2026 Yukon concerns?

[Valle Vista]

Thinking about ordering a 26 Yukon Denali. But geez, the engine failures and info screen blacking out is a huge concern for me. I've researched til I can't read anymore. It's a scary thought to spend big bucks on a vehicle only to have it sitting at a dealer for weeks or months. Is the "fix" really fixed?

 

[2024 White Tahoe]

Thinking about ordering a 26 Yukon Denali. But geez, the engine failures and info screen blacking out is a huge concern for me. I've researched til I can't read anymore. It's a scary thought to spend big bucks on a vehicle only to have it sitting at a dealer for weeks or months. Is the "fix" really fixed?

Only time will tell.

 

[Protect1989]

There are always going to be issues with manufacturing and those affected are going to be louder than those that haven’t had a single issue.

I’m sure the 2026 will have issues, just depends on your comfort level with the risk

 

[homesick]

You pays your money and you takes your chances.

joe

 

[headwest]

homesick is right - the way I look at it is that given very few changes in the 2026 and 2 model years away from the recall I'm wagering that a few niggles will have been figured out from consumer complaints and shop referrals. Nips and tucks here and there. My dealer offered to find a 2025 and I said I'd wait for the '26. It's all a crap shoot. I've had good luck over the years with a variety of cars and trucks. I just wish I could order a Yukon without sunroof and rear entertainment - useless for me. My dealer is going to recheck when he orders if somehow on a custom order he can delete those items but previously he could not.

 

[SpareParts]

All manufactures have problems.
I recently read a thread where someone mentioned this would be the last gm they buy.
I thought to my self, you are only trading one brand's problems for another brand's problems.
They all have problems. Read other forums and you will see what i mean.

 

[homesick]

There won't be many perfect products until we develop perfect people to design and build them. That may still be a few years off.

joe

 

[Stbentoak]

No LZ0 failures to speak of. Nothing anywhere near the magnitude of 5.3/6.2.... The only really reasonably dependable choice for this vehicle......

 

[headwest]

It’s just a risk reward situation. For me the 6.2 is a greater reward than the risk but for someone else one of the other engines would be a greater reward risk for them. So little time so many choices. It’s a wonderful world and a wonderful country.

 

[Polo08816]

No LZ0 failures to speak of. Nothing anywhere near the magnitude of 5.3/6.2.... The only really reasonably dependable choice for this vehicle......

Really?

I think it's going to be a trade off.

Having owned so many vehicles with packed engine bays with turbocharged engines, it's refreshing to have a NA v8 because it's easier to get to a lot more components without having to deal with all the plumbing of a turbocharged engine. A turbocharged diesel engine is going to be more complicated than a turbocharged gas engine.

We ended up going with a 2025 F150 Lariat SuperCrew with a 5.0, Max Tow axle, and 6.5 foot bed. We were about to pull the trigger on a similar 1500 SLT with the 6.2 but changed our minds nearly last minute because that's when the 6.2 blew up in the news.

We'll wait a few more years to see if GM remedies all the problems with the 5.3/6.2 before diving into a Suburban.

 

[rlhmarines]

I wanted the little Duramax LZ0 but it wasn’t available when we bought so it was my next big want that was on my list in the 6.2 that we got. I wanted the diesel for economy reasons but longed for keeping that V8 burble which the wife preferred.

I’m not worried about the engine failing since I will get an additional warranty for piece of mind but our engines are not on the list since we have a 2025 HC. Drive what you want and heart desires since nothing is guaranteed not even tomorrow.

 

[Stbentoak]

Really?

I think it's going to be a trade off.

Having owned so many vehicles with packed engine bays with turbocharged engines, it's refreshing to have a NA v8 because it's easier to get to a lot more components without having to deal with all the plumbing of a turbocharged engine. A turbocharged diesel engine is going to be more complicated than a turbocharged gas engine.

We ended up going with a 2025 F150 Lariat SuperCrew with a 5.0, Max Tow axle, and 6.5 foot bed. We were about to pull the trigger on a similar 1500 SLT with the 6.2 but changed our minds nearly last minute because that's when the 6.2 blew up in the news.

We'll wait a few more years to see if GM remedies all the problems with the 5.3/6.2 before diving into a Suburban.

