YearToAvoid

2016 GMC Yukon XL Brakes Problems

NHTSA logged 42 brake complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL, 18% of all complaints filed for the year, with 5 crashes linked. Owners report failed vacuum pumps causing hard, unresponsive brake pedals at low speed, with median failure mileage at 56,500. No related recall is listed in this data.

Brakes complaints
42
18% of 230
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
56,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal becomes stiff and hard to press at low speeds, especially when backing up or in parking lots, reducing stopping power.
  • Vacuum pump failure is repeatedly diagnosed as the cause of weak or delayed braking.
  • Some drivers report the pedal feels stuck or offers no movement for a few seconds before the vehicle finally slows.
  • Multiple owners describe the vehicle rolling forward or failing to stop in time during stop-and-go driving, leading to rear-end crashes or near misses.
  • One owner reported a delay between depressing the brake pedal and the brakes actually engaging at highway speed, resulting in a crash.

When 2016 GMC Yukon XL brake complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 23, 2018, latest Jul 21, 2025.

2016 GMC Yukon XL brakes complaints: complaints filed per month5Apr 2018Dec 2018Jun 2019Nov 2019Apr 2020Nov 2020May 2022Jul 2023
42 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2018 to Jul 2025; peak Sep 2019 (5).

Brakes recalls for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Yukon XL model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20104 (6%)
  2. 20111 (1%)
  3. 20122 (5%)
  4. 20131 (3%)
  5. 20142 (13%)
  6. 201568 (18%)
  7. 201642 (18%)
  8. 201726 (17%)
  9. 201811 (20%)
  10. 20195 (7%)
  11. 20205 (11%)
  12. 20216 (3%)
  13. 20224 (2%)
  14. 202310 (5%)
  15. 20241 (1%)
  16. 20255 (19%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA lists 42 brake complaints for the 2016 Yukon XL, which is 18% of the 230 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL brakes?
This data shows no related recall listed for the brake complaints on the 2016 Yukon XL.
What brake problem do owners report most on the 2016 Yukon XL?
Owners most often report a failing vacuum pump that makes the brake pedal hard to press and slow to respond, particularly at low speeds.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2016 Yukon XL?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2016 Yukon XL is 56,500 miles.
Did the 2016 Yukon XL brake issues cause any crashes?
NHTSA data ties 5 crashes to the 42 brake complaints filed for the 2016 Yukon XL, with no reported fires or injuries.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.