2016 GMC Yukon Xl Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl.

20152017
Complaints
262
Crashes
10
Fires
2
Injuries
3
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2016 GMC Yukon Xl Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#180 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:54,514 mi
#240 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:59,590 mi
Crash-related:5
#331 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:64,884 mi
Considering a 2016 GMC Yukon Xl?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl.

Headlight/Taillight Failures
80
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
54,514
Brakes
40
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
59,590
Transmission / Drivetrain
31
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,884
Electrical Faults
30
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
57,044
Engine Problems
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,390
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
79,899
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
30,687
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
51,340
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,000
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 GMC Yukon Xl

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,684,583 vehicles.

17V437000Seat Belts:pretensioner · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive · Air Bags:frontal
~40,683 affected

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 not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

16V651000Seat Belts:pretensioner · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive · Air Bags:frontal
~3,640,162 affected

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 and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

16V256000Suspension:front:control Arm
~3,738 affected

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.

Other GMC Yukon Xl Years

2016 GMC Yukon Xl — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2016 GMC Yukon Xl has 262 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Headlight/Taillight Failures with 80 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl?
Top reported problems: Headlight/Taillight Failures (80 complaints, avg 54,514 mi); Brakes (40 complaints, avg 59,590 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (31 complaints, avg 64,884 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 60,240 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl include 10 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,684,583 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 GMC Yukon Xl?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (headlight/taillight failures) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Yukon Xl reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2016 GMC Yukon Xl

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99