2016 GMC Yukon Xl Exterior lighting Problems

The OEM LED taillights can fail due to a manufacturing deficiency. A metal strip that connects the LED's to the cars taillight circuit develops a crack and interrupts current flow to the taillight LED's. The above is common knowledge to the car community and is searchable on line. Concerns: 1) If both taillights are failed at the same time the vehicle doesn't have any of the required visible markings, especially at night. 2) From an economic point of view, unlike vehicles that use incandescent light bulbs that are easily replaced when burnt out, these LED light assemblies have to be completely replaced to the cost of several hundred dollars plus labor which could/will lead to the neglecting of this repair because of the economics. 3) Unlike incandescent bulbs, LED's are should last much longer to the point of outlasting the life of the vehicle. This isn't the case when there is a manufacturing defect. In my case on 10/21/21 the defective taillight assemblies was replace under a defective taillight extended warranty agreement. I requested to have both replaced because of the odds of the second one failing. They refused. So when the opposite side assembly failed recently i was out of the extended warrant date resulting in a cost to me of $392.88 labor included. In conclusion, The well documented failure of the above taillight assemblies leads to vehicles being non conforming to FMVSS.

NHTSA ID

11537878

Incident

Aug 9, 2023

There is a special policy to replace faulty tail lamps. However, the policy is only extended through 72,000 miles or 5 years which is ridiculous, and should be a recall. I had my drivers side tail lamp replaced in February 2022 because it was not working. I wasn’t aware of the mileage and year restrictions at that time. Fast forward to today, I have my passenger side tail lamp intermittently working. Now out of the specific time frame, I’m left to encounter this expense out of my own pocket. Clearly GM is aware of the problem, but has not issued a recall on the tail lamp issue. It’s not just a burned out brake light, but apparently an electrical issue with the way they were initially wired. This is a very dangerous situation, as I have no idea if and when my brake light is out. God forbid if they were to go out and I were to be rear ended due to GMs lack of taking responsibility.

NHTSA ID

11511723

Incident

Feb 28, 2023

The taillights, which included both the brake lights and running lights, quit working or only worked intermittently. Safety was put at risk because anytime we drove the vehicle in the dark (which is often!) the rear of the vehicle could not be seen, and the brake lights would not be activated when braking would occur, either day or night. This made us more likely to be in an accident, in my opinion, though thankfully we were not. Our regular mechanic did confirm that the lights were only working only intermittently, thought he did not have a solution but for replacing them, which would cost $800 a piece. There was no warning for this problem, the issue first appeared a year ago and we've been dealing with it since. I was finally able to purchase remanufactured taillights.

NHTSA ID

11487200

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

r rear taillight and brake light does not work and no indicator light to warn me. Do not know how long its been out. Afraid to drive. Had it checked and found special policy n182180270 . I contacted dealer and they said it would be $69.00 to just verify issue. contacted manufacture and was told it was out of coverage by less than 100 days. The vehicle has less than 40,000 miles and stays in garage. Case # 9-8269822 they said it had to be inspected by dealer that is a 40 mile round trip though traffic with no brake light , not safe especially when the instructions on the policy states just to turn light on and verify if it works ,if not replace unit.

NHTSA ID

11482352

Incident

Aug 30, 2022

My issue pertains to a known problem. The driver's side tail light has failed. GM issued Special Coverage Adjustment N182180270 because of this issue where the part was covered for up to 6 years or 72k miles. Mine failed after 6 years and 4 or 5 months at 66k miles. It's utterly ridiculous that a defective, $800 light is fine to break after 6 years with no warranty assistance.

NHTSA ID

11467777

Incident

May 11, 2022

The driver’s side brake light assembly failure of no brake light when brake is applied. It can be inspected upon request. This may cause another driver to not notice intentions to stop or slowdown and cause an accident. This problem is constant. It has not been inspected. No warnings of the failure has been displayed.

NHTSA ID

11467261

Incident

May 11, 2022

Last month the passenger tail light stopped working. We took it out not realizing that you have to replace the entire unit. So we put the tail light back in and it magically started working again. Then yesterday the driver's side tail light stopped working, so we did the same. Took it out, waited and put it back (since we know we can't just run to the store and get a new one), except this time it didn't start working. I know there's a recall on the tail lights but I can't seem to find anyone to help me. The vehicle is only 6 years old and the tail lights at $800 each, should last a lot longer than that!

NHTSA ID

11457246

Incident

Mar 17, 2022

Both brake/tail lights intermittently not functioning.

NHTSA ID

11449795

Incident

Dec 28, 2021

LED tail light unit continues to crack (metal inside) and not work. Each replacement is over $500. You have to replace or you’ll be ticketed because it is a safety hazard. It is not a bulb replacement it is a faulty design that is costing people thousands to fix and it’s not right. GMC is aware of this defect and they aren’t doing anything about it. Please help and recall these taillights to be replaced by the updated lights!! Thank you for your time and consideration.

NHTSA ID

11442256

Incident

Oct 13, 2021

The brake light LED panel stopped working on one side and goes out intermittently in the other side

NHTSA ID

11427247

Incident

May 1, 2021

GM issues a specials service campaign N182180270 Tail lights Inoperative, goes to 72000 miles the subject vehicle has 75000. Both rear tail brake lights do not work and the third brake light.

NHTSA ID

11422944

Incident

Jun 30, 2021

My 2016 Yukon Denali passenger brake light has stopped working. I see there are many other complaints identifying the same issue - question why hasn't GMC issued a recall for a known problem. With the circuit board breaking this is obviously a manufacturing issue that needs to be addressed and is most definitely a safety issue and increases the odds of being rear-ended as a result of inoperative brake lights. Fortunately I had a stranger stop me in a store parking lot to let me know the brake light was out. The repair is $800 at the dealer!

