Total Complaints
260 filings
GMC YUKON XL · model year
260 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2016GMCYUKON XL carries 260 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 YUKON XL is exterior lighting with 80 filings, followed by service brakes (40) and power train (31). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2016 YUKON XL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
260 filings
Crashes Reported
10 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 80 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 40 |
| POWER TRAIN | 31 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 30 |
| ENGINE | 23 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 10 |
| SUSPENSION | 8 |
| STEERING | 8 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 7 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
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
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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, Subur
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 Poli
I was test driving the vehicle after some and as I was test, driving it, the steering lot up on me. Luckily, I was entering a residential area when it occurred down the street from my residency; in which I was able to drive it to my residency, during that short ride, you could smell a burning smell coming out along with some crackling noises. I had to get the vehicle towed a week later to the mechanic shop where they fix one of my engine problems and verified that I needed a new power steering unit and gave me a quote, I couldnât afford the word and started doing research and came across the recall for the power steering within my vehicle year, make and model. I replaced the power steering unit, but Iâm having a difficult time celebrating the system..
I was test driving the vehicle after some and as I was test, driving it, the steering lot up on me. Luckily, I was entering a residential area when it occurred down the street from my residency; in which I was able to drive it to my residency, during that short ride, you could smell a burning smell coming out along with some crackling noises. I had to get the vehicle towed a week later to the mechanic shop where they fix one of my engine problems and verified that I needed a new power steering unit and gave me a quote, I couldnât afford the word and started doing research and came across the recall for the power steering within my vehicle year, make and model. I replaced the power steering unit, but Iâm having a difficult time celebrating the system..
My vehicle has been in 16 times since I bought it the most recent incident is for the engine which started about six months ago. Itâs been in since then for other issues concurrently with this one it hesitates like itâs getting stuck in sand before it wants to go first the mechanic told me he didnât sense it but the thermostat was stuck open so they fix that. Second time it went in they thought it was some sort of a filter and some other components Iâm not sure. Again it was not fixed then my son and I were out in Minnesota freezing cold night in November and go and drive and then when again it was the drive train this time that got fixed a month ago about a week ago it starts making a noise like thereâs too much snow in the tires. I get my car washed every few days but I got it washed again and that didnât fix it so itâs in the shop again and Iâm paying for a rental again. I have the Walser guard thank the Lord because itâs paid for itself about 15 times over. Iâv
My vehicle has been in 16 times since I bought it the most recent incident is for the engine which started about six months ago. Itâs been in since then for other issues concurrently with this one it hesitates like itâs getting stuck in sand before it wants to go first the mechanic told me he didnât sense it but the thermostat was stuck open so they fix that. Second time it went in they thought it was some sort of a filter and some other components Iâm not sure. Again it was not fixed then my son and I were out in Minnesota freezing cold night in November and go and drive and then when again it was the drive train this time that got fixed a month ago about a week ago it starts making a noise like thereâs too much snow in the tires. I get my car washed every few days but I got it washed again and that didnât fix it so itâs in the shop again and Iâm paying for a rental again. I have the Walser guard thank the Lord because itâs paid for itself about 15 times over. Iâv
My vehicle has been in 16 times since I bought it the most recent incident is for the engine which started about six months ago. Itâs been in since then for other issues concurrently with this one it hesitates like itâs getting stuck in sand before it wants to go first the mechanic told me he didnât sense it but the thermostat was stuck open so they fix that. Second time it went in they thought it was some sort of a filter and some other components Iâm not sure. Again it was not fixed then my son and I were out in Minnesota freezing cold night in November and go and drive and then when again it was the drive train this time that got fixed a month ago about a week ago it starts making a noise like thereâs too much snow in the tires. I get my car washed every few days but I got it washed again and that didnât fix it so itâs in the shop again and Iâm paying for a rental again. I have the Walser guard thank the Lord because itâs paid for itself about 15 times over. Iâv
Driving after dark on a main street in St George Utah, the engine suddenly surged and then revved down. It felt like someone jamming it into 4WD. Traffic was tailgating me, and I was nearly hit. I could not pull completely out of the right lane. I put on hazard lights. Check engine light came on, and TCS light came on. I decided to get out of traffic & crawled forward about 30 yards into a Sinclair station lot, then backed it into a spot where a tow truck could get it. It was clearly not drivable. Called AAA and a driver was able to get to me within 1/2 an hour. Checked the AAA website for mechanics since I was merely travelling through St. George and had no knowledge of the area. Hawker's Automotive was listed first, with many excellent reviews. Tow truck arrived and driver loaded it on the JerrDan bed. I asked him to take me to the Hawker's garage location. I locked it and put the key in the overnight box with my name, number, and description. Next day the mechanics sa
There is a hesitation when trying to accelerate. The car will then slam forward and there is a rattling noise that the car also makes. This has almost caused accidents. I was driving in town which is where I do most of my driving.
