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

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the contact was notified by another driver that the rear taillights were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11638321

Both driver and passenger tail light/ brake light assemblies have failed. They started intermittently going out and then failed all together. There is a VERY common issue with these lights. They have been replaced at an approximate cost of $650.00 per light.

NHTSA ODI 11594367

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the taillights needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under Special Coverage Adjustment: N182180270 (Tail Lamps Inoperative). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11577149

The rear taillights both went out due to a design issue with the LED circuit board - where the connections on the board crack and cause the lights to fail

NHTSA ODI 11541832

The OEM LED taillights can fail due to a manufacturing deficiency. A metal strip that connects the LED's to the cars taillight circuit develops a crack and interrupts current flow to the taillight LED's. The above is common knowledge to the car community and is searchable on line. Concerns: 1) If both taillights are failed at the same time the vehicle doesn't have any of the required visible markings, especially at night. 2) From an economic point of view, unlike vehicles that use incandescent light bulbs that are easily replaced when burnt out, these LED light assemblies have to be completely replaced to the cost of several hundred dollars plus labor which could/will lead to the neglecting of this repair because of the economics. 3) Unlike incandescent bulbs, LED's are should last much longer to the point of outlasting the life of the vehicle. This isn't the case when there is a manufacturing defect. In my case on 10/21/21 the defective taillight assemblies was replace under a defective taillight extended warranty agreement. I requested to have both replaced because of the odds of the second one failing. They refused. So when the opposite side assembly failed recently i was out of the extended warrant date resulting in a cost to me of $392.88 labor included. In conclusion, The well documented failure of the above taillight assemblies leads to vehicles being non conforming to FMVSS.

NHTSA ODI 11537878

Passenger taillight goes out. Replaced it twice now and now I have to do it again a 3rd time. They know of this issue but have done nothing to fix it or offer anything to help cover cost

NHTSA ODI 11521929

There is a special policy to replace faulty tail lamps. However, the policy is only extended through 72,000 miles or 5 years which is ridiculous, and should be a recall. I had my drivers side tail lamp replaced in February 2022 because it was not working. I wasn’t aware of the mileage and year restrictions at that time. Fast forward to today, I have my passenger side tail lamp intermittently working. Now out of the specific time frame, I’m left to encounter this expense out of my own pocket. Clearly GM is aware of the problem, but has not issued a recall on the tail lamp issue. It’s not just a burned out brake light, but apparently an electrical issue with the way they were initially wired. This is a very dangerous situation, as I have no idea if and when my brake light is out. God forbid if they were to go out and I were to be rear ended due to GMs lack of taking responsibility.

NHTSA ODI 11511723

Both rail lights went out at the same time. No reason whatsoever

NHTSA ODI 11504571

The taillights, which included both the brake lights and running lights, quit working or only worked intermittently. Safety was put at risk because anytime we drove the vehicle in the dark (which is often!) the rear of the vehicle could not be seen, and the brake lights would not be activated when braking would occur, either day or night. This made us more likely to be in an accident, in my opinion, though thankfully we were not. Our regular mechanic did confirm that the lights were only working only intermittently, thought he did not have a solution but for replacing them, which would cost $800 a piece. There was no warning for this problem, the issue first appeared a year ago and we've been dealing with it since. I was finally able to purchase remanufactured taillights.

NHTSA ODI 11487200

r rear taillight and brake light does not work and no indicator light to warn me. Do not know how long its been out. Afraid to drive. Had it checked and found special policy n182180270 . I contacted dealer and they said it would be $69.00 to just verify issue. contacted manufacture and was told it was out of coverage by less than 100 days. The vehicle has less than 40,000 miles and stays in garage. Case # 9-8269822 they said it had to be inspected by dealer that is a 40 mile round trip though traffic with no brake light , not safe especially when the instructions on the policy states just to turn light on and verify if it works ,if not replace unit.

NHTSA ODI 11482352

Left tail light flickers, after reading internet comments learned that tail light board connections are made of very flimsy metal material, they crack with normal vehicle operations. LED lamps are fine but the power connections to the lamps breaks therefore it renders taillights useless. Replacement cost of those lamps are $700-$800 parts alone. On the internet there is some information I’ll attach that pdf

NHTSA ODI 11478375

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that she was notified by a police officer that the passenger’s side taillight was inoperable. Additionally, the driver’s side taillight was flashing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11474992

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. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 32,022.

NHTSA ODI 11474781

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he was notified by other motorists that the brake lights were inoperable. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the brake lights were intermittently inoperable while depressing the brake pedal. The dealer was notified about the failure and scheduled an appointment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA ODI 11474782

Passage tail, brake light works when it want. One day it work the next day it don’t! I’m scared that I will get pulled by the police or somebody hit me in the back.

NHTSA ODI 11472979

TAIL LIGHTS/BRAKE LIGHTS /SIGNAL LIGHTS GO ON AND GO OFF DANGER OF BEING HIT FROM THE REAR DEALER AND INDEPENDENT SERVICE HAS CONFIRMED DEFECT AND SAY IT IS COMMON VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BE THE POLICE OR INSURANCE THERE WAS NO WARNING LAMPS OR MESSAGES FIRST DISCOVER 2 YEARS AGO WHEN DRIVERS WOULD PULL UP AND SAY THE LIGHTS WERE OUT......WE WOULD STOP AND LOOK THEY WOULD COME BACK ON

NHTSA ODI 11468722

The passenger brake light intermittently stops working.

NHTSA ODI 11468237

My issue pertains to a known problem. The driver's side tail light has failed. GM issued Special Coverage Adjustment N182180270 because of this issue where the part was covered for up to 6 years or 72k miles. Mine failed after 6 years and 4 or 5 months at 66k miles. It's utterly ridiculous that a defective, $800 light is fine to break after 6 years with no warranty assistance.

NHTSA ODI 11467777

The driver’s side brake light assembly failure of no brake light when brake is applied. It can be inspected upon request. This may cause another driver to not notice intentions to stop or slowdown and cause an accident. This problem is constant. It has not been inspected. No warnings of the failure has been displayed.

NHTSA ODI 11467261

The drivers side rear brake lights stopped working. GM did a warranty extension ( that admits an issue).but ours just expired.. this is an $800 to $1000 repair that owners should NOT have to pay.. GM refuses to cover this expense. This is an absolute SAFTEY ISSUE. Of course, any law enforcement officer will agree as they will write a safety violation ticket (as they should) I understand that owners are responsible for all maintenance of their vehicles, but this issue is a flaw in design. Most owners ( like us) can’t afford to pay this outrageous price for a simple break light replacement. As the entity of government that oversees the manufacture of these vehicles, there MUST be a safety recall!! Honestly, I am disappointed that no safety recall hasn’t been ordered for this issue. This problem is going to result in many many rear end accidents. Please fix this and save lives. Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

NHTSA ODI 11467289

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the driver behind her notified her that the brake lights were inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with brake light failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

NHTSA ODI 11463864

Last month the passenger tail light stopped working. We took it out not realizing that you have to replace the entire unit. So we put the tail light back in and it magically started working again. Then yesterday the driver's side tail light stopped working, so we did the same. Took it out, waited and put it back (since we know we can't just run to the store and get a new one), except this time it didn't start working. I know there's a recall on the tail lights but I can't seem to find anyone to help me. The vehicle is only 6 years old and the tail lights at $800 each, should last a lot longer than that!

NHTSA ODI 11457246

Both brake/tail lights intermittently not functioning.

NHTSA ODI 11449795

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

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