Reliability? Is it as bad as it sounds?

[thbrewst]

Looking to get my wife and kids beyond minivan days and into an SUV. At this point I'm down to a Yukon Denali or a Sequoia Platinum. Personally I prefer almost everything about the Yukon except a few specific items (cargo space smaller than Toyota, no center console between 2nd row, price, and reliability concerns). By far the biggest of these is the reliability. This is a car for my wife and kids to drive around in everyday and I can't have it in the shop all the time or breaking down on the road. From reading the forums I can't tell if these issues are fairly wide-spread or it is just the vocal few being impacted. I fully appreciate that any car can have issues, but percentages are pushing me toward the Toyota even though I would really prefer the Yukon.

Those of you who own them, are they really having a lot of large/small issues? Thanks for any insight or opinions. All comments are appreciated.

 

[livingez_123]

Toyota, my next door neighbor lady has a Sequoia and it's a real nice unit. She has been back and forth to the east coast 4 times since I have known her, and it's 3k+ one way.

 

[BirchyBoy]

Have you checked out Consumer Reports?

 

[Rush]

I've put about 5K on mine w/ no real issues... My check engine light came on at one point, went off and never reappeared. From my observation, the real issues were with the earlier production vehicles (Those manufactured before Oct 2014/6-speed tranny).

 

[thbrewst]

Have you checked out Consumer Reports?

I have (religious consumer reports reader here). Currently they rate the Yukon 'Average' for reliability. But considering it is a new redesign they are usually slow to update their information if an influx of new issues start coming in (you would not see that for many months). I'm not saying that is the case, more reacting to the number of complaints from folks here.

---------- Post added at 12:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 AM ----------

Toyota, my next door neighbor lady has a Sequoia and it's a real nice unit. She has been back and forth to the east coast 4 times since I have known her, and it's 3k+ one way.

The Toyota build quality is what has me interested. Generally I think the interior of that car is dated compared to most competitors. But it is certainly still nice enough to get by.

---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------

I've put about 5K on mine w/ no real issues... My check engine light came on at one point, went off and never reappeared. From my observation, the real issues were with the earlier production vehicles (Those manufactured before Oct 2014/6-speed tranny).

Yeah, that was a question I asked in another thread. Do all of these issues seem to be resolved with the post-October builds (which I would certainly ensure that I had), or do they still exist.

 

[hosseface]

Asides from nitpicks (that Im probably too picky about) I havent had any real issues either.

A couple of noise related concerns and a leaking oil filter. The 4x4 issue doesn't affect them all - I ordered mine in March and its fine.

As computerized and as "plasticy" as all of the new vehicles are - I really think you are going to have issue no matter what you buy.

 

[Pockets]

I picked mine up April if last year and have had ZERO problems. Just hit 32k miles last week. Granted it's 2wd but I'm extremely happy still with my purchase.

 

[daktari]

If your primary priority is reliability you cannot get better than the Sequoia-as suggested check out consumer reports and others as it is rated very highly. I like my Denali, but have been plagued by seat noises/shifting, recalls, water leak, booming sound (resulting in complete removal of headliner/interior which then resulted in damage to visor and ill fitting headliner. Maybe acceleration issues fixed in 2015i but you would never guess the vehicle has the power it does. I have other small issues as well. I would have to think twice about getting another one-go with the Sequoia. Only caution is it is likely due for a refresh so watch the "rumors" carefully.

 

[SVL]

Short answer: Yes

Long answer: I traded a 2005 Toyota Sequoia wwith 135,000 miles on it for our 2015 Denali XL. The ony reason we did not get another Sequoia is that we needed more cargo space. The XL does offer more space but it is nowhere near the quality of the Sequoia. None of our issues have been "broke down on the side of the road" bad but it has already spent more time in service than the Sequoia did in our 10 years of owning it.

 

[thbrewst]

Wow, was expecting a bunch of folks to chime in that their Yukon was awesome, and it was the small subset having issues. Hmmmm....maybe I'll be buying a plastic covered Toyota after all.