NHTSA ID

11421416

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the passenger’s side taillight was inoperable. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000

NHTSA ID

11418877

Incident

Apr 23, 2021

Mileage

59,000 mi

THIRD TIME THE LED CIRCUIT BOARD LED LIGHTS ON REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS SHORTED OUT AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. GMC IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT ISSUE ON THE YUKONS AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. INDIVIDUAL BRAKELIGHT CIRCUIT BOARD OF LED BULBS CANNOT BE CHANGED OUT BECAUSE IT IS PLASTIC WELDED AND SEALED INTO THE TAIL LIGHT, COSTING $600.00 TO REPAIR EACH TIME IT SHORTS OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT KEEP HAPPENING. THERE ARE FOLKS DRIVING W/O FUNCTIONAL BRAKELIGHTS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE COST AND FREQUENCY IF REPAIR. IT IS A POORLY MADE ENGINEERING FLAW BY GM THAT DEALER ADMITS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME DUE TO MOISTURE GETTING INTO LIGHT AND SHORTING CIRCUIT BOARD. BRAKELIGHT WILL NOT WORK WHEN STATIONARY OR WHEN IN ANY MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11386172

Incident

Jan 10, 2018

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PATRIOT BUICK GMC HYUNDAI (2001 SE WASHINGTON BLVD, BARTLESVILLE, OK 74006, (918) 347-4045) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MEET THE MILEAGE QUALIFICATION FOR THE SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11364179

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

88,000 mi

BOTH SIDES BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY THEN COME BACK ON AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

11331234

Incident

Jun 17, 2020

Mileage

40,027 mi

PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR ISSUE AND WAS WORKING WHEN DEALER CHECKED IT. 90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE SO WELL OUT OF WARRANTY. DROVE HOME FROM DEALER... STOPPED WORKING ON WAY HOME. STARTED WORKING NEXT DAY. PART IS $600-800 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I DON'T CONSIDER A CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CRACKS IN THE SAME PLACE ON MANY SAME MODEL VEHICLES (AS PER INTERNET FORUMS) TO BE "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". GM WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. BRAKE LIGHT IS A SERIES OF LEDS ON A THINLY PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. *TR

NHTSA ID

11331163

Incident

Feb 27, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

REAR TAIL LIGHTS (BRAKE LIGHTS) WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A "SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT" BUT IT IS SET FOR A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF MILES OR TIME (6-YEARS). I HAVE A 2016 GMC YUKON XL. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS REPLACED IN 2018 AND NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS DEFECTIVE/INOPERABLE. BUT BECAUSE WE ARE AT 96000 THEY WON'T REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329062

Incident

Jun 15, 2020

Mileage

96,000 mi

RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT / BRAKE LIGHT QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE HAS 74,200 MILES. WHOLE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A $800 DOLLAR REPAIR FOR A DEFECTIVE PART THAT GM KNOWS IS DEFECTIVE AND A SAFETY ISSUE. HOW IS IT A VEHICLE MANUFACTURER CAN SELL A VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE PART? THIS IS A SEALED PART THAT THE OWNER CANNOT REPAIR ON THEIR OWN. THIS ISSUE IS NOT DUE TO OWNER NEGLECT OR MISUSE BUT MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324336

Incident

May 7, 2020

Mileage

74,200 mi

MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL WORK ONE MINUTE AND GO OUT THE NEXT. I HAD A FRIEND AND MY HUSBAND TELL ME THAT WHEN THEY WERE FOLLOWING ME THE LIGHT WAS OUT WHEN I STOPPED BUT AT THE NEXT STOP OR AT HOME IT WOULD WORK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS. LAST WEEK I TOOK IT FOR STATE INSPECTION AND THE INSPECTOR SAID IT WAS OUT I HAD TO GET IT REPLACED. WHEN I PULLED FORWARD IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN TO PASS INSPECTION. TODAY I TOOK MY YUKON TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN. OTHERS WAITING TOLD ME THIS IS A RECALL ON OTHER YEAR/MODELS WITH GMC. THERE IS A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT PANEL.

NHTSA ID

11321892

Incident

Apr 17, 2020

MY CAR HAS 60,000 MI ON A 2016. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE AND I AM BEING TOLD BY DEALER I HAVE TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY- NOT JUST A BULB. ESTIMATED COST IS $800.00 FOR ONE SIDE. IN RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND THIS ISSUE IS NOT UNCOMMON. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR WHAT SHOULD BE THE COST OF A BULB.

NHTSA ID

11321581

Incident

Apr 6, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

LED BRAKE LIGHT CIRCUIT BROKEN - BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T ILLUMINATE

NHTSA ID

11318060

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ON TWO OCCASIONS ON THE ROAD THAT MY TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO CHECK THEM, BOTH TAIL LIGHTS LIT UP THEN TURNED ON. IT MUST BE AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11311829

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

29,500 mi

LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE/RUNNING LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. OCCASIONALLY ONE SIDE WILL WORK AND THE OTHER DOESN'T AND VISE VERSA. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, NEITHER SIDE WORKS. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THAT THEIR MANUFACTURING CAUSED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS MY WIFE AND THREE YOUNG CHILDREN USE THIS VEHICLE ON A DAILY BASIS.

NHTSA ID

11308410

Incident

Dec 7, 2019

Mileage

97,000 mi

LED BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK CAR SHAKES AND TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHILE DRIVING 35-45MPH

NHTSA ID

11306887

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi