How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Yukon have?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 GMC Yukon model year. Whether one car had the recall work done depends on that car, so check its VIN with NHTSA.

What is the WhipWorthy verdict on the 2016 GMC Yukon?

Pass. 5.1 times the usual owner complaints. The verdict weighs this year against the other years of the Yukon, from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are unverified and not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

1995: 96 owner complaints, Worthy

Our take: the data says look elsewhere. Owners filed 5.1 times the complaints of a typical year of this model, and one recall says do not drive it until it is fixed.

Year verdict

Pass, meaning Skip

5.1× a typical year

Skip this year if you can.

Confidence: Medium

The typical year comes from only 5 years.

Past 100,000 miles

Locked

How this year held up past 100,000 miles.

With a Car Hunt Pass or Pro

How the dial was counted

Year verdict: Typical year: 41 complaints, the median of 5 nearby years, leaving out 2011, 2013 and 2015, which were high themselves. Each counted over its first 8 years from January 2015; this one had 210.

Same car, better year: 2013 or 2019 Yukon (both Worthy)

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Odometer check

See plans, from $15

Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.

WhipWorthy sticker

2016 GMC Yukon

Complaints271Filed in all
Loading owner complaints
Recalls51 do not drive
Loading recalls
Crash4 out of 5 starsBest of 2 versions
Loading crash ratings
MPG17 to 19Combined, EPA
Loading fuel economy

Complaints are unverified owner reports, not adjusted for how many were sold.

Compare this car Every Yukon year

Car report

Save this car to My Garage and see its recalls at a glance.Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Value signals

We do not price cars.

These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.

This year has 2 costly problem zones. Which lie ahead at your miles comes with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans
Loading costly problem zones ahead
Fuel: $3,400 to $3,800 a year.The EPA’s estimate for 15,000 miles a year, 55% in town, at its fuel prices. Each version
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
Have the VIN? Check it is this car, and see its open recalls at NHTSA.
VIN
On the dash at the base of the windshield, or on the driver’s door sticker.

What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.

Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.

The full record

Tap to open

What owners complain about

271 complaints; the part named most is the lights

Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed Jan 5, 2016 to Oct 27, 2026. 26% name a part that is usually costly to fix.

Owners reported 4 crashes and 5 injuries in these complaints.

Lights104 · 38%
Brakes58 · 21%

Seller kit

Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Walk up to the seller ready

Questions to ask the seller of a 2016 GMC Yukon, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.

Comes with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans

Write your offer

A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Send the seller a fair offer

Type the asking price and your own offer for the 2016 GMC Yukon, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.

Comes with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans

When problems show up

Transmission and drivetrain: the middle complaint around 95,000 miles

The bar holds the middle half of the complaints that gave a mileage; the dark mark is the middle one. 79 complaints of 271 gave one. Owners file when something fails, so this shows when problems were reported, not how long the cars last.

Transmission and drivetrainCostly80,000 to 120,000 mi
Half of these 20 complaints came between about 80,000 and 120,000 miles, the middle one around 95,000.

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Mileage for 2 more parts, 1 usually costly

The mileage band for every part owners name, and your car's miles laid across them.

Comes with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans

SourceMileage from owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Yukon

Will it outlast the loan?

The month of your loan each problem zone lands in

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

2 problem zones to lay against your loan, 2 usually costly

See whether each lands while you still owe, the month and what you would owe then, or whether your miles have already reached it.

Comes with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans

Recalls

5 recalls on file, 1 saying do not drive or park outside

Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.

Suspension
Apr 28, 2016 · Recall 16V256000Do not drive.NHTSA says: Park it until the repair is done.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
What can happen
Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
Brakes
Oct 24, 2019 · Recall 19V761000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
What can happen
Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Brakes
Sep 6, 2019 · Recall 19V645000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
What can happen
As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Air bags
Jul 10, 2017 · Recall 17V437000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
What can happen
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Air bags
Sep 8, 2016 · Recall 16V651000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
What can happen
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

SourceRecalls listed by NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Yukon. NHTSA, checked Nov 3, 2026.

Crash ratings

4 of 5 stars overall, the best of 2 versions tested

NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight.

2016 GMC Yukon SUV RWD
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
22.9% chance of a rollover in a one car crash, by NHTSA's estimate.
Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Optional
Lane departure warning
Optional
2016 GMC Yukon SUV 4WD
Overall
Front
Side

NHTSA investigations: 1

SourceNHTSA crash ratings for the 2016 GMC Yukon. NHTSA, checked Nov 4, 2026.

Fuel economy

17 to 19 mpg combined, across 12 versions

The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in.

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; FFV
Yukon C1500 2WD · FFV · Rear wheel drive · Gasoline or E85
City
16 mpg
Highway
23 mpg
Combined
18 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,550
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI
Yukon C1500 2WD · Rear wheel drive · Regular gas
City
16 mpg
Highway
23 mpg
Combined
19 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,400
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, SIDI
Yukon C1500 2WD · Rear wheel drive · Regular gas
City
15 mpg
Highway
22 mpg
Combined
17 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,800
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; FFV
Yukon C1500 XL 2WD · FFV · Rear wheel drive · Gasoline or E85
City
16 mpg
Highway
23 mpg
Combined
18 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,550
This one on fueleconomy.gov

Show 8 more versions

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI
Yukon C1500 XL 2WD · Rear wheel drive · Regular gas
City
16 mpg
Highway
23 mpg
Combined
19 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,400
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, SIDI
Yukon C1500 XL 2WD · Rear wheel drive · Regular gas
City
15 mpg
Highway
22 mpg

SourceEPA fuel economy data, fueleconomy.gov. EPA, checked Nov 4, 2026.

