Problem Lookup › GMC › Yukon XL › 2016
Car problem report
2016 GMC Yukon XL problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 GMC Yukon XL has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 451owner complaints
- 11crash reports
- 2fire reports
- 8injuries reported
451 complaints, against an average of 158 for the other 14 GMC Yukon XL model years.
Every GMC Yukon XL model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 GMC Yukon XL?
The components named most often in the 451 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2016 GMC Yukon XL owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 451 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2016 GMC Yukon XL?149 owners · 33%
- Why does my 2016 GMC Yukon XL transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?28 owners · 6.2%
- Why does my 2016 GMC Yukon XL stall, lose power or shut off while driving?23 owners · 5.1%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 GMC Yukon XL?17 owners · 3.8%
- Has the 2016 GMC Yukon XL had transmission failures?16 owners · 3.5%
- Why does my 2016 GMC Yukon XL idle rough, misfire or hesitate?14 owners · 3.1%
Has the 2016 GMC Yukon XL been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
What do 2016 GMC Yukon XL owners report?
12 of the 451 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked up. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V256000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure but stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 108,346.
1. My vehicle is having transmission issues with shuddering and shifting. M5U RPO code 8L90 transmission. 2. My safety and the safety of others is a concern if the transmission is not working as intended my vehicle could be at risk an accident that could be avoided. 3. The problem has not be reproduced or confirmed by a dealer I work on my own vehicles and I am going to repair this issue myself if able. 4. There are no trouble codes on my vehicle when scanned with an OBD2 scanner.
My wife was driving down the highway and out of no where there was a loud taping sound, the vehicle started running real bad (skipping), the vehicle lost power and she lost control of the steering. As a result, she ran off the road into a ditch. this is a known concern with the 6.2 liter engines and all signs are pointing to lifter failure. She could have ben seriously injured and GM is responsible for this.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 8L90 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. 93,000 MILES.
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 couldn’t afford the word and started doing research and came across the…
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…
I have repair the trailer brake system warning light prior. Now again this faulty wiring module is constantly dinging and flashing warning messages while driving. It's very distracting and irrelevant considering I not towing anything. It covers the speedometer and is a complete nuisance.
Engine light keeps appearing and when checked it shows catalytic converter needs replaces and its sensors need replaced. Brake light has short in it and I repaireable
The paint delaminated from the clear coat in certain locations (mainly hood and roof) although the vehicle body has been well maintained. This has caused a foggy scratched appearance to the affected areas where the rest of the car looks great. This problem is well known across many GM vehicles in the 2015-2019 range and has led to significantly decreased value of the vehicle itself
Both driver and passenger tail light/ brake light assemblies have failed. They started intermittently going out and then failed all together. There is a VERY common issue with these lights. They have been replaced at an approximate cost of $650.00 per light.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the taillights needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under Special Coverage Adjustment: N182180270 (Tail Lamps Inoperative). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
2016 GMC Yukon XL: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 451 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Yukon XL; the most common categories were exterior lighting (187, 41.5%), service brakes (93, 20.6%), electrical system (81, 18%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 11 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 8 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Yukon XL?
Across 451 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are exterior lighting (41.5% of complaints), service brakes (20.6% of complaints), electrical system (18% of complaints), power train (14.4% of complaints), engine (12% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 GMC Yukon XL have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2016 GMC Yukon XL?
149 of the 451 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL (33%) describe headlights, taillights or brake lights failing or condensation in the lamps. One owner wrote: "Both driver and passenger tail light/ brake light assemblies have failed. They started intermittently going out and then failed all together. There is a VERY common issue with these lights. They have been replaced at an approximate cost of $650.00 per light." (NHTSA complaint 11594367, June 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 GMC Yukon XL transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
28 of the 451 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL (6.2%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "1. My vehicle is having transmission issues with shuddering and shifting. M5U RPO code 8L90 transmission. 2. My safety and the safety of others is a concern if the transmission is not working as intended my vehicle could be at risk an accident that could be…" (NHTSA complaint 11761928, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 GMC Yukon XL stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
23 of the 451 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL (5.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "My wife was driving down the highway and out of no where there was a loud taping sound, the vehicle started running real bad (skipping), the vehicle lost power and she lost control of the steering. As a result, she ran off the road into a ditch." (NHTSA complaint 11732911, April 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 GMC Yukon XL?
17 of the 451 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL (3.8%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Car keeps running rough, stuttering when switching off, smells like gas. engine light comes on and goes off every other day. started after fuel injector recall, dealership says it's the fuel pump leaking and unrelated to the fuel injector problem." (NHTSA complaint 11372901, November 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2016 GMC Yukon XL had transmission failures?
16 of the 451 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL (3.5%) describe transmission failure, slipping or a replaced transmission. One owner wrote: "Transmission failure, hard shifting, slipping and loss of power also severe shuddering. Very dangerous driving. I had to have the transmission replaced after taking the vehicle to a dealership and upon verification from same dealership reproducing the…" (NHTSA complaint 11653984, April 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 GMC Yukon XL idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
14 of the 451 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL (3.1%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11711810, January 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Yukon XL
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only.