2016 Yukon XL Needs New Transmission - Not Happy

[kiboater]

I have a 2016 Denali and so do two friends of mine. All three of us have had the transmission shutter issue which is corrected by replacing the fluid. I would be very concerned that an unfamiliar or inexperienced "technician" might not know the cause and pull the plug and find metal. I have seen a lot of transmissions that had metal filings in the pan but were perfectly good. The shutter is very pronounced and could be mistaken for an internal failure. It is hard to believe that changing to a different fluid would make a difference but it clearly does. A second opinion might be a good idea.

 

[kiboater]

2016 Manual states Normal Operation (most of us) no trans fluid change required. NO dipstick provided. If SEVERE then 45K. Severe conditions would be taxi, police etc with extensive idling etc.

Severe service (which most of us drive, unless you’re on highway at steady speed all the time) states 45k:

‘Change automatic transmission fluid, if equipped. If filter is serviceable, change filter. (Applies to: Severe)’
Change trans

 

[CMoore711]

I had the shudder in my '15 Yukon Denali 8-speed and at 45K miles they performed the transmission TSB, full fluid flush and filter replacement with the new Mobile1 ATF specified in the TSB and also performed a TCM relearn. The shudder went away completely and today at 104K my transmission is operating fine.

Do you have a Denali with the 6.2L and 8 speed or do you have a 5.3L and 6 speed?

If you have the 8 speed I would take the TSB to your dealer and have it performed, even if you have to pay out of pocket it should be equivalent to a transmission fluid flush/change and new filter. Do that before you start going down the road of replacing the whole unit due to the shudder.

 

[nokuy]

Wife's Yukon has the 6 speed transmission so it's not party to the aforementioned class action suit. It was serviced at recommended intervals. I reached out to GM via social media and they are helping in this matter. While I am still not very happy about this known issue, I will say that I am grateful that GM is trying to help. They could have said "tough luck". Perhaps it's because they realize an issue exists.

 

[OR VietVet]

2016 Manual states Normal Operation (most of us) no trans fluid change required. NO dipstick provided. If SEVERE then 45K. Severe conditions would be taxi, police etc with extensive idling etc.

Guarantee you most of us do not drive the "normal Service". It isn't just the way we drive and the miles but the weather conditions as well. Basically, if you qualify in just ONE of the severe duty examples, then you stick to severe duty maintenance schedule. It is never that you qualify for all the examples, even on the normal schedule.

 

[swathdiver]

I have the previous generation with the same 6L80 and no thermostat, so mine runs cooler. When my truck hit 153K miles, we sent in a sample of the transmission fluid for analysis, it had 36K on it, second time it had been changed. BlackStone Labs said it had about 10K of life left in it. So we changed it. That fluid had towed for about a week or so around town in that two and a half years.

Don't kid yourselves, change the fluid often or plan for rebuilds.

 

[Tiredmechanic23]

Wife's 2016 Yukon Xl 4x4 began shuddering on the highway Thursday night. She was 2 hours from home. Was able to limp to a nearby GM dealer and I drove the 4 hour round trip to rescue her. The service advisor called us yesterday morning and explained that they pulled the plug (maybe pan) and that there was a large amount of metal shavings in the fluid. They are recommending a complete transmission replacement to the tune of $4,900! Only 80K on the clock and she is diligent about keeping up with service requirements. Merry Christmas. 2020 just keeps on giving. Interestingly, our previous 2011 had the same exact issue at a bit over 100K. I've owned 7 Tahoes/Yukons since 1997 and all but these last two have been fantastic and have never had issues such as these. I reached out to a trusted person in the transmission field and they told me that the transmissions in my wife's vehicle has known issues. Apparently the torque converter is the culprit. Has anyone else experienced this unfortunate issue?

Here is another thing that begs to question.... So the warranty when brand new is 60K miles. This rebuild/remanufactured unit that they are suggesting we install carries a 100K mile warranty. Maybe someone can explain that one to me.

2016 2wd failed at 94k miles. No shutter just nothing past 2nd. Converter had sent trash through the trans. Had it rebuild by TK performance and run a PATC billet converter and have 0 issues at this point. Im only at 111k now but its holding up well.

 

[BlaineBug]

45,000 is a good initial mileage to drain and fill the transmission. I plan to do mine next summer, likely a few thousand beneath that number, but nonetheless. At about 38,000 right now with the 6 speed.

 

[swathdiver]

45,000 is a good initial mileage to drain and fill the transmission. I plan to do mine next summer, likely a few thousand beneath that number, but nonetheless. At about 38,000 right now with the 6 speed.

There's a guy in here named Trevor, goes by Mr. T. He published his service log on his 2007 Denali and at the time was closing in on 200K miles. He changes his trans fluid on average about every 42K miles and she's still running strong. This is what prompted me to consider even shorter intervals along with the report from the oil sample.

 

[tsuintx]

Converter on my wife’s Suburban puked its guts out right at 80K, still within the warranty and the Chevy dealer rebuilt it. Now, about 50K later it still works great. Time for fluid change, actually.

 

[briarpatch]

Thank God I bought an extended warranty on this thing......

 

[SuperOldSchool]

Thank God I bought an extended warranty on this thing......

View attachment 266309

yes, a good purchase. Mine has served me well on my ‘15.

Trans fluid changes (pan and filter) should be done 45k without question on these, especially 8 and 10 speeds.

