Is the 2016 GMC Yukon a bad year?
271 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Yukon years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon are in line with other Yukon years. Exterior lighting, brakes and electrical system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Yukon owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 53,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 104 (38%) | 40k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 55 (20%) | 47k–77k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 53 (20%) | 30k–72k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (13%) | 8k–93k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 34 (13%) | 31k–93k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 10 (4%) | 41k–90k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 53,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 271 complaints: 4 mention a crash · 4 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
18 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2016 GMC Yukon: 5
If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system. Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time. As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
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. A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing. Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from GMC: 612
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 GMC Yukon. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Engine related shudder
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Neighbouring years
2015 Yukon: 530 complaints, keep it · 2017 Yukon: 196 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every GMC Yukon year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Yukon years side by side
Other GMC models: GMC Acadia · GMC Canyon · GMC Denali · GMC Envoy · GMC Envoy XL · GMC Envoy Xuv · GMC Jimmy · GMC Safari · GMC Savana · GMC Sierra · GMC Sierra 1500 · GMC Sierra 2500 · GMC Sierra 3500 · GMC Sierra Denali · GMC Sonoma · GMC Terrain · GMC Yukon Denali · GMC Yukon Denali XL · GMC Yukon XL · GMC Yukon XL 1500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 GMC Yukon a bad year?
271 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Yukon years. At 53,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Yukon?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: exterior lighting (104), brakes (55), electrical system (53), transmission and drivetrain (36), engine (34).
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Yukon have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 19V-761), Brakes (NHTSA 19V-645), Seat belts (NHTSA 17V-437), Seat belts (NHTSA 16V-651) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.