Hate my Denali

[Atee G]

I am just here to vent about the 2015 Yukon’s denali XL 4x4 I have. I have had three GMCs prior to this one, and when I was searching for a new SUV I figured I’d splurge a little and get the Denali this time. WORST MISTAKE EVER.

Bought the car with 40k miles. I coincidentally knew the original owner, another mom of 3 here in Huntsville, AL. After getting the truck it was problems from day one. I tried to return it to the dealership, but they wouldn’t take it back.

Here is everything that has been replaced on my 2015:
-front differential
-front suspension
-injector #3 in engine
-cam shaft in engine
-BOTH tail light assemblies (as they just stopped working at 9pm on a rural road in Alabama.... no lights in the back of my car we’re on and I didn’t know)
-catalytic converters now needs to be replaced
-both heated seat elements
-front headlights are full of condensation (see pictures, the left is full and the right just started)
-left blinker has started to “fail” as of last week.

This car has been garage kept, serviced on time, etc. and my rear right axle pops when making right turns (you can feel it underneath your feet if you’re sitting in 2nd row).

I will NEVER buy another GMC again!!! I even wrote a letter to GM about this POS!! They were willing to give me an “executive discount” on a new one or pay two car payments for me. Then, they took back that offer when they learned that my extended warranty FINALLY ended up covering SOME of the cost. I guess they forgot that you have to pay for the extended warranty and you have a deductible. I was just so tired of dealing with them I just left it alone. I wish this thing would roll off a cliff but I’m too afraid of prison to push it lol.

 

[Doubeleive]

always add a RE to the beginning of a searching for another vehicle. sorry about your luck. I wouldn't touch a 2015 unless it was free or almost free. for one it's not only a new year model then on top of that they decided to switch it up mid year, no thanks, parts nightmare.

 

[bottomline2000]

I am just here to vent about the 2015 Yukon’s denali XL 4x4 I have. I have had three GMCs prior to this one, and when I was searching for a new SUV I figured I’d splurge a little and get the Denali this time. WORST MISTAKE EVER.

Bought the car with 40k miles. I coincidentally knew the original owner, another mom of 3 here in Huntsville, AL. After getting the truck it was problems from day one. I tried to return it to the dealership, but they wouldn’t take it back.

Here is everything that has been replaced on my 2015:
-front differential
-front suspension
-injector #3 in engine
-cam shaft in engine
-BOTH tail light assemblies (as they just stopped working at 9pm on a rural road in Alabama.... no lights in the back of my car we’re on and I didn’t know)
-catalytic converters now needs to be replaced
-both heated seat elements
-front headlights are full of condensation (see pictures, the left is full and the right just started)
-left blinker has started to “fail” as of last week.

This car has been garage kept, serviced on time, etc. and my rear right axle pops when making right turns (you can feel it underneath your feet if you’re sitting in 2nd row).

I will NEVER buy another GMC again!!! I even wrote a letter to GM about this POS!! They were willing to give me an “executive discount” on a new one or pay two car payments for me. Then, they took back that offer when they learned that my extended warranty FINALLY ended up covering SOME of the cost. I guess they forgot that you have to pay for the extended warranty and you have a deductible. I was just so tired of dealing with them I just left it alone. I wish this thing would roll off a cliff but I’m too afraid of prison to push it lol.

View attachment 214488 View attachment 214489

Truck sounds like a ticking time bomb.. why are the catalytic converters bad? I assume it's from a stuck injector or engine related issue. I'd be concerned about having to replace the cam in an engine this new. It's sad GM won't lemon this truck. It obviously has issues..and sounds like the rear diff is going bad also..

The older trucks had none of these issues and I'm not sure why GM made the interiors nicer on the new trucks and quality control went to hell on everything else. Yukon Denalis are not cheap..you best bet is to get everything addressed under warranty and unload it asap even if taking a loss. It's only going to depreciate more with time..mayne having an extended warranty will sweeten the deal.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using Tapatalk

 

[BourbonNcigars]

The older trucks had none of these issues

I'm sure there's exceptions, but I had my 96' to 250K miles and my 2002 to 260K. Fuel pump on the 2002. That's it.

 

[bottomline2000]

I'm sure there's exceptions, but I had my 96' to 250K miles and my 2002 to 260K. Fuel pump on the 2002. That's it.

There are few and far between examples but the gmt800 were good trucks..no cracked dash after almost 20 years either..fuel pump is the only failure I've had other than blowing transmissions hotrodding.,. I had castech heads on my original engine, but we know the story with them. Other than that it's been solid..I've got over 250k on my body before overhauling it, but nothing like the OP..

I just went to the dealership and it's hard to look at the new Tahoes and not think I'd be buying a headache.. quality control doesn't seem to be there..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using Tapatalk

 

[GTNator]

They're all pretty good trucks in general, some of the longest lasting vehicles on the road. I would say the early 2015s are the exception.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

I just went to the dealership and it's hard to look at the new Tahoes and not think I'd be buying a headache.. quality control doesn't seem to be there..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using Tapatalk

I almost broke my car buying rule last year and got a '15 Tahoe. At this point (after reading this here forum and posts from the fine people on it), I'm so glad I didn't. My 2010 SSV will be slowly and cheaply making it's way into a real Tahoe. I'll repair as we go if needed for way less than the cost of a new one. If I had a new one and had the problems so many on here are having, I'd be irate. But damn do I miss my 2002 Z71...

 

[homesick]

I'm wondering why the prior owner didn't warn you about it. And why you didn't ask her.

joe

 

[Illnasty]

Those head and taillights look like they are a problem waiting to happen with condensation. My rears fogged up and the dealer didn’t want to replace them...$700 each, why would they

 

[Blue Rock]

Absolutely insane a truck with an original sticker price in excess of $65K has these kind of quality control issues. Hopefully GM is not headed back to the days of building throw away cars like my parents experienced in the 80s.

