2019 GMC Yukon XL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2019 GMC Yukon XL has 67 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 55, and ranks 10th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 58% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 105,194 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Yukon XL years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 67
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2019 GMC Yukon XL problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine39 (58%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (22%)
- Electrical System7 (10%)
- Brakes5 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (7%)
- Steering4 (6%)
- Airbags3 (4%)
- Other3 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (1%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine surges to high RPM on its own shortly after starting, in gear, sometimes nearly causing a crash.
- Power steering shuts off unexpectedly, sometimes on the highway, with a dash warning and a chime before it resets itself.
- Electrical connectors near the engine appear affected by moisture, triggering a derate mode tied to the pedal position sensor.
- Brake taillights go inoperable without the driver noticing until another motorist points it out.
- A false 'Service Trailer Brake System' warning flashes repeatedly even when no trailer is attached.
- Front strut assemblies leak, causing excessive bouncing and reduced steering control.
2019 GMC Yukon XL recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V289000May 7, 2026Transmission & Powertrain66 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
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.
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V673000Sep 26, 2018Seat Belts15,800 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other
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."
Risk: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
2019 compared with other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
- NHTSA lists 67 complaints for the 2019 Yukon XL with a complaint index of 55, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 10th worst among 21 model years of the Yukon XL, so it sits in the middle of the pack rather than at either extreme.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2019 GMC Yukon XL?
- Engine issues make up 58% of complaints, the largest share, with a median failure mileage of 105,194 miles. Transmission & Powertrain follows at 22% of complaints.
- Does the 2019 GMC Yukon XL have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls tied to this model year. One covers seat belt retractor assemblies that may not lock automatically, and a separate 4WD/AWD transmission recall was later issued with a do-not-drive advisory.
- How does the 2019 Yukon XL compare to other years?
- The 2019 model's complaint index of 55 is better than 2015 (90), 2016 (75), and 2023 (100), all rated Avoid, but worse than 2014, 2012, 2013, and 2010, which earned Best verdicts.