2016 GMC Yukon XL Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 20%of 202 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 GMC Yukon XL, 20% of the 202 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Attempted to slow down by stepping on brakes but the pedal was extremely stiff and there was no stopping action. Had to almost stand on the brake pedal with all my force to get the vehicle to stop before almost hitting the vehicle in front. We had the vehicle towed to a dealer and they said the brake booster pump had failed and needed replacement”
NHTSA complaint #11229168, filed 2019-07, 41,000 miles“Brakes get very hard to push and do not work well when going slow speeds or backing up. Unable to even fix as I have been told the part is on national back order! So I'm stuck trying not to crash with faulty vacuum brake part! Left rear seat motor works, but small plastic part broke so seat worn move and is stuck in one position.”
NHTSA complaint #11164941, filed 2019-01, 92,000 miles“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“Driving at low speeds (5 MPH or below) the brakes failed to engage. The brake pedal was stiff and offered little press. Pressing the pedal extremely hard brought the vehicle to a stop. This happened multiple times in a single day, almost causing an accident in traffic and did cause me to bump into our garage wall. When a I took the vehicle in to be serviced, the vacuum pump had to be replaced. Our vehicle as 39,800 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11154056, filed 2018-11, 39,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017173Mar 21, 2025This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 18% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 10 | 4% |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2020 | 3 | 6% |
| 2019 | 5 | 7% |
| 2018 | 10 | 18% |
| 2017 | 25 | 17% |
| 2016 | 41 | 20% |
| 2015 | 64 | 21% |
| 2014 | 2 | 18% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 8% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 29% |
| 2005 | 8 | 19% |
| 2004 | 14 | 16% |
| 2003 | 22 | 22% |
| 2002 | 38 | 40% |
| 2001 | 70 | 58% |
| 2000 | 31 | 45% |
Other parts of the 2016 GMC Yukon XL
84 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL
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