RecallMyCar

2016 GMC Yukon XL Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 2016 GMC Yukon XL, and owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
201
owner complaints to NHTSA
7 / 2
complaints citing a crash / fire
17–19
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive and 2 other components

    NHTSA 17V437000 Reported 40,683 vehicles potentially affected General Motors LLC

    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…

    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…

  2. Pretensioner (seat belts) and 2 other components

    NHTSA 16V651000 Reported 3,640,162 vehicles potentially affected General Motors LLC

    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,…

    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…

  3. Suspension: control arm Do not drive

    NHTSA 16V256000 Reported 3,738 vehicles potentially affected General Motors LLC

    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.

    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…

201 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2016 GMC Yukon XL have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA; 7 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 59,855 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 67 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked up. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact associated the failure wi”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 17, 2026 · Suspension

“1. My vehicle is having transmission issues with shuddering and shifting. M5U RPO code 8L90 transmission. 2. My safety and the safety of others is a concern if the transmission is not working as inten”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 3, 2026 · Power train

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2016 GMC Yukon (Yukon C1500 2WD, Yukon C1500 XL 2WD, Yukon K1500 4WD, Yukon K1500 XL 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined17–19 mpg
City / Highway14–16 / 20–23
FuelGasoline or E85, Regular
EPA classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engine8 cyl, 5.3/6.2 L
TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd; Automatic 8-spd

Compare GMC Yukon XL model years

Recall and complaint counts for every GMC Yukon XL model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1999 GMC Yukon XL03
2000 GMC Yukon XL669
2001 GMC Yukon XL4120
2002 GMC Yukon XL195
2003 GMC Yukon XL3102
2004 GMC Yukon XL387
2005 GMC Yukon XL542
2006 GMC Yukon XL217
2007 GMC Yukon XL497
2008 GMC Yukon XL469
2009 GMC Yukon XL523
2010 GMC Yukon XL328
2011 GMC Yukon XL347
2012 GMC Yukon XL413
2013 GMC Yukon XL422
2014 GMC Yukon XL311
2015 GMC Yukon XL2307
2016 GMC Yukon XL3201
2017 GMC Yukon XL1147
2018 GMC Yukon XL253
2019 GMC Yukon XL268
2020 GMC Yukon XL247
2021 GMC Yukon XL12227
2022 GMC Yukon XL4169
2023 GMC Yukon XL4219
2024 GMC Yukon XL270
2025 GMC Yukon XL128
2026 GMC Yukon XL336

Checking a specific 2016 GMC Yukon XL

How do I know if my 2016 GMC Yukon XL has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2016 GMC Yukon XL; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised GMC dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 16V256000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other GMC models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.