GMC Yukon

L84 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 355 hp Automatic SUV 2015–2020

✖ Stay Away!

Engine L84 ✖ Stay Away! 9,400–32,200 $

5.3L V8, iron block, the most-produced truck engine in North America. DFM shuts down up to 15 of 16 firing patterns — and that's the problem. Lifter needle bearings starve for oil in deactivated cylinders, skid across cam lobes, send metal through the engine. Two class actions pending. A $200 Range disabler buys time; a $2,500 mechanical delete with DOD-delete cam is the permanent fix. Run 0W-20 Dexos, change at 5,000 miles maximum.

Fun Factor? Decent

Yukon 5.3 — suburban command center, lifter tax

355 hp V8 hauls 8 passengers and a boat without drama. AutoRide air suspension adds comfort and $1,300-5,000 in eventual repair bills. Same AFM lifter concerns as every GM V8. The family SUV where maintenance discipline matters more than power.

Engine Weaknesses 3

!! AFM/DFM Lifter Failure — Class Action

THE GM truck problem: deactivated cylinder lifters wear from oil starvation. Needle bearing skids on cam lobe, metal debris in oil. Two class actions pending. $3,500-8,500 repair. AFM/DFM delete kit as permanent fix.

Symptoms: Loud ticking/knocking, misfires, rough running, check engine, sometimes from just 25k miles

3,500–8,500 $ from 100,000 km

Ad 12698946 AFM lifter valve assembly L84 12645725 AFM lifter GM 5.3L 12723516 DFM camshaft repair kit L84 DFM lifter delete kit 5.3 EcoTec3

!! Oil Consumption — Piston Rings (Class Action) 2011–2021

Separate class action: $150M settlement for 2011-2021. Piston rings let oil pass — 1 quart per 2,000 miles in severe cases.

Symptoms: Blue smoke, dropping oil level, fouled spark plugs

2,000–6,000 $ from 80,000 km

Ad 12698946 AFM lifter L84 5.3L Hastings 2M5380 piston ring set Gen V 5.3L

!! Timing Chain Wear

Same issue as LV3 — chain and guides from ~100k miles.

Symptoms: Cold start rattle, P0008/P0016

1,000–2,500 $ from 160,000 km

Ad 12630107 timing chain tensioner Gen V LT 12680750 timing chain kit 5.3L EcoTec3 12713934 crankshaft sprocket gear Gen V

Vehicle Weaknesses 4

!! Brakes Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

Same brake vacuum pump issue as Tahoe/Silverado/Sierra K2XX. Pump oil filter clogs, brake assist fails.

800–2,500 $ from 90,000 km

Ad 12696313 GM brake vacuum pump Yukon 12662552 vacuum pump original

!! Suspension Air Suspension Compressor Failure (AutoRide)

AutoRide rear air suspension compressor fails from ~100,000 km. Air springs develop leaks, vehicle sags overnight. Compressor runs constantly trying to compensate, then burns out. Same system as Tahoe K2XX.

1,300–5,000 $ from 100,000 km

Ad AS-3066 Arnott rear air shock K2XX SK-3354 Arnott front strut K2XX air compressor Yukon K2XX

!! HVAC AC Condenser Leak — GM Special Coverage 17336 2015–2018

Same condenser cracking issue as Tahoe/Silverado/Sierra K2XX. GM Special Coverage 17336. Revised condenser (84211191) available.

500–1,700 $ from 70,000 km

Ad 84211191 AC condenser revised K2XX 23141861 condenser Yukon original

!! Gearbox 8L90 8-Speed Transmission Shudder

Same 8L90 shudder as all K2XX platform vehicles. Torque converter clutch material degradation. GM TSB: flush with Mobil 1 LV ATF HP.

300–6,000 $ from 60,000 km

Ad 24260071 ACDelco 8L90 filter Yukon Mobil 1 LV ATF HP 8L90