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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the contact was notified by another driver that the rear taillights were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he was notified by other motorists that the brake lights were inoperable. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the brake lights were intermittently inoperable while depressing the brake pedal. The dealer was notified about the failure and scheduled an appointment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the taillights needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under Special Coverage Adjustment: N182180270 (Tail Lamps Inoperative). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the driver behind her notified her that the brake lights were inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with brake light failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that she was notified by a police officer that the passenger's side taillight was inoperable. Additionally, the driver's side taillight was flashing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 81,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while reversing, his wife noticed that the driver's side brake light was not illuminating. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,425.
GMC has a bulletin "recall" that stated that the tail lights of their vehicles were not illuminating on vehicles. In 2019 we took our vehicle in to have the defect covered because our passenger tail light stopped working. We are now having the same issue with our driver light but they are stating that the recall only covered one light with knowledge that both lights are defective. Only one light was replaced. They also had a recall on a defective air compressor that we paid $580 for but because of mileage it was not covered. I spoke with a rep by the name of Angellica in the complaint department that confirmed that the letters regarding the air compressors were sent in November of 2017 and I did not receive that notice during that time. I purchased the vehicle in April of 2017. …
The drivers side rear brake lights stopped working. GM did a warranty extension ( that admits an issue).but ours just expired.. this is an $800 to $1000 repair that owners should NOT have to pay.. GM refuses to cover this expense. This is an absolute SAFTEY ISSUE. Of course, any law enforcement officer will agree as they will write a safety violation ticket (as they should) I understand that owners are responsible for all maintenance of their vehicles, but this issue is a flaw in design. Most owners ( like us) can't afford to pay this outrageous price for a simple break light replacement. As the entity of government that oversees the manufacture of these vehicles, there MUST be a safety recall!! Honestly, I am disappointed that no safety recall hasn't been ordered for this issue. This problem is going to result in many many rear end accidents. Please fix this and save lives. …
The rear lights on my vehicle - including brake lights - intermittently stop working. I was unaware of this issue until I had someone follow me to my destination to make me aware. This is extremely dangerous that could lead to a wreck with the potential of bodily injury. GMC has issued a service bulletin (admitting to using faulty parts) related to this problem, however, they have limited the coverage to mileage and year. GMC should be required to issue a full recall on any vehicle impacted by this serious safety concern.
The LED left turn signal and blind spot detection ( safety feature) on the left outside rear view mirror suddenly stopped working. The is a TSB for warranty for 2016-2018 GM YUKON (#10-08-64-002D) and it states that the bulletin has been revised to include 2016-2018 year models for this defect. I am starting this claim because I am told by GM that my VIN is not covered under this warranty, yet I am experiencing the same issue stated in the TSB listed above.
Headlight complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2016 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 111 complaints about the lights of the 2016 GMC Yukon, 39% of the model year's 288 complaints. The component named most often is tail lights (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 GMC Yukon headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2016 GMC Yukon, though it has 5 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 8% 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.