Both Toyota and GM have had to issue recalls and are given full brand new long block replacements. The question is would you buy a used one that has had the motor replaced and fully documented by the dealer?

Wife’s Suburban really needs to go and a full size long wheel base SUV is a must. Been dancing around with this thing and am tired of fooling with it.
So we have the Lincoln Navigator, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon XL. The Expedition is not in the running because we dislike the interior and exterior aesthetics.

The Lincoln only comes in the 3.5L Ecoboost which is plagued with Cam Phaser issues and it’s not a matter of if but WHEN they fail.

The GMs are plagued with dropped lifters and blown motors thanks to the wonderful active fuel management and the 6.2s are being recalled and replaced with a new long block.
I will absolutely be putting a Range device on any GM that I would be purchasing. So that breathes a ton of life back to these motors bypassing the AFM garbage. I have had one on our current Suburban since we bought it.
Will also be purchasing an extended warranty on any vehicle I buy.

Found a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali XL with 60k miles that just had the motor replaced under the recall is a one owner and has been fully and properly serviced by the dealer since ownership (according to the Carfax)
Turns out the vehicle comes with unlimited mileage powertrain coverage.

You've got a dilemma here. Range Device or no, you'd still be buying a fundamentally flawed motor. The newer model is also loaded up with "nanny" crap. I know of no evidence that a 2021 is any more reliable than the 2015. Unfortunately, garbage is all the automakers are putting out these days.

“Yes” on the 2021 Yukon XL, as the “unlimited mileage powertrain coverage” will provide you with peace of mind in that regard.

I would recommend pushing / negotiating with the dealer to also sell the vehicle to you with a CPO warranty.

I purchased a 2017 Suburban (5.3L) with ~68K miles at the end of 2022 that came with a CPO warranty, and I would not have purchased it otherwise, knowing the potential AFM issues with the engine and possibly some transmission issues too.

Can’t remember the exact mileage when engine needed the AFM side of the lifters and associated internals replaced, and a new transmission installed, all covered by the CPO.

Maybe around 80K - 85K or so, and it’s up to ~135K or so and running fine.

I bought a Range AFM disabler when it was getting worked on.

If that beast is not a high-demand vehicle at the moment, I think that you would have a good shot at getting them to put a CPO warranty on it.

Good luck!

ETA - I think that some of the Yukon’s with the 6.2L engines are not built with AFM, so if you can find one that meets your price / mileage criteria, it may be something to consider (at the expense of mpg’s).

The best warranty is the one you don't have to use.

No way I'd buy any newer GM or Ford, nor a Toyota with the V6 Turbo. What about Stelantis, say a Wagoneer? I haven't heard of problems with their new I-6 Hurricane engine with the ZF designed 8-speed.

I would jump on that, much better to have a new engine installed by the dealer. Bought a Cadillac in the 90's that had a new engine because a quick lube place forgot to put oil in it.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
The best warranty is the one you don't have to use.

Unfortunately in today’s world I am more likely to get to ride a unicorn to work than not have to make a warranty claim on any brand vehicle.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
No way I'd buy any newer GM or Ford, nor a Toyota with the V6 Turbo. What about Stelantis, say a Wagoneer? I haven't heard of problems with their new I-6 Hurricane engine with the ZF designed 8-speed.

I would not touch anything by them and the back of the Wagoneer is hideous.

If you mean the Toyota engines that failed because they didn’t properly clean the metal out post machining, I’d be fine with the replacement. I’d be pretty confident that replacements were verified before shipping.

For the other, if you’re disabling the problem component anyway, the replacement engine should not have further issues from that.

Doesn’t mean some other problem can’t show that had nothing to do with it being a replacement.

I would be suspect of the design. Yes, a warranty would be a must; but I think you'd always have that lingering doubt as to its' longevity.

I can't speak first hand for the Duramax option, I've never owned one. But, GM designed it with Isuzu which makes excellent diesel engines which I have had in a number of medium duty trucks. The 3.0l I6 was intentionally designed for light truck duty with detail to noise, vibration, power and economy. It does add about $4k to cost new. The engine's been out since at least 2021. Some quick Googlefu suggests it does have some reported issues: long crank times or no-start conditions, oil leaks, and emissions-related problems. It is warranted for 5yr/100k mi.

I guess none of them are perfect.

Is the Nissan Armada or Lexus LX big enough?

^^^^^^^^^
Nope. The Armadas third row is non existent and neither have enough cargo capacity behind the 3rd row.
If there was enough room in the short wheel base models we’d be in a 2021 Sequoia a long time ago.

As a non-long term buy, yes. You don't have to keep it for the next 150k miles. The powertrain warranty should negate any $ concerns about the replacement engine.

The only question I would have is why is it being sold right after the engine replacement? Are there other problems?

The other modern tech issues worry me wrt older or higher mileage vehicles. All the sensors, connectors, electronic control modules, displays, and actuators are expensive non-diy repairs. I would research the repair expectations for those kinds of things for each of the models you are considering.

