happened a day after our trip to atlanta, ga. We took it to our local Gmc dealership and was notified that 4 modules had to be replaced and a recommended wiring harness. In 2015 Gmc vehicles had a similar issue and recall but not the 2016. This cost me $1400 in repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #11232158, filed 2019-07, 64,497 miles

   “The transmission went out, the engine is making a noise and a service center said lots of GM's vehicles are having the same problem the power steering system also stop working and I have to replace it”

   NHTSA complaint #11252626, filed 2019-08, 189,000 miles

Buying note. These vehicles are commonly reported by owners for rear light and low-speed braking concerns, so check both carefully on a test drive and ask for records of brake recall work and transmission service. On higher-mileage examples, listen for engine noise and feel for transmission shudder under light acceleration.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.