The LM2/LZ0 have about the most open and accessible engine bays out there. Nothing has more room around it than an I6. All the sensors are right up top. DPF is right up top. Turbo front and center... Plenty of room around them to get to things. Never heard of a turbo failure.... (although I'm sure someone will throw up a YT video shortly to refute this...) No Plugs to change, uses cheap 0W-20 that everyone is sure will ruin your engine with amazingly no ill effects.... Doesn't use a drop on either of mine vs Dealer says a qt every few thousand is "normal" on gassers..... Already hit 28 MPG hwy on a brand-new engine..Although, I think the LM2 did and will continue to get slightly better mileage. Fuel .30 higher than RUL but go 40% further on it. So yes.... Really......

 

[Polo08816]

The LM2/LZ0 have about the most open and accessible engine bays out there. Nothing has more room around it than an I6. All the sensors are right up top. DPF is right up top. Turbo front and center... Plenty of room around them to get to things. Never heard of a turbo failure.... (although I'm sure someone will throw up a YT video shortly to refute this...) No Plugs to change, uses cheap 0W-20 that everyone is sure will ruin your engine with amazingly no ill effects.... Doesn't use a drop on either of mine vs Dealer says a qt every few thousand is "normal" on gassers..... Already hit 28 MPG hwy on a brand-new engine..Although, I think the LM2 did and will continue to get slightly better mileage. Fuel .30 higher than RUL but go 40% further on it. So yes.... Really......

The bolded text is a bit misleading wouldn't you say. If it were a naturally aspirated I6, I'd agree with you.

But show me any turbocharged diesel I6 that isn't cluttered with some type of plumbing or emissions component around it.

I don't even think someone could make the argument that a turbocharged diesel I6 powertrain is simpler than a turbocharged gas I6 powertrain.

Our vehicles...
2025 F150 5.0 Coyote
2026 X5 xDrive40i
2023 Volvo XC40
2016 X3 35i
2014 335i
2014 Subaru Forester 2.5H4 non-turbo
2008 Subaru Legacy GT 2.5 turbo

... out of all of those, the 2025 F150 5.0 Coyote and the 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5 non-turbo have the easiest engine bays to service.

 

[Doubeleive]

Thinking about ordering a 26 Yukon Denali. But geez, the engine failures and info screen blacking out is a huge concern for me. I've researched til I can't read anymore. It's a scary thought to spend big bucks on a vehicle only to have it sitting at a dealer for weeks or months. Is the "fix" really fixed?

have you really researched it? like what happens if it won't start? what happens if it breaks down in a dangerous spot?

 

[rlhmarines]

Roadside service is always available in cases of emergency's.

 

[thigaustin]

TLDR: Get the Duramax... better driving experience imo and maybe avoid potential 6.2 engine issues

My 2 cents:

I purchased a '25 Ultimate 6.2 back in November (first delivery in TX!) and, while I loved the sound of the engine (especially remote key start approaching the car), I found the acceleration to be a bit jarring, especially shifting from 1st to second. After 10k miles I ended up trading it in for a Duramax that is exactly the same build without the night vision which I found to be a waste of money for me. I find it to be a much smoother driving experience. I know they have the same transmission, but I just like the way the diesel accelerates better from a stop. I love the better mileage and diesel fuel cost is cheaper than premium where I live (Austin). I do miss the startup sound of the 6.2, but I have always loved the sound of a diesel. My family does not miss the 6.2 startup when I leave the house early in the morning, they can sleep through the diesel.

Of course, I paid a price for the trade in, but the per month cost for the first car was quite a bit less that lease payments would have been for those months so that is how I justified it.

Looking forward to road-tripping with the Duramax!

 

[dukecharmary]

homesick is right - the way I look at it is that given very few changes in the 2026 and 2 model years away from the recall I'm wagering that a few niggles will have been figured out from consumer complaints and shop referrals. Nips and tucks here and there. My dealer offered to find a 2025 and I said I'd wait for the '26. It's all a crap shoot. I've had good luck over the years with a variety of cars and trucks. I just wish I could order a Yukon without sunroof and rear entertainment - useless for me. My dealer is going to recheck when he orders if somehow on a custom order he can delete those items but previously he could not.

I ordered our 25 denali with LZO without a sunroof. Didnt like them either, heavy and noisy.