I'm assuming the Denali is the 6.2 & not the Duramax?
Our CEO has a AT4 Sierra with the Duramax & it's been issue free as far as I know. Shockingly quiet and a very nice highway ride, too

We had the cam phasers replaced [warranty] on our Expedition almost immediately after we bought it [and the dealer saying the cold start rattle was 'normal'].
The new Expedition is hideous, IMO. Much prefer the 2018-2024 models.

With the unlimited warranty of the Denali, that makes it pretty appealing [especially with the transmissions issues you've had on the Suburban].

I would not have any hesitation buying that GM with a lifetime engine warranty.

I would however, not use 0W-20 oil in it or anything other engine for that matter. I know I could get flamed for that statement and I would be happy to go into the weeds with anyone but suffice to say that friends don’t let friends use too thin of oil if they want there engines to last.

I would consider a lease, I would not buy any newer vehicles that you mention. Consider a 2007 Suburban if you plan to keep it forever.
TSBs for that one you are looking at:
https://www.carcomplaints.com/GMC/Yukon/2021/tsbs/

As mentioned the new stuff is poorly made, not supposed to last.

Yes, looking at the 6.2L.
Not a single diesel has come up in any of my searches and really not looking for a diesel.

As for the tech side of things I get a warranty on that stuff through my credit union.
Unfortunately it’s a price we have to pay anymore. Especially since our requirements limit us in options.

Yukon XL leases are like $11m down and $1000+ a month for 10k miles a year.
Not a chance in the world that is any sort of a good idea.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
I would not have any hesitation buying that GM with a lifetime engine warranty.

I would however, not use 0W-20 oil in it or anything other engine for that matter. I know I could get flamed for that statement and I would be happy to go into the weeds with anyone but suffice to say that friends don’t let friends use too thin of oil if they want there engines to last.

I ditched 0w20 a long time ago in both the Tundra and the Suburban.
Both run way quieter and smoother.

I am pretty sure the GM was recall includes a new oil filter cap marked 0w40 and a switch to a heavier oil.

Id find a Toyota Sequoia before I bought any GM product but if you're determined to buy the GMC and it has a unlimited drive train warranty I don't see an issue since any engine/transmission failures will be covered. Is the drive train warranty through GMC or a third party? Is the warranty transferable, co-pays or deductibles, read the fine print on the warranty to determine what is and isn't covered.

quote:

“Yes” on the 2021 Yukon XL, as the “unlimited mileage powertrain coverage” will provide you with peace of mind in that regard.

Be sure it's transferrable....

SIL has a 6.2 but it wasn't in the group with this problem in his Yukon, bought it used from a trade in at his Subaru Dealership.

If the warranty is transferrable it would relieve that issue, if not, I would run.

Basically my approach is if it's built in the last 5 or 10 years, lease it, too much tech in these vehicles to take a chance/risk.

No, hell no. Another GM? You got rocks in your head brother
Go Sequoia. There is nothing else out there.

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:

The only question I would have is why is it being sold right after the engine replacement? Are there other problems?

Pure speculation because I have not talked with the dealer yet but GMC’s Powertrain Warranty is up at 60k miles.
This Yukon has 62k miles is a one owner fully serviced at the dealer, I bet someone traded it in as soon as the warranty ended and the dealer went ahead and did the recall and put it up for sale so they aren’t trying to sell a vehicle with an open recall for an engine replacement.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

“Yes” on the 2021 Yukon XL, as the “unlimited mileage powertrain coverage” will provide you with peace of mind in that regard.

Be sure it's transferrable....

SIL has a 6.2 but it wasn't in the group with this problem in his Yukon, bought it used from a trade in at his Subaru Dealership.

If the warranty is transferrable it would relieve that issue, if not, I would run.

Basically my approach is if it's built in the last 5 or 10 years, lease it, too much tech in these vehicles to take a chance/risk.

The warranty is provided by the individual dealership as part of the vehicle purchase.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
No, hell no. Another GM? You got rocks in your head brother
Go Sequoia. There is nothing else out there.

As I have said for the past number of years dealing with the current Suburban if we could fit in a Sequoia we would have bought one long ago.
We had too many kids and fill the Suburban interior cargo to full capacity and have a roof top carrier box.

Aside from the mechanical issues that thankfully have not been catastrophic (knock on wood) this vehicle is super comfortable and a great traveling vehicle. Great looking and plenty of room for the boys their buddies and all the crap that goes along with them.
We’re at 130k miles and on borrowed time for both the transmission and motor.

We essentially have 2 options Ford/Lincoln and Chevrolet/GMC and they both have their own issues.
At least with this I have a brand new dealer installed motor and a warranty for as long as I own the car on the really big ticket items.

If there was an option where I did not have to weigh these big ticket items I would be there in heartbeat.
But the Feds and their MPG requirements have really thrown a wrench in the manufacturers reliability.

As for leasing, a lease would cost me about $56,000 for 3 years.
$11k down and $1300 a month after taxes and bump up for mileage.

I would be buying this outright for around $53,000 and have a lifetime powertrain warranty. I can get supplemental coverage for up to 150k miles on the electronics and non wear items for around $2000.

Then I own it and hopefully have a little bit of equity in it whenever we decide to get something else.

they made yukons in a diesel in 21, i would search hard for one of those instead