Fourth generation
2016 GMC Yukon XL
The most reported problem on the 2016 GMC Yukon XL is tail light failure, with 78 complaints, usually around 53,000 miles.
- 201owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 7involved a crash
- 60,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 17, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Yukon XL doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
The 2016 GMC Yukon XL has 201 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Yukon XL model years since 2014, it has the 4th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 18 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs above the 2017 (15). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: tail light failure, named in 78 of the 201 complaints (39%). A quarter of the 61 owners who gave a mileage for tail light failure saw it by about 42,000 miles, and half by about 53,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 10 of the 201 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 7 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 3 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 7, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as tail light failure and brake wear. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2019, with 67 complaints, 2.0 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 11 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: tail lights or brake lights fail, 78 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
201 complaints is 1.3 times fewer than the median 2016 model on this site and 1.2 times fewer than the median 2016 SUV. Among the 7 Yukon XL model years here it ranks 4th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL
GMC filed 1,456 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 GMC Yukon XL. 102 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Tail lights or brake lights fail 2 bulletins · 78 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leak Information and Replacement Guidelines.
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 8 bulletins · 41 complaints
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of pulsing, grinding, scraping noise from brakes, uneven front brake pad wear.
6 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to add PET tape to the brake cables if the cause of the customers concern.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from the brake caliper piston area found during a service of the vehicle.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear brake rotors to correct a condition of Squeak/Squeal Type Noise Heard at Low Speeds During Brake Apply due to moisture build up on the rotors.
This informational bulletin provides information on installing the correct tires for vehicles with the condition of under hard acceleration at higher speeds, the traction control light will flash.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ON THE STEP NEEDED TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE UNEVEN BRAKE PAD WEAR. TECHNICIAN WILL NEED TO INSPECT AND MEASURE THE BRAKE PADS THICKNESS.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of a Service Stabilitrak message displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 26 bulletins · 20 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears.
24 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure to aid in correcting a customer concern of a Howling, Whining/Whirring Noise, Shudder/Vibration and/or Grinding Noise While in 4HI, 4HI Auto and/or During Parking Lot Maneuvers in Auto Mode.
This service bulletin provides service /diagnostic information to aid with a Transmission Harsh 1-2 Shift Upon First Start Up/Shift of the Day Under Light Throttle.
This Technical bulletin provides a repair to correct a condition of Shudder/Surging While Driving.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating.
This informational bulletin explains how the trans slip or flare can be a normal condition.
This informational bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
Special Coverage Adjustment - certain vehicles with a 6.2L engine may have a condition that affects the electrical connection to the transmission oil temperature sensor.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information and definitions to the technician about vehicles that have fishbite, chuggle, misfire, AFM disturbances or torque converter shudder/vibration concerns.
This technical bulletin provides information for new transmission oil to use and a procedure for exchanging the old fluid and adding the new fluid to correct a shake/shudder during light throttle acceleration condition.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps need to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have stalling shudder and/or hard shifting into 1st gear or reverse vibration on launch (with excessive crankshaft end ...
Plus 14 older ones not listed here.
Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails 2 bulletins · 16 complaints
N182202780 Special Coverage Adjustment. In some circumstances, some 2014-2017 model year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon vehicles may have a condition where customers may experience increased brake ...
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ON THE STEPS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE ISSUES WERE THE CUSTOMER WILL NEED INCREASED EFFORT TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 10 bulletins · 15 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated (MIL) - DTC P2635 and/or P018B Set In High Ambient Temperatures With Hesitation, Surging and Stalling Condition Some customers may comment that the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is illuminated.
8 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have hesitation or a stalling condition while in ambient temperatures 100 degrees or higher.
This Preliminary information communicatesIn ambient temperatures 100F (37.7 C)degrees or higher, DTCs P2635 and/or P018B may set.The vehicle may also exhibit a hesitation or stalling condition.Excessively Hot and sustained ambient temperatures over 100F (37.7 ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a reduced or loss of power steering assist, steering wheel jerks or kicks back when turning, Service Stabilitrak message with warning chime, engine ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicles that have a no crank or a start and then immediate stall, Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator lamp may not be on when the ignition ...
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION ADVISES THE TECHNICIAN TO CONTACT GM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER TO REPORT THE CONCERN AND OBTAIN A CASE NUMBER WHEN A CUSTOMER MAY COMMENT THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE RADIO SHUT OFF, AND WHEN RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE ...
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION IS TO CONTACT GM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER TO REPORT THE CONCERN AND OBTAIN A CASE NUMBER.
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that some vehicles may have a radio that turns on unwanted at start up.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician for a reduced power message, steering assist, engine stall or the instrument panel, radio, and or Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning go blank with multiple diagnostic trouble codes.
Check engine light or misfire 37 bulletins · 10 complaints
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce ...
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
35 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a procedure to repair the valve lifter oil manifold and/or lifters to correct the customers concern of engine misfire, ticking noise and/or MIL Illuminated.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This service bulletin informs the technician to inspect for a possible electrical concern at the ECM X2 electrical connector to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P0333 Set.
Information bulletin explains a possible coolant leak coming from the cylinder head bolt areas.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to measure vibration and install engine mounts to correct a Rough Idle in Drive concern.
This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to repair the valve lifter oil manifold and/or lifters to correct the customers concern of engine misfire, ticking noise and/or MIL Illuminated.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician how to diagnose and repair a vehicle with an engine that runs with an intermittent crank no start with a Diagnostic Trouble Code P0011 or P00C6 current or history.
This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
Plus 25 older ones not listed here.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 10 bulletins · 9 complaints
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer?s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General ...
8 more on this problem
Information Regarding the Differences Between Fluid Leakage and Seepage This bulletin is intended to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak and what is considered seepage.
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a squeak, clunk, or knock type noise from the front suspension when hitting bumps.
This informational bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair vehicles with a rough idle and/or vibration at idle in Drive. This condition will not be present in Park, or Neutral.
This informational bulletin aids the technician on diagnosing possible vibrations in a vehicle, methods used for testing each scenario and documenting findings.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN WITH THE STEPS TO DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR VEHICLES WITH VARIOUS HANDLING, VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONCERNS, NOISES FROM THE SUSPENSION OR UNDERBODY, OR ISSUES RELATED TO DAMAGED ...
Clunking Noise from Front of Vehicle During Turns and/or Bumps
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear 7 bulletins · 8 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
5 more on this problem
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
This informational bulletin provides information on Some vehicles may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
THIS ENGINEERING INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN IS ENDING THE NEED FOR INFORMATION FROM THE FIELD OF VEHICLES WITH THE CONDITION OF BANG OR LOUD NOISE WITH NO FORWARD (DRIVE) OR REVERSE RANGES.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the transmission control module to correct a firm garage shift, start up clunk, and DTC P16F3 condition
This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information from dealers regarding the concern of a bang or loud noise with no forward or reverse ranges
Complaints filed by year
67 complaints came in 2019, 3.4 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 GMC Yukon XL
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
All 3 recalls on the 2016 GMC Yukon XL, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide One recall here carries a do-not-drive warning. What that means
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 GMC Yukon XL?
Tail light failure, with 78 of the 201 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 53,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Yukon XL problems start?
Of the 136 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 42,000 miles and half by about 60,000.
Is the 2016 GMC Yukon XL better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has more complaints than the 2017: 18 a year against 15.
How many 2016 GMC Yukon XL complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
10 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for tail light failure on the 2016 GMC Yukon XL?
No recall on file for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL is on the same system as tail light failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.