Diagsheet

2016 GMC Yukon · symptom sheet

Tail lights or brake lights fail

  • 94owner reports
  • 52,000median miles
  • $800median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Jun 14, 2024 · checked Sep 19, 2026

104 of the 266 complaints on this car are about the exterior lighting. 94 of those describe tail light failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Yukon.

Tick what matches of 94 reports

2
48
12
49
9
22

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the LED module (49 reports), the tail light assembly (12 reports), the bulb (11 reports) and the wiring or socket (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the exterior lighting covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 19, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the exterior lighting on the Yukon

EA00-024opened Sep 26, 2000
Exterior Lighting · model years 1995 to 1996

Headlight. Closed dec 21, 2001.

NHTSA summary
PE00-017opened Apr 11, 2000
Exterior Lighting · model years 1995 to 1996

Headlight. Closed sep 26, 2000.

NHTSA summary
BASED ON THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FROM CONSUMERS, FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT FROM REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OFTHE TILT STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY STRAIN THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, RESULTING IN THE UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI HAS CONCERNS REGARDING THE HIGH RATE OF WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WITH THE RECOGNITION THE EACH INCIDENT OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE REPRESENTS A CONDITION OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT.IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER'S EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, AND THIS OFFICE HAS INTEREST IN THE DETAILS OF THE METHODOLOGIES AND RESULTS OF THAT ASSESSMENT.

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

34 of the 94 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $700 to $826.

$700$800$826
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 39,316 and 72,000 miles, from the 65 reports that gave a mileage.

1218
3919
2420
721
822
223
224

What owners wrote

“Both driver and passenger tail light/ brake light assemblies have failed. They started intermittently going out and then failed all together. There is a VERY common issue with these lights. They have been replaced at an approximate cost of $650.00 per light.”

Filed Jun 14, 2024

“The rear taillights both went out due to a design issue with the LED circuit board - where the connections on the board crack and cause the lights to fail”

Filed Aug 31, 2023

“Passenger taillight goes out. Replaced it twice now and now I have to do it again a 3rd time. They know of this issue but have done nothing to fix it or offer anything to help cover cost”

Filed May 14, 2023

“Left tail light flickers, after reading internet comments learned that tail light board connections are made of very flimsy metal material, they crack with normal vehicle operations. LED lamps are fine but the power connections to the lamps breaks therefore it renders taillights useless. Replacement cost of those lamps are $700-$800 parts alone. On the internet there is some information I’ll attach that pdf”

Filed Aug 9, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 94 reports involved a crash. 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.

Other problems on this car