2016 Gmc Yukon Safety Report
2016 GMC Yukon Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Gmc Yukon
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Gmc Yukon. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (260) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Exterior Lighting | Compare exterior lighting issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Gmc Yukon with 27 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Gmc Yukon before buying across this generation. |
Gmc Yukon Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Gmc Yukon years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Gmc Yukon | 187 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Gmc Yukon | 542 | 10 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Gmc Yukon | 65 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Gmc Yukon | 44 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Gmc Yukon | 27 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Gmc Yukon | 258 | 13 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Gmc Yukon Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Gmc Yukon, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Exterior Lighting
80 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Gmc onlyService Brakes
24 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Gmc onlyPower Train
20 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Gmc onlyEngine
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Gmc onlyElectrical System
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Gmc onlyUnknown Or Other
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Gmc onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Gmc Yukon
Reliability Score
The 2016 Gmc Yukon receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Gmc Yukon
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Gmc Yukon
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Gmc Yukon:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic Hydraulic service brakes, including anti-lock, traction control, and electronic limited slip systems, have been reported to malfunction, often due to wheel speed sensors or tone rings. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System, Exterior Lighting The electrical system and exterior lighting, particularly the LED left turn signal and blind spot detection feature, have been reported to fail frequently. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension, Front: Control Arm Suspension control arm issues have been reported, leading to repeated service light activations and potential safety concerns. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine: Bent Push Rod A bent push rod in cylinder 4 has been a significant issue, requiring multiple repairs and recalls. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Gmc Yukon:
Issues with service brakes, including anti-lock, traction control, and electronic limited slip systems, are common.
Electrical system issues, including exterior lighting and air bag systems, are frequent.
Suspension issues, particularly with the front control arm, are reported.
Engine issues, including bent push rods, are a significant concern.
Recall Details for the 2016 Gmc Yukon
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Gmc Yukon by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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 ...
Consequence: 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.
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 custom...
Summary: 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...
Consequence: 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.
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 cust...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
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 1-800-462-8...
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Gmc Yukon
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Gmc Yukon with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Vehicle been in the shop 3 times. [XXX] suspension light repeat come on. Working with warranty company. Light came on again 3 more times after Vehicle left the shop INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The suspension service lights repeatedly coming on.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially repaired under warranty for a bent push rod in cylinder #4; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was repaired another time at the expense of the contact's son, who previously owned the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while idling and while driving, the engine was misfiring an...
Misfire then replaced plugs,coils and wires, then change fuel injector, and problem still there, then started truck and was tossing power and motor started ticking. Every shop told me this is the same common problem they're having with all 6.2L engine and they're all on recall by GM. I know 2016 are not in recall but I think they should be because this problem is in all 6.2L engine
When making a slow turn in drive or reverse the park assist screen shows it’s not working. Then all screens in the car turn black and the steering locks while driving. Making it impossible to turn or move. This is happening while driving, while parking. Putting my safety and others at risk due to not being able to control the steering. Park assist failure screen pops up then all screens turn black...
On [XXX], while idling in my driveway the engine abruptly stopped with a loud clunk and refused to turn over when I attempted to restart it. The vehicle was towed to Bergstrom GMC in Appleton WI. Upon inspection it was determined that a connecting rod and crankshaft bearing had failed requiring replacement of the engine. The vehicle has a 6.2-litre V-8 engine with 106,000 miles on it. The vehicle ...
THE fuel pressure line from the fuel pump to the flex fuel sensor chaffed a pin hole leak near the front top of the fuel tank. This caused a significant fuel smell and trace leak at the front of the fuel tank which could lead to a fire or explosion. The new hose has a longer chaffing covering leading me to believe gm knew about this issue. vehicle has 127,000 miles. I feel gm should reimburse me...
The LED left turn signal and blind spot detection ( safety feature) on the left outside rear view mirror suddenly stopped working. The is a TSB for warranty for 2016-2018 GM YUKON (#10-08-64-002D) and it states that the bulletin has been revised to include 2016-2018 year models for this defect. I am starting this claim because I am told by GM that my VIN is not covered under this warranty, yet I ...
A side detection module pin was corroded and was disrupting the electrical signals to major vehicle components, such as the dash (DIC). The DIC would lose communication with the rest of the vehicle while driving so no vehicle operation data was visible such as speed, alerts messages, etc. This likely also caused engine failure due to the incorrect operation of the afm which is on the same electric...
