The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was cautiously driven to the residence and parked. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine active fuel management lifter in cylinder #1 had failed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 117,200.
The worst 2019 GMC Yukon XL problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine38
- Transmission15
- Electrical6
- Brakes5
- Driver assistance5
- Acceleration4
- Steering4
- Airbags3
- Lights1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2019 GMC Yukon XL
Engine failure 17Check engine light 13Knocking 8Loss of power 6Misfire 5
Recalls 2
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- 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 on May 7, 2026.
Recall number 26V289000 · Recall details
Seat belts: rear/other
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 18V673000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2019 GMC Yukon XL 709
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories
- Unknown or other
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- Unknown or other
- This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
What 2019 GMC Yukon XL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Vehicle started showing a po308 code. Called sewell gmc In midland where I purchased the vehical they were 2 months out on diagnostic services. So I took it to another shop. They ran a camera into the problem cylinder and for scaring on the walls. They said it was due to the afm system and the engine was unrepairable. So now I am out 17,000 dollars and stranded over 700 miles from my home due to a manufactured defect.
Unknown Truck engine will cut off in the middle of high speed traffic. More than three times.
My vehicle keeps showing a front camera warning and we went to the dealership multiple times and they were unable to diagnose the problem. This seems to be a widespread common problem among many owners and it’s a safety concern affecting parking and forward collision.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop at a stop sign, the vehicle started shaking violently, with an unknown flashing warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with a lifter failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was covered under warranty; however, upon a further follow-up, the dealer informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving and while the vehicle was parked on several occasions, there was a tapping sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lifters were inoperable, and the lifters and or the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
I was driving vehicle and came up to a stop sign, once I was clear to go I stepped on the gas heard a clunking sound and the car shut off.
Truck Trembling/Rumbling notices when idle . The truck has seen 2 mechanics dealers inspection, concluding that the truck needs a new engine.
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 vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The issue reoccurred the same day. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss automotive power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lifters and cam shaft needed yo be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,127.
Compare the 2019 GMC Yukon XL
Other model years
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Questions about the 2019 GMC Yukon XL
Is the 2019 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
Owners have filed 68 complaints about the 2019 GMC Yukon XL, close to a typical Yukon XL model year.
What is the 2019 GMC Yukon XL year score?
The 2019 GMC Yukon XL scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Yukon XL: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2019 GMC Yukon XL?
Engine and cooling, with 38 complaints, typically around 106,000 miles. Next is transmission (15).
How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Yukon XL have?
2 recalls, covering power train and seat belts.
What year does the GMC Yukon XL have bad engine?
The GMC Yukon XL model years with the most engine complaints are 2021 (166 complaints), 2023 (166 complaints) and 2022 (128 complaints).
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