2016 GMC Yukon Denali recalls & problems

Safety recalls

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

• Engine

  The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, the engine had failed on three separate occasions. The contact stated that prior to each failure, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the last two failures. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic after each failure, and the engine was replaced twice. Recently, the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that there…

  Jan 1, 2023 · 74,000 miles
• Exterior lighting › Tail lights

  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. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

  Jan 23, 2025 · 104,000 miles
• Power train

  The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping between gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer replaced the transmission fluid twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission wiring harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

  Oct 23, 2021 · 65,000 miles
• Structure › Body

  GPS IS NOT WORKING. ANTENNA

  Jan 2, 2019
• Electrical system

  AT LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AND 60K MILES, THE FOLLOWING HAS OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT TIMES UP UNTIL NOW: OVERALL ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION INCLUDING DISPLAY ILLUMINATION FAILURE (DISPLAY GOES COMPLETELY BLACK AND/OR DIM WHILE DRIVING - CANNOT SEE SPEEDOMETER ETC. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON BOTH THE HIGHWAY AND SURFACE STREETS, INCLUDING DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME), AUDIO/ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM GLITCHES (RADIO VOLUME CHANGES TO AND GETS STUCK RANDOMLY ON HIGHEST VOLUME SETTING (WAS NEVER EVEN SET TO THIS LEVEL) WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING SUDDEN DISTRACTION/DISRUPTION), TAIL LIGHT MALFUNCTION (INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES), AND NOW THE MOTOR TO THE SUNROOF HAS…

  Jul 8, 2019
• Power train

  I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR SINCE 3/29/19 AND SEVERAL TIMES NOW MY YUKON'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON AFTER THE TRANSMISSION BUCKS, JUMPS OR JERKS HARD, NOT SURE WHAT TO CALL IT BUT IT BUCKED OR SHOVED MY CAR FORWARD WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP (NOT PRESSING GAS PEDAL). THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS AS IT INTERFERES WITH TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS SUCH A HARD JOLT THAT IT FOR A MINUTE I THOUGHT ANOTHER CAR REAR ENDED ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWICE AFTER I PRESSED THE BRAKE TO BEGIN SLOWING DOWN AS I WAS PREPARING TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, I WAS PROBABLY GOING AROUND 20MPH. IT ALSO HAPPENED TWICE WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO A ROAD, PROBABLY GOING 35 MPH AND JUST FELT A JOLT…

  Jun 21, 2019 · 80,100 miles
• Exterior lighting

  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.

  Jun 22, 2019
• Exterior lighting

  MY PASSENGER TAILLIGHT HAS GONE OUT. THE GMC DEALER HAS SAID THEY HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES THIS WEEK ALONE. THEY CAN REPAIR IT AND MUST BE REPLACED THE TAILLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE RECALLED.

  May 25, 2019 · 52,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

• Brake Vacuum Pump FailureClosedLed to recall 19V645000

  On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil…

  PE18012 · opened Nov 20, 2018 · closed Apr 10, 2022