Home · 2016 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500 · Complaints

What 497 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (497)Crash / fire / injury (18)Lights (209)Brakes (95)Electrical system (88)Transmission & drivetrain (71)Engine (57)Steering (20)Suspension (16)Body & structure (13)Speed control (10)Fuel system (9)

88 of 497 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 2 of 4

Dec 1, 2021Electrical systemLights

LED tail light unit continues to crack (metal inside) and not work. Each replacement is over $500. You have to replace or you’ll be ticketed because it is a safety hazard. It is not a bulb replacement it is a faulty design that is costing people thousands to fix and it’s not right. GMC is aware of this defect and they aren’t doing anything about it. Please help and recall these taillights to be replaced by the updated lights!! Thank you for your time and consideration.

NHTSA ODI 11442256

Nov 28, 2021Electrical systemBrakes

Rear driver taillight assembly does not work all the time! One day it works the next day it does not! I had to have the passenger side replaced about 6-8 months ago & it was replaced by the dealer at that time & there was no cost to me as it was under warranty at that time! I think there may be an issue with the LED bulbs! Now the problem is with the drivers side! This is a safety problem and a recall should be issued!!!!It is no longer under warranty & out of pocket cost may be $600 to $1000!

NHTSA ODI 11441870

Nov 3, 2021Electrical systemLights

The rear lights on my vehicle - including brake lights - intermittently stop working. I was unaware of this issue until I had someone follow me to my destination to make me aware. This is extremely dangerous that could lead to a wreck with the potential of bodily injury. GMC has issued a service bulletin (admitting to using faulty parts) related to this problem, however, they have limited the coverage to mileage and year. GMC should be required to issue a full recall on any vehicle impacted by this serious safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11439166

Oct 11, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW. AFTER ONE WEEK I NOTICE MY CAR JERKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP I BROUGHT IT FROM, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THATS HOW IT CHANGES GEARS FROM 4 CYLINDER TO 8 CYLINDER. SO ME BELIEVING IN THE SERVICE MANAGER, I WENT ALONG WITH HIM. WELL AFTER HAVING DIFFERENT PEOPLE RIDE WITH ME THEY ASKED ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR NEE CAR? WHY IS IT SHIFTING GEARS SO HARD. SO I TOOK IT BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP I TALK TO SAME SERVICE MANAGER THAT MY CAR IS JERKING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE . WELL LETS JUST SAY I GOT THE RUN AROUND. THEN 6 MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT BACK AND FORTH MULTIPLE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. NOW THIS TIME MY TURNING SIGNALS WE BLINKING ON AND OFF, WHENEVER I WASHED MY CAR OR IT RAINED. THEN MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS WERE DOING THE SAME THING, THEN THE BACK TAIL LIGHTS WERE GOING ON AND OFF. NOW ONTO MY HEATED AND A/C SEATS WERE NOT WORKING. THEN MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WETE STAYING ON, MONITOR DISPLAY WAS SHORTING OUT. NOW IT 2020 AND MY HOOD AND TOP OF THE CAR ARE OXIDIZING. I THOUGHT I PAID $80k FOR THIS CAR AND THIS WHAT HAPPENS!! I PARK IN THE GARAGE TOO! THERE IS ALOT MORE PROBLEMS TO ADD, BUT NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO PUT DOWN. IM DEALING WITH THE GMC HEADQUARTERS NOW. MY CAR IS A LEMON!!

NHTSA ODI 11436249

Oct 3, 2021Electrical system

The Trailer Brake System has become inoperative on my 2016 GMC Yukon. . A random, constant and repetitive Service "Trailer Brake System" warning makes constant, persistent, repetitive and abrupt dashboard visual illuminations and abrupt audio disruptions while driving. This causes constant driver distractions and the inability to hear traffic and other warnings when the chiming audio warnings go off over and over. Additionally, the Trailer brake system is not functioning and other potential issues may exist. I have learned that NHTSA and GM are aware of this specific Trailer Brake System issue but have not provided a remedy for this known Manufacturers defect with the wiring harness. These disruptions prevent our family while driving from hearing other vehicle warnings (turn signal, rear collision, lane departure, lane assist, forward collision) and I am unable to make phone calls as well during these constant disruptions and also the inability to read the digital read out of my speed during these constant disruptions.

NHTSA ODI 11435270

Jul 30, 2021Electrical systemLightsBrakes

The brake light LED panel stopped working on one side and goes out intermittently in the other side

NHTSA ODI 11427247

Jul 26, 2021Electrical system

Rear Left tail light doesn't turn on. Was stopped by police and given a verbal warning of my tail light turning off and on while driving. Now its completely dead.

