New GM SUV Buyer, How Good Are These Cars? Long Term Owners?

[JMan12]

Hello all,

I'm currently looking into buying a GM SUV, really looking into a (Suburban or Yukon XL). Been doing research online, youtube vids, blogs/forums etc, etc. How reliable are the new GM Full size SUV? How happy are you with your purchase? Any issues to look out for? Responses from long term owners is highly appreciated!

The type of Yukon/Suburban I'm mostly interested is the mid-entry trims (RST,SLT, maybe Z71 or AT4) They look so nice!

Thanks!

 

[thegrunter]

I like your question too. I just got my 2021 Blazer "Lemon Lawed" and I am working with GM to get me a new vehicle. The 9 speed tranny went out on my Blazer. They had torque converter issues on that Tranny and my issue was a bit worse requiring a complete new tranny. I don't think I want to get back into that 9 speed, so I'm looking at the Tahoe with the 10 Speed. If there is any weak link in the RWD V8 platforms, it has to be the 10 Speed tranny that is new to combat the gas prices. I leery, but I haven't seen too many complaints here about the 10 speed, so it might be better than the 9 speed FWD tranny. Good luck with your new vehicle search.

 

[B-train]

There will be multiple opinions on this topic from the LOVE IT! to THIS EFFING POS!

I personally have a 2008 Denali and a 2017 Denali 6.2L. I like them both for different reasons.

It does seem as though the newer stuff has more weird glitches that seem to show up. Random computer shutdowns, battery drain issues, etc.

The engine side isn't much better for the early years and especially covid years
1. Injector issues
2. Main bearing / engine failures in 6.2L
3. Lifter failures in all V8 engines

I personally wouldn't even consider spending what they ask for one of these and I've only owned GM for 27 years. I think you'd be better off looking at a 2018 to 2020 model. They seem to have all the good refinements without many issues.

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum.

I am with @B-train on paying the price for a new gadget filled and therefore problem prone, GM SUV.

I love my 2005 Tahoe. Sounds like you want the bigger Suburban size. Good luck but buyer beware. Lots of threads here about the problems.

 

[DuraYuk]

We came from toyota and have been happy. Wife drives a diesel slt yukon. Epic gas mileage and tows really well.

Almost 10k miles and no issues yet.

I used to be a GM heavy line tech and understood what could go wrong. New generation is best yet. I wouldn't worry too much about reliability. Lifters on gas engines can be a problem but the fix is quick and painless.

10 speed has been very reliable so far. The 8 speed was very problematic with shift criteria. 6 and 4 speeds are garbage.

If you like it's feature set I think you will be happy. I really wanted the new redesigned sequoia but in terms of 3rd row and cargo capacity it was not even remotely competitive so made the transition to GM.

 

[Tahoe14]

This is a loaded question, like B-train stated you will get multiple opinions from one extreme to the other. It's kind of hard to come on a GM forum and ask how good they are and long-time owners. The majority are very happy and enjoy their vehicles but there are problems with every manufacturer, just visit other forums. Most who post on this forum are having an issue or want info on how to modify it to fit their needs. If you look at that percentage versus units sold it is very small. Ultimately you are the one who has to decide what brand you want to buy. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Onlyone]

I agree with @B-train. I wouldn’t spend the kind of money on these new ones. They aren’t near as dependable. The 8 speeds are junk the ten speeds are a ford/GM brain trust and are just ok. They really have went downhill unfortunately. Not sure I would ever trust a diesel from GM at any point. Would probably stay with the 6.2 over any other engine although they all have their problems. I think all manufacturers are dealing with the same kind of mess now though. The engineers are getting dumber by the minute. Seems they all graduated from the same school and received their participation trophy’s.

 

[DuraYuk]

I agree with @B-train. I wouldn’t spend the kind of money on these new ones. They aren’t near as dependable. The 8 speeds are junk the ten speeds are a ford/GM brain trust and are just ok. They really have went downhill unfortunately. Not sure I would ever trust a diesel from GM at any point. Would probably stay with the 6.2 over any other engine although they all have their problems. I think all manufacturers are dealing with the same kind of mess now though. The engineers are getting dumber by the minute. Seems they all graduated from the same school and received their participation trophy’s.

What are you talking about ? Lol

 

[Onlyone]

What are you talking about ? Lol

Beat it, troll.

 

[ivin74]

Hello all,

I'm currently looking into buying a GM SUV, really looking into a (Suburban or Yukon XL). Been doing research online, youtube vids, blogs/forums etc, etc. How reliable are the new GM Full size SUV? How happy are you with your purchase? Any issues to look out for? Responses from long term owners is highly appreciated!

The type of Yukon/Suburban I'm mostly interested is the mid-entry trims (RST,SLT, maybe Z71 or AT4) They look so nice!

Thanks!

I really like the new body style but not sure I would the gas version until GM fixes the lifter issue. I have own a OBS, NBS and K2XX body style and they all have been great vehicles.

