Least problems? 18+ with 5.3 or 6.2?

[Jettix2]

I need to replace our 2014 Escalade and I'm trying to pick the most reliable replacement. This 6L80 seems to be shifting strange now, with only 70k miles, which I'm surprised because I was under the impression that it was generally pretty reliable.

I know the 15/16/17 were more trouble-prone with the 8-speed (and A/C issues, etc), so my question is, what configuration and years would be most reliable?

18+ 6.2 with 10 speed?
or 18+ 5.3 with (6 speed, is it the same 6L80 that I already have?)

Thank you!

 

[Doubeleive]

either or, the only difference is the 10 speed, same motor's they have used since 2015 L82/L86

 

[Jettix2]

either or, the only difference is the 10 speed, same motor's they have used since 2015 L82/L86

Is the 6 speed the same 6L80?

 

[Doubeleive]

Is the 6 speed the same 6L80?

yes but the 6l80 in my 2018 is a different beast than the one in my 2012

 

[Red Chevy]

Most of the guys with 8 speeds seem to have good perceptions of them with the newer blue label mobil 1 fluid. That seems to have cured most of the issues folks were having.

 

[91RS]

Keep the 14. Seriously. You will be way better off even if you have to put a transmission in it especially if the truck is paid off. You have so much more life left in that truck with only 70k miles on it. Why not have the transmission diagnosed? When I bought my 08 it was also shifting weird and jerking on hard acceleration but I put a new filter in it, changed the fluid, and reset the shift adapts and I've been driving it for over 2 years now. The previous owner never drove it hard and it learned to shift lazy and didn't like the way I drove it.

As long as the truck is paid for, spend $5k on it for repairs and maintenance. Fix or replace the transmission, get some new Michelin Defenders, new engine mounts, replace any worn suspension components, get a good alignment, maybe fix some trim items or whatever is the transmission doesn’t suck up half that money. You’ll have a much better riding and driving truck than these rough riding and boomy K2 trucks with a significantly cheaper cost of ownership. With only 70k miles you should easily have another 10 years of life if that truck if you take care of it.

 

[mikeyss]

I need to replace our 2014 Escalade and I'm trying to pick the most reliable replacement. This 6L80 seems to be shifting strange now, with only 70k miles, which I'm surprised because I was under the impression that it was generally pretty reliable

Thank you!

The 6L80 is very reliable, the only issue I know of, is the torque converter sometimes can come apart in them. It's not that common though. I would fix the Escalade, only because even though it's 7 years old, it's still the most premium SUV GM made.

 

[mikeyss]

The 6L80 is very reliable, the only issue I know of, is the torque converter sometimes can come apart in them. It's not that common though. I would fix the Escalade, only because even though it's 7 years old, the Caddy is still the most premium SUV GM is making.

 

[Jettix2]

Thank you very much for the input........... I just posted up this thread that shows what we've done to the vehicle, please let me know your thoughts:

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...lp-me-diagnose-a-couple-issues-please.127214/

Keep the 14. Seriously. You will be way better off even if you have to put a transmission in it especially if the truck is paid off. You have so much more life left in that truck with only 70k miles on it. Why not have the transmission diagnosed? When I bought my 08 it was also shifting weird and jerking on hard acceleration but I put a new filter in it, changed the fluid, and reset the shift adapts and I've been driving it for over 2 years now. The previous owner never drove it hard and it learned to shift lazy and didn't like the way I drove it.

As long as the truck is paid for, spend $5k on it for repairs and maintenance. Fix or replace the transmission, get some new Michelin Defenders, new engine mounts, replace any worn suspension components, get a good alignment, maybe fix some trim items or whatever is the transmission doesn’t suck up half that money. You’ll have a much better riding and driving truck than these rough riding and boomy K2 trucks with a significantly cheaper cost of ownership. With only 70k miles you should easily have another 10 years of life if that truck if you take care of it.

 

[steiny93]

Reliability isn't really different between the models in question, other then the trans they are basically the same (tweaks along the way on the newer versions). You'll be getting fewer miles but likely no better/worse reliability until 2021+ where the lifter issues raise they ugly head.

Options are going to be your downfall regarding reliability (magna ride / auto ride / cylinder deactivate / etc).
At the end of the day I don't think you'll be able to buy reliability in this space (2014 to current), although fewer miles would help.

 

[lbenson]

I got 175k out of the 8L90 in my 2015 Yukon with the 6.2L. Now have a 2018 with the 6.2L and the 10 speed with 82k miles and no issues with the transmission. Engine had a little piston slap that was fixed by having two bolts tightened in it at 80k. I would avoid anything with the 6 speed (2016+, when GM axed the 100k/5 year powertrain warranty for 60k/5 year). Only have heard of issues with those. My Uncle's 6 speed in his 2016 Suburban blew at 79k. But with 70k on the '14 I would keep that and drive it forever. My buddy had a 2009 Escalade that went to 282k when he threw a rod through the engine block (Treated it too much like a race truck in the end!)