2019 GMC Yukon problems
The 2019 GMC Yukon has 51 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2019 GMC Yukon has 51 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 20 complaints, typically surfacing around 83,050 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Yukon | 265 | 0 |
| 2017 Yukon | 195 | 0 |
| 2018 Yukon | 69 | 0 |
| 2019 Yukon (this page) | 51 | 0 |
| 2020 Yukon | 34 | 0 |
| 2021 Yukon | 295 | 0 |
| 2022 Yukon | 164 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2019 GMC Yukon SUV RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2019 GMC Yukon? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 20 owner reports · tends to show around 83,050 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 106,290 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 17,333 mi · ~$850 to fix
- steering — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 14,569 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 83,050 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2019 GMC Yukon
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My name is [XXX] I have a 2019 GMC Yukon Denali with 226,000 miles my engine has went out do to the same issues that's going on with the GM motors right now. I have brought it in to Courtsey GMC and they told me my engine needed to be replace do to oil pressure problem cylinder…
Rear shocks are frozen (seized) Makes the vehicle hard to control on bumpy surfaces.
MEMORANDUM To: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Subject: Safety Defect Report – 2019 GMC Yukon Denali 6.2L V8 (L87) with AFM/DFM I am reporting a serious and recurring safety defect involving my 2019 GMC Yukon Denali equipped with the 6.2L V8 L87 engine…
Four of the eight oil lifters in my 6.2L engine in my 2019 GMC Yukon failed. The car has around 53,000 miles. The issue was confirmed by an independent service center. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the issue. Zero. The service center even ran diagnostics with…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2019 GMC Yukon reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 GMC Yukon is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2019 GMC Yukon?
On the NHTSA data, the 2019 GMC Yukon does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2019 GMC Yukon?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 20 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 83,050 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2019 GMC Yukon a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 51 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 83,050 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2019 GMC Yukon?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 20 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 83,050 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 83,050 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Yukon has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 GMC Yukon?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 51 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.