2 Yukons with bad transmissions

[JonnyTahoe]

I had a 2004 Yukon Denali AWD with the original trans @274k. Fluid was always changed at the proper intervals, never towed and shifted beautifully. Sometimes your just SOL with vehicles.

Never towed Proper fluid changes = Long Life.

 

[Antwon]

Sir if I may ask did any of your trans make your vehicle feel like you was driving over rumble strips? I’ve had 3 different trans installed and they all ended up doing the same thing TC locking up. I drive a 11 Tahoe and the issue started after 150k

I have a similar experience. I had 2004 GMC Yukon that I ran for 450k miles... and 3 transmissions. The problem was resolved when I stopped using GM parts, and replacement transmissions. I live in SoCal and took it to Leon’s transmissions. These guys are fantastic by the way. They know their transmissions. They said these transmissions are the most repaired transmissions out there. The issue is their Torque converters. Leon’s overbuilt the transmission with better grade after market parts that address the issues with these transmissions. The transmission that Leon’s built worked better than the original transmission the vehicle came with and lasted until I wrecked the vehicle. Now to present .... I purchased a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 and had the exact same issue at 50k miles. Still under warranty I had it repaired at a GMC dealer here in La Quinta..failed Torque converter, burnt clutch, metal shavings thought the oil and pan.. we’ll the issues of hard shifting, which is the beginning of the problems, still exist. I took it back and they couldn’t replicate the problem.... BS.... they are kicking the can down the road. There are fixes for this problem as I know first hand. GMC warranty won’t allow any after market parts to be used that are not GM parts, so says the service manager at the dealership in La Quinta. There’s the problem. We can put a man on the moon, but CMC can’t make a transmission that works. I have had. 8 of their vehicles in my life and never had a transmission issues on any of them except the last 2. This will be the last GM or Chevy product I own. The good news is there is a class action lawsuit against GM for being unwilling to fix the problem. GM doesn’t make money in selling cars anymore, they make money on service at 150.00 an hour.... GM should have been allowed to go bankrupt in 2008 and 2009 it would have been purchased, reorganized and today consumers would have a better product. Bailing GMC just saved the old ways of doing business and the unions that as we know now are corrupt. They just lost a loyal customer

 

[JonnyTahoe]

I bought a 2005 Tahoe new (still have) I changed the oil and filter at 30-60-90 thousand miles. Trans went out at 110,000 So the oil changes that I did was a waste.
But why did it go out? Always overhauled my own trans, before but getting to old to crawl under the car. Had Chevy install a rebuilt..
I think it was just one of the valves, or celenoid in the valve body hanging up. I will never know.

 

[avalonandl]

The new Dexron VI fluids are designed to work well up to 230 and BEYOND. The "old chart" that shows you diminishing the life of your transmission above 175 is pure BS. Trans coolers are good but pulling over because you are above 195 is foolish.You can run at 230 no problem. At 260 You need to ease off....

Now proper flushing/exchane of trans fluid is a good thing.

Added EDITS...

 

[PPV12HOE]

My 00 sub has 385,000 still on the factory build... it has been put thru hell and back... towed trailers its whole life... it's had its fluid changed every 30 to 40k... it hasn't given up on me yet...

 

[SnowDrifter]

148k, original trans *knock on wood*

 

[swathdiver]

The new Dexron VI fluids are designed to work well up to 230. The "old chart" that shows you diminishing the life of your transmission above 175 is pure BS. Trans coolers are good but pulling over because you are above 195 is foolish.

Now proper flushing/exchane of trans fluid is a good thing.

The warnings don't come on the dash until the temp is over 260 and the fluid is good for 400+. Having said that, the life is diminished the hotter it gets. How much? Don't know. But if I was towing and my temps were in the 230s or more on that trip for any length of time you can be sure that the trans would get new fluid soon after.

 

[trailblazer]

I crest the 200F mark when towing at 60-65 mph in hilly terrain during the summer. I installed a Tru-Cool max 4921 aftermarket cooler though. I’m doing 30k intervals. Amazon recently had 12-qt cases of Havoline Dex-6 compatible fluid for $38 delivered.


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[02n12]

My 00 sub has 385,000 still on the factory build... it has been put thru hell and back... towed trailers its whole life... it's had its fluid changed every 30 to 40k... it hasn't given up on me yet...

Nice! That's what I wished I could have seen out of either of mine.

 

[swathdiver]

I crest the 200F mark when towing at 60-65 mph in hilly terrain during the summer. I installed a Tru-Cool max 4921 aftermarket cooler though. I’m doing 30k intervals. Amazon recently had 12-qt cases of Havoline Dex-6 compatible fluid for $38 delivered.


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Doing similar here, beginning 36K intervals.

