2016 Gmc Yukon Denali problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (4) · Power Train (3) · Steering (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Yukon Denali model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (548)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 548 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-05-01 · Engine · 74,000 mi“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 prio…”
2025-01-24 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights · 104,000 mi“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…”
2024-10-23 · Power Train · 65,000 mi“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 wa…”
2019-07-09 · Power Train“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, includ…”
2019-06-23 · Power Train · 80,100 mi“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 vehicl…”
2019-06-22 · Exterior Lighting“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 reca…”
2019-06-03 · Exterior Lighting · 52,000 mi“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. …”
2019-05-20 · Steering · 44,000 mi“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 an…”
2019-04-26 · Unknown Or Other · 70,000 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
2019-03-03 · Seats · 40,000 mi“oem led tail lights have failed on my gmc with 40,000 miles on it. the bulb is good, yet the led portion (which costs over $800 to fix) needs to be replaced. this portion is the entire rear brake light housing. this is very common among these vehicles heated seats quit working on denali. the backrests still heat up, but the bottoms don't heat …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.