Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 GMC Yukon XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with her husband driving behind her, he noticed that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the taillight functions were inoperable. The contact was informed that the failure experienced was similar to the Special Coverage under N182180270. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of coverage. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 32,022.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the passenger's side taillight was inoperable. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000
The OEM LED taillights can fail due to a manufacturing deficiency. A metal strip that connects the LED's to the cars taillight circuit develops a crack and interrupts current flow to the taillight LED's. The above is common knowledge to the car community and is searchable on line. Concerns: 1) If both taillights are failed at the same time the vehicle doesn't have any of the required visible markings, especially at night. 2) From an economic point of view, unlike vehicles that use incandescent light bulbs that are easily replaced when burnt out, these LED light assemblies have to be completely replaced to the cost of several hundred dollars plus labor which could/will lead to the neglecting of this repair because of the economics. 3) Unlike incandescent bulbs, LED's are should last much longer to the point of outlasting the life of the vehicle. …
There is a special policy to replace faulty tail lamps. However, the policy is only extended through 72,000 miles or 5 years which is ridiculous, and should be a recall. I had my drivers side tail lamp replaced in February 2022 because it was not working. I wasn't aware of the mileage and year restrictions at that time. Fast forward to today, I have my passenger side tail lamp intermittently working. Now out of the specific time frame, I'm left to encounter this expense out of my own pocket. Clearly GM is aware of the problem, but has not issued a recall on the tail lamp issue. It's not just a burned out brake light, but apparently an electrical issue with the way they were initially wired. This is a very dangerous situation, as I have no idea if and when my brake light is out. God forbid if they were to go out and I were to be rear ended due to GMs lack of taking responsibility.
The taillights, which included both the brake lights and running lights, quit working or only worked intermittently. Safety was put at risk because anytime we drove the vehicle in the dark (which is often!) the rear of the vehicle could not be seen, and the brake lights would not be activated when braking would occur, either day or night. This made us more likely to be in an accident, in my opinion, though thankfully we were not. Our regular mechanic did confirm that the lights were only working only intermittently, thought he did not have a solution but for replacing them, which would cost $800 a piece. There was no warning for this problem, the issue first appeared a year ago and we've been dealing with it since. I was finally able to purchase remanufactured taillights.
r rear taillight and brake light does not work and no indicator light to warn me. Do not know how long its been out. Afraid to drive. Had it checked and found special policy n182180270 . I contacted dealer and they said it would be $69.00 to just verify issue. contacted manufacture and was told it was out of coverage by less than 100 days. The vehicle has less than 40,000 miles and stays in garage. Case # 9-8269822 they said it had to be inspected by dealer that is a 40 mile round trip though traffic with no brake light , not safe especially when the instructions on the policy states just to turn light on and verify if it works ,if not replace unit.
Last month the passenger tail light stopped working. We took it out not realizing that you have to replace the entire unit. So we put the tail light back in and it magically started working again. Then yesterday the driver's side tail light stopped working, so we did the same. Took it out, waited and put it back (since we know we can't just run to the store and get a new one), except this time it didn't start working. I know there's a recall on the tail lights but I can't seem to find anyone to help me. The vehicle is only 6 years old and the tail lights at $800 each, should last a lot longer than that!
My 2016 Yukon Denali passenger brake light has stopped working. I see there are many other complaints identifying the same issue - question why hasn't GMC issued a recall for a known problem. With the circuit board breaking this is obviously a manufacturing issue that needs to be addressed and is most definitely a safety issue and increases the odds of being rear-ended as a result of inoperative brake lights. Fortunately I had a stranger stop me in a store parking lot to let me know the brake light was out. The repair is $800 at the dealer!
LED tail light unit continues to crack (metal inside) and not work. Each replacement is over $500. You have to replace or you'll be ticketed because it is a safety hazard. It is not a bulb replacement it is a faulty design that is costing people thousands to fix and it's not right. GMC is aware of this defect and they aren't doing anything about it. Please help and recall these taillights to be replaced by the updated lights!! Thank you for your time and consideration.
My issue pertains to a known problem. The driver's side tail light has failed. GM issued Special Coverage Adjustment N182180270 because of this issue where the part was covered for up to 6 years or 72k miles. Mine failed after 6 years and 4 or 5 months at 66k miles. It's utterly ridiculous that a defective, $800 light is fine to break after 6 years with no warranty assistance.
Headlight complaints in other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2016 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the lights of the 2016 GMC Yukon XL, 42% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is tail lights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 GMC Yukon XL headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Yukon XL headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.