Model year 2016 · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2016 GMC Yukon: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2016 GMC Yukon at 17–19 mpg combined across 12 versions. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 519 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

17–19

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as YUKON DENALI, YUKON DENALI XL, YUKON XL.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a GMC dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2016 GMC Yukon recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recalls for the 2016 GMC Yukon, newest first.

Service brakes and 2 more components

NHTSA 19V761000 Reported Oct 24, 2019

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N192261050)
Components: Service brakes; Service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: Wheel speed sensor/tone ring; Electronic stability control (ESC)
Units affected: 652,967 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Service brakes, hydraulic: Power assist: Vacuum

NHTSA 19V645000 Reported Sep 6, 2019

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N192268490)
Units affected: 3,456,719 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Air bags: Frontal: Sensor/control module-inactive and 2 more components

NHTSA 17V437000 Reported Jul 10, 2017

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 17287)
Components: Air bags: Frontal: Sensor/control module-inactive; Air bags: Frontal; Seat belts: Pretensioner
Units affected: 40,683 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts: Pretensioner and 2 more components

NHTSA 16V651000 Reported Sep 8, 2016

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 16007)
Components: Seat belts: Pretensioner; Air bags: Frontal: Sensor/control module-inactive; Air bags: Frontal
Units affected: 3,640,162 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Suspension: Front: Control arm

NHTSA 16V256000 Reported Apr 28, 2016 Do not drive

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 42190)
Units affected: 3,738 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2016 GMC Yukon fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2016 GMC Yukon EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Yukon C1500 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl ffv	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Gasoline or E85 / E85	16/23/18 mpg	$3,700	489
Yukon C1500 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/23/19 mpg	$3,550	480
Yukon C1500 2WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 8-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/22/17 mpg	$3,950	511
Yukon C1500 XL 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl ffv	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Gasoline or E85 / E85	16/23/18 mpg	$3,700	489
Yukon C1500 XL 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/23/19 mpg	$3,550	480
Yukon C1500 XL 2WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 8-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/22/17 mpg	$3,950	511
Yukon K1500 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl ffv	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Gasoline or E85 / E85	16/22/18 mpg	$3,700	498
Yukon K1500 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/22/18 mpg	$3,700	498
Yukon K1500 4WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 8-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/21/17 mpg	$3,950	519
Yukon K1500 XL 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl ffv	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Gasoline or E85 / E85	15/22/18 mpg	$3,700	498
Yukon K1500 XL 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/22/18 mpg	$3,700	498
Yukon K1500 XL 4WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 8-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	14/20/17 mpg	$3,950	535

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2016 GMC Yukon crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2016 GMC Yukon NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2016 GMC Yukon Denali SUV 4WD	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars	3 stars	22.2%	Standard
2016 GMC Yukon Denali SUV RWD	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars	3 stars	22.9%	Standard
2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 SUV 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars	21.2%	Optional
2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 SUV RWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars	20.3%	Optional
2016 GMC Yukon SUV 4WD	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars	3 stars	22.2%	Optional
2016 GMC Yukon SUV RWD	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars	3 stars	22.9%	Optional
2016 GMC Yukon XL 1500 SUV 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars	20.3%	Optional
2016 GMC Yukon XL 1500 SUV RWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars	21.2%	Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2016 GMC Yukon owner complaints

Owners have filed 519 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Yukon, most recently on Oct 23, 2026. 14 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 9 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2016 GMC Yukon complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Exterior lighting	198
Service brakes	95
Electrical system	90
Power train	75
Engine	64
Unknown or other	51
Steering	22
Suspension	19
Fuel/propulsion system	12
Structure: Body	12

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other GMC Yukon model years

GMC Yukon by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2027 Yukon	16–23 mpg	0	1	—
2026 Yukon	16–23 mpg	3	84	5/5
2025 Yukon	16–23 mpg	2	85	5/5
2024 Yukon	16–23 mpg	3	181	4/5
2023 Yukon	16–23 mpg	4	472	4/5
2022 Yukon	16–23 mpg	5	359	4/5
2021 Yukon	16–23 mpg	14	572	4/5
2020 Yukon	16–18 mpg	4	84	4/5
2019 Yukon	16–18 mpg	3	126	4/5
2018 Yukon	16–19 mpg	5	130	4/5
2017 Yukon	16–19 mpg	3	359	4/5
2015 Yukon	16–18 mpg	10	966	4/5

All GMC Yukon years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2016 GMC models

2016 GMC Acadia 2016 GMC Canyon 2016 GMC Savana Passenger 2016 GMC Sierra 2016 GMC Terrain

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with GMC.