GMC · Known Issues
2016 GMC Yukon Problems: 11 Known Issues
2016 model year · 3,560+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2016 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2016 model year · 3,560+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2016 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,560+ owner reports, the 2016 GMC Yukon has 11 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are AFM/DOD Lifter Collapse and Valvetrain Failure ($3,500-$8,000 repair), 8L90 8-Speed Torque Converter Shudder ($150-$4,500 repair), Corroded 7-Way Connector and Poor Trailer Ground Disable Trailer Braking ($20-$350 repair), GM Recall 19V645000: EBCM Reprogram for Declining Vacuum Brake Assist and Brake Vacuum Pump Failure Causing Hard Brake Pedal. The most commonly reported issue is AFM/DOD Lifter Collapse and Valvetrain Failure with 1,480 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
WHEELS:HUB
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2021, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2022 and 2024 GMC Yukon vehicles equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine. The original fuel tank may have been replaced with an incorrect fuel tank, which can allow fuel to leak in a rollover crash.
+ 15 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's analysis of 3,560+ owner reports, the 2016 GMC Yukon has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: AFM/DOD Lifter Collapse and Valvetrain Failure, 8L90 8-Speed Torque Converter Shudder, Corroded 7-Way Connector and Poor Trailer Ground Disable Trailer Braking. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2016 GMC Yukon has 11 known issues documented across 3,560+ owner reports. 5 issues are rated critical: AFM/DOD Lifter Collapse and Valvetrain Failure and 8L90 8-Speed Torque Converter Shudder and Corroded 7-Way Connector and Poor Trailer Ground Disable Trailer Braking and GM Recall 19V645000: EBCM Reprogram for Declining Vacuum Brake Assist and Brake Vacuum Pump Failure Causing Hard Brake Pedal. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known GMC Yukon issues range from $20 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, AFM/DOD Lifter Collapse and Valvetrain Failure, typically costs $3,500-$8,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The GMC Yukon 5.3L (L83, LC9, LMG) and 6.2L (L94, L86) V8 engines use Active Fuel Management (AFM) cylinder deactivation. The special collapsible AFM lifters on cylinders 1, 4, 6, and 7 fail prematurely, causing misfires, engine ticking, rough idle, and potential catastrophic dam… Repairs typically run $3,500-$8,000. Severity: high.
The 8L90 8-speed automatic transmission in 2015-2020 Yukon and Yukon XL suffers from widespread torque converter lock-up clutch shudder at light throttle between 25-50 mph. The clutch friction material degrades and contaminates the transmission fluid, causing the shudder to worse… Repairs typically run $150-$4,500. Severity: high.
The Yukon's Integrated Trailer Brake Control system (RPO JL1) is considerably more sensitive to connection quality than the aftermarket brake controllers it replaced. Rather than simply switching current to the trailer when the pedal is pressed, the Trailer Brake Power Control Mo… Repairs typically run $20-$350. Severity: high.
GMC Yukons from 2015 through 2018 fall under NHTSA recall 19V645000. The defect: the amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time. Less vacuum reaching the brake booster means less brake assist, so the Yukon's pedal grows stiff and the truck's stopping dista… Severity: high.
NHTSA campaign 19V645 covers certain 2015-2018 GMC Yukon vehicles. Vacuum-pump output can decrease over time, reducing brake assist, increasing pedal effort and extending stopping distance. Severity: high.
Yukon and Yukon XL models equipped with Autoride (RPO Z55) or electronic suspension feature rear air springs and a compressor that commonly fail between 80,000-130,000 miles. The air spring bags crack from age and temperature cycling, causing the rear of the vehicle to sag overni… Repairs typically run $600-$3,200. Severity: medium.
The power retractable running boards available on 2015+ Yukon and Yukon XL are a common failure point. The electric motors and gearboxes corrode and seize, especially in salt-belt states. Boards get stuck in the out position (creating a road-clearance hazard and trip risk) or ref… Repairs typically run $400-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The mechanical (belt-driven) water pump develops internal bearing and seal wear with age and mileage, then leaks coolant from the weep hole at the front-center of the engine. Left unaddressed the pump can drip DEXCOOL onto the ground, run the cooling system low, and cause overhea… Repairs typically run $400-$1,423. Severity: medium.
On Autotrac electronic-shift 4WD Yukons the transfer-case encoder motor and its position sensor/selector switch fail, so the module can no longer confirm the range. The dash 4WD buttons flash, the truck won't shift between 2HI/4HI/4LO or gets stuck in one range, the Service 4WD l… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.
A worn or leaking factory thermostat that stays open (plus a failing engine coolant temperature sensor) prevents the engine from reaching normal operating temperature. The ECM interprets the low/erratic reading as a sensor fault and enters a protective fail-safe mode: the electri… Repairs typically run $120-$450. Severity: medium.
The 8-inch MyLink/IntelliLink infotainment touchscreen (RPO IO5/IO6) develops ghost touches where it presses buttons by itself, dead zones that stop responding, and delamination/bubbling where the digitizer separates from the LCD. Because so many K2XX Yukons share this radio, it… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.