NHTSA ODI 11426580

Jul 23, 2021SteeringElectrical systemEngine

This is the second time it happened the first time i parked my car while the engine was on and i got down real quick got back on my car and when i tryed turning all of a sudden my steering wheel keept turning the opposite way and parking control light appear saying it was off and it keep moving my steering wheel i all of a sudden turned my car off and back on the second time that happened i was going in a parking when it did the samething i was turning in the parking and it started turning my steering wheel the opposite way it started saying again parking control off and the system started going crazy and my car completely turned off i was left in the middle of the parking lot had tu put my car in parking and turn my car off reall quick and turned it on and was able to park but i did get really scared and been really scared to drive my car ever since because i don’t know if it will do the same thing again while driving . I have not taken it to get checked but will be making an appointment because it is a really scary situation.

NHTSA ODI 11426103

Mar 8, 2021Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE AIR CONDITION CONDENSER AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS DAMAGED AND LEAKING. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,125. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11399737

Feb 27, 2021Electrical systemLightsBrakes

I SEE ALMOST 200 COMPLAINTS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE? NOT SURE THE POINT OF THIS WEBSITE, BUT, I'M GOING TO PUT MY 2 CENTS IN. MY 2016 YUKON DENALI PASSANGER BRAKE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT, LIKE MANY, MANY OF OTHER PEOPLE. WHY ISN'T THIS A RECALL? OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. AFTER MANY VIDEOS I HAVE WATCHED I SEE THAT THE CIRCIT BOARD COMES APART AND CAN'T BE REPAIRED BUT ONLY REPLACED, AT A EXTREMLY HIGH PRICE. I'VE ALSO SEEN MANY TAIL LIGHT ON THESE YUKONS WORK OFF AND ON, SO, RANDOMLY THEY CAN NOT WORK AT ANY TIME AND POSSIBLY GET YOU REAR ENDED. HOW DO I FILE A CIVIL ACTION COMPLAINT TO HAVE GMC ADDRESS THIS COMPLAINT AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ODI 11398196

Jan 13, 2021Electrical systemBody & structure

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN SEPT 2020 MY ONSTAR MODULE FAILED. STARTED NOTICING WATER IN THE DRIVER FLOORBOARD. THE SHARK FIN ANTENNA IS LEAKING, CAUSING MAJOR ELECTRICAL FAILURES AND SHORTAGES. NO GPS, ONSTAR WON'T WORK. THESE FINS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI 11387878

Jan 2, 2021Electrical systemLights

THIRD TIME THE LED CIRCUIT BOARD LED LIGHTS ON REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS SHORTED OUT AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. GMC IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT ISSUE ON THE YUKONS AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. INDIVIDUAL BRAKELIGHT CIRCUIT BOARD OF LED BULBS CANNOT BE CHANGED OUT BECAUSE IT IS PLASTIC WELDED AND SEALED INTO THE TAIL LIGHT, COSTING $600.00 TO REPAIR EACH TIME IT SHORTS OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT KEEP HAPPENING. THERE ARE FOLKS DRIVING W/O FUNCTIONAL BRAKELIGHTS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE COST AND FREQUENCY IF REPAIR. IT IS A POORLY MADE ENGINEERING FLAW BY GM THAT DEALER ADMITS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME DUE TO MOISTURE GETTING INTO LIGHT AND SHORTING CIRCUIT BOARD. BRAKELIGHT WILL NOT WORK WHEN STATIONARY OR WHEN IN ANY MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11386172

Dec 7, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT WAS NOT HEATING UP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RHODEN GMC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO H&H CHEVROLET (4645 S 84TH ST SUITE A, OMAHA, NE 68127; (402) 339-2222) FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING AND THAT THE ANTENNA NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE REPAIR, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE NORMALLY FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. ADDITIONALLY, THE BLIND SPOT INDICATOR ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE KEYFOB WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE VEHICLE. THE RADIO SCREEN WAS ALSO OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE USING THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11378308

Sep 17, 2020Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND ON WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN. WHEN REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE TRUCKS STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF AND EVERYTHING SHUT OFF OFF THEN ON THEN OFF AND ON AGAIN. WHEN REVERSING IT DID IT TWICE MORE. TURNING TO GET OUT OF A CAR WASH CURVE IT SHUT OFF AND ON. TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY IT SHUT OFF AND ON (ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS)

NHTSA ODI 11355507

Aug 12, 2020Electrical systemLights

FAULTY TAIL LIGHTS. TAIL LIGHT DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY STAY LIT. THIS FAULTY LIGHT IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI 11348906

Jul 24, 2020Electrical system

THE PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT MONITORING SENSOR NOT WORKING BECAUSE THE SENSOR CAME DETACHED FROM REAR BUMPER FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOW IS JUST DANGLING. NEEDS TO BE WELDED BACK ON THE BUMPER.

