'17 Yukon Denali w/65k miles.. Thinking of buying

[Technologic80]

Hey folks... I am thinking about replacing my 2008 Saab 9-7x 5.3i with a 2017 Yukon Denali. A dealership is selling it, and it is pretty clean! 65k miles, HUD, pretty solid maintenance records (Oil changes every 5k miles). No alarming issues on the carfax/service history.

Just introducing myself, and looking for insight on any "common issues" I should look for before buying it, so the Dealership can fix them. I appreciate any tips!

 

[TollKeeper]

I just got rid of my 2006 Saab 9-7x. How many miles on it?

 

[Technologic80]

I just got rid of my 2006 Saab 9-7x. How many miles on it?

Yeah, it will be hard for me to part with it... I've e-fanned it, tuned it slightly. Has newer Michelins on it, 151,000 miles on the Saab. 65k on the Yukon. I also moderate one of the 9-7x FB fan pages, lol. The only reason I am selling it is because I have 8 vehicles currently

 

[Miami-Dade]

Hey folks... I am thinking about replacing my 2008 Saab 9-7x 5.3i with a 2017 Yukon Denali. A dealership is selling it, and it is pretty clean! 65k miles, HUD, pretty solid maintenance records (Oil changes every 5k miles). No alarming issues on the carfax/service history.

Just introducing myself, and looking for insight on any "common issues" I should look for before buying it, so the Dealership can fix them. I appreciate any tips!

View attachment 406895

Welcome from Miami Beach&NYC!

I would have a independent mechanic check it out from top to bottom just to be sure even though service records were excellent. But that is just me.

 

[BlackBearPerf]

Welcome to the forum from Coeur D'Alene, Idaho! That's a good-looking Yukon. There are lots of knowledgeable people on here who can provide tips and insight.

 

[Technologic80]

Should I buy an extended warranty? With 65,000 miles, it is just over the 60k mile powertrain warranty from GM.

 

[RAMurphy]

Welcome to this great forum.

 

[B-train]

Welcome from WI

They are great trucks. I bought a CPO 2017 in 2019 with 41k. Bought the extended warranty because it was offered at a ridiculously low price. It paid off for a radio/climate unit, front struts, trans flush to correct fluid due to shudder, LH rear LED tail light, driver alert seat buzzer, and oil cooler lines, along with GM goodwill on two 22 inch wheels that had flaking coating.

We now have 138K on it and it's been very good to us. Just have it looked over by a good mechanic. Also, see what the service records say has been done other than LOF.

 

[Hoesgottaeat2]

Welcome from NY.

 

[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.

Go for it!

 

[avalonandl]

The only issue with the 17 is if it has the 8 speed trans. Those trans are known to fail at 100k

 

[GMCnewbee]

Never a bad time to trade a Saab for a Yukon!

 

[TollKeeper]

Yeah, it will be hard for me to part with it... I've e-fanned it, tuned it slightly. Has newer Michelins on it, 151,000 miles on the Saab. 65k on the Yukon. I also moderate one of the 9-7x FB fan pages, lol. The only reason I am selling it is because I have 8 vehicles currently

Where you live at.. I didnt want to get rid of the 9-7x, but had to engine started blowing a lot of smoke out the tail pipe!

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[L8T BURB]

Welcome from KY! I think there are many variables to consider here. How much are you purchasing the Yukon for? Is it from a GM dealership? How would you feel if a $6-$8k repair bill was to unexpectedly fall into your lap? Would you still feel like it was a good buy?

I ask because of my journey, which I'll map out as short and sweet as I can...

May 2023 - Purchased 2015 Suburban w/184k miles for $17,500
June 2023 - Various repairs done at home (liftgate actuators, drivers door lock switch, shark-fin antenna, thermostat, water pump) totaling around $400.
Late June 2023 - Significant lifter tick present after oil change (suspecting the previous owner used all the tricks to quiet this before trading to the dealer I purchased from)
Early July 2023 - Transmission starts showing signs of significant issues (shift delay, extensive TC shuttering, etc)
July 2023 - Engine completely dies. Cylinder 5 lifter totally collapses

My Suburban is now awaiting an engine and transmission, looking to spend in the neighborhood of $10k when all is said and done.

