2016 GMC Yukon Exterior Lighting
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
Both driver and passenger tail light/ brake light assemblies have failed. They started intermittently going out and then failed all together. There is a VERY common issue with these lights. They have been replaced at an approximate cost of $650.00 per light.
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 rear taillights both went out due to a design issue with the LED circuit board - where the connections on the board crack and cause the lights to fail
Passenger taillight goes out. Replaced it twice now and now I have to do it again a 3rd time. They know of this issue but have done nothing to fix it or offer anything to help cover cost
Both rail lights went out at the same time. No reason whatsoever
Left tail light flickers, after reading internet comments learned that tail light board connections are made of very flimsy metal material, they crack with normal vehicle operations. LED lamps are fine but the power connections to the lamps breaks therefore it renders taillights useless. Replacement cost of those lamps are $700-$800 parts alone. On the internet there is some information I’ll attach that pdf
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.
Passage tail, brake light works when it want. One day it work the next day it don’t! I’m scared that I will get pulled by the police or somebody hit me in the back.
The passenger brake light intermittently stops working.
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 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 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. Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
Driver side, rear lighting fixture not working. All lights for brakes, reverse, do not work. I had to replace the entire light assembly on the Passenger side previously.
Passenger side brake light not working. Bulb replacement not available to purchase and you have to take to dealership for $800 plus repair. 72k miles on vehicle.
REAR TAIL LIGHTS INOPERABLE AND BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING. WHEN I ASKED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM THEY SAID GM HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES SINCE THEY NEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THEM EXTENDING THE WARRANTY. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANY REAR LIGHTS WORKING WHICH IS EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD.
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.
THE REAR LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS OUTSIDE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG THE 2016 GMC YUKON'S AND I DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR THAT I HAVE TO COVER THE REPAIR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAILLAMPS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE ONE SET OF TAILLAMP AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SECOND SET WAS ALSO REPLACED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT CALLED WIESNER BUICK GMC LOCATED AT (1645 INTERSTATE 45 N, CONROE, TX 77304) AND NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF SIMILAR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT DUE TO GOING OUT AND NOW THE LEFT ONE HAS WENT OUT. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE LIGHTS. THEY ARE FAULTY AND NEED TO BE RECALLED.
TAILLIGHT ON DRIVERS SIDE GOES OUT. IT'S BEEN AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE AS IT COMES ON AND GOES OUT. *TR
THE REAR TAIL LAMPS SPORADICALLY WOULD LIGHT UP WITH DRIVING LIGHTS FOR AWHILE, BUT COULD NEVER GET FAILURE TO SHOW UP FOR DEALER DIAGNOSIS. FINALLY LIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY EXCEPT FOR SIDE MARKER. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK, CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. DEALER WAS THEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSIS AND FOUND SHORT IN LED LIGHT CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLIES HAS GONE BAD AND BOTH LIGHTS WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. LAMPS WERE REPLACED UNDER 80/20 WARRANTY OFFER. TOTAL OUT OF POCKET COST TO ME/CONSUMER: $492.75. I FEEL THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE ON NEWER MODEL VEHICLE AND LIGHTS SERVICE LIFE SHOULD BE MUCH LONGER THAN 4 YEARS. ESPECIALLY SINCE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE FOR 4 WEEKS BECAUSE OF CONCERN WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO REAR LIGHTS AT DARK AND CHANCE OF BEING STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC INFRACTION.
DEFECTIVE LED TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FROM A 50,000$+ SUV. GM WILL NOT COVER REPAIR IF YOU GO OVER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILES. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THESE YUKON'S. TAILLIGHTS ARE ABOUT 1200 EACH TO FIX RIDICULOUS. *TR
THE LED BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING DUE TO FAULTY CIRCUIT.
RIGHT REAR LED TAILLIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING. NOT SURE WHY IT WORKS AT TIMES, AND NOT AT OTHER TIMES, BUT WHEN THE TAILLIGHT IS NOT WORKING NEITHER IS THAT BRAKE LIGHT. THIS STARTED ABOUT AUGUST 1, 2020.
BOTH OF MY LED TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED OVER THE PAS YEAR. GMC HAS REPLACED THAT OEM WITH NEW PARTS AND HAS MD THE OLD PARTS. GENERALLY, IF A BREAK LIGHT FAILS YOU CAN REPLACE THE BULB FOR AROUND $5 BUT WHEN THESE ASSEMBLIES FAIL IT COSTS THE OWNER AROUND $700 TO REPLACE. DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS IS A TRAFFIC VIOLATION. A CAR CAN NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS SO THE OWNER IS FORCED TO PAY THE MONEY FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART FROM WHICH GMC PROFITS.. WHY IS THIS NOT A SAFETY RECALL? GMC KNOWS IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS A RESULT.WHAT IS THE NHTSA STAND ON THIS?
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Quick Summary
The 2016 GMC Yukon has 80 Exterior Lighting complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.