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

Experienced tapping noise front right passenger side, took vehicle to Firestone diagnosed the problem - the vehicle was confirmed to have 2 broken exhaust manifold studs in the cylinder head. Mileage 85.407- This vehicle has never been used to tow anything.

NHTSA ODI 11453727

The largest issue was today, 2/22/2022, when I was driving doing 56 miles per hour it felt like it wouldn't accelerate. Then all of a sudden, the wheel kind of jerked right and the car shifted down all on it's own and I was doing 25 mph. The check engine light came on immediately after the violent jerking happened. I was on a 4 lane highway and had to immediately pull over onto the shoulder. It was jerking forward and back as I was trying to pull over on a freeway where the speed limit is 70 mph!!! I had my 80-year-old mother in the car with me. AND YES!! It put us both at great risk! I had to call a tow truck and they towed it to a dealership 9.8 miles away. When I talked to the Assistant Manager, he said that there were 3 other GMC Yukon 2016 that had come in today - ALL WERE 2016 GMC YUKON MODELS WITH 125K MILES. My GMC has 124,700 MILES all with Transmission problems. This can't be an anomaly. So I got online and there are many, many complaints about this transmission. As a matter of fact, it appears in 2019 there was a Class Action Lawsuit about this very thing. I will not know until tomorrow for sure what the issue is - because the dealership could not get to it today. However, something significant happened. As a side note, recently I had an electrical problem where sensors, etc are all saying need to be serviced and none of them are working. I had appt today at 10:30 am to have them check this. On the way there, the violent jerking and sudden downshift and check engine light came on. I was scared to death and so I pulled over and called a tow truck. The dealership did not tell me this is a common issue, nor was I aware. The dealership told me if it is in fact the transmission - cost is $6,000!!! I need someone to contact me to discuss this. Thank you, [XXX]phone - [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11453520

After sitting outside over night, the back door latch failed. No lights came on ahead of time and there was no other warnings on the dash. There were 22 boxes of flooring in the trunk. I made it 1.3 miles down the road at a low speed. After sitting at a stop light I turned left and accelerated to 45mph. The hatch opened and the boxes of flooring began falling out and onto the road. Each box weighed approximately 35 lbs. Luckily there was no one directly behind me and they mostly hit a trailer I was pulling. Other than the flooring there doesn't appear to be any further damage. I suspect there was ice in the latch, but that's just a guess.

NHTSA ODI 11451916

Both brake/tail lights intermittently not functioning.

NHTSA ODI 11449795

The trailer break service light is coming on. There is not a way to dismiss the sound and comes on every few seconds, it's very distracting a HUGE safety risk. I have contacted GMC Valencia California and they have have several vehicles with the same issue / hazard. This has apparently been going on for years yet GMC refuses to put a recall on the vehicles nor take action on correcting this on this critical issue. This is very upsetting and with all the complaints / concerns it appears nobody cares for the lives this defective issue could cause, especially when towing. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11448620

Radiator is leaking antifreeze because of excessive thermocycles within the cooling system caused by excessive cycling of the thermostat. Vehicle leaking antifreeze causing environmental hazards and possible overheating causing vehicle to shut off. GM knows about this and posted a service bulletin but will not repair when out of warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11448022

The paint is bad on the hood and top of the vehicle. It has been a year since it started.

NHTSA ODI 11446717

THE ENGINE MOUNTED MECHANICAL VACUUM PUMP OUTPUT MAY DECREASE OVER TIME DECREASING THE AMOUNT OF VACUUM/ POWER BRAKE ASSIST. AND THE DRIVERSIDE BRAKE STOP LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE. .ME AND MY WIFE WERE SCARED AND SHOOK UP. .YES. DEALERSHIP. .DEALERSHIP. NO. .

NHTSA ODI 11446035

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the brake pedal was hard to depress and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal needed to be pumped in order for the vehicle to be operated. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake line needed to be flushed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was undetermined. The contact mentioned while the mechanic was reversing the vehicle the brakes failed to operate causing the vehicle to crash into a person and a vehicle. The contact stated that the lady sustained multiple injuries that needed medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where they informed the contact that the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 54,000.

NHTSA ODI 11445404

Driver side, rear lighting fixture not working. All lights for brakes, reverse, do not work. I had to replace the entire light assembly on the Passenger side previously.

NHTSA ODI 11444872

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM gauge was high, and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to her residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure could be related to the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the next available appointment was in January 2022. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11442797

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

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

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

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

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

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 contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The cause of the failure was not determined. Also, the driver and passenger side retractable running boards would erroneously retract back and forth while driving, and on several occasions, while attempting to exit the vehicle the running board remained retracted causing the driver to fall to the ground and causing injuries to the driver's legs. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11433095

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

NHTSA ODI 11427247

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

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

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

A/C Condensing Unit leaking. Appears to Leak from small tack weld on the top area of the condensing unit. All of the R134 went out and left with no A/C. Seems to be a common problem and ignored by GMC.

NHTSA ODI 11423518

Vacuum pump loses vacuum, and the brakes are very hard. Occurs when sitting still with the brake applied. Also occurs in reverse at low speeds. My wife refuses to drive her car, due to numerous near fender benders.

NHTSA ODI 11423528

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