 

[ktpinnacle]

This latest evolution seems to have been plagued by bad engineering and quality control, though there is much to like about them. I've about decided to wait for the 2020 versions and evaluate whether they are worth buying in year 2 or 3. Like BourbonNcigars, I've had great luck with my 2001. High miles with few problems. It allows me the luxury of waiting.

 

[WillCO]

By chance, did you have an independent pre-purchase inspection done on the vehicle before you bought it?

You bought a car with 40,000 miles of mystery. You say it's been garage kept and serviced on time, but unless you were in possession of it the whole time you can't know for sure. Nor the workload it got when driven, which is a significant factor in buying used trucks.

Used vehicles cost a lot less, yes, but we also have to factor in the risk of not knowing their history.

 

[CMoore711]

Your experience with your Denali is unfortunate, I can't say I have shared anything close to your experience with my 2015 Yukon Denali XL. I can't help but to think there's more to the story here.

OP registered Monday, made 1 post (this one) on Monday, this thread has received a few comments, feedback, clarifying questions, etc. from our experienced members and zero reply or response from OP.

Maybe OP meant to register and post a review on consumer reports? Edmonds?

I've never once been on a car forum that was filled with so many posts that read as if they should be posted on consumer reports, Edmonds, or the like. How about asking the experienced forum for help, input, or guidance? No it's just a single post to ***** complain and roll out. Since when have car/truck enthusiast forums become the place for that?

 

[WillCO]

Your experience with your Denali is unfortunate, I can't say I have shared anything close to your experience with my 2015 Yukon Denali XL. I can't help but to think there's more to the story here.

OP registered Monday, made 1 post (this one) on Monday, this thread has received a few comments, feedback, clarifying questions, etc. from our experienced members and zero reply or response from OP.

Maybe OP meant to register and post a review on consumer reports? Edmonds?

I've never once been on a car forum that was filled with so many posts that read as if they should be posted on consumer reports, Edmonds, or the like. How about asking the experienced forum for help, input, or guidance? No it's just a single post to ***** complain and roll out. Since when have car/truck enthusiast forums become the place for that?

These days, I wouldn't put it past any company to hire a bunch of guys in Bangalore to post bad experiences on the forums for its competing vehicles.

 

[07Burb]

I've never once been on a car forum that was filled with so many posts that read as if they should be posted on consumer reports, Edmonds, or the like.

The kinds of posts you are referring to weren't even a thing until the 2015's came out and then for some reason we got an onslaught of them from all kinds of newbies and not sure why. If you were to base your opinion solely on the posts of this board you would think that the latest gen of GM full size SUVs were a heaping pile of dog crap regardless of trim level.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

If you were to base your opinion solely on the posts of this board you would think that the latest gen of GM full size SUVs were a heaping pile of dog crap regardless of trim level.

I haven't been here that long (though I have lurked for a long while) and that's exactly what I think. You can't unread things, whether they're true or not. And when you take volume into account it most likely burns into the subconscious. Hell, that's how advertising works.

 

[89Suburban]

I am just here to vent about the 2015 Yukon’s denali XL 4x4 I have. I have had three GMCs prior to this one, and when I was searching for a new SUV I figured I’d splurge a little and get the Denali this time. WORST MISTAKE EVER.

Bought the car with 40k miles. I coincidentally knew the original owner, another mom of 3 here in Huntsville, AL. After getting the truck it was problems from day one. I tried to return it to the dealership, but they wouldn’t take it back.

Here is everything that has been replaced on my 2015:
-front differential
-front suspension
-injector #3 in engine
-cam shaft in engine
-BOTH tail light assemblies (as they just stopped working at 9pm on a rural road in Alabama.... no lights in the back of my car we’re on and I didn’t know)
-catalytic converters now needs to be replaced
-both heated seat elements
-front headlights are full of condensation (see pictures, the left is full and the right just started)
-left blinker has started to “fail” as of last week.

This car has been garage kept, serviced on time, etc. and my rear right axle pops when making right turns (you can feel it underneath your feet if you’re sitting in 2nd row).

I will NEVER buy another GMC again!!! I even wrote a letter to GM about this POS!! They were willing to give me an “executive discount” on a new one or pay two car payments for me. Then, they took back that offer when they learned that my extended warranty FINALLY ended up covering SOME of the cost. I guess they forgot that you have to pay for the extended warranty and you have a deductible. I was just so tired of dealing with them I just left it alone. I wish this thing would roll off a cliff but I’m too afraid of prison to push it lol.

View attachment 214488 View attachment 214489

Sounds like she drove it through a creek and then sold it to you.

 

[Atee G]

I'm wondering why the prior owner didn't warn you about it. And why you didn't ask her.

joe

Because I mentioned I bought it from a dealership in my post and that I just knew of the person who had it in town.

I'm wondering why the prior owner didn't warn you about it. And why you didn't ask her.

joe

 

[Atee G]

Those head and taillights look like they are a problem waiting to happen with condensation. My rears fogged up and the dealer didn’t want to replace them...$700 each, why would they

Yes so expensive!

 

[Atee G]

This latest evolution seems to have been plagued by bad engineering and quality control, though there is much to like about them. I've about decided to wait for the 2020 versions and evaluate whether they are worth buying in year 2 or 3. Like BourbonNcigars, I've had great luck with my 2001. High miles with few problems. It allows me the luxury of waiting.

My older Yukon never had any issues at all and this truck has been such a disappointment