 

[donjetman]

150k+ miles and going strong. I did change 100% of the fluid, filter, and changed the TC at 130k miles. The TC change was a preventative measure.
If I did much towing I would install a Tru-Cool Max cooler with cold wx bypass, pt# LPD4739

https://trucool.com/products/tru-cool-max

I may install one anyway just because

 

[Bigshawn]

I must be lucky cause I have 324,000 miles on my 01 yukon 4x4 an my trans. I have never had a problem with it. Bought it in 2009 with about 92,000 on it and as far as I know it's still the stock fluid cause I haven't flushed it or changed it since I've had it. Knocking on wood lol

 

[Hrocks]

I used have track cars and ran a lot of road courses over the years and got into the habit of changing all fluids MUCH sooner than any factory recommended intervals. I realize that track use is very different from normal driving conditions, but given stop/go, cold start short hops etc. etc., it's still demanding on your vehicle. On any cars that I have owned (vs. short term leases) I have always changed out ALL fluids regularly. My '10 LTZ has 110,000+ on it and it still starts, stops, steers and brakes like new.

 

[02n12]

Well there certainly is allot of good experiences people have had with their GM SUV. Thanks to all for the feedback. I will certainly do extra trans fluid changes and maybe extras cooling in my next SUV regardless of make.

 

[swathdiver]

Well there certainly is allot of good experiences people have had with their GM SUV. Thanks to all for the feedback. I will certainly do extra trans fluid changes and maybe extras cooling in my next SUV regardless of make.

Cooling is critical to longevity.

 

[oldchev]

2004 Yukon Denali. I just turned 234,000. I bought it at 110K about 7 years ago. I have done two fluid changes on trans (with filter) and tow light (small u-haul) occasionally. I don't drive it hard and usually passed at the starting gate. Slow starts, No OD on grade (drive slower) fluid changes, all good. Anything can happen but mine works fine.
Ditto changing all other fluids. I can hear the front diff now and change fluid there every 10K. I have a good used spare on standby.

 

[intheburbs]

Wow, 2 bad transmissions? I'm hearing in my head, "The only common denominator in all your bad relationships is you."

Could be the Texas heat causing the premature failure.

My '01 Burb is now owned by a buddy, has 270k miles, rusting out, but original transmission. I abused that thing so bad that it's wearing rear axle number 4, but still the original, allegedly weak, transmission.

And my '08 is closing in on 200k miles, also beat the snot out of it, have had the fluid as high as 240°, and still the original transmission.

I question the benefit of intervals shorter than 50k miles. I do 50k - trans, axles, t-case. If you're changing more frequently, I'd be curious if it's really necessary, i.e. are you checking the color/smell of the fluid? Mine still looks pretty good at 50k, and again, I'm almost always towing heavy with mine.

 

[02n12]

Wow, 2 bad transmissions? I'm hearing in my head, "The only common denominator in all your bad relationships is you."

Could be the Texas heat causing the premature failure.

My '01 Burb is now owned by a buddy, has 270k miles, rusting out, but original transmission. I abused that thing so bad that it's wearing rear axle number 4, but still the original, allegedly weak, transmission.

And my '08 is closing in on 200k miles, also beat the snot out of it, have had the fluid as high as 240°, and still the original transmission.

I question the benefit of intervals shorter than 50k miles. I do 50k - trans, axles, t-case. If you're changing more frequently, I'd be curious if it's really necessary, i.e. are you checking the color/smell of the fluid? Mine still looks pretty good at 50k, and again, I'm almost always towing heavy with mine.

Well I can't say I beat the snot out of either of mine because I have not. That's the whole reason for the thread, to see what others have experienced.

My '12 looks good inside and out except for that stupid cracked dash and a small dent on driver door that I caused.

 

[Charles Land]

I just got my Yukon back after $3500 worth of transmission repair. What are the chances? I've had 2 Yukons (2002 and 2012) in the past 17 years and they both experienced the same problem. Both transmissions went out around the same mileage, about 150K miles!!!! The repair shop said XL version was brought in for the same issue while mine was being repaired, similar model year and color as mine too LOL

Have others experienced the same type of issue?

I replaced my 2002 with a 2012 and upgraded to 4X4. I've always taken care of my cars and have had other foreign makes and models last me much longer without these type of issues. I've always like the design of the Yukon over other SUVs, but this will likely be my last. With both, I've had too many major repairs besides transmission issues and other quality issues too. They've cost me too much money to own beyond purchase price.

The only reason I repaired this 2012 is because I'm giving it over to my teen son to take to college and finish running it to the ground. Hopefully it will last a couple more years before another major issue happens. Oh, but I already have something I should probably repair, bad driver side motor mount.

I have owned Suburbans and Yukons since 1984. Bought most used - a 2001 new. I have always had to overhaul trannys at 100,000 to 150,000 miles. My last overhaul of a 2011 Denali cost $2600.

 

[David Kriss]

I have a 2001 Yukon XL SLT that I bought new. The first transmission was replaced at around 150,000 miles. That one failed at around 240,000. The dealer rebuilt it. It failed about 10,000 miles later and was rebuilt again. I have to assume that failure was because the first rebuild wasn't done right. I'm at 290,000+ miles and the last one is still working. I now do filter and fluid changes every 30,000 miles with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. I also add some Seafoam Trans Tune a few thousand miles before a fluid change.

While I was talking with a service manager at the dealer, He said that the early 2000 series of Yukon, Tahoe, etc. were the best built series but they do have transmission problems. I rarely tow and, except for one time where I had to tow my daughter's Suzuki Aerio about 150 miles, it is never far or very heavy heavy.