2016 GMC Yukon XL: check engine light

Filed Jan 25, 2026 · Engine · CO

Driving after dark on a main street in St George Utah, the engine suddenly surged and then revved down. It felt like someone jamming it into 4WD. Traffic was tailgating me, and I was nearly hit. I could not pull completely out of the right lane. I put on hazard lights. Check engine light came on, and TCS light came on. I decided to get out of traffic & crawled forward about 30 yards into a Sinclair station lot, then backed it into a spot where a tow truck could get it. It was clearly not drivable. Called AAA and a driver was able to get to me within 1/2 an hour. Checked the AAA website for mechanics since I was merely travelling through St. George and had no knowledge of the area. Hawker's Automotive was listed first, with many excellent reviews. Tow truck arrived and driver loaded it on the JerrDan bed. I asked him to take me to the Hawker's garage location. I locked it and put the key in the overnight box with my name, number, and description. Next day the mechanics said lifter arm was collapsed. Needed tearing down, replacing and probably new camshaft. Gave me estimate for "estimated" repair of about $8,000 or new engine at about $12,000! This is a KNOWN GMC failure apparently. Recalls have been initiated on newer models, but every mechanic will tell you that this happens all the time to all the 6.2L, V8 engine at around 150,000. I bought it used at about 156,000 miles and have put about 5,000 miles on it. And changed the oil at purchase, and about 1,000 miles ago. I researched model and year before purchasing. All online reviews I found were positive. Nothing out there on this know manufacturing flaw. But now when I type in 'catastrophic engine failure 2016 Denali XL" many many reviews and videos state that it is a known problem to both GMC and the federal safety agency. I or someone could have been killed by such a dramatic loss of power! This is a SAFETY issue and the federal safety agency needs to review ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON FILE ALREADY. Thankyou

Filed Jul 11, 2025 · Engine · 175,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the check engine warning light started to flash. The contact stated that the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle shook violently. The contact pulled off the highway and the vehicle stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the check engine warning light was flashing with DTC: P0300 displayed. The contact stated that the engine was making an abnormal knocking sound. The contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle towed to the residence and then to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that a bearing in the cam shaft had failed and had sent metal shavings into the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · 96,891 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and jumped forward. There was a loud sound coming from the engine. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate above 5 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a misfire on the lifter in cylinders #1 and #7. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the warranty coverage was declined. The manufacturer was contacted and declined a buyback. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 96,891.

Filed Aug 12, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · MT

The fuel injectors have gone out on our vehicle. While driving the vehicle, the check engine began blinking and our vehicle went into limp mode- could feel the engine misfiring and the vehicle was shaking. We had a family of five and two dogs in the vehicle and were lucky to be in cell service. A message popped up on our dash stating “engine power reduced.” The local dealership confirmed it is a fuel injector issue. GMC has a current recall In place, however it only includes certain states.

Filed Oct 23, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 42,241 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc yukon xl. While driving at low or high speeds, the vehicle shook violently as if it would fall apart. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to cappellino buick gmc (5411 transit rd, buffalo, ny 14221) where it was diagnosed with a torque converter shudder failure and a transmission flush was completed. The dealer advised the contact to drive for 200 miles to correct the failure; however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where another transmission flush was completed. The contact was also informed that the sheet metal on the cross-member was causing the vibration. The cross member was repaired. After the repairs, the cabin of the vehicle was uncomfortable with uneven pressure and a high velocity vibration. The same dealer and west herr chevrolet of williamsville (8040 transit rd, williamsville, ny 14221) performed several transmission flushes. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed. The contact was compensated for the failure; however, the failure continued. The contact stated that the vehicle was currently at the west herr dealer as the vehicle was stalling, the rpms increased, and the traction and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 42,241.

Filed Aug 26, 2019 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · WI

Vehicle began hesitating during acceleration. Problem occurred intermittently at first but now occurs each time the vehicle is driven. Check engine light comes on occasionally. This jerking causes safety issues when trying to increase speed. Many complaints are on line from other owners with same issue

Filed Aug 14, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 65,350 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc yukon xl. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle shuddered when shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission, transmission fluid, and wiring harness needed to be replaced; however, parts number: 700, 711, 2429, 7371, and 87571 were on backorder. The contact called ted britt chevrolet (46990 harry byrd hwy, sterling, va 20164, (703) 955-3610), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would attempt to locate the parts; however, no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that the vehicle was a lemon. The failure mileage was 65,350.

Filed Mar 14, 2019 · Brakes · 54,000 miles · CA

My 2016 gmc yukon xl recently began having a hard brake pedal when reversing out of parking spots, or when rolling downhill. A couple of times, when rolling forward downhill it malfunctioned causing me to run into a ditch. . The hard brake pedal had caused me to not be able to stop the vehicle several times. It would roll backwards (or forwards) until I shifted it in to gear or gave it gas. A few times I almost hit vehicles and pedestrians in my son's school carpool lane. There is no warning. No check engine light. Just the horrible rock hard brake pedal which turns out to be a faulty vacuum pump per napa jimmy vasser chevrolet, that has now cost me $711.00 because it is not covered under warranty. My car has 54,000 miles on it. This is unacceptable.