The 2016 GMC Yukon is associated with 266 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING, accounting for 80 reports (30% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 12 certified vehicle configurations spanning 5.3l 8-cyl and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 17 to 19 MPG combined.

Key Data Findings
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 266 reports
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 campaigns
  • • Top Reported Defect Area: EXTERIOR LIGHTING (80 / 30%)
  • • Safety Incident Signals: 4 crash / 0 fire / 4 injury reports
  • • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
  • • EPA Efficiency: 17–19 MPG (12 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
Fuel Economy
17–19MPG
12 EPA certified variants (5.3l 8-cyl and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations)
Reported Complaints
266
266 submitted owner reports
Safety Recalls
5
5 official NHTSA recalls
NCAP Safety Rating
4 / 5 Stars Overall

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 GMC Yukon?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Yukon C1500 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Yukon C1500 XL 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Yukon C1500 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 23 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Yukon C1500 XL 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 23 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Yukon K1500 XL 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Yukon K1500 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Yukon K1500 XL 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Yukon K1500 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Yukon C1500 2WD 6.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Yukon C1500 XL 2WD 6.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Yukon K1500 XL 4WD 6.2L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 14 MPG 20 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Yukon K1500 4WD 6.2L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 GMC Yukon?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
SUV 4WD 22.2%
SUV RWD 22.900000000000002%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 GMC Yukon models.
View complete 2016 GMC Yukon crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 GMC Yukon?

Summary of 266 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
266
Crash Reports
4
Fire Reports
0
Complaints w/ Injury
4
Total Injuries
5

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 80 complaints
Service Brakes 24 complaints (2 crashes)
Powertrain 21 complaints
Engine 18 complaints
Electrical System 15 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2016 GMC Yukon problems & component breakdown (59 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 GMC Yukon?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #16V256000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
NHTSA Campaign #19V761000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
NHTSA Campaign #19V645000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 GMC Yukon recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.