True cost to own

The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

What it really costs to own

What the 2016 GMC Yukon costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.

Comes with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans

Every year of the Yukon

14 Worthy, 3 Maybe, 11 Pass, of 30 years on file

Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.

Best and worst years of the Yukon

SourceNHTSA owner complaints and recalls for the Yukon. NHTSA, checked Nov 3, 2026.

Before you buy this one

5 checks, with a close look at the lights

Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.

Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 5 recalls on file. One of them says not to drive the car, or to park it outside, until it is fixed. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the lights. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look at the lights first.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.

Going to see it? Take the checklist52 checks with the bad signs to look for, saved on your phone.

Check this exact car

The verdict is about the model year. These checks are about the one in front of you. Most are free or a few dollars.

VIN for these checks

Copy it, then paste it into each check. Nothing is sent until you open one.

Official checks on this VIN

Open recallsFree
NHTSA
Safety recalls on this VIN that are not fixed yet, from the last 15 years.
A recall already fixed does not show.
Check recalls at NHTSAnhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)
Theft and total lossFree
NICB VINCheck
Whether an insurer reported it stolen and not found, or wrote it off as a total loss.
Only insurer records. Five checks a day.
Open NICB VINChecknicb.org (opens in a new tab)
Title brandsA few dollars
NMVTIS, the federal title system
Salvage, flood, junk and rebuilt brands from any state, and the last miles on the title.
No repairs, service or recalls. Sold by approved sellers listed on the site.
See the approved sellersvehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov (opens in a new tab)
Title statusVaries by state
The state motor vehicle office
Whether the title is branded in that state and, where the state offers it, whether a lender still has a lien.
It will not name the owner. Each state asks its own way, and some only by mail. Ask to see the seller’s title too.
Find your state’s officeusa.gov (opens in a new tab)

What a paid report adds

A history report such as Carfax or AutoCheck pulls in more of the car’s past than these checks can:

Crashes and damage reported by police, insurers or shops, even when it was fixed.
Service visits that shops reported, with the miles each time.
How many owners, for how long, and the states it was registered in.
Whether it was a rental, fleet or lease car, when that was reported.

It only knows what was reported to it. A clean report is not proof of a clean car. Ask the seller first: many dealers hand one over for free.

Red flags in a history

Salvage title
Usually an insurer called it a total loss. In most states it cannot be driven on the road until it is rebuilt and inspected.
Rebuilt title
A salvage car that was fixed and passed a state check. It can be fine, but it is worth less, can be harder to insure, and needs a careful inspection.
Flood damage
Water can ruin wiring and sensors months later. Be wary of a flood brand that vanished after a move to another state.
Lemon or maker buyback
The maker bought it back over a defect it could not fix. Ask what the defect was and how it was fixed.
Odometer rollback
A mileage reading lower than an earlier one, or a title marked not actual miles.
Many owners, fast
Three owners in two years can mean a problem each one passed along.
Gaps in the records
Years with no service or registration. Ask why: it may have sat, been off the road, or been rebuilt.

Title words and rules differ by state. Not legal advice.

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection
Have a mechanic you choose, not the seller, put it on a lift and look it over before you pay.
Insurance quote
Get a quote on this exact car before you sign. Ask your own insurer and one or two others.

Model year	Owner complaints	Verdict
1995	96	Worthy
1996	84	Worthy
1998	81	Worthy
2001	431	Pass
2002	342	Pass
2003	517	Pass
2004	446	Pass
2005	85	Worthy
2006	83	Worthy
2007	777	Maybe
2008	412	Worthy
2009	212	Worthy
2010	229	Worthy
2011	399	Maybe
2012	138	Worthy
2013	186	Worthy
2014	61	Worthy
2015	547	Pass
2016	271	Pass
2017	196	Maybe
2018	70	Worthy
2019	55	Worthy
2020	37	Worthy
2021	345	Pass
2022	185	Pass
2023	246	Pass
2024	181	Pass
2025	58	Pass
2026	45	Not judged
2027	1	Not judged

The verdict on the 2016 GMC Yukon

Value signals

What owners complain about

Seller kit

Write your offer

When problems show up

Will it outlast the loan?

Recalls

Suspension

What can happen

The fix

Brakes

What can happen

The fix

Brakes

What can happen

The fix

Air bags

What can happen

The fix

Air bags

What can happen

The fix

Crash ratings

2016 GMC Yukon SUV RWD

2016 GMC Yukon SUV 4WD

Fuel economy

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; FFV

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI

Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, SIDI

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; FFV

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI

Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, SIDI

True cost to own

Every year of the Yukon

Before you buy this one

Check this exact car

Official checks on this VIN

What a paid report adds

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection

Insurance quote

Suspension

What can happen

The fix

Brakes

What can happen

The fix

Brakes

What can happen

The fix

Air bags

What can happen

The fix

Air bags

What can happen

The fix

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; FFV

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI

Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, SIDI

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; FFV

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI

Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, SIDI

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; FFV

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI

Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, SIDI

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; FFV

Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI

Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, SIDI

2016 GMC Yukon SUV RWD

2016 GMC Yukon SUV 4WD