2016 Gmc Yukon Safety Report

The 2016 GMC Yukon presents a mixed safety profile, with strong crash test performance but a notable number of consumer complaints and several significant recalls. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an excellent 5-star rating for frontal and side crash tests, contributing to an overall 4-star rating. However, its rollover resistance received a lower 3-star rating, indicating a potential area of concern for this large SUV. The vehicle has accumulated 260 total complaints, with 4 reported crashes and 5 injuries, but no fatalities or fires, which is a positive aspect given the complaint volume. A significant pattern in consumer complaints revolves around exterior lighting, accounting for 80 complaints, often related to LED turn signal and blind spot detection failures, as noted in a TSB. Service brakes are another major concern with 24 complaints, frequently describing issues with brake assist, hard pedals, and unintended braking, directly correlating with two major recalls. Power train and engine issues are also prevalent, with 20 and 18 complaints respectively, including reports of bent push rods, engine seizure, misfires, and transmission failures like shuddering, hard shifting, and loss of power. These engine and transmission problems, while not directly linked to recalls, suggest underlying reliability issues. The recall history for the 2016 GMC Yukon is substantial, with five recalls addressing critical safety components. Two recalls target the braking system: one for unintended braking due to wheel speed sensor issues and another for decreased brake assist leading to extended stopping distances. Two separate recalls address frontal airbags, where a failure to deploy could increase injury risk. Finally, a recall for front suspension control arms highlights a risk of separation due to inadequate welds, which could compromise steering and increase crash risk. These recalls indicate that GM has proactively identified and addressed several serious safety defects, but the volume of related consumer complaints suggests that these issues have had a real-world impact on owners.

Our recommendation: Given the strong crash test performance but numerous complaints and recalls concerning brakes, engine, and transmission, a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is highly recommended, along with verifying all recalls have been completed.