NHTSA ODI 11341322

Jul 1, 2020Electrical systemBody & structureBrakesCrash

RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY 2016 YUKON XL, DUE TO BRAKE VACUUM PUMP FAULTY. HOWEVER MCGRATH AUTO IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IA RESOLVE TO THIS RECALL WAS TO SIMPLY REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. THIS WAS COMPLETED 12/19. BY 2/20 MY BRAKES WERE REQUIRING ME TO PUSH HARDER AND AT TIMES SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE SKIPPING AND BRAKING FELT DELAYED. I ALSO WAS HEARING A SQUEAK/CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT SEEMS THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE ENGINE AREA. DUE TO QUARANTINE I WAS NOT DRIVING OR GOING PLACES BUT ONCE OUR STATE RE-OPENED I CALLED THIS DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE BRAKE CONCERN AND SCHEDULED APPT. A DAY BEFORE APPT, WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AS I MOVED FORWARD IN A VERY SLOW CRAWL MY BRAKES FAILED ME AND I COULD NOT STOP. I BUMPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. I REPORTED THIS TO MCGRATH AS I WAS SCARED IMMENSELY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. DURING THE SERVICE APPT 6/11/20 MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. THE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED AND I WAS TOLD I WAS STILL WITHIN THE WARRANTY . HOWEVER THEY REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES AND CLAIMED TO RECALIBRATE. ON 6/25 WHILE IN COLORADO BRAKE, ABS AND CAL LIGHTS LIT UP, THE STEERING WHEEL POWER WAS GONE, TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM ILLUMINATE, (NEVER EVEN TOWED A TRAILER) CALLED MCGRATH FROM COLORADO AS I COULDN'T DRIVE MY CAR, I EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, THEIR RESOLVE WAS TO GOOGLE GMC DEALERSHIP IN AREA FOR ME. I FOUND MY OWN IN CADILLAC/GMC DEALERSHIP IN BOULDER. MY CHILDREN AND I ARE WITHOUT A VEHICLE WHILE OUT OF STATE. DEALERSHIP IN BOULDER DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE WITH FAULTY ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. I AM FURIOUS AS THEY SAY IT WILL NOT BE COVERED THROUGH WARRANTY. MY 2016 YUKON IS IN IMPECCABLE CONDITION, ISSUES ALL HAPPENED UPON RECALL WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES. MY EXPERIENCE IS EXACTLY WHAT IS BEING REPORTED BY OTHERS IMPACTED BY THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331946

Jun 22, 2020Electrical systemLights

DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT, WHEN YOU PULL THE LIGHT OUT IT STARTS TO WORK, REPLACE THE LIGHT BACK INTO THE CAR AND IT DIES AGAIN. THIS SEEM TO BE A ISSUES WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE. ITS VERY COSTLY TO HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING LED TAIL LIGHTS! *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330173

Jun 16, 2020Electrical system

2016 YUKON DENALI, BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION WITH ON 78K MILES. I CAN'T AFFORD NEW BRAKE LIGHTS AS THEY ARE MANUFACTURER ONLY AND $800 A POP. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER ANY OF THESE EXPENSES AT ANOTHER 3K, AND THE DEALER TELLS ME HEADLIGHTS, TAIL-LIGHTS ARE NOT COVERED. I SHOULD HAVE RESEARCHED BETTER, OR WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT A VEHICLE WITH ANY LED LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329164

Jun 15, 2020Electrical systemLights

REAR TAIL LIGHTS (BRAKE LIGHTS) WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A "SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT" BUT IT IS SET FOR A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF MILES OR TIME (6-YEARS). I HAVE A 2016 GMC YUKON XL. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS REPLACED IN 2018 AND NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS DEFECTIVE/INOPERABLE. BUT BECAUSE WE ARE AT 96000 THEY WON'T REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329062

Jun 15, 2020Electrical systemBrakes

RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES ON THE DASH. PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME WE HAVE A BRAKE LIGHT OUT, BUT WHEN I CHECK IT LATER IT WORKS. WAS PULLED OVER FOR INOPERABLE BRAKE LIGHT, BUT LATER THAT EVENING THE TAIL LIGHT WAS WORKING. SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF INFO ON INTERNET ABOUT A BROKEN STRIP OF METAL. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329074

May 15, 2020Electrical system

AFTER REFUELING MY YUKON, PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, THE YUKON'S RPM GAGE STARTED JUMPING UP AND UPON ACCELERATING, THE YUKON WOULD NOT MOVE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE YUKON IN 'M' GEAR AND SLOWLY DRIVE ANOTHER MILE BEFORE I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE YUKON AT ALL. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324725

May 12, 2020Electrical systemLights

REAR PASSENGER SIDE RED LED LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324332

May 11, 2020Electrical systemLights

BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS ARE OUT. THE REPLACEMENT FOR THESE ARE OVER 800.00 AND GM HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS. PLEASE HELP, AS I CANNOT GET MY CAR INSPECTED WITH THE LIGHTS BEING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324158

Mar 4, 2020Electrical system

PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH GM. THERE IS POOR MANUFACTURING WHICH HAS CAUSED THIS CHRONIC FAILURE. CAN NOT REPLACE THE BULB, YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA ODI 11316014

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Working with the data? Download all 497 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500 verdict →