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2016 GMC Yukon Denali Xl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon Denali Xl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 5 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

2 reports
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6,000 miles · Oct 4, 2017
Engine

I HAVE A 2017 YUKON XL DENALI. IT HAS 6K MILES. I PURCHASED IT NEW JUNE OF 2017.I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT,WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP AT ABOUT 3 MPH AND THEN I NOTICE THE AC TURNED OFF.THEN I REALIZED THE RPM WAS AT 0 AND WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE ENGINE HAD STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK…

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I HAVE A 2017 YUKON XL DENALI. IT HAS 6K MILES. I PURCHASED IT NEW JUNE OF 2017.I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT,WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP AT ABOUT 3 MPH AND THEN I NOTICE THE AC TURNED OFF.THEN I REALIZED THE RPM WAS AT 0 AND WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE ENGINE HAD STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THERE WERE NO CODES STORED ON A CAR I'M TOLD HAS ABOUT A BAZILLION COMPUTERS (IMAGINE THAT) AND THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OR "SERVICE BULLETINS" STATING IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. APPARENTLY IF YOUR GMC SERVICE DEPT CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE...THE CAR IS OBVIOUSLY FINE. I TOLD THEM I'M NOT TAKING THE CAR BACK. THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE USING A LOANER NOR DID THEY HAVE A SIMILAR CAR EVEN AVAILABLE IF THEY WOULD. THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CREATE A CASE TO WHICH I DID. AT THIS TIME I'M STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHAT GM IS GOING TO DO BUT I'VE HAD TO PERSONALLY PAY FOR A CAR RENTAL BECAUSE I'M NOT WILLING TO DRIVE A CAR THAT HAS EXPERIENCED AND ISSUE AS DRASTIC AS THIS WHICH COULD KILL SOMEONE. HOPEFULLY GM RECOGNIZES THIS AND EITHER WORKS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM OR TAKE THE CAR BACK TO RUN EXTENSIVE TESTS. I GUESS A PROBLEM LIKE THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE UNTIL SOMEONE DIES...WHICH HAS ALREADY HAPPENED IN OTHER GM VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR STALLING ISSUES. IF YOU EXPERIENCE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS, PLEASE CONTACT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DO AS I DID AND REFUSE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. I'VE ONLY READ OF A COUPLE OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS ON THE NEW YUKON PLATFORM/BODYSTYLE (2015 AND NEWER). I CAN GUARANTEE THAT GM WILL BE SUED IF I TAKE THIS CAR BACK AND END UP IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. I'M SURE THEY'LL DENY IT BECAUSE THERE ONCE AGAIN...WON'T BE ANY CODES TO TELL THEM THE CARE DIED, SO IT'D PROBABLY ME MY FAULT ANYWAYS.

NHTSA ODI #11031722

20,000 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Engine

MY 2016 GMC YUKON XL DENALI HAS AN INTERNAL ENGINE OIL LEAK THAT REQUIRES ME TO ADD ABOUT A QUART OF MOTOR OIL EVERY 2,000-3,000 MILES, WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT 2-4 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVALS (EVERY 7,500 MILES). MY GMC DEALERSHIP HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT…

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MY 2016 GMC YUKON XL DENALI HAS AN INTERNAL ENGINE OIL LEAK THAT REQUIRES ME TO ADD ABOUT A QUART OF MOTOR OIL EVERY 2,000-3,000 MILES, WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT 2-4 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVALS (EVERY 7,500 MILES). MY GMC DEALERSHIP HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT I HAVE AN INTERNAL ENGINE OIL LEAK, BUT AM WITHIN GMC'S OIL CONSUMPTION STANDARDS. SINCE I AM WITHIN GMC'S OIL CONSUMPTION STANDARDS, THEY CANNOT ADDRESS / REPAIR THE OIL LEAK. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT SINCE THIS MAY RESULT IN FUTURE ENGINE ISSUES / MALFUNCTION. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH GMC, CHEVY AND CADILLAC SUV'S / TRUCKS.

NHTSA ODI #10993750

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE18012 · Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

Opened Nov 20, 2018 · Closed Apr 10, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Service Brakes

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.