OT: 2021-2024 GM V8 engine issues

retire the banner

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Dec 29, 2022
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Are they as bad as they say? Looking at Yukon XL & Escalade ESV. Researching a duramax because of all the engine problems in the 6.2L V8
 

BoDawg.sixpack

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Feb 5, 2010
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Do not buy. The 5.3L Vortec V8 was GMs last reliable full size gasoline truck motor.
 

msstatelp1

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Aug 21, 2012
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Is it all Hyundais or certain models?
Curious about this as well. My Dad has had various Santa Fe models for the past 15 years and recently went to a Santa Cruz. With the exception of the 2011 model he always had good experiences.
 

paindonthurt

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Apr 7, 2025
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Improve your odds by:

Change oil every 5k

Use 0-40 oil instead of 0-20

And FFS, turn that damned cylinder deactivation garbage off, or disable it. That shitt wrecks camshafts, lifters, and phasers over 80k miles to save a total of 8 gallons of gas.
Gracias
 

maroontide06

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Dec 14, 2023
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Curious about this as well. My Dad has had various Santa Fe models for the past 15 years and recently went to a Santa Cruz. With the exception of the 2011 model he always had good experiences.
We just bought a 2025 Palisade like a month ago. It's got a naturally aspirated V6 without turbochargers and that's something you would think that would be ok since this is the 6th year of production on that engine. Surely they've got the kinks worked out of that by now.
 

Pookieray

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Oct 14, 2012
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Do not buy. The 5.3L Vortec V8 was GMs last reliable full size gasoline truck motor.
only if it before 2000 or after 2006? i believe. don't get me wrong, they ARE good engines, but the cast heads have fissures or develop these fissures over time and you add antifreeze all the time and never can figure out where it's going.

That said, i just replaced my 5.3l on a 2005 GMC Sierra with 245k on it still had and reused the original alternator, starter and A/C compressor. Engine ran great still, but the adding antifreeze every 100 or so miles got very old. I just refuse to pay the amount of $ on a vehicle that is only 1/4 the quality of the older ones.

original fuel pump too! But I do believe it needs to be replaced. just got to find the time and hopefully wait for a break in the heat!
 
Last edited:
Feb 18, 2025
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We just bought a 2025 Palisade like a month ago. It's got a naturally aspirated V6 without turbochargers and that's something you would think that would be ok since this is the 6th year of production on that engine. Surely they've got the kinks worked out of that by now.

Why does it matter if an engine has a turbo or if it is naturally aspirated?
 

Pookieray

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Oct 14, 2012
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We just bought a 2025 Palisade like a month ago. It's got a naturally aspirated V6 without turbochargers and that's something you would think that would be ok since this is the 6th year of production on that engine. Surely they've got the kinks worked out of that by now.
We bought a 2020 Sante Fe and we have 90k on it now with no issues and superb fuel mileage. I was thinking our next one would be a Hyundai as well. I really am please with to overall quality of the Hyundai and cost.
 

ckDOG

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Dec 11, 2007
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Why does it matter if an engine has a turbo or if it is naturally aspirated?
More parts more stress with the turbos. Allegedly. Will be a good case study with Toyota bailing on their historically reliably naturally aspirated engines in the Tacomas for the big numbers on the turbos they are making.
 
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The Cooterpoot

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The 6.2 issue is crankshaft bearing clearance, finish, and hardness.
Season 3 Nbc GIF by The Office
 

maroontide06

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Why does it matter if an engine has a turbo or if it is naturally aspirated?
Well it's something added to an engine that is forcing it to do something it wouldn't naturally do. I'm not saying it's bad or it shortens the life expectancy, but it very well could.
 

BoDawg.sixpack

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Turbos are another moving part. They are another exhaust gasket and another oil seal. Then you have the wastegate actuator, and the intercooler and more intake plumbing. Turbos introduced more weight, more