2016 Gmc YUKON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
266 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 145 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 97 of 266 complaints (36.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 107 | 40.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 37 | 13.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 97 |
| Electrical System | 53 |
| Service Brakes | 52 |
| Engine | 33 |
| Power Train | 33 |
| Unknown Or Other | 32 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
Exterior Lighting: 97; Electrical System: 53; Service Brakes: 52; Engine: 33; Power Train: 33; Unknown Or Other: 32; Steering: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 42 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 45 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 25 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 42; 50,000 to 74,999: 45; 75,000 to 99,999: 25; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (45). 121 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 76 |
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2016: 9; 2017: 6; 2018: 20; 2019: 76; 2020: 47; 2021: 24; 2022: 28; 2023: 12; 2024: 15; 2025: 18; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 107 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 37 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10818269 · 2016-01-05 (January 5, 2016)
WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES 40-60 MILES PER HOUR A VIBRATION OCCURS... OFTEN SOUNDS LIKE A WINDOW IS DOWN AND CAN CAUSE NAUSEA AND HEADACHE...
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10818269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10823337 · 2016-01-31 (January 31, 2016)
HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM AND DO NOT PROVIDE APPROPRIATE VISIBILITY FOR SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT, PARTICULARLY WHEN NAVIGATING CURVY ROADS AS THE LIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT AN ADEQUATE DISTANCE. FACTORY BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND WITH MINIMAL IMPROVEMENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10823337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10870916 · 2016-05-25 (May 25, 2016)
THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN 20 AND 35 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURS, PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR MERELY REVS THE ENGINE, WITHOUT FORWARD MOTION. THIS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THE FIRST 600 MILES OF OPERATION. WITHOUT POWER, I CAN'T NAVIGATE OUT OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 510 miles reported. Look up ODI 10870916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10872251 · 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)
VEHICLE HAS VIBRATION & NOISE WIHEN IN 4 CYLINDER MODE OF OPERATION. GIVES HEADACHE ON LONG DRIVES. GM SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. MOST AGRIVATING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10872251 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873535 · 2016-06-09 (June 9, 2016)
ON FEBRUARY 27, 2016 PURCHASED A BRAND NEW GMC, YUKON SLE, 2016, AND VIN# ([XXX]). ON FEBRUARY 28 2016 I NOTICED A RUMBLE IN THE ENGINE, A VIBRATION OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, A LOUD HISSING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND AN EXTREME JERK WHEN TRAVELING UPHILL. ON FEBRUARY 29, 2016 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO CLYDE REVORD MOTORS, 7900 EVERGREEN WAY EVERETT, WA. 98203 FOR THE MECHANIC TO TEST DRIVE. MECHANIC CONCLUDED THE NONCONFORMITIES DID EXIST. ON MARCH 3, 2016 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO CLYDE REVORD MOTORS, 7900 EVERGREEN WAY EVERETT, WA. 9820…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10873535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10875019 · 2016-06-18 (June 18, 2016)
VIBRATES WHEN AT SPEED 70-85.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10875019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10882913 · 2016-07-06 (July 6, 2016)
MY 2016 YUKON DENALI HAS A VIBRATION PROBLEM, WHICH I BELIEVE IS CAUSED BY THE MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL. THE VIBRATION DOES NOT SPEED UP, NOR SLOW DOWN, DEPENDING ON SPEED. IT IS, HOWEVER, MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN THERE IS ANY ROAD IMPERFECTION. THE GMC SERVICE DEPT. HAS BALANCED AND ROTATED TIRES, EVEN SENT IT TO TWO OTHER BUSINESSES TO TRY AND FIX -- ALIGNMENT, ETC. VIBRATION CONTINUES. I'VE HAD PASSENGERS WHO ASK "WHY DOES YOUR CAR HAVE THE SHIVERS?" GM DEALER DID GET AHOLD OF A GMC TECHNICIAN WHO FLEW IN, AND DROVE THE CAR AND SAID --…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10882913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10896342 · 2016-08-16 (August 16, 2016)
4 WEEK OLD 2016 YUKON DENALI XL, HAS STALLED 3 TIMES IN LAST 4 WEEKS, ENGINE CUTS OFF AFTER A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, AND IT HAS TO BE RESTARTED! COULD HAVE EASILY HAD AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, 3 TIMES. 1ST TWO TIMES, ALL OF SERVICE DEPT. COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. TODAY, AFTER A STALL, CALLED ONSTAR, RAN A DIAGNOSTICS, FOUND NOTHING OF VALUE , I LEFT IT AT DEALERSHIP AND CONTACTED DISTRICT MGR. MATT TILLSON . I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD ESCALATE THE ISSUE. I DID TELL DEALER THAT GMC AND DEALERSHIP WOULD BE AT FAULT IF VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10896342 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V256000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm
Reported: 2016-04-28 (April 28, 2016)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Consequence: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V651000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2016-09-08 (September 8, 2016)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V437000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2017-07-10 (July 10, 2017)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V645000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2019-09-06 (September 6, 2019)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Consequence: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V761000 · Service Brakes | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring | Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Reported: 2019-10-24 (October 24, 2019)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Consequence: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
NHTSA campaign record ↗