96 Tahoe, sold it 95k miles, no issues
05 Yukon, still own it & has 190k miles no issues ( lots of preventative maintenance)
17 Tahoe, sold it with less than 40k no issues
Going to pull the trigger on a 23 RST Duramax in the next couple of months

 

[OR VietVet]

If I could have a Duramax in my 2005 Z71, I would have a hard time turning the steering wheel, iffen ya know what I meeean.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Right there, after all, the question is rather philosophical, and a matter of faith))) Different generations of GM, 900, K2XX, T1. they have different units, different automatic transmissions, different engine modifications. everyone has some sickness. Personally, I have this third generation, I had a Tahoe 900, I traveled 170 thousand km, not a single breakdown at all, under warranty they only changed the steering wheel braid and the front Emblem. And the operation was hellish) K2 I passed 150 thousand km, also no problems. Right now I'm riding T1, and I believe, I hope, I love)

 

[Doubeleive]

Hello all,

I'm currently looking into buying a GM SUV, really looking into a (Suburban or Yukon XL). Been doing research online, youtube vids, blogs/forums etc, etc. How reliable are the new GM Full size SUV? How happy are you with your purchase? Any issues to look out for? Responses from long term owners is highly appreciated!

The type of Yukon/Suburban I'm mostly interested is the mid-entry trims (RST,SLT, maybe Z71 or AT4) They look so nice!

Thanks!

most of the issue's reported on the new 21+ platform are electronics/software related things that they are still working the bugs out on, if you really want that fresh look go for it but keep a small wrench in the glove box so the battery can be disconnected and reconnected if it happens to "glitch out"
if you want to save a little bit and not take that 40-50k depreciation hit then get a 18-20

 

[Stbentoak]

21 Dmax ultimate. A few minor issues handled well by my dealer. Been enjoying this vehicle for over 2 years with no fears or show stopping events. Runs great, exceptional fuel mileage, didn't pay over sticker, hauls the world around in comfort, best road trip vehicle I've ever had. If you never stick your foot in the water, you'll never get to swim.

 

[GMCnewbee]

We like our 2022 Denali just fine. No issues and we really enjoy driving it. Yea, things can (and do) go wrong but there are a lot of GM vehicles (most of them) that are just trucking along. Buy something new, you will have a warranty, and appreciate how nice these vehicles are and how far the technology has come.

 

[Kehoelaw1989]

22 Tahoe RST here. I've had it for just over a year and put 22k miles on it! Multiple long trips and plenty of city driving. Not a single issue. I've been very happy with the comfort, handling, and mileage along the way. Looking forward to many more years with this rig!

 

[Thomas Schneider]

Hello all,

I'm currently looking into buying a GM SUV, really looking into a (Suburban or Yukon XL). Been doing research online, youtube vids, blogs/forums etc, etc. How reliable are the new GM Full size SUV? How happy are you with your purchase? Any issues to look out for? Responses from long term owners is highly appreciated!

The type of Yukon/Suburban I'm mostly interested is the mid-entry trims (RST,SLT, maybe Z71 or AT4) They look so nice!

Thanks!

When ever I see these questions, I can't help but think about this meme:

I've had 4 Tahoes and 2 Yukons since 2002 and haven't had any "major" problems with any of them that would make me say I'd never buy one again. Sure, I've had them need various repairs (leaking power steering, leaking AC coils, etc) but all have been fixed under warranty and came back working fine for the remaining time I owned them. Every manufacturer has had their share of problems that have caused some owners to say "I'll never buy that brand again." Personally, I just go with a vehicle that has features that I want and just like the appearance/color. I guess you just have to go with what the meme says...

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving all kinds of opinions from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum. Personally, I don't think that you would be disappointed in purchasing one of these trucks.

 

[ZKWBQD]

Hello all,

I'm currently looking into buying a GM SUV, really looking into a (Suburban or Yukon XL). Been doing research online, youtube vids, blogs/forums etc, etc. How reliable are the new GM Full size SUV? How happy are you with your purchase? Any issues to look out for? Responses from long term owners is highly appreciated!

The type of Yukon/Suburban I'm mostly interested is the mid-entry trims (RST,SLT, maybe Z71 or AT4) They look so nice!

Thanks!

I have owned about 10 large SUVs. I currently have a new Tahoe. Of all the vehicles of this type I've ever had my favorite was a Toyota Sequoia. I would have purchased a new Sequoia except they are now hybrid, which I do NOT want. Overall, I like the Tahoe. But here are the negatives of GM versus Toyota. GM has Forced Lighting. You can override the Daytime Running Lights, DRL but you must do so on every start. With Toyota, off is really OFF. GM vehicles have the universally dreaded engine Stop-Start technology. Permanent overrides for this are readily available. Toyota does not do this. General Motors makes their engines more complicated in order to get a little bit more gas mileage. Toyota does not do this. A Toyota V8 engine can be COUNTED ON to go at least 350,000 miles. General Motors is discontinuing Apple CarPlay. Toyota is committed to Apple CarPlay. I would not buy a car for A NICKEL without Apple CarPlay. Do I like my Tahoe? Yes. But it's not the best I've ever owned. But if you're trying to avoid hybrid, a Tahoe or Suburban is a good way to go.

 

[Geotrash]

I see these trucks as long-term investments. They are the best true "utility" vehicles I've ever owned. Hands-down the finest road trip, towing, kid-hauling, errand-running, lumber-getting, camping rigs you can buy. We have 2 Yukon XL Denali's from the 900 platform ('07 & '12), and both of them are in pristine condition and reliable such that I wouldn't hesitate to drive either of them on the Alcan highway tomorrow.

Having watched these pages closely since this latest generation came out, I think we have another winner. The lifter issues are no longer dominating the threads, and the number of people getting stranded somewhere as a result seems to be dropping close to zero.

Naturally the newest generation has very few parts in common with the ones we own, but they still aren't "throw-away" cars, in my opinion, and I anticipate that they will stand the test of time.