Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 GMC Yukon XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 odor with black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the warranty only provided the replacement of 2 head gaskets. …
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 - 55 MPH, and slowing down to approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine started knocking. The contact noticed that the engine was one quart of oil low after an oil change and driving less than 2,058 miles. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but was not repaired. As a certified mechanic, after searching NHTSA.GOV, the contact became aware of NHTSA ID Numbers: EA25007 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) and RQ26001 (Engine); related the failure to the campaigns. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,008.
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 contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal banging sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was taken back to the residence. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there were abnormal loud sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with crankshaft or lifters failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted and provided an estimate for the repair because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
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 approximately 30 MPH, there was a misfire in the engine, with a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance with having the VIN linked to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 104,389.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ECM had failed. The mechanic reset the check engine warning light, and an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred once. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there were abnormal sounds coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and started flashing. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that part in the engine had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via email. The failure mileage was 64,747.
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.
Engine complaints in other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 GMC Yukon XL, 56% of the model year's 68 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 GMC Yukon XL engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2019 GMC Yukon XL, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 GMC Yukon XL engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.