The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, the engine had failed on three separate occasions. The contact stated that prior to each failure, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the last two failures. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic after each failure, and the engine was replaced twice. Recently, the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the engine. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 74,000.
The worst 2016 GMC Yukon Denali problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Lights7
- Transmission4
- Electrical3
- Steering3
- Airbags1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Lights7
- Transmission4
- Electrical3
- Steering3
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Engine1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
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 the federal safety agency 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 under the identification numbers in the attached document.
PE18012
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali 549
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Unknown or other
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- Unknown or other
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- This PI advises dealers to inspect for a missing pump gasket if the vehicle exhibits no movement following...
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Unknown or other
What 2016 GMC Yukon Denali owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping between gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer replaced the transmission fluid twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission wiring harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Gps is not working. Antenna
At less than 3 years old and 60k miles, the following has occurred at different times up until now: overall electrical malfunction including display illumination failure (display goes completely black and/or dim while driving - cannot see speedometer etc. This has happened multiple times while driving on both the highway and surface streets, including daytime and nighttime), audio/entertainment system glitches (radio volume changes to and gets stuck randomly on highest volume setting (was never even set to this level) while driving, causing sudden distraction/disruption), tail light malfunction (intermittently stops working both left and right sides), and now the motor to the sunroof has died (occurred while driving and at a moment when it was necessary to close for safety on the highway.) the transmission is defective (for the second time - off shifts and downshifts unexpectedly while driving at both lower and higher speeds. Has happened on the highway requiring me to pull over and restart the vehicle.) these incidents have been occurring for the past several months, but because they have been intermittent it has been hard to pinpoint when to bring in to the dealership for inspection.
I have only owned this car since 3/29/19 and several times now my yukon's check engine light has came on after the transmission bucks, jumps or jerks hard, not sure what to call it but it bucked or shoved my car forward when trying to slow down or stop (not pressing gas pedal). This could be dangerous as it interferes with trying to stop the vehicle. It was such a hard jolt that it for a minute I thought another car rear ended me. This has happened at least twice after I pressed the brake to begin slowing down as I was preparing to pull into a parking lot, I was probably going around 20mph. It also happened twice while accelerating onto a road, probably going 35 MPH and just felt a jolt like something kicked my car forward suddenly. I've been told that the jerking problem is related to issues with the transmission, possibly the torque converter and causes gears not to function properly. I'm going to put in my most recent date that this happened on your form but it's happened more than once.
Brake lights out. !! First was driver side now both sides !! Dealership says modules need to be replaced and no long have warranty coverage . It was 3 yr /30,00 !! I'm just 38,000 and just past 3 yrs !! Absolutely ridiculous $1,500.00 for each sides just for the parts !! Unbelievable!! That's not included time and labor. !! So very angry!! No recall on this but in my finding, I am hearing this is an on going problem.
My passenger taillight has gone out. The gmc dealer has said they have had three instances this week alone. They can repair it and must be replaced the taillights are defective and need to be recalled.
We were traveling in our yukon when all power was lost to the vehicle. The steering wheel lock function enabled before we were stopped. Since there was no power and it is push button start, there was no way to control the vehicle. Our dealer said to their knowledge there is no way to unlock the wheel. Luckily our children were not in the vehicle and no one was injured. The dealer said the negative battery cable is fully intact, but had failed internally. What is more concerning is the fact there is no way to unlock the wheel to steer if this happens. Even at 65 MPH.
While entering parking lot of a walmart store, the front sensors did not show an object (while in blind area of windshield and door post). Driver hit concrete base of street light in parking lot going about 10 miles per hour in speed. Air bags did not deploy nor did seat belt tighten to restrain driver. Driver's body was thrown into the steering wheel with right arm taking the full impact. Driver suffers a broken sternum, torn bicep tendon, severely dislocated right shoulder, torn rotator cuff tendons, torn muscle fibers from elbow, broken wrist and torn tendons on back of hand.
Compare the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali
Other model years
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Questions about the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali
Is the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali reliable?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali, fewer than a typical Yukon Denali model year.
What is the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali year score?
The 2016 GMC Yukon Denali scores 88 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Yukon Denali: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali?
Lights, with 7 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles. Next is transmission (4).
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali have?
No recalls on record.
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