There is a hesitation when trying to accelerate. The car will then slam forward and there is a rattling noise that the car also makes. This has almost caused accidents. I was driving in town which is where I do most of my driving.
There is a hesitation when trying to accelerate. The car will then slam forward and there is a rattling noise that the car also makes. This has almost caused accidents. I was driving in town which is where I do most of my driving.
The engine is the component that failed and is available for inspection. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center, and the repair quote is attached. There were no prior warning signs before the failure; the vehicle suddenly began making a knocking noise and experienced a loss of power.
While driving vehicle the vehicle appears to shut off as if someone is turning off the ignition. The steering control becomes stiff, power is lost and electronics flash and turn off and on. This has happened on multiple occasions and is intermittent during acceleration. The accessible grounds have been checked, battery checked and replaced, and alternator checked and verified to be charging appropriately. Several codes are present and have been cleared to return indicating low voltage issues with multiple systems.
While driving vehicle the vehicle appears to shut off as if someone is turning off the ignition. The steering control becomes stiff, power is lost and electronics flash and turn off and on. This has happened on multiple occasions and is intermittent during acceleration. The accessible grounds have been checked, battery checked and replaced, and alternator checked and verified to be charging appropriately. Several codes are present and have been cleared to return indicating low voltage issues with multiple systems.
While driving vehicle the vehicle appears to shut off as if someone is turning off the ignition. The steering control becomes stiff, power is lost and electronics flash and turn off and on. This has happened on multiple occasions and is intermittent during acceleration. The accessible grounds have been checked, battery checked and replaced, and alternator checked and verified to be charging appropriately. Several codes are present and have been cleared to return indicating low voltage issues with multiple systems.
The car started to have issues shifting when driving- automatic transmission. It would jolt or shudder to try to shift. I was at a light intersection attempting to turn left to go on the on ramp of a highway, it attempted to shift as I sped up from a stop and it got stuck and started making a sound as if you were to press the brake and gas at the same time, similar to that, a car was coming in my direction at the same time and it finally clicked into gear. Absolutely terrified me, my father in law came and switched me vehicles and took mine to the dealership where it stayed for 3 days and they diagnosed it saying it needed a new transmission, quoting us at $11,000. Obviously we canât afford that. We had all the filters and lines of the transmission cleaned. And now itâs just gotten worse and worse. That was the first time it happened. Now itâll shudder like that any time itâs switching gears at any speed. Another time since then, it got stuck in the same situation after pulling
The car started to have issues shifting when driving- automatic transmission. It would jolt or shudder to try to shift. I was at a light intersection attempting to turn left to go on the on ramp of a highway, it attempted to shift as I sped up from a stop and it got stuck and started making a sound as if you were to press the brake and gas at the same time, similar to that, a car was coming in my direction at the same time and it finally clicked into gear. Absolutely terrified me, my father in law came and switched me vehicles and took mine to the dealership where it stayed for 3 days and they diagnosed it saying it needed a new transmission, quoting us at $11,000. Obviously we canât afford that. We had all the filters and lines of the transmission cleaned. And now itâs just gotten worse and worse. That was the first time it happened. Now itâll shudder like that any time itâs switching gears at any speed. Another time since then, it got stuck in the same situation after pulling
Faulty Transmission at 90,000
I bought 2016 Yukon XL 9/2020. At 74k miles (2022), the transmission was replaced by warranty. Now (2025), at 126k miles, the transmission needs replaced again. This canât be normal.
I bought 2016 Yukon XL 9/2020. At 74k miles (2022), the transmission was replaced by warranty. Now (2025), at 126k miles, the transmission needs replaced again. This canât be normal.
The transmission is going out and it started with a shudder. The change for the transmission filter and oil was only a temporary fix. It also shifts hard or there is a delay in the shift.
We own a 2016 GMC Yukon XLT Denali with the GM 6.2 engine. On Saturday, July 26, 2025 our vehicle suddenly lost power and became undrivable in traffic. We had it towed to our GM dealership who still has the vehicle (Reiselman GMC- Springfield, TN) They called today and said the engine could not be repaired. They stated it had no compression in Cylinder 8. The said our only option was a new engine. THIS IS THE SECOND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE we have had. In November 2021 we experienced another CATASTROPHIC FAILURE when the vehicle suddenly lost power. The engine required a valve and valve spring and seal on cylinder #1. This is 2 major failures we have had which could have been dangerous had we not been able to get out of traffic. The vehicle currently has 116k miles. These types of major failures in a vehicle that has been serviced according to schedules and receives only typical local and commuter use is out of the norm. It is the first generation of GM's 6.2L engine and the sister engine
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.