50K Mile Update

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techbrute

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Hi, all. I'm not really active on the forum, but I lurk and read now and then. I don't really customize or change my vehicle much, so there's nothing much interesting for me to say.

I just wanted to drop in and say hi, and give an update on my 2015 Denali.

Starting at about 10K miles, I was having an issue with vibration in the truck. The dealer blamed the tires, and replaced 3 of the 4 tires over several visits. I replaced the factory tires (BFG?) with Michelin Defenders, and I haven't had any road vibration issues since. Note that I don't believe this is the buffeting noise that others seem to have.

Around 40K miles, the AC condenser developed a leak and required replacement. It was covered under the extended warranty. I have seen other vehicles have this issue, as well.

It currently has 55K miles on it and is in the shop to have the torque converter replaced. Twice, previously, they "reprogrammed" the transmission for what I will call "clunky shifting." This time, there was a very noticeable shudder as it shifted into 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears. Under heavy throttle, it wasn't as noticeable, but under light throttle, it shook the truck.

Also currently being replaced is one of the rear calipers. Basically, it just creaked very loudly whenever I pressed the brake pedal. It is being covered under my extended warranty.

The other issue that is currently being dealt with are broken retainers on the driver's seat. It causes the bottom of the seat to shift when going around a corner. Very annoying, and it's basically $3 in parts that extended warranties won't cover (fasteners are excluded from most extended warranties) with $150 labor to disassemble the seat.

Aside from these issues, I've enjoyed my truck immensely. I with they would get these things right, because aside from reliability issues, I think this is one of the better vehicles on the market.
 

schaffer05

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Lol "aside from reliability issues this is one of the better vehicles on the market." That statement cracks me up. Reliability is my #1 concern on what makes a good vehicle or not. With that many issues with 55k miles, that is a BIG cause for concern. That statement is something only a big 3 fan could make with a straight face.


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salanizi

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Not acceptable to have to replace the torque converter at 55k miles.......
 

schaffer05

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Reliability can be your #1 concern and still not be your ONLY concern. Seems like an easy concept to grasp.
A vehicle can have all the bells and whistles, but if it doesn't run it's not one of the better vehicles. An even easier concept to grasp.

It is unacceptable for a vehicle with only 55k miles to have all of these issues. I'd expect that from a Kia, not a 60+k vehicle.


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sickk23

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A vehicle can have all the bells and whistles, but if it doesn't run it's not one of the better vehicles. An even easier concept to grasp.

It is unacceptable for a vehicle with only 55k miles to have all of these issues. I'd expect that from a Kia, not a 60+k vehicle.


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I think Kias are better vehicles.
:sunot:
 

JayceeP

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If I end up buying, I am going to have to negotiate extended warranty into the deal. It seems many random things might go wrong on these as opposed to having a few common problems. While Toyota is a bit dated and not as adventurous with their technology offering, my 4Runner drives just like it did when I drove it off the lot 4.5 years ago. The only issues I've had is my 2 front calipers seizing up a couple months ago. I'm not trying to promote Toyota over GM, it's just that these sorts of comments make me reluctant to pick up a Yukon- even though they are a sweet ride!
 

ajs800

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I think most when categorizing a vehicle on whether or not it's well liked, I would think reliability would be the first item listed. IMO, that would remove it from the "better vehicle on the market" idea.

70k miles on our 15 SLT and I have a list 3x the list you have. And stupid me, I'm considering trading it in on a 17 Yukon XL.
 
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15YUKON

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I'm done after this truck. Can't say that mine has been reliable. I'm going to the other side (Ford) for 18'. Funny you put quality and reliability at the bottom of your list that is opposite for me. I want my truck to Be dependable.
 
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Danny3737

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I'm done after this truck. Can't say that mine has been reliable. I'm going to the other side (Ford) for 18'. Funny you put quality and reliability at the bottom of your list that is opposite for me. I want my truck to Be dependable.


