KnownCarProblems2019 GMC Yukon XL Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 GMC Yukon XL, most often about the engine (56% of complaints, typically around 106,000 miles). It is 15th of 27 Yukon XL model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2019 GMC Yukon XL problems
Engine
38 complaints · 56%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there were abnormal loud sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with crankshaft or lifters failure. The contact related the failure to…
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a misfire in the engine, with a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
Transmission
15 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle stopped moving. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle only revved. The contact stated that she was able to move the gear shift lever, however the vehicle was not…
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and then later restarting the vehicle, it was discovered that the transmission would not shift into reverse(r) or drive(d). The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The…
Electrical
6 complaints · 9%The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle reversed inadvertently and then jerked forward to accelerate. The contact added that the battery was drained but the failure was not the most important to report at this time. The…
Brakes
5 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the brakes lost power without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and was turned off. The contact stated that smoke was pouring out from under the hood. The police were called, but the contact was unsure if a report was…
The contact owns a 2019 GMC yukon. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, and approaching a red light, the brakes failed to operate upon the depression of the brake pedal. The brake pedal was firm while the contact steered the vehicle off the shoulder of the road. Due to the failure, the contact drove through the…
Driver assistance
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, adaptive cruise control.
Speed control
4 complaints · 6%Steering
4 complaints · 6%Air bags
3 complaints · 4%The contact owns a 2019 GMC yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, a second vehicle traveling approximately 65 MPH crashed into the front drivers side of the vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained severe front-end damage, but no airbags in the vehicle deployed. The contact…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2019 GMC Yukon XL recalls
Transmission: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed may 18, 2026. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. Gm's number for this recall is n262557620. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on may 7, 2026.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2026 cadillac escalade and escalade esv, chevrolet silverado 1500, suburban, and tahoe, and gmc sierra 1500, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 suburban, escalade, escalade esv, yukon, yukon xl, and tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began november 7, 2018. Owners may contact cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is 18315.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain 2018-2019 cadillac ct6, escalade esv, chevrolet suburban, volt, and gmc yukon xl vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2019 GMC Yukon XL
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 GMC Yukon XL?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (38 complaints, typically around 106,000 miles); transmission (15 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); electrical (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Yukon XL have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 7, 2026 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2019 a bad year for the GMC Yukon XL?
- It is 15th of 27 Yukon XL model years by number of complaints, with 68 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.