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)

9 of 497 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters

Feb 11, 2026Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

My vehicle has been in 16 times since I bought it the most recent incident is for the engine which started about six months ago. It’s been in since then for other issues concurrently with this one it hesitates like it’s getting stuck in sand before it wants to go first the mechanic told me he didn’t sense it but the thermostat was stuck open so they fix that. Second time it went in they thought it was some sort of a filter and some other components I’m not sure. Again it was not fixed then my son and I were out in Minnesota freezing cold night in November and go and drive and then when again it was the drive train this time that got fixed a month ago about a week ago it starts making a noise like there’s too much snow in the tires. I get my car washed every few days but I got it washed again and that didn’t fix it so it’s in the shop again and I’m paying for a rental again. I have the Walser guard thank the Lord because it’s paid for itself about 15 times over. I’ve gotten two transmissions, an air conditioner, two sensors the arm that other people have complained about I don’t know exactly the name of it the trailer component that you plug into also blew out my seven way and I had to have my seven way wire fixed so I’m nervous about plugging that back in. My dad passed away and I spent $70,000 of my inheritance by this car. I should’ve flushed it down a toilet instead. Everybody makes fun at work that this car is literally gonna kill my kids and I because every other day it feels like we’re stuck on the side of the road.

NHTSA ODI 11717371

Jan 19, 2026Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

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 ODI 11711810

May 6, 2025Electrical systemBrakesFuel system

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

NHTSA ODI 11659194

Feb 1, 2025EngineFuel system

After leaving a car wash on 12/19/22, the engine began sputtering and did not seem to be able to get any gas. After pressing gas pedal, the vehicle slowly moved forward, but was shifting hard. Pulled over in gas station parking lot and turned vehicle off. Checked Engine. Vehicle would not restart. Vehicle was towed to dealership. They uncovered a broken valve spring, which also caused the catalytic converters to fail. Total bill was over $7500

NHTSA ODI 11640077

Sep 4, 2022EngineFuel system

The Active Fuel Management System caused excessive wear and tear on the engine, causing the lifters, push rods and valves to be damaged, while under normal operation and regular maintenance intervals. The damage caused, by this failure resulted in the yukon breaking down in the middle of the highway. Every shop/dealership we called all said the samething, this has been a common problem with vehicles equipped with this type of system and the only fix is to replace the motor. Luckily traffic was light that day or things could have been worse. Its dangerous enough to get stranded in the middle of the highway with no way to move the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11482797

Aug 12, 2022EngineFuel system

The fuel injectors have gone out on our vehicle. While driving the vehicle, the check engine began blinking and our vehicle went into limp mode- could feel the engine misfiring and the vehicle was shaking. We had a family of five and two dogs in the vehicle and were lucky to be in cell service. A message popped up on our dash stating “engine power reduced.” The local dealership confirmed it is a fuel injector issue. GMC has a current recall In place, however it only includes certain states.

NHTSA ODI 11479061

Nov 3, 2020EngineFuel system

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. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CHANGED THE GASKETS AND THE LINES WHEN FIXING THE INJECTORS. IT'S A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WITH DIRECT INJECTORS.

NHTSA ODI 11372901

Jun 16, 2020Fuel system

YUKON HAS 27,855 MILES ON IT AND THE FUEL INJECTORS HAVE GONE BAD AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IDLES ROUGH AND WHEN ACCELERATING THE YUKON JOLTS. COST IS $2,200 DEALER IN CHANTILLY VA. CHECK ENGINE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRES BASED ON DEALER'S DIAGNOSTIC. NO WARRANTY TO COVER THE VEHICLE. OTHER COMPLAINTS OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYSTEMATIC FAILURES OF THE FUEL INJECTORS AND THERE IS BACK LOG FOR THE PART. NOT SURE HOW A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE FUEL INJECTORS WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. OTHERWISE THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329246

Nov 18, 2018Fuel system

VERY STRONG SMELL OF A GAS LEAK ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NO MATTER THE FUEL LEVEL, RUNNING OR STOPPED FOR HOURS.

NHTSA ODI 11152257

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 →