This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 GMC Yukon powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 GMC Yukon have filed 33 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 92,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Yukon | 4 |
| 2013 Yukon | 5 |
| 2014 Yukon | 3 |
| 2015 Yukon | 40 |
| 2016 Yukon (this page) | 33 |
| 2017 Yukon | 44 |
| 2018 Yukon | 16 |
| 2019 Yukon | 11 |
| 2020 Yukon | 14 |
When does it fail?
Of the 33 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 GMC Yukon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 33 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears. This may be due to loose stator support to pump cover bolts causing a leak at the stator support to pump cover gasket. Technician will check for the bolts to be loose. If any of the bolts are loose or the gasket is misaligned or leaking, the transmission pump cover must be replaced and the 1234 clutch plates should be inspected for being distressed and repaired as needed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe transmission shuddering and jerking beginning as early as 30,000 miles during acceleration. The problem persists even after dealership fluid flushes and pan cleaning; metal shavings reappear in fluid within 1,500 miles, indicating ongoing internal friction damage from crumbling torque converter material and faulty friction surfaces. Hard shifts, transmission slipping, and erratic RPM swings follow, eventually leading to catastrophic failure—vehicle loses power, jumps out of gear, or stalls without warning lights.
Failures occur between 68,000 and 250,000 miles and happen on busy highways, creating serious safety hazards. One owner's transmission failed while traveling 70 mph; another nearly collided with another vehicle when transmission failed and vehicle coasted to a stop. Full transmission replacement costs $5,634–$7,000.
GM issued TSBs (PIP5337K, PIP5337F, 16-NA-014, PIP5337H) and acknowledges the defect in class action litigation, yet denies warranty coverage once powertrain warranty expires—often before shuddering even begins. Owners report dealers acknowledge metal shavings indicate manufacturer defect but refuse diagnostics or repairs post-warranty.
Electrical failures compound ownership frustration: brake light assemblies fail (parts on national backorder), batteries fault, and interior lights, turn signals, and monitor displays malfunction within the first 30,000 miles.
Same GMC Yukon powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shuddering, jerking, and hard shifting
Transmission exhibits shuddering, jerking, hard shifts, and erratic behavior during acceleration and gear changes. Owners report the vehicle jerks forward or backward despite brake application. Internal transmission friction surfaces, hydraulic systems, and gears malfunction, causing metal shavings to circulate. Over time this cascade of internal damage causes transmission slipping, loss of power, and eventual failure.
When: Starts as early as 30,000 miles; escalates by 60,000-90,000 miles; failures occur at 81,000 to 250,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering and jerking upon acceleration; Hard shifts between gears; Transmission slipping and loss of power; Metal shavings in transmission fluid, pan, filter, and oil cooler; Erratic RPM fluctuations during acceleration; Vehicle lurches forward or backward despite depressed brake; Vehicle sputtering sound that increases over time; RPM gauge erratic and flashing
Codes mentioned: Check engine warning light (illuminated in some cases), Transmission warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership fluid flush and pan cleaning with filter replacement (temporary relief only; metal shavings reappear within 1,500 miles). Full transmission replacement cost $5,634–$7,000+. Torque converter replacement alone $500 part but dealer labor escalates total cost to $6,300+. Some owners opted for transmission rebuild at ~$3,000 to save cost. Dealerships noted metal shavings indicate internal friction damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSBs issued: PIP5337K, PIP5337F, 16-NA-014, PIP5337H. Class action lawsuit ongoing for this issue. GM has not issued factory recall for this defect. Warranty denied once powertrain coverage expires (typically 82,000–100,000 miles). 6-cylinder models reportedly have no class action coverage, only 8-cylinder models do. GM dealers refuse to cover repair after warranty expiration despite acknowledging the internal defect during warranty period.
Transmission failure with no warning lights
Transmission fails completely without any dash warning lights or prior indication. Vehicle loses motive power, jumps out of gear, stalls, or becomes unable to move forward or reverse. Failure is catastrophic and often occurs on busy highways, creating serious safety hazard.
When: Occurs between 68,000 and 250,000 miles; often sudden with no prior symptoms or only brief hard shift hours before total failure
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power while driving; Vehicle jumps out of gear and slows to dead stop; Engine seizes or stalls; Vehicle able to reverse but not drive forward (or vice versa); Hard shift between 2nd and 3rd gear hours before total failure; Vehicle sputters and loses power unexpectedly; No warning lights or dash indicators of pending failure
Codes mentioned: Transmission warning light (illuminated in some cases post-failure), Check engine warning light (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Requires full transmission replacement, costing $6,200–$7,000. Some owners unable to afford replacement; transmission rebuild offered as $3,000 alternative but reportedly still having issues after rebuild and reprogramming. One owner also had to replace push rod on cylinder 4 and experienced DOD lifter failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer notification in most cases. Dealer made aware but warranty expired in many instances, denying coverage. GM has not issued recall for complete transmission failure. One complaint mentions NHTSA Campaign 14V374000 (Power Train) but VIN not included in records. No factory remedy or recall letter issued.
Brake lights and electrical system malfunction
Brake light assembly fails (passenger-side brake light out). Part is on national backorder, indicating widespread failure. Owner also experienced battery failure, turn signals blinking on and off, front and rear lights cycling on and off, heated/AC seats malfunction, interior lights staying on, and monitor display shorting out. Electrical gremlins persist despite dealership visits.
When: Occurs within first 30,000 miles; brake light issue arose within 2 weeks of warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Brake light out on passenger side; Turn signals blinking on and off when vehicle washed or during rain; Front headlights cycling on and off; Rear tail lights going on and off; Battery fault detected by OnStar alert; dealership initially misdiagnosed as mileage alert; Heated and air-conditioned seats non-functional; Interior lights staying on continuously; Monitor display shorting out
Repairs/costs cited: Brake light assembly required replacement; part on national backorder indicating systemic issue. Battery replaced. Dealership unable to diagnose electrical issue even after customer provided OnStar alert data. Multiple repeated dealership visits without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response noted in complaints. Part backorder suggests GM is aware of widespread brake light assembly failure but has not issued proactive recall or supplied parts to dealerships.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 car would not move. I turned off the ignition and turned on again and was able to get out of the road to safety. This is a…
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM gauge was high, and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to her residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure could be related to the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 GMC Yukon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 GMC Yukon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 33 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 85,000 and 130,268 miles, with the median around 92,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 85,000; a quarter make it past 130,268. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/GMC/Yukon.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.