I say all that to say this....

As much as I hate to spend this money, I still feel like I got a relatively good deal considering that I purchased it at (what I felt like) was such a low price compared to what else was and is on the market.

I would AT A MINIMUM, seek a GM factory extended warranty. If GM warranty is not available, go and speak to your local GM service manager and ask what 3rd party warranty companies that they have the best luck with, and purchase one from them. When I bought my Suburban, it didn't really qualify for any warranties that were worth me considering. Your scenario is much different considering the low(ish) mileage.


Common failures you may see....

1. Engine failure due to AFM/DOD systems
2. Trans failures due to a poorly designed trans that runs hotter than it should at all times
3. Compass/navigation failure due to shark fin antenna taking in water and shorting out
4. Rear liftgate shocks failing due to the left side shock (which houses the actuator) failing

If you made it this far...I hope this helps! Feel free to message me if you'd like!

 

[Technologic80]

Welcome from KY! I think there are many variables to consider here. How much are you purchasing the Yukon for? Is it from a GM dealership? How would you feel if a $6-$8k repair bill was to unexpectedly fall into your lap? Would you still feel like it was a good buy?

I ask because of my journey, which I'll map out as short and sweet as I can...

May 2023 - Purchased 2015 Suburban w/184k miles for $17,500
June 2023 - Various repairs done at home (liftgate actuators, drivers door lock switch, shark-fin antenna, thermostat, water pump) totaling around $400.
Late June 2023 - Significant lifter tick present after oil change (suspecting the previous owner used all the tricks to quiet this before trading to the dealer I purchased from)
Early July 2023 - Transmission starts showing signs of significant issues (shift delay, extensive TC shuttering, etc)
July 2023 - Engine completely dies. Cylinder 5 lifter totally collapses

My Suburban is now awaiting an engine and transmission, looking to spend in the neighborhood of $10k when all is said and done.

I say all that to say this....

As much as I hate to spend this money, I still feel like I got a relatively good deal considering that I purchased it at (what I felt like) was such a low price compared to what else was and is on the market.

I would AT A MINIMUM, seek a GM factory extended warranty. If GM warranty is not available, go and speak to your local GM service manager and ask what 3rd party warranty companies that they have the best luck with, and purchase one from them. When I bought my Suburban, it didn't really qualify for any warranties that were worth me considering. Your scenario is much different considering the low(ish) mileage.


Common failures you may see....

1. Engine failure due to AFM/DOD systems
2. Trans failures due to a poorly designed trans that runs hotter than it should at all times
3. Compass/navigation failure due to shark fin antenna taking in water and shorting out
4. Rear liftgate shocks failing due to the left side shock (which houses the actuator) failing

If you made it this far...I hope this helps! Feel free to message me if you'd like!

Wow, that is quite an experience... this particular Yukon has 65k miles, and the Dealer (in the GM network) is asking $36k.

I went the other day with a friend who has an exceptional eye for detail... it was then he pointed out to me several deficiencies that I hadn't noted before. More disturbing, when the sales (kid) guy came out, he acknowledged that they knew of the issue(s), which means, he wasn't honest with me the first 2 times I went to look at it and drive it. He told me everything was good. Nope. Running boards, both sides, inop. They aren't willing to fix them either, they offered removing them lol. I know they are a very common failure point, and I get that, its not being upfront when I discussed with him the truck not once, but twice. There were other issues, but its a moot point to go into them now, I've moved on.

Either way, Im passing on it. The DOD lifters dont scare me much, my current truck has AFM and I have 151,000 miles with no issues, although admittedly, I disabled it via tune.

Coupled with a poorly designed transmission cooling system, and frequent failures there too, Im thinking ((ducks under table)) maybe I should wait this generation out and get a 4Runner in the meantime. lol. Sorry to mention the dirty word here. But one day, Ill be back!