2007-2014 Tahoe owners - would you do it all over...?

[petethepug]

Starting to see a trend that the less taxed 6.2L seems a better mate to the 6SP 6L90 trans on the NNBS


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[bboyce10]

I would for sure. Depending on the mileage, the thing to really look for is how well it was maintained. I've had a 2009 2500HD Crew Cab LTZ, 2011 Tahoe LT, and 2012 Avalanche LTZ.

Zero issues and very little maintenance required with the 2500, though it didn't have that many miles on it (<75,000).

I bought the Tahoe with about 80,000 on it, and the two things that I needed to take care of by 100,000 miles were the Steering Wheel Position Sensor and the Sway Bar Links. Other than that, just routine maintenance items - nothing more extensive than brakes until I sold it at about 150,000 miles.

No surprise - I had the exact same sensor and links issue on the Avalanche that I bought with 110,000 miles. It was clear after a while that whoever owned the Avalanche before me didn't take care of it at all. I bought it on a rainy/snowy day, and I didn't do the due diligence that I normally would, which I paid dearly for. Before I hit 130,000 miles, I had replaced the transmission, pretty much every bushing and front end or steering part, calipers, lots of nickel and dime stuff, and the Autoride compressor crapped out from leaking shocks shortly after I got it. And there were a couple broken exhaust studs. And it turned out that one of the door handles was expoxied together. And the first time I washed it, some paint started coming off on the rockers. Lesson learned there!

I've had a couple previous generation Suburbans/Yukon XLs that I drove until around 250,000 miles (and sold in good shape at that point), with only routine items having to be done - probably the most extensive was the front wheel bearings (unit) on a 2001 Denali XL at about 200,000 miles. That's only a couple-hour job for both sides, though, so no big deal.

TLDR version - just make sure the previous owner took care of it, washed it, and had some common sense!

What were the major engine issues? Only asking because the only engine issue i have had or really seen are the AFM/DOD.
I don't consider this a major issue. The engine platform is powerful, hardy and the parts are plentiful. For my use, packing a family of 6 in a car, hooking up a car trailer and taking it to a race track 100 miles away at times, no platform can perform as well, for the price.
Being a mechanic for 20 years, and speaking with other gear heads im not alone in saying these are easy to work on, and seldom require the work.
As for the regulators and BCM controlled systems, i got nothing other than brand loyalty

I had an 09 that was great. Bought a 2011 that was not so great. It had all maintenance on time according to the manual. The motor started running rough with no power. Limped into the dealer who said they had to replace the computer and rebuild the bottom half of the engine. I consider that to be major.

Also, Tahoe would just die while driving. Everything would go dead, lights, dash, engine, etc. Sometimes it would start and run again, sometimes it had to be towed. This is scary thing to happen at night or on the highway. Took to dealer, they changed out the battery, alternator, regulator, etc. It still kept doing it. Then I read in a forum that they had a weak ground, and I ended up fixing myself by beefing up all the ground wiring. Doesn't the mechanics read the forums? Anyway, its a ridiculous problem to have to begin with, and not be fixed by the dealer is downright depressing. It also had overheating issues, had to replace the catalytic converter, and plenty more. My maintenance folder looks more like a book.

The rest of it is all minor but still a pain because there was so much of it. On a trip and the cruise control quits working because of a faulty brake switch (replaced twice). Countless blend doors that quit working and suddenly heat is blowing in your face on the hottest summer day. Inside door handles that just snap off, window regulators, climate control thermostat, seat heaters, window switches, electric door locks that quit one by one. One day I pressed the button on the tailgate to open the rear window and the whole button assembly fell out in my hand - and that was the last straw.

It sounds like I was rough on it but believe me I baby my vehicles and always maintained them, always fixed things that broke. I never had steering or transmission problems (like others in this forum). Bottom line is that Tahoe's are WAY to expensive for this. Never again for me.

 

[petethepug]

I like your deal with it, fact based attitude about working with the 2011. So far our 08 Denali & 07 VW Bug convertible have been the best cars we’ve owned. They were purchased pre loved in 13/14. Go figure on the VW bug.

Our 90 VW Corrado & 02 allroad have, and always will require that step back and deduce EVERY and ALL the stink’n facts diagnosis method like your 2011. Having reliable daily drivers keeps me sane and makes diagnostics on the other cars somewhat enjoyable.


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[swathdiver]

I had an 09 that was great. Bought a 2011 that was not so great. It had all maintenance on time according to the manual. The motor started running rough with no power. Limped into the dealer who said they had to replace the computer and rebuild the bottom half of the engine. I consider that to be major.

Also, Tahoe would just die while driving. Everything would go dead, lights, dash, engine, etc. Sometimes it would start and run again, sometimes it had to be towed. This is scary thing to happen at night or on the highway. Took to dealer, they changed out the battery, alternator, regulator, etc. It still kept doing it. Then I read in a forum that they had a weak ground, and I ended up fixing myself by beefing up all the ground wiring. Doesn't the mechanics read the forums? Anyway, its a ridiculous problem to have to begin with, and not be fixed by the dealer is downright depressing. It also had overheating issues, had to replace the catalytic converter, and plenty more. My maintenance folder looks more like a book.

The rest of it is all minor but still a pain because there was so much of it. On a trip and the cruise control quits working because of a faulty brake switch (replaced twice). Countless blend doors that quit working and suddenly heat is blowing in your face on the hottest summer day. Inside door handles that just snap off, window regulators, climate control thermostat, seat heaters, window switches, electric door locks that quit one by one. One day I pressed the button on the tailgate to open the rear window and the whole button assembly fell out in my hand - and that was the last straw.

It sounds like I was rough on it but believe me I baby my vehicles and always maintained them, always fixed things that broke. I never had steering or transmission problems (like others in this forum). Bottom line is that Tahoe's are WAY to expensive for this. Never again for me.

This is going to be typical of these highly optioned vehicles with so much technology in them. A '79 or '89 Suburban would not have a tenth of the features of these trucks or things that can go wrong. But I reckon ours are so much more comfortable, faster, fuel efficient and enduring powertrains.

 

[avalonandl]

I would but I bought mine used at 134k and for under 18k....it's really comfortable.

 

[Tonka44]

My 2011 has been great. It's slow and get bad mileage, but it's a 6k lb 6 speed SUV. I'd rather the 6.0's power but it's multiple MPG lower so that's probably not worth it, objectively

I would tell my 2012 self (bought used in Feb of 2012) to do it, full speed ahead

Cruise control going out is the only legit complaint I have

 

[The Raven]

I just made the decision to keep my 10-year-old 80k mile Tahoe for at least another 3 years. I shopped extensively for new options and couldn't find anything I wanted to trade up for. So yeah, I have to say i'd definitely do it again.

 

[EddieC]

Looking at replacing my Jeep and started looking at the Tahoe. Seem to be pretty reliable - my main concern.
So the question is : having experienced one - would you do it all over again...?

We had 6 Jeeps before discovering Tahoes. Jeeps got pretty bad once Chrysler took over. I'll never buy another Chrysler product.
Answer to your question; Have done it twice with no regrets.
Great tax writeoff if you're in business; full value.