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

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

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while reversing, his wife noticed that the driver’s side brake light was not illuminating. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,425.

NHTSA ODI 11433573

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

NHTSA ODI 11427247

Passenger side brake light not working. Bulb replacement not available to purchase and you have to take to dealership for $800 plus repair. 72k miles on vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11424386

GM issues a specials service campaign N182180270 Tail lights Inoperative, goes to 72000 miles the subject vehicle has 75000. Both rear tail brake lights do not work and the third brake light.

NHTSA ODI 11422944

GMC has a bulletin “recall” that stated that the tail lights of their vehicles were not illuminating on vehicles. In 2019 we took our vehicle in to have the defect covered because our passenger tail light stopped working. We are now having the same issue with our driver light but they are stating that the recall only covered one light with knowledge that both lights are defective. Only one light was replaced. They also had a recall on a defective air compressor that we paid $580 for but because of mileage it was not covered. I spoke with a rep by the name of Angellica in the complaint department that confirmed that the letters regarding the air compressors were sent in November of 2017 and I did not receive that notice during that time. I purchased the vehicle in April of 2017. If any part of a vehicle is defective, or poorly made coverage should not end and defective parts should be replaced. We are looking to be reimbursed for repairs and coverage provided for the second light on our vehicle. GM refuses to resolve this issue and is placing my family in danger with defective parts on this vehicle. I am looking for this to be resolved as soon as possible. This is poor business and the quality of this vehicle that is 5 years old is poor. Attached you will see the invoice from the dealer states that the wiring is bad but coverage was expired due to mileage. If defective parts are in a vehicle there should not be a limitation on getting them replaced. GM made this mistake and it needs to be corrected.

NHTSA ODI 11422149

My 2016 Yukon Denali passenger brake light has stopped working. I see there are many other complaints identifying the same issue - question why hasn't GMC issued a recall for a known problem. With the circuit board breaking this is obviously a manufacturing issue that needs to be addressed and is most definitely a safety issue and increases the odds of being rear-ended as a result of inoperative brake lights. Fortunately I had a stranger stop me in a store parking lot to let me know the brake light was out. The repair is $800 at the dealer!

NHTSA ODI 11421416

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the passenger’s side taillight was inoperable. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000

NHTSA ODI 11418877

REAR TAIL LIGHTS INOPERABLE AND BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING. WHEN I ASKED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM THEY SAID GM HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES SINCE THEY NEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THEM EXTENDING THE WARRANTY. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANY REAR LIGHTS WORKING WHICH IS EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI 11416026

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

BRAKE LIGHTS CUTS ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING AND THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IS OFF ON MY 2016 VEHICLE ALSO WHEN STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL SOMETIMES GOES TO FLOOR VEHICLE HARD TO STOP A FOR SURE DANGEROUS SITUATION

NHTSA ODI 11390559

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

THE REAR LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS OUTSIDE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG THE 2016 GMC YUKON'S AND I DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR THAT I HAVE TO COVER THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11384672

I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT DUE TO GOING OUT AND NOW THE LEFT ONE HAS WENT OUT. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE LIGHTS. THEY ARE FAULTY AND NEED TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11365650

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PATRIOT BUICK GMC HYUNDAI (2001 SE WASHINGTON BLVD, BARTLESVILLE, OK 74006, (918) 347-4045) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MEET THE MILEAGE QUALIFICATION FOR THE SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11364179

THE REAR TAIL LAMPS SPORADICALLY WOULD LIGHT UP WITH DRIVING LIGHTS FOR AWHILE, BUT COULD NEVER GET FAILURE TO SHOW UP FOR DEALER DIAGNOSIS. FINALLY LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY EXCEPT FOR SIDE MARKER. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK, CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. DEALER WAS THEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSIS AND FOUND SHORT IN LED LIGHT CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLIES HAS GONE BAD AND BOTH LIGHTS WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. LAMPS WERE REPLACED UNDER 80/20 WARRANTY OFFER. TOTAL OUT OF POCKET COST TO ME/CONSUMER: $492.75. I FEEL THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE ON NEWER MODEL VEHICLE AND LIGHTS SERVICE LIFE SHOULD BE MUCH LONGER THAN 4 YEARS. ESPECIALLY SINCE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE FOR 4 WEEKS BECAUSE OF CONCERN WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO REAR LIGHTS AT DARK AND CHANCE OF BEING STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC INFRACTION.

NHTSA ODI 11361084

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHICH SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED IN REGARDS TO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COVERT BUICK GMC (11750 RESEARCH BLVD, STE D, AUSTIN, TX 78759, (512) 371-6075) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURES OR ISSUES FOUND WITH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE DEALER DISREGARDED THE LETTER AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ISSUE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HER CUSTODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FORMER DIAGNOSIS WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME DEALER DECLINED THE PURCHASE OF THE PART NEEDED TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,655.

NHTSA ODI 11353750

THE LED BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING DUE TO FAULTY CIRCUIT.

NHTSA ODI 11351915

RIGHT REAR LED TAILLIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING. NOT SURE WHY IT WORKS AT TIMES, AND NOT AT OTHER TIMES, BUT WHEN THE TAILLIGHT IS NOT WORKING NEITHER IS THAT BRAKE LIGHT. THIS STARTED ABOUT AUGUST 1, 2020.

NHTSA ODI 11350189

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

NHTSA ODI 11348906

BOTH SIDES BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY THEN COME BACK ON AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331234

PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR ISSUE AND WAS WORKING WHEN DEALER CHECKED IT. 90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE SO WELL OUT OF WARRANTY. DROVE HOME FROM DEALER... STOPPED WORKING ON WAY HOME. STARTED WORKING NEXT DAY. PART IS $600-800 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I DON'T CONSIDER A CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CRACKS IN THE SAME PLACE ON MANY SAME MODEL VEHICLES (AS PER INTERNET FORUMS) TO BE "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". GM WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. BRAKE LIGHT IS A SERIES OF LEDS ON A THINLY PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331163

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

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

TAILLIGHT ON DRIVERS SIDE GOES OUT. IT'S BEEN AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE AS IT COMES ON AND GOES OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328089