Hi, LV. Good question. When I asked about this a while back, I got some good advice. I'm not an expert, but here's what helped me:
Yes, it could be the tuners need to be replaced. But first, it's very often the nut, which may have to be re-cut or replaced to fit perfectly the gauge string you prefer. Those slots have to be perfect for each string or else some strings get pinched when you bend and do not return to their tuned position.
The first and easiest trouble shooting is to buy nut lubricant. One brand is Nut Sauce, but any guitar shop will have a brand. (If you're very picky, you may want to avoid pencil graphite or dark products that discolor the nut.) That lubricant often fixes the problem.
If not, then find an experienced Luthier who can differentially diagnose whether you have a nut/gauge problem or if you have a tuners problem. Do not let the young dude at Guitar Center do this. 🤷 You want a Luthier with a well-established good reputation.
If it's a nut problem, decide the gauge strings you're going to use and have your Luthier make sure your nut cuts are a perfect match for each string. If they're not, he'll recut em to a perfect match or let you know you need a new nut which he'll cut perfectly.
But you can't change string guage without risking a similar problem staying in tune.
Then, the very last option would be to buy new tuners.
