2019 GMC Yukon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2019 GMC Yukon has a Complaint Index of 20 with 58 complaints and ranks 17th worst out of 21 model years. Its verdict is Caution, capped because of an active Do Not Drive recall, even though the complaint index alone is relatively low.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 Yukon years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 58
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 14.5 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2019 GMC Yukon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine31 (53%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (22%)
- Electrical System9 (16%)
- Brakes6 (10%)
- Other5 (9%)
- Steering4 (7%)
- Structure & Body2 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some engine problems triggered dizziness, light-headedness, and breathing issues in occupants at very low mileage.
- Power steering warnings appeared before steering locked in the straight-ahead position at highway speed.
- The rear liftgate opened or lifted on its own near the vehicle grill area at a car wash.
- Vibration above 50 mph was traced to tire balance problems on factory Bridgestone tires.
- One vehicle lost power steering, stability control, transmission gears, instrument cluster function, and climate control at 34,800 miles.
- Trailer brake system warnings appeared with inoperable trailer brakes, sometimes while towing.
2019 GMC Yukon 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 19V761000Oct 24, 2019Brakes652,967 vehicles
Service brakes
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
2019 GMC Yukon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,925
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 GMC Yukon reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 20 for the 2019 Yukon, ranking 17th worst among 21 model years, but the year carries a Caution verdict because of a Do Not Drive recall.
- What are the biggest problem areas for the 2019 GMC Yukon?
- Engine complaints make up 53% of reports (31 of 58), followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 22% and electrical system problems at 16%.
- Does the 2019 GMC Yukon have a Do Not Drive recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists a Do Not Drive recall (campaign 26V289000) affecting four-wheel and all-wheel drive Yukons, along with a separate brake-related recall (19V761000) covering EBCM reprogramming.
- How does 2019 compare to other GMC Yukon model years?
- 2019 has a lower Complaint Index (20) than Avoid years like 2015 (90), 2016 (75), 2021 (100), 2023 (85), and 2024 (80), but its verdict is still capped at Caution due to the active recall.
- What mileage do 2019 GMC Yukon problems typically show up at?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: engine complaints average 79,150 miles, transmission complaints 111,000 miles, and electrical complaints as low as 23,500 miles.