This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer concerns of engine related shudder.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 GMC Yukon engine problems
severe Owners of the 2019 GMC Yukon have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Yukon | 20 |
| 2016 Yukon | 22 |
| 2017 Yukon | 20 |
| 2018 Yukon | 19 |
| 2019 Yukon (this page) | 20 |
| 2020 Yukon | 9 |
| 2021 Yukon | 145 |
| 2022 Yukon | 73 |
| 2023 Yukon | 116 |
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 20 engine complaints filed for the 2019 GMC Yukon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 39% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2019 GMC Yukon are reporting catastrophic engine failures centered on the oil lifters and valve train in the 6.2L V8. The pattern is consistent: abnormal tapping, ticking, or knocking sounds emerge at startup or during driving, typically in the 50k–80k mile range, often with no warning lights or diagnostic codes showing up initially. Some engines make it past 170,000 miles before failing; others seize as early as 7,000 miles.
The failures are severe. Owners describe violent misfires, sudden loss of power at highway speeds, and complete engine seizures that force dangerous maneuvers through traffic. One owner's oil pressure gauge dropped to zero while towing a boat at 70 mph. Another owner pulled over after losing all power mid-freeway with an unrestrained family member. Diagnostic scans sometimes reveal P0300 (misfire codes) only after the damage is done—dealers often find collapsed lifters, bent push rods, and damaged camshafts only when the engine is torn down.
Repair costs are brutal: lifter replacement runs $3,800–$4,000; full engine replacement quotes range from $15,865 to $16,000. Some owners have paid out-of-pocket $14,400+. One vehicle sat at the dealer for 7 months on warranty claim. Multiple owners note this mirrors a recall pattern in 2021–2024 models but their 2019 isn't covered. Owners with proper maintenance records report no priors—this isn't lack of oil changes.
Same GMC Yukon engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Lifter failure (collapsed/broken oil lifters)
Oil lifters fail, often multiple lifters per engine, leading to abnormal tapping, ticking, or knocking sounds during startup or driving. Failures occur across the valve train with no diagnostic codes initially present.
When: Between 2,000 and 170,000 miles; multiple failures reported in 50k-80k range despite proper maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal tapping, ticking, or knocking sound at startup or during driving; Card-flapping or clicking noise; No warning lights or check engine codes initially in some cases; Engine misfire (P0300); Severe engine shake or vibration; Temporary or persistent check engine light
Codes mentioned: P0300
Repairs/costs cited: Lifter replacement $3,800; full engine rebuild/replacement $15,865 to $16,000+ in severe cases; independent repair $4,000–$6,450; one owner paid out-of-pocket $14,435.44 for full engine replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Partial reimbursement offered in at least one case; GMC opened cases and referred owners to NHTSA Hotline; one owner reported engine replacement covered under 60k-mile warranty but vehicle kept at dealer for 7 months
Valve train failure (bent push rods, damaged camshaft, intake valve spring failure)
Valve train components including push rods, camshaft, and intake valve springs fail, often secondary to or concurrent with lifter failure. Camshaft damage from failed lifters documented by dealers.
When: As early as 7,000 miles; most commonly 50k–80k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal rattling sound from engine compartment; Ticking or knocking noise; Check engine light illumination; Engine stalling or loss of power; Engine unable to run or restart; Loss of power while towing
Codes mentioned: P0300
Repairs/costs cited: Push rod and camshaft replacement; intake valve spring replacement; full engine rebuild in severe cases; one repair bill $6,450
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Cases opened by manufacturer; referrals to NHTSA; warranty coverage mentioned in one case but vehicle held at dealer 7 months
AFM/DFM system malfunction (Active Fuel Management / Deactivation Fuel Management)
AFM/DFM system failures involving VLOM (valve lifter oil management) failures leading to lifter and valve train collapse. Multiple incidents at highway speeds with sudden loss of propulsion.
When: Within 12 months; reported at various mileages; one case at 226,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power at highway speeds; Violent misfire; Inability to maintain speed; Traction control light illumination; Engine light blinking
Repairs/costs cited: Lifter replacement; VLOM replacement; full engine rebuild; costs $15,865+ reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple complaints suggest pattern; owner requested formal NHTSA investigation and mandatory recall; no specific manufacturer response documented in narratives
Engine seizure and total engine failure
Complete engine seizure with sudden shutdown or inability to restart. Occurs with and without prior warning signs; oil pressure drops to zero in some cases.
When: At 72,000 miles; 226,000 miles; highway speeds reported
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pressure gauge drops to zero; RPMs drop to zero; Engine shuts off without restart capability; Loud ticking noise; Loss of power while towing at highway speed; Check engine light on
Codes mentioned: P0300
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement $14,435.44–$16,000+; engines kept by dealerships in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific response documented; one owner noted vehicle not covered by recall applicable to 2021–2024 models
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 8 was bad. After taking the engine apart they notice the problem. my phone number [XXX] email [XXX] INFORMATION…
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 and GM’s AFM/DFM system. In the past twelve months, I have experienced two separate engine failures, both occurring at…
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 no result and could not confirm the issue until after it partially took apart the engine. I noticed a noise similar to a…
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine, and the engine failed to run. The message "Shut off Vehicle - Service at Local Dealer" was displayed; however, no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the…
The intake valve spring broke and destroyed the cylinder and engine. The damage was verified by a certified GMC dealer and submitted to GMC who said they would replace the engine under the warranty. No warnings or symptoms occurred prior to the total engine failure. The vehicle is under the 60000 warranty and has been at the dealer for going on 7 months.
Had engine trouble with your 2019 GMC Yukon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2019 GMC Yukon?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 83,050 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/GMC/Yukon.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.