Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2016 GMC Yukon: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Yukon years.
1,486 owner complaints, most about exterior lighting. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Yukon?The 2016 GMC Yukon has 1486 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are exterior lighting and service brakes. Owners most often flag active fuel management (afm/dod) system failure: lifter failure leading to destroyed camshafts and engine damage in 5.3l and 6.2l v8s (2015-2024+ models).
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 GMC Yukon vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Yukon years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Yukon?
Across the 30 Yukon model years we track, complaint volume runs from 81 (1998) to 2,971 (2015). With 1,486 complaints, the 2016 Yukon sits above the model's median of 506.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Yukon
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Campaign 19V645000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring
Campaign 19V761000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 16V651000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 17V437000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Show 1 more recall
suspension:front:control arm
Campaign 16V256000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and model year, with a clear distinction between older and newer vehicles.
- Very frequentActive Fuel Management (AFM/DOD) system failure
Lifter failure leading to destroyed camshafts and engine damage in 5.3L and 6.2L V8s (2015-2024+ models).
Owner insights cover all generations of the Yukon. See the full Yukon owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Yukon listings typically run $23,850–$49,168.
Other Yukon model years
Compare every Yukon year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Yukon against its rivals
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