I have repair the trailer brake system warning light prior. Now again this faulty wiring module is constantly dinging and flashing warning messages while driving. It's very distracting and irrelevant considering I not towing anything. It covers the speedometer and is a complete nuisance.
2016 GMC Yukon XL brakes problems
41 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 58,000. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 41
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 58,000
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
GMC Yukon XL brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 GMC Yukon XL brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related 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
What 2016 GMC Yukon XL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Driving back from Las Vegas for a family trip, traffic was heavy, a lot of stop-and go. I started to feel the brakes delay to stop. After a few minutes I was able to pick up a little speed and again traffic was built up. This time the brakes failed and got stiff. I had to slam on the brakes and practically stand up on the brakes in order for the car to stop. I barely avoided wrecking into the car in front of me. I was a few hours away from home and had to drive all the way with this problem. When I got home I took it in to the nearest dealer shop to get the brakes checked . I looked online and found out about the recall on the brakes.
I was driving and n the freeway around 70 miles and " TRAILER Brake SERVICE" message appears on the dash board screen We don't pulling nothing on that time and normally we don't use this car for pulling, the other message appears several times is very frustrating. I am the guy in charge for this vehicle.
Truck keeps saying to service trailer braking system and won't start.
2016 Yukon XL ~ 90,000 miles. This is the second time I get a low speed braking failure when trying to park, followed immediately by a "Brake Assist Malfunction" warning on the dashboard. Both failures have occurred after a long distance travel. The last one being from Detroit to Chicago on 7/30/22. The failure consisted on the SUV not stopping after I had applied the brake pedal at full when backing up for a parallel parking on a street in Chicago. Same happened after I drove forward almost hitting the car in front of me. The SUV continued moving for about a foot on both situations. Before this incident, similar situation happened on a trip from Detroit to Cleveland on March 2022. The SUV continued to move fwd after I had applied the brakes. In this occasion, I was on a ramp down getting into a parking garage. The SUV did not stop for an approximately a foot as well, and again almost hitting the car in front of me.
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.
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.
Both brake lamp assemblies are non-op, no warning in dash and no fuses. GMC #SCA N182180270 stating that 2015 and 2016 Yukon. Extended warranty to 6 years or 72,000 miles. We are out of warranty as of last month. $2,500 to replace the tail lamp assemblies. No letter was sent to owners regarding this safety hazard. This should be a RECALL
The engine mounted mechanical vacuum pump output may decrease over time decreasing the amount of vacuum/ power brake assist. And the driverside brake stop light was defective. .me and my wife were scared and shook up. .yes. Dealership. .dealership. No. .
The brake light LED panel stopped working on one side and goes out intermittently in the other side
Questions about the 2016 GMC Yukon XL brakes
Does the 2016 GMC Yukon XL have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 GMC Yukon XL, 20% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Yukon XL brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 58,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 GMC Yukon XL brakes?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the GMC Yukon XL have bad brakes?
The GMC Yukon XL model years with the most brakes complaints are 2001 (70 complaints), 2015 (64 complaints) and 2016 (41 complaints).
Other 2016 GMC Yukon XL problems
Lights 84Transmission 33Electrical 30Engine 29Steering 9Suspension 9Body 7Fuel system 5Acceleration 4Airbags 3Driver assistance 2Seat belts 1Seats 1
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