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 Oct 2, 2026
104 of the 268 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
Tail light failure 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
These owners find a tail light or brake light dead, and then learn the fix is a whole lamp assembly rather than a bulb. Water inside the lens comes up again and again.
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 Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the exterior lighting on the Yukon
Headlight. Closed dec 21, 2001.
Headlight. Closed sep 26, 2000.
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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 39,316 and 72,000 miles, from the 65 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 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 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.
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 Iâll 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 54 reports