2016 GMC Yukon XL problems
The 2016 GMC Yukon XL has 269 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (31%) concerns lighting. After that come brakes (15%) and drivetrain & axles (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 269 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Lighting 31% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 13 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 163 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 13 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 23 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 57 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 31 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 28 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 163 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 55,000 miles. For lighting specifically, the median reported mileage is about 52,000 miles (61 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 13 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 82% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2016 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 24 model years of the GMC Yukon XL with enough data (184 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Takata recall or sensor failure. While driving 45MPH, and just slammed the brakes rear ending the stopped car in front of me. The airbag failed to deploy. I had extensive damage to my front end and the car I hit was totaled. That air bag should of deployed.
While driving down the freeway, I received a warning that the charging system was not working and had a red battery light come on on the dash. I exited the freeway trying to get to a safe place, the dash and infotainment system begun to flash on and off. We heard a loud pop, smelt something burning, saw smoke coming into the cabin and then flames from under the hood near where the battery is located.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear passenger's side seat belt inadvertently tightened around her daughter's stomach. The contact's daughter pressed the seat belt button and unlatched the seat belt; however, she was unable to remove the seat belt because it seized around her stomach. The contact had to cut the rear passenger's side seat belt to release her daughter.
High frequency antenna leaking water. This is preventing the vehicle's onstar system from accurately determining the vehicle's location; it has disabled vehicle's compass, navigation, and xm radio systems; the red onstar LED indicator has turned on ; and water is leaking into the interior passenger compartment. A recall was issued for the 2015 yukon xl for this same exact problem. However, I am having the same exact problem with my 2016 model. I have attached the recall issued for the 2015 models.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with her husband driving behind her, he noticed that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the taillight functions were inoperable. The contact was informed that the failure experienced was similar to the Special Coverage under N182180270. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of coverage.