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2016 GMC Yukon Denali Xl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali Xl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Compare all Yukon Denali Xl years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 5 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

6 reports
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44,000 miles · Mar 1, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I WAS ON THE RAMP GOING APPROX. 45-50 MPH ACCELERATING TO BE ABLE TO TURN ONTO THE 70 MPH HIGHWAY WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS LIKE A GUN WENT OFF IN MY VEHICLE. IT SCARED ME TO DEATH AS GLASS WAS FALLING ON ME. I SHUT THE INSIDE PROTECTOR AND LOOKED AROUND AND THERE WERE NO PEOPLE, TRUCKS, CARS OR OVERPASS AROUND. THERE IS …

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I WAS ON THE RAMP GOING APPROX. 45-50 MPH ACCELERATING TO BE ABLE TO TURN ONTO THE 70 MPH HIGHWAY WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS LIKE A GUN WENT OFF IN MY VEHICLE. IT SCARED ME TO DEATH AS GLASS WAS FALLING ON ME. I SHUT THE INSIDE PROTECTOR AND LOOKED AROUND AND THERE WERE NO PEOPLE, TRUCKS, CARS OR OVERPASS AROUND. THERE IS GLASS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE PIECES CONTINUED TO FALL THE REST OF MY TRIP. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AND THE GUY SAID HE NEVER HEARD OF IT. GMC HEADQUARTERS WAS NO HELP EITHER. I HAVE READ THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11183575

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2018
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IT'S MOSTLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUT HE BOTH GO ON AND OFF WHEN I'M DRIVING AND PARKED. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO GET REAR ENDED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I HAVE SEEN MANY VEHICLE JUST LIKE MINE WITH AT LEAST ONE BRAKE LIGHT OUT. WHEN HE LOOKED T…

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THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IT'S MOSTLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUT HE BOTH GO ON AND OFF WHEN I'M DRIVING AND PARKED. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO GET REAR ENDED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I HAVE SEEN MANY VEHICLE JUST LIKE MINE WITH AT LEAST ONE BRAKE LIGHT OUT. WHEN HE LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE. MY SISTER HAS THE EXACT SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. SHE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME BRAKE LIGHT ISSUES. SHE OPENED A CASE WITH GM AND THEY WORKED WITH HER TO COVER IT AND CHARGED HER THE DEDUCTIBLE. SHE WAS OVER THE 36K MILES GM CONSTANTLY REFERENCES. THIS IS SO UNSAFE. THE AIR ON THIS VEHICLE ALSO DOES LOT STAY COLD. IT TURNS WARM WHEN I SLOW DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11123487

23,500 miles · Jul 17, 2018
Unknown Or OtherCrash

FROM PARK ON A FLAT GROUND WITH ENGINE RUNNING WNEN I TRIED TO STOP THE ENGINE IT WENT INT REVERSE ,KNOCKED ME TO GROUND BY DRIVER OPEN DOOR ANDALMOCT KILLEDME. IT WAS TOTALLED BY USAA

NHTSA ODI #11111991

28,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASED A 2016 YUKON DENALI BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER IN OCTOBER 2016. SINCE THIS TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS DUE TO FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR NOT BEING FULLY ALIGNED WITH THE FRONT FENDER. THIS ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED AS THEY SAID IT WOULD "MOST LIKELY MESS THE VEHICLE UP FURTHER". IN FEBRU…

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I PURCHASED A 2016 YUKON DENALI BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER IN OCTOBER 2016. SINCE THIS TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS DUE TO FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR NOT BEING FULLY ALIGNED WITH THE FRONT FENDER. THIS ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED AS THEY SAID IT WOULD "MOST LIKELY MESS THE VEHICLE UP FURTHER". IN FEBRUARY OF 2017 MY YUKON WENT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE INVOLVING THE POWER RUNNING BOARDS NOT DEPLOYING AND CONTROL PANEL NOT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTROL PANEL WAS BLAMED ON A SOFTWARE UPDATE. WHILE AT THE DEALER THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT "GM PUT OUT THIS SOFTWARE TOO EARLY". IN MAY 2017 THE REAR DVD PLAYER WENT BLANK AND STOPPED WORKING. THESE TWO ISSUES WERE BOTH COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IN NOVEMBER 2017 THE RADIO STARTED TO "FREEZE" AND WOULDN'T CHANGE CHANNELS. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE ISSUE AND I NEEDED A NEW HMI ($500) AND WILL NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY AS I NOW HAVE 40,000 MILES. IN DECEMBER 2017 MY YUKON WENT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DUE TO AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE. AFTER REVIEWING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. APPARENTLY, THERE WAS A SPECIAL BULLETIN THE CONSUMER ISN'T AWARE OF UNTIL IT BREAKS, SO IT WAS ALSO COVERED; HOWEVER THE BLOWER MOTOR ($377) THAT BROKE DUE TO THIS ISSUE WASN'T COVERED. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH A SUPERVISOR. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO DUE TO MY YUKON BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WHEN THEY BUILD THESE VEHICLES "THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG PARTS WILL LAST". IN MY OPINION THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ESPECIALLY FOR A $75,000 + VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 2 YEARS REMOVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE OWNED 3 GM PRODUCTS (TAHOE, YUKON, AND NOW THIS VEHICLE) AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT.

NHTSA ODI #11058204

30,000 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Unknown Or Other

MY 2016 GMC YUKON XL DENALI'S AIR CONDITIONER STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR AFTER APPROX. 30,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT I NEED A NEW AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER AND THAT THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. BASED ON MY ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH GMC, CHEVY AND CADILLAC SUV'S/TRUCKS, SO WA…

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MY 2016 GMC YUKON XL DENALI'S AIR CONDITIONER STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR AFTER APPROX. 30,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT I NEED A NEW AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER AND THAT THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. BASED ON MY ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH GMC, CHEVY AND CADILLAC SUV'S/TRUCKS, SO WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT MY COMPLAINT WAS ALSO LOGGED WITH THE MANY OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI #10993747

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2017
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE IS "BOOMING" AND HAS SEVERE "PRESSURE" IN THE CABIN AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 38-45MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A VERY ROUGH IDLE WHILE STOPPED IN DRIVE AND A SEVER VIBRATION AT THE SAME SPEEDS LISTED ABOVE. THE CABIN PRESSURE IS CAUSING HEADACHES FOR MY CHILDREN AS WELL AS NAUSEA. I AM PERSONALLY HAVING TO CLEAR THE PRES…

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VEHICLE IS "BOOMING" AND HAS SEVERE "PRESSURE" IN THE CABIN AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 38-45MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A VERY ROUGH IDLE WHILE STOPPED IN DRIVE AND A SEVER VIBRATION AT THE SAME SPEEDS LISTED ABOVE. THE CABIN PRESSURE IS CAUSING HEADACHES FOR MY CHILDREN AS WELL AS NAUSEA. I AM PERSONALLY HAVING TO CLEAR THE PRESSURE FROM MY EARS ABOUT EVERY 5 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10954276

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE18012 · Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

Opened Nov 20, 2018 · Closed Apr 10, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Service Brakes

On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.