2016 GMC Yukon · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 54owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- $800median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
54 of the 268 complaints on this car describe brake wear. Only tail light failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 54 reports
Brake wear on other Yukon years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the brakes cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
All 5 recalls on the 2016 GMC Yukon, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Yukon
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.
Brake line corrosion failure. Closed jan 5, 2011.
Unwanted low-speed abs activation. Closed sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V-379.
What owners paid
9 of the 54 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $750 to $950.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 48,200 and 77,655 miles, from the 28 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 11 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 GMC Yukon that deal with this problem. 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.
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic trailer brake system causing a voltage spike into the trucks electrical system which is causing DTC C1114 to set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicle that may have a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System” message on the Driver Information Center when a trailer is ...
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.
7 more on the 2016 GMC Yukon page.
What owners wrote
“Brake light keeps going off and on itâs like a short but when checked everything is connected”
Filed Jul 20, 2024
“GMC is stating that due to a recall my brake booster vacuum pump failed and now they are that is is not covered and I will be out of pocket on the issue after numerous phone called with GM they are still of no help and the vehicle is not safe to drive which is my only means of transportation”
Filed Mar 20, 2024
“My 2016 GMC Yukon is hard to stop when pressing brake pedal. Vehicle shimmyâs when pressing the brake and it must be pressed very hard. Have read and watched many videos this is very common issue on 2014-2018 Yukons and Tahoes. This could be very dangerous and my question is, why has these vehicles not been recalled to prevent accidents when it seems to be a common issue and expensive to fix?”
Filed Nov 26, 2023
“The vehicle consistently alerts with service trailer brake system warnings and has progressively become more of a frequent problem with the system doing it constantly even when no trailer is being towed This has been occurring since time of purchase in March 2021 when we purchased the vehicle and has become consistently more frequent over time”
Filed Jul 26, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 54 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Tail lights or brake lights fail 94 reports