This page covers 4 recalls and 198 owner complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon Xl.
Exterior lighting dominates complaints filed against the 2016 GMC Yukon XL, accounting for roughly 40 percent of all reports. Owners consistently describe headlights that fail or produce reduced output, and some report that lights go dark without warning. Service brakes are the second most-reported system, with owners noting reduced stopping effectiveness and spongy or inconsistent pedal feel. Powertrain complaints round out the top three, focusing heavily on the 6.2-liter engine's valve train, owners describe loud ticking or tapping noises followed by rough running, loss of power, and in some cases complete engine failure, often tied to the Active Fuel Management system. Eight-speed automatic transmission reports also appear in this group, with owners describing rough shifts or outright transmission failure at varying mileages.
198
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 GMC Yukon XL has 4 recalls, the most serious being a front upper control arm weld that can fail, causing the arm to separate and leaving the driver with reduced or no steering control.
The control arm defect means the front suspension can deform or pull away from its mounting point while driving, which can make the vehicle difficult or impossible to steer accurately. On the safety restraint side, a separate recall covers the front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, which may fail to deploy in a crash that would normally trigger them. The pretensioners are the mechanisms that snap the belt tight against the occupant's body at the moment of impact, and if they do not fire, the belt provides far less protection. The airbag side of that same problem means the driver or front passenger could face the full force of a collision without the cushion deploying. Both the suspension defect and the restraint issue affect a broad range of GM trucks and SUVs from this era, and the Yukon XL falls within scope for each.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control software may not have received a complete update from a previous recall. Under certain driving conditions, this software may run a diagnostic test that disables frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will update the air bag control software. If your vehicle previously deployed air bags, the control module will be replaced instead. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag control module's software may run a self-test that disables the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners, preventing them from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. If your air bags have previously deployed, the module will be replaced. Repairs are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front upper control arms may have weak welds near the bushing, which could fail during driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front upper control arms and realign the front end at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The welds on the front upper control arms may be defective. If a weld fails, the control arm could deform or separate from its bushing, affecting steering and directional control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front upper control arms and perform a wheel alignment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
