Model year record

2016 GMC Yukon recalls & problems

The 2016 GMC Yukon has 5 safety recalls and 271 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (105 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints271filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints

NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Service brakesOct 24, 2019

Service brakes

Recall 19V761000652,967 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Service brakes; Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Wheel speed sensor/tone ring; Electronic stability control (esc)

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 6, 2019

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 19V6450003,456,719 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Seat beltsJul 10, 2017

Pretensioner

Recall 17V43700040,683 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Seat belts › Pretensioner; Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive; Air bags › Frontal

Seat beltsSep 8, 2016

Pretensioner

Recall 16V6510003,640,162 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Seat belts › Pretensioner; Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive; Air bags › Frontal

SuspensionApr 28, 2016

Front › Control arm

Recall 16V2560003,738 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: 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.
Risk: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

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

2016 GMC Yukon SUV RWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	22.9%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 GMC Yukon SUV 4WD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	22.2%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

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.

Fuel economy

Yukon C1500 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Yukon C1500 XL 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Yukon C1500 2WD FFV

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Yukon C1500 XL 2WD FFV

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Yukon K1500 XL 4WD FFV

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Yukon K1500 4WD FFV

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Yukon K1500 XL 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Yukon K1500 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Yukon C1500 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Yukon C1500 XL 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Yukon K1500 XL 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Yukon K1500 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Exterior lightingTail lights; Brake lights	105	0	0	53,000 mi
Electrical system	53	0	0	42,500 mi
Service brakes	53	2	1	51,494 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant	36	0	0	91,000 mi
Engine	34	0	0	56,000 mi
Unknown or other	32	0	0	50,000 mi
Steering	10	0	0	65,000 mi
Suspension	7	0	1	32,700 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	7	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	6	0	0	—
StructureBody	5	0	1	45,197 mi
Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking	5	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Seat belts
The cable that attaches at the base of the seat sheared off making the anchor point useless
Oct 5, 2026
Power train
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking violently. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving at a reduced speed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the camshaft lobe had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,280.
Oct 1, 2026 · 115,280 miles
Service brakes
Abs system is not functioning properly, codes are being thrown for multiple things such as cylinder 2, which all spark plugs and coils and spark lines were fixed, then it ran for one day and threw a different code of cylinder 6 misfire with the abs and stailitrx system not functioning correctly. Several parts have been changed on this by professionals and they canât figure out why this is happening. I donât have my full hp.
Sep 14, 2026
Power train
Issues with the 8L90 transmission. The shuddering and hesitation has gotten very bad and having to look into options to repair or replace the transmission
Sep 25, 2026
Engine
The car lost all engine power on the interstate of I10. Leaving me without power, barely able to get to the side of the road. Warning only when lost engine power on the highway. Cannot be driven.
Jul 15, 2026
Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was waiting to be inspected. The contact stated that an unknown recall repair with a similar description was completed in 2024; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no…
Aug 22, 2026 · 136,000 miles
Steering
Power steering intermittently and unexpectedly stops working.
Jul 17, 2026
Power train
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the inspection station for an inspection, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission had seized, and the vehicle failed to move. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred immediately after an unknown device was attached to the vehicle while being inspected. The contact informed the inspector of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not…
Jun 30, 2026 · 119,637 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