Aren't quality, reliability, and dependable all synonyms?
 

schaffer05

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Aren't quality, reliability, and dependable all synonyms?
I would say reliability and dependability probably are, but quality is a whole separate thing imo. Paint and interior can look like crap and the vehicle can still be dependable.


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iamdub

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My Daddy taught me to stay away from first year models.

GM taught me to stay away from their '15+ models.

Unless I'm one of those that considers a "quality vehicle" one that vibrates at speed, produces painful bass notes while driving, intermittently shifts erratically, doesn't have a functioning air conditioner or power seats or infotainment system, has pieces of trim that fly off the body, glitchy engine controls... All for a $55K-$90K bargain! Truly one of the better vehicles on the market.
 

ajs800

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swathdiver

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I would not get rid of that truck. Whatever is wrong with it, the techs have not found the cause. Might be time to take it to another dealer.

The only auto we ever bought new allowed us to test drive new cars for years on GMs dime, often for weeks at a time. It was always in the shop; the first problem was a bent engine wire harness pin that would cause the car to just die at random. Spent a whole month in the shop. I had them change techs and he found the problem in a day.
 

cardude2000

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I would not get rid of that truck. Whatever is wrong with it, the techs have not found the cause. Might be time to take it to another dealer.

The only auto we ever bought new allowed us to test drive new cars for years on GMs dime, often for weeks at a time. It was always in the shop; the first problem was a bent engine wire harness pin that would cause the car to just die at random. Spent a whole month in the shop. I had them change techs and he found the problem in a day.

Sounds like a lot of contortions to stay ‘loyal’ to a particular brand.

If my truck spends more time in the shop than it should my dollars go elsewhere when I trade it in in a year or two.

I ain’t got time for all that.
 

swathdiver

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Well, I don't buy cars to trade in quickly, we've always planned to get at least ten years out of them. And yes, I'm loyal to certain brands because their styles and features appeal to me.


I plan to keep this truck new to me truck for twenty or more years in the family as we add a couple more of the same vintage for economy of scale.

As for the troublesome truck at hand, it's not the truck's fault, this is a problem with that particular service department.
 

2015Denali4WD

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Hi, all. I'm not really active on the forum, but I lurk and read now and then. I don't really customize or change my vehicle much, so there's nothing much interesting for me to say.

I just wanted to drop in and say hi, and give an update on my 2015 Denali.

Starting at about 10K miles, I was having an issue with vibration in the truck. The dealer blamed the tires, and replaced 3 of the 4 tires over several visits. I replaced the factory tires (BFG?) with Michelin Defenders, and I haven't had any road vibration issues since. Note that I don't believe this is the buffeting noise that others seem to have.

Around 40K miles, the AC condenser developed a leak and required replacement. It was covered under the extended warranty. I have seen other vehicles have this issue, as well.

It currently has 55K miles on it and is in the shop to have the torque converter replaced. Twice, previously, they "reprogrammed" the transmission for what I will call "clunky shifting." This time, there was a very noticeable shudder as it shifted into 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears. Under heavy throttle, it wasn't as noticeable, but under light throttle, it shook the truck.

Also currently being replaced is one of the rear calipers. Basically, it just creaked very loudly whenever I pressed the brake pedal. It is being covered under my extended warranty.

The other issue that is currently being dealt with are broken retainers on the driver's seat. It causes the bottom of the seat to shift when going around a corner. Very annoying, and it's basically $3 in parts that extended warranties won't cover (fasteners are excluded from most extended warranties) with $150 labor to disassemble the seat.

Aside from these issues, I've enjoyed my truck immensely. I with they would get these things right, because aside from reliability issues, I think this is one of the better vehicles on the market.

Mines is having the same issues and I have 50,000 miles on it. I need the transmission reprogrammed aswell it definitely has a clunky shift and torque converter replaced. Every time I put the truck in Auto 4wd it shudders at light throttle.

Reliability in a lot of new cars n trucks these days are the worst they rely to much on technology instead of a human being that knows the car mechanically. The mechanics today are not taught/shown what it takes to be an mechanic just the common basics.
 

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