That warranty has taken care of:
Fuel pump
Many sensors
Battery cable
Seat lumbar
Fuel injector
My MRC struts
GPS antenna
And prob more items I’m forgetting

normally I don’t buy them, but with the ‘15 model year change I wanted to be safe.

 

[briarpatch]

yes, a good purchase. Mine has served me well on my ‘15.

Trans fluid changes (pan and filter) should be done 45k without question on these, especially 8 and 10 speeds.

That warranty has taken care of:
Fuel pump
Many sensors
Battery cable
Seat lumbar
Fuel injector
My MRC struts
GPS antenna
And prob more items I’m forgetting

normally I don’t buy them, but with the ‘15 model year change I wanted to be safe.

Yup.....bought extended warranties on both of our Toyotas.....they turned out to be a waste of money....traded an 08 Sequoia in on the Tahoe.....146k on the odometer......in 12 years....only thing to break was a water pump.....2013 Tundra going strong at 101k miles....no issues.....wife wanted the Tahoe because it was prettier and had more creature comforts.....so far, the only thing I like about it is the paint

 

[Labelworkshop75]

2015 Denali 60k with 6 speed 6L80 here. Torque converter just started to grind/shutter intermittently. Going into an independant transmission shop for a TC. Hope it hasn't sent metal through the trans and destroyed it. Fingers crossed.

Are the OEM TC replacements built with upgraded/revised internal compenments? Would hate to install the same junk TC and have simialr problems in another 60k. Assuming remanufactured/replacment units are beefier than the original OEM unit.

 

[OR VietVet]

2015 Denali 60k with 6 speed 6L80 here. Torque converter just started to grind/shutter intermittently. Going into an independant transmission shop for a TC. Hope it hasn't sent metal through the trans and destroyed it. Fingers crossed.

Are the OEM TC replacements built with upgraded/revised internal compenments? Would hate to install the same junk TC and have simialr problems in another 60k. Assuming remanufactured/replacment units are beefier than the original OEM unit.

Welcome on your first post but you would be better served by posting a whole separate thread of your concern. Maybe a mod will see this and move it for you or you can copy and paste and start a new one in this section.

If you are going in to a transmission shop I would cover your concerns with them but some here can respond with info.

 

[greenhornet]

One of the biggest problems is with the torque converter is junk.It was redesigned after the 4 spd. and to this day is very prone to failure.There is a video earlier in this thread and it shows the failure of the components. The 4L60 has a good converter but the 6 spd. 8 spd. are cheaply built. The only cure is a none GM part as in quality after market converter.There is other parts that should be replaced also that wear prematurely.

 

[nokuy]

2015 Denali 60k with 6 speed 6L80 here. Torque converter just started to grind/shutter intermittently. Going into an independant transmission shop for a TC. Hope it hasn't sent metal through the trans and destroyed it. Fingers crossed.

Are the OEM TC replacements built with upgraded/revised internal compenments? Would hate to install the same junk TC and have simialr problems in another 60k. Assuming remanufactured/replacment units are beefier than the original OEM unit.

It was suggested to me to go with a billet TC instead of a factory one. We just went with what the dealership was installing in the new tranny since it came with a 3 yr 100k mike warranty.

 

[Labelworkshop75]

One of the biggest problems is with the torque converter is junk.It was redesigned after the 4 spd. and to this day is very prone to failure.There is a video earlier in this thread and it shows the failure of the components. The 4L60 has a good converter but the 6 spd. 8 spd. are cheaply built. The only cure is a none GM part as in quality after market converter.There is other parts that should be replaced also that wear prematurely.

Decided to go with a billet TC from Florida Torque Converter. Cost around $500. https://www.floridatorqueconverters.com/Torque-Converter-77-JMBXSD.html

I never ran across a video link in the thread.

Curious to know the other components you mnentioned as likely to wear prematurely.

Thanks.

 

[greenhornet]

There are 2 valves that need to be replaced as the GM ones are composite and start leaking pressure.There are other items to be replaced that a good Trans. shop would do in a rebuild.My rebuilt trans now shifts much better than new and should last .When it shifts you can feel it and it down shifts much better and you can feel it also.It almost feels like it has a shift kit in it.Nothing radical just better not mushy slush shifts.Slow and soft shifts equate to lots of heat and wear.Soft shifts happen as one gear lets go while the next one starts engaging causing wear and heat,nice and soft but problematic.The GM torque converter is not up graded so get a good one. The trans oil pump is another possibility so make sure it is checked.

 

[Tiredmechanic23]

There are 2 valves that need to be replaced as the GM ones are composite and start leaking pressure.There are other items to be replaced that a good Trans. shop would do in a rebuild.My rebuilt trans now shifts much better than new and should last .When it shifts you can feel it and it down shifts much better and you can feel it also.It almost feels like it has a shift kit in it.Nothing radical just better not mushy slush shifts.Slow and soft shifts equate to lots of heat and wear.Soft shifts happen as one gear lets go while the next one starts engaging causing wear and heat,nice and soft but problematic.The GM torque converter is not up graded so get a good one. The trans oil pump is another possibility so make sure it is checked.

This exactly. Also the pressure regulator and boost valve in the pump love to wear the bore and require machining. A good builder will rework the bore and put in a oversized kit that provides more progressive pressures and improve the life of the valve. Lots of other little upgrades to be done as well throughout. Basically a good builder will fix what GM did a poor job on.