2016 GMC Yukon problems
The 2016 GMC Yukon has 265 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 GMC Yukon has 265 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is lighting at 87 complaints, typically surfacing around 57,405 miles (~$250 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Yukon | 181 | 0 |
| 2014 Yukon | 56 | 0 |
| 2015 Yukon | 528 | 0 |
| 2016 Yukon (this page) | 265 | 0 |
| 2017 Yukon | 195 | 0 |
| 2018 Yukon | 69 | 0 |
| 2019 Yukon | 51 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Brakes: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–62,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 GMC Yukon SUV RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 GMC Yukon? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- lighting — 87 owner reports · tends to show around 57,405 mi · ~$250 to fix
- electrical — 46 owner reports · tends to show around 60,953 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 33 owner reports · tends to show around 108,793 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- brakes — 29 owner reports · tends to show around 63,334 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 63,334 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 GMC Yukon
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2016 GMC Yukon
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~45,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~53,000 milighting~$250
- ~55,000 mibrakes~$450
- ~92,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the brake pedal was hard to depress and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal needed to be pumped in order for the vehicle to be…
While driving my children to practice my vehicle jerked us forward in a violent motion as if another car hit us and there was no one on the road. Afterwards the car slowed to about 5-20miles an hour and would not drive any faster. I stopped at the nearest intersection and the…
The engine failed and dropped down to limp mode while driving down the Hwy. Had to replace the engine for a toll of approx. $10,000. Truck only had 89,000 miles on it.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 GMC Yukon reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 265 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 GMC Yukon is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 GMC Yukon?
The 2016 GMC Yukon is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–62,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 GMC Yukon?
Inspect the lighting first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 87 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,405 miles. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 GMC Yukon a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 265 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is lighting. Typical failure occurs around 57,405 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 GMC Yukon?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 87 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,405 miles. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The lighting is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 57,405 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Yukon has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 GMC Yukon?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 265 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $250, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.