YearToAvoid

2016 GMC Yukon XL Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 32 engine complaints for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL, 14% of that year's 230 total complaints. Owners report engine shaking, stalling after turns, oil consumption, and torque converter shudder, with a median failure mileage of 65,350. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
32
14% of 230
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
65,350 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the engine shaking or vibrating violently at idle or while driving, sometimes visible on the tachometer needle.
  • Some report the engine stalling or cutting off unexpectedly after making a left or right turn, requiring a restart.
  • Multiple owners report internal oil leaks causing high oil consumption, needing extra quarts added between scheduled oil changes.
  • Several complaints describe torque converter shudder or transmission shaking between 35 and 45 mph along with an illuminated check engine light.
  • One owner reported a broken valve spring that dropped into the cylinder, requiring a full engine replacement at 125,000 miles.
  • One complaint describes a loud tapping noise traced to broken exhaust manifold studs in the cylinder head.

When 2016 GMC Yukon XL engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 22, 2016, latest Apr 22, 2026.

2016 GMC Yukon XL engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2016Aug 2019Feb 2021Aug 2023Sep 2024Jul 2025Feb 2026
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Apr 2026; peak Aug 2019 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2016 GMC Yukon XL

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Yukon XL model year

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

  1. 20105 (8%)
  2. 20117 (5%)
  3. 20124 (10%)
  4. 20132 (6%)
  5. 20141 (6%)
  6. 201537 (10%)
  7. 201632 (14%)
  8. 201730 (20%)
  9. 201816 (29%)
  10. 201939 (58%)
  11. 202026 (55%)
  12. 2021157 (70%)
  13. 2022123 (74%)
  14. 2023157 (73%)
  15. 202459 (84%)
  16. 202517 (63%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 GMC Yukon XL have?
NHTSA lists 32 engine complaints for the 2016 Yukon XL, which is 14% of the 230 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Yukon XL engine problems?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints reported on the 2016 Yukon XL.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 65,350 miles, though individual cases range widely.
What are the most common engine symptoms owners report?
Owners most often describe engine shaking or vibration, stalling after turns, high oil consumption from internal leaks, and torque converter shudder.
Did any 2016 Yukon XL engine complaints involve a crash?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 1 crash among the 32 engine complaints for the 2016 Yukon XL, with 0 fires and 0 injuries reported.

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.