Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Yukon XL.
The 2016 GMC Yukon XL is a 2WD truck that utilizes 8.5 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil. Within a model complaint history spanning 2001 to 2026, the vehicle sits between a high of 776 complaints in 2007 and a low of 22 complaints in 2025. This data frames the 2016 model's reliability relative to the extremes of the lineage's documented history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine oil capacity8.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Fitment & sizes
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 720 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 8.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-85 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1
15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85
15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil.
1
All bolts
59 ft. lbs
2
All bolts 90 degrees
90 degrees
3
Short bolts
40 degrees
4
Long bolts
60 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. · M11 Bolts 1-10:
1
22.0 ft. lbs.
22 ft. lbs
2
90 degrees
90 degrees
3
70 degrees; M8 Bolts 11-15:
70 degrees
1
22.0 ft. lbs.
22 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1
7.4
Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.
Every 7,500 mi
Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi
Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi
Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi
Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi
Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Reliability & federal safety record
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.
Recalls NHTSA · verified
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
16V651000Air Bags:FrontalReported 08/09/2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed…
17V437000Air Bags:FrontalReported 10/07/2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed…
Common OBD-II trouble codes
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.