Check engine light came on. Immediately went to reputable local repair shop. Shop advised push rod bent due to faulty engine. Advised to call GMC because not normal wear and tear. Called GMC expressed my frustration about this being preexisting issue w this engine. GMC corp told me I had to ship to GMC dealership at my own expense then they could help me. Local GMCs backed up 6-8 wks. Towed car 1...
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle jerked, then briefly lost motive power before the engine seized. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or rep...
Engine light keeps appearing and when checked it shows catalytic converter needs replaces and its sensors need replaced. Brake light has short in it and I repaireable
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, LURCHES FORWARD UNCONTROLABLY, AND HARD SHIFTS
2 months ago our 16 gmc Yukon Denali 6.2 bent a push rod on cylinder 4 . So had to fix it when I took out DOD lifters put them on work bench and about 10 minutes out the DOD lifters flew apart and know having transmission issues it’s starting to shudder ! So I would liked the [XXX] thing recalled because engine still isn’t right either it only has 130000 miles. I’ll never buy a [XXX] gmc because o...
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mi...
Transmission failure, hard shifting, slipping and loss of power also severe shuddering. Very dangerous driving. I had to have the transmission replaced after taking the vehicle to a dealership and upon verification from same dealership reproducing the transmission failure. Massive financial loss, dealership stated these transmissions are known to fail. Manufacturer has been notified by numerous co...
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly shuddered before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of...
On two occasions while driving at low speed, my vehicle braked on its on a pulled hard to the left; the stabilitrac indicator also popped on briefly. I went online to determine if there were any recalls on my vehicle and found that one of the recalls on the 2016 Yukon was the exact issue happening with my vehicle. I checked my VIN and found that my vehicle was not one of the vehicles with this...
At 90k the engine stopped working, no warning or lights went off. 6.2L Lifters and bearings., The dealer gave us 14k for the car and we then went and bought and escalde with the 6.2L, that has also seized at 14k miles within 13 months of purchasing. The yukon has no reports of that on the car fax after our trade, which i found curious.
There's alot of time while I'm driving in line going slowly and break pedal become hard and it will seem like the truck it's not stopping.
Showing 20 of 260 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Gmc Yukon
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Service Brakes
Opened 2018-11-20 · Closed 2022-04-10
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 int...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Gmc Yukon
Has the 2016 GMC YUKON been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 GMC YUKON has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 GMC YUKON have?
The 2016 GMC YUKON has 260 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 GMC YUKON?
The 2016 GMC YUKON received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 3/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC YUKON?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 GMC YUKON involve exterior lighting (80 complaints), service brakes (24 complaints), power train (20 complaints). Other affected components include engine, electrical system, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2016 GMC YUKON have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2016 GMC YUKON out of 260 total complaints (1.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 GMC YUKON have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 GMC YUKON in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 GMC YUKON?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 GMC YUKON.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 GMC YUKON?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 GMC YUKON. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 GMC YUKON?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 GMC YUKON is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 260 complaints, 5 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 GMC YUKON?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 GMC YUKON are: 1. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (80 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES (24 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (20 complaints), 4. ENGINE (18 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15 complaints). EXTERIOR LIGHTING is the single most-reported problem area with 80 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 GMC YUKON?
Be cautious of service brake and electrical system issues, as they are frequent and can impact safety. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2016 GMC YUKON has 260 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2016 GMC YUKON?
The 2016 GMC YUKON receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 260 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes, Hydraulic and Electrical System, Exterior Lighting.
What are the known issues with the 2016 GMC YUKON?
Known issues with the 2016 GMC YUKON include: Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Suspension, Front: Control Arm, Engine: Bent Push Rod. These are based on patterns found across 260 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 GMC Yukon?
Yes, there are recalls for service brakes, hydraulic systems, and electrical issues.
What are the most common electrical system issues?
Common issues include exterior lighting and air bag systems failing.
How often do service brake issues occur?
Service brake issues, including anti-lock, traction control, and electronic limited slip systems, occur frequently.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of service brake and electrical system issues, as they are frequent and can impact safety. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Gmc Yukon
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Gmc Yukon. The data includes 260 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Gmc Yukon an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16