2019 Gmc YUKON XL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 67 complaints (50.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 16.4% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 11.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 7.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 34 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Engine: 34; Power Train: 15; Electrical System: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Service Brakes: 4; Steering: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 46 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 5; 2023: 4; 2024: 9; 2025: 25; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11267793 · 2019-10-10 (October 10, 2019)
USUALLY OCCURS WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF STARTING THE CAR. WHILE IN GEAR AND CREATING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE, THE CAR SURGES AT A HIGH RPM ALL BY ITSELF, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS REGULARLY (ABOUT 2 TIMES A WEEK) BUT PROBLEM CANNOT BE RECREATED IN DEMAND. THE CAR HAS THE 6.2L MOTOR AND 10 SPEED TRANSMISSION. THIS DEFECT WILL END UP HURTING OR KILLING SOMEONE. MY WIFE STILL DRIVES AROUND THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE, BUT I'M SCARED TO LET HER CONTINUE DRIVING IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11267793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515094 · 2023-04-03 (April 3, 2023)
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 manufacturer was not yet contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11515094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11258054 · 2019-09-25 (September 25, 2019)
TL* 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 FILED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOB HUFF CHEVROLET BUICK GMC [phone removed], LOCATED AT 925 E MAIN ST, WYTHEVILLE, VA 24382) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CUT. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPL…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11258054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11338415 · 2020-07-09 (July 9, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE BRAKE TAILLIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY OPERATING A VEHICLE WITH INOPERABLE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DUVALL CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 464 US-441, CLAYTON, GA 30525, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR TAILLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11283041 · 2019-11-30 (November 30, 2019)
I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON OHIO TURNPIKE WITH MY FAMILY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK TIRES STARTED TO FEEL WEIRD. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BY PUMPING MY BREAKS, BUT THE WHEEL GAVE A SHARP PULL TO THE LEFT FOR NO REASON. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 60-70 MPH WHEN I FELT A STRONG PULL TO THE LEFT HAND SIDE AND MY SEAT STARTED TO VIBRATE. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE STEERING AND INFORMED EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME THAT WE WERE GOING TO CRASH. I AM POSITIVE THAT THIS DEFECT IN THE STEERING/BREAKING SYSTEM RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. IF TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11283041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437390 · 2021-10-19 (October 19, 2021)
Front strut assemblies (both left and right side) were found to be leaking during annual state safety inspection. Before the inspection determined the cause, the handling of the vehicle had noticeable deteriorated were the vehicle was bouncing excessively while driving and compromising the vehicle's handling and steering. Contacted two dealers, who stated this is a common problem on 2019 and newer Yukons. The GM parts warehouse had over 1900 replacement struts in stock! Per the dealer, the struct was a new design in 2019 and is electronically…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11437390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11636576 · 2025-01-17 (January 17, 2025)
GMC engines are faulty and puts people at risk when they malfunction. The first time the vehicle lost power, It was spitting and sputtering as i was driving with my family in the car. The vehicle Left us sit along side the road of a major highway in freezing temps. The lifters malfunctioned costing 5000 dollars in repairs. Once again started having loss of power and the vehicle shut completely down while driving down the road with my family in it. So no engine means no power steering an etc . Again left us sit along side the road. Th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11636576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11655047 · 2025-04-16 (April 16, 2025)
Catastrophic engine failure to the GM 6.2L engine. Mechanical issue - cam or crankshaft came apart. Safety to myself and/or others as I was driving on the road in traffic when the issue occurred and had complete loss of power. I was able to avoid traffic and get the SUV to the shoulder of the road. The issue was confirmed by my auto service provider. No warning lamps or messages prior to failure. Once failure occurred, the check engine light started to blink.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11655047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11737523 · 2026-05-13 (May 13, 2026)
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 repl…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11737523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11700259 · 2025-11-19 (November 19, 2025)
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 68 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally, with a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that lifter #7 had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that all the lifters were replaced. The contact stated that approximately 5 days later, on October 2, 2025, while reversing, there was a burning odo…
Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11700259 at NHTSA ↗