 

[why_fly_high]

We have just short of 20,000 miles on our tahoe 4x4 LT. There have been a number of recalls but they have been able to take care of them when getting the oil changed. No problems whatsoever.

 

[Justinj360]

Based on what I've read, either you get a good one or you don't, it'***** and miss, luck of the draw - you get it. So I'd just go with the one you want. Any car is going to have problems eventually. There's no way to predict what will go wrong. And with a warranty with the first 100,000 miles covered, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Personally, I wouldn't even look at a Toyota myself. And regarding the lack of cargo space in the Yukon, have you looked into the XL model?

 

[thbrewst]

Based on what I've read, either you get a good one or you don't, it'***** and miss, luck of the draw - you get it. So I'd just go with the one you want. Any car is going to have problems eventually. There's no way to predict what will go wrong. And with a warranty with the first 100,000 miles covered, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Personally, I wouldn't even look at a Toyota myself. And regarding the lack of cargo space in the Yukon, have you looked into the XL model?

I did briefly consider the XL since the cost is not that much more, but that thing is just too big for everyday driving. We only have 2 kids so the extra room is for toting their friends around or for our 'stuff' when we go on trips. My extended family has a beach condo we visit all the time and I honestly doubt we could get the XL into the parking spots in the garage (its a chore even in our minivan).

I'm kind of with you on the hit and miss of cars, but how likely is it that I get one of the 'bad ones'? Seems there are at least a few folks on here that have had issues that seem to boarder on lemon status. If I am buying a economy car that is one thing; but dumping 60k+ into one of these I will not be very understanding of major issues.

 

[Cmicasa the Great XvX]

Wow, was expecting a bunch of folks to chime in that their Yukon was awesome, and it was the small subset having issues. Hmmmm....maybe I'll be buying a plastic covered Toyota after all.

Yeah U do that. Toyota Sequoia is not only ugly as $#!+ it does not exactly score as high when it comes to reliability.

The Yukon/Tahoe are brand new vehicles that experienced a few hiccups.. I love mine and have had an issue with the Roof Rack chattering, which was fixed with rubber fill-ins and had a vibration in the steering which was fixed after a tire balance.

 

[thbrewst]

it does not exactly score as high when it comes to reliability.

.

Why would you say that? From everything I have read the Sequoia (and Toyota's in general) have fantastic reliability. Don't get me wrong, I am trying to talk myself in to the Yukon, really like the looks and features. But like I said, I have an expectation of quality when it comes to dropping this kind of money. Adding rubber spacers to stop a rattle is no big deal, having the 4wd system lock up with 3k miles on the car is not really what I'm hoping for.

 

[PokerMunkee]

Denali for sure. Did the Sequoia ever get push button start? It's ugly and a Toyota!

Don't rule out Lincoln Navigator or Expedition. Cheaper than Denali but less options.

 

[bevosrevenge]

I have a 2015i 4x4 Denali that I purchased from Laura GMC on the day of the decision for the Ferguson shooting (lucky me). Drove from STL back to Houston the next day. 1300 mile trip and zero problems. Now have 4k miles and she's still been very good to me.

I love my Denali. The wife and kids love it too. Generally, I'll say it is one damn fine vehicle. However, please know that I have not owned an America manufactured vehicle in 20 years, so I understand your apprehension.

FYI, for me, the Sequoia was never even a consideration. So get the vehicle you want and not the one you settle for. If it bugs out on you trade it in for another one. Life is too short to not drive what you want.


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[Lyon]

Almost 4000 miles on my 2015i XL Denali and no major issues so far. It's quiet, comfortable and has tons of space.

 

[Reels]

5,000 miles here, and no major issues. Some minor things to ask my dealer about, but trouble free.

 

[EMTPete]

Just hit 1k miles on my 2015i Yukon SLT 4WD, no problems so far (knock on wood) and I am loving it. As Reels said it is quiet and very comfy. I love all the interior storage (console and storage pockets). I'm even enjoying the adaptive cruise control.