2019 Tahoe reliability

Hi

Doing some research for my daughter. She has a 2019 Tahoe with the V8, AWD, AND 80000 miles. She is pretty conscientious with her maintenance. She has her car in an independent garage, that she usually goes to. It had a mis-fire. They replaced the plugs, and it seems good.

However, when she picked up the car, her mechanic recommended that she buy a new car. He said that the transmission could fail "at any time", likewise the brakes and rotors, and the harmonic balancer.

Personally, I am confused why a mechanic wouldn't want her to keep it, if it really is unreliable.

So, what is the opinion of the her mechanics comments. Are these items really weak points in this vehicle ?

Thanks !

Others will chime in. If she has the 8 speed transmission there have been reliability issues reported. Her guy may be saying he sees failures around the mileage she has. No one can say hers is a good or bad unit as there are thousands of them with no problems.

Unless she's going to buy something new she could be buying someone else's problem or neglected vehicle and have to spend money on it too. If buying new the depreciation loss would be a big amount too. So there's both those things to consider...

I'd suggest reading through the many posts on here about the AFM and transmission problems to get an idea what can happen and many tips on how to prevent or delay those. There can sure be some real expensive problems that many experience around 100k miles on these machines. Has she had any problems with the center touch screen display and controller?

RIT333 said:

Hi

Doing some research for my daughter. She has a 2019 Tahoe with the V8, AWD, AND 80000 miles. She is pretty conscientious with her maintenance. She has her car in an independent garage, that she usually goes to. It had a mis-fire. They replaced the plugs, and it seems good.

However, when she picked up the car, her mechanic recommended that she buy a new car. He said that the transmission could fail "at any time", likewise the brakes and rotors, and the harmonic balancer.

Personally, I am confused why a mechanic wouldn't want her to keep it, if it really is unreliable.

So, what is the opinion of the her mechanics comments. Are these items really weak points in this vehicle ?

Thanks !

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brakes are wear items, occasionally they need to be replaced that goes for ANY vehicle
harmonic balancer is not going to do anything, but if it did no biggie it can be replaced
transmission, ya they are a weak spot but are sure as hell cheaper than another vehicle (if it should fail)
i am confused as well, vehicles require maintenance there is no way around that

for reference I just did the rear brakes on my wifes 2016, it's the exact same thing as the 2018, it cost me $59 for a new set of brake pads (with lifetime warranty) the rotors were fine, took me 30 minutes.
Tell her to get a boyfriend.... one that doesn't wear skinny jeans

RIT333 said:

Hi

Doing some research for my daughter. She has a 2019 Tahoe with the V8, AWD, AND 80000 miles. She is pretty conscientious with her maintenance. She has her car in an independent garage, that she usually goes to. It had a mis-fire. They replaced the plugs, and it seems good.

However, when she picked up the car, her mechanic recommended that she buy a new car. He said that the transmission could fail "at any time", likewise the brakes and rotors, and the harmonic balancer.

Personally, I am confused why a mechanic wouldn't want her to keep it, if it really is unreliable.

So, what is the opinion of the her mechanics comments. Are these items really weak points in this vehicle ?

Thanks !

Click to expand...

If she has the 5.3L engine, she has the 6L80 transmission. They are good transmissions, but the weak link is the torque converter (TC). GM programs them to lockup too frequently and wit too much slip, in order to meet fuel economy mandates and improve comfort, but it kills the lockup clutch in the TC. When it wears out, it sends metal through the transmission and coolers, taking out the transmission and requiring either all new coolers or extensive flushing of the system. The solution is two-fold: 1/ Have an experienced tuner like Blackbear Performance perform a tune that will change the lockup behavior of the TC, and 2/ Replace the TC with a billet unit that has a stronger lockup clutch, such as the VEGE BU60FHD.

The other issue is that GM installed a thermostatic valve on the transmission cooler lines that keeps the fluid warmer than it should, decreasing the longevity of some of the internal components. Transgo sells a kit to bypass the thermostat permanently.

Both the new TC and the transmission thermostat mod can be readily performed by any competent local transmission shop with good reviews. Should be less than $2000 for everything, out the door. That's way cheaper than a new car.

Doubeleive said:

transmission, ya they are a weak spot but are sure as hell cheaper than another vehicle (if it should fail)

i am confused as well

Tell her to get a boyfriend.... one that doesn't wear skinny jeans

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While I love your input, you seem more cynical and not quite as seriously helpful as you used to be. Maybe it's just me???? Hope so. Anyway, you have been very helpful in the past. Thankful for that........

Lil Timmy Shy said:

While I love your input, you seem more cynical and not quite as seriously helpful as you used to be. Maybe it's just me???? Hope so. Anyway, you have been very helpful in the past. Thankful for that........

Click to expand...

I guess I have seen too much loss of male hormones in the general pop. So just being a realist, no offense meant. I blame it on the chemicals in the food chain and in the environment, mostly. When it affects wildlife you can rest assured it affects human beings as well. If you look at numerous studies it comes up as a concern of scientists. Good luck the 18 should be good year, next one I buy will be a 18-20 nothing newer.

I converse with @Doubeleive fairly often and haven’t noticed any change but, like the gent he is, Wes doesn’t hesitate to consider it.

On the noted topic when did GM go to the 10 speed with the 5.3? From what I’ve read so far it sounds pretty tough to beat.

The brakes and rotors could fail at any time? If they haven’t ever been changed at a quarter million miles, then no sh*t. As previously mentioned in this thread, that’s a consumable part. As far as the transmissions, I’ll take my chances with the 6L80e over the 4L60e, or worse, the 700r4, any day of the week and twice on Sunday. GM truck transmissions have come a long way but still aren’t perfect by any means.

Forget that ‘mechanic’, his “take” is hot trash. 59 zillion of these trucks on the road, just like any other vehicle, there are problems, premature failures, etc., yes.. but if she takes good care of her truck the way you say she does and she’s not experiencing any issues, keep trucking.