2016 GMC Yukon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report rear taillamp and brake light failures, typically developing gradually into intermittent outages and often requiring a full lamp assembly replacement. A second cluster of complaints describes harsh or shuddering transmission behavior and occasional loss of power, reported across a wide mileage range, up to high mileage.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Rear taillamp / brake light failures

   • 110 complaints (41%)
   • median 51,700 mi at 3.8 yrs old (70 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $775 (median of 32 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2024

   Owners report that one or both rear taillamp assemblies stop working, first intermittently and then permanently, often noticed by other drivers or police rather than by any warning. Complaints describe the LED circuit board inside the assembly as the failed part, meaning the whole unit must be replaced rather than a bulb. Several owners report that dealers acknowledged the pattern, and some describe partial coverage through a manufacturer special coverage program that had expired by their mileage. Most often reported between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles, though some appear well under 40,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the engine running, have a helper watch both rear lamps while you press and release the brake and use the turn signals; check for intermittent flicker or dead sections. Ask whether either taillamp assembly has already been replaced and whether any special coverage was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rear tail light is not working properly. Around december 17, 2018 I was driving my vehicle on the city street and highway when several people advise me my light was out and not working. I check it once arrived at home and it was working properly and didn't problem. And a week later same issue from people pulling me over to advise me my tail light was out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11171808, filed 2019-01, 40,000 miles

   “2016 Yukon denali, both brake lights malfunction with on 78k miles. I can't afford new brake lights as they are manufacturer only and $800 a pop. I purchased the extended warranty to cover any of these expenses at another 3k, and the dealer tells me headlights, tail-lights are not covered. I should have researched better, or would not have bought a vehicle with any LED lights.”

   NHTSA complaint #11329164, filed 2020-06, 78 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, harsh shifts, loss of power

   • 30 complaints (11%)
   • median 89,063 mi at 5.3 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe shuddering, jerking, or lurching during acceleration, sometimes a violent jolt followed by the vehicle refusing to move or dropping into a limp mode. Complaints mention torque converter failure as the diagnosed cause, with some reporting a transmission fluid change helped briefly before symptoms returned. Several say the dealer declined assistance once warranty coverage ended. Spread broadly, with many reports between about 60,000 and 120,000 miles and a few higher.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at light and moderate throttle and feel for shudder or a delayed, harsh engagement; ask for service records showing transmission fluid changes and any torque converter or adaptive-shift reprogramming.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our Gmc Yukon locked into 4wd while accelerating/driving (approx 15-25mp) the kids to school through the neighbourhood, jerked violently as though braking hard, and steering was extremely impaired. The service 4wd message appeared on our dashboard. The Yukon is locked in 4wd, and extremely difficult to steer and maneveur. It jerks violenly when turning. We are unable to drive due to safety concerns.”

   NHTSA complaint #11402500, filed 2021-03, 65,000 miles

   “After refueling my Yukon, pulling out into traffic, the Yukon's RPM gage started jumping up and upon accelerating, the Yukon would not move. I was able to put the Yukon in 'm' gear and slowly drive another mile before I was unable to drive the Yukon at all. Vehicle had to be towed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11324725, filed 2020-05, 83,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Hard or low brake pedal, long stopping distance

   • 35 complaints (13%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the brake pedal becoming very hard to press at low speed, in stop-and-go traffic, or when reversing into a parking space, with the vehicle slow to stop. Other owners report the pedal traveling toward the floor and needing to be pumped. Some say a brake fluid flush or line service was performed but the behavior returned. Typically reported between about 40,000 and 70,000 miles.

   Recall 19V645000Recall 19V7610001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the vacuum pump and brake assist recalls were completed for this VIN. During a test drive, note whether the pedal feels firm and consistent at low speed and when reversing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On two occasions while in a drive thru line, I would press the brakes and the brake pedal would go to the floor. I had to basically stand up on the brake pedal to get the vehicle to stop. I have not had this happen other than at a low rate of speed. I searched Gmc Yukon for any recalls and found that this is a recall with Gmc. When you do a search of my vehicle by VIN, it states no recalls are found. I contacted a local Gmc dealer and was told that they can't do anything unless my VIN shows the active recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11355591, filed 2020-09, 30,000 miles

   “When pressing the brake petal at low speeds and in bumper to bumper traffic the brake pedal becomes very hard to press and very difficult to get the vehicle to stop. This problem also is noticed when backing the vehicle in reverse and into a parking spot.”

   NHTSA complaint #11169844, filed 2019-01, 56,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine shudder, misfire, lifter and camshaft concerns

   • 15 complaints (6%)
   • median 58,500 mi at 5.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe rough running, misfiring, a shudder at speed with the check engine light on, and in some cases stalling. Diagnoses reported by owners include failed lifters, a bent pushrod, camshaft lobe damage, and in some cases engine replacement. Some reports note smoke from the exhaust and repeated repairs for the same cylinder. Reported across a wide range, from roughly 25,000 to over 115,000 miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or rough idle at start-up and confirm the check engine light is off; ask whether any lifter, camshaft, or cylinder head work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Yukon has 27,855 miles on it and the fuel injectors have gone bad and stalls while driving. Idles rough and when accelerating the Yukon jolts. Cost is $2,200 dealer in chantilly va. Check engine states that the vehicle misfires based on dealer's diagnostic. No warranty to cover the vehicle. Other complaints of owners experiencing the same systematic failures of the fuel injectors and there is back log for the part. Not sure how a low mileage vehicle would need to replace fuel injectors with less than 30,000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11329246, filed 2020-06, 2 miles

   “The contact’s wife owns a 2016 Yukon. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 5 MPH, the engine hesitated and stalled. The contact stated that his wife was able to coast the vehicle into a driveway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a lifter in the engine block was damaged and the number two cylinder had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11495431, filed 2022-11, 102,000 miles

Buying note. Check the rear taillamps carefully and confirm recall and special-coverage status for the VIN, since lighting and brake complaints are the most frequent for this model year. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a transmission test drive and a scan for stored engine codes is worthwhile.

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.