Is the 2019 Gmc YUKON XL reliable?

The 2019 Gmc YUKON XL has 79 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Gmc YUKON XL?

Top problems: ENGINE (35 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (13 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Gmc YUKON XL?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE). Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Gmc YUKON XL?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Gmc YUKON XL is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Gmc YUKON XL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Gmc YUKON XL has 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 79. The most common issue is engine problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: unintended surge of acceleration. will happen randomly about once a week when under slight acceleration. it feels like the accelerator goes full throttle for one second, causing a huge surge of acceleration, almost plowing into the car in front of us multiple times. the last time it happened whil. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

6 crash reports 9 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

35 complaints

44%

• UNINTENDED SURGE OF ACCELERATION. WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY ABOUT ONCE A WEEK WHEN UNDER SLIGHT ACCELERATION. IT FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR GOES FULL THROTTLE FOR ONE SECOND, CAUSING A HUGE SURGE OF ACCELERATION, ALMOST PLOWING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WHIL
• This car had catastrophic engine failure due to the lifters, push rods and camshaft. This car make and model and engine type is notorious for these specific parts to malfunction. This could have left myself and my children stranded on the interstate. The vehicle has been inspected by a certified mas
• I have 98,000 on my Yukon XL Denali and I have a crack in the piston block as I was told by the dealer. I have an Endurance Car Warranty on the vehicle and the vehicle has been at the dealers since [XXX]. The warranty company is giving the dealer the run around where they have torn down the motor al

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“UNINTENDED SURGE OF ACCELERATION. WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY ABOUT ONCE A WEEK WHEN UNDER SLIGHT ACCELERATION. IT FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR GOES FULL THROTTLE FOR ONE SECOND, CAUSING A HUGE SURGE OF ACCELERATION, ALMOST PLOWING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WHIL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Gmc YUKON XL

Based on 26 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 92K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 78K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 105K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER26/09/2018

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.

Fix: 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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Gmc YUKON XL

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc YUKON XL Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2019 YUKON XL, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 79 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: UNINTENDED SURGE OF ACCELERATION. WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY ABOUT ONCE A WEEK WHEN UNDER SLIGHT ACCELERATION. IT FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR GOES FULL THROTTLE FOR ONE SECOND, CAUSING A HUGE SURGE OF ACCELERATION, ALMOST PLOWING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WHIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: UNINTENDED SURGE OF ACCELERATION. WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY ABOUT ONCE A WEEK WHEN UNDER SLIGHT ACCELERATION. IT FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR GOES FULL THROTTLE FOR ONE SECOND, CAUSING A HUGE SURGE OF ACCELERATION, ALMOST PLOWING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WHIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: Keep getting a persistent message on screen saying “Service trailer brake system” very dangerous almost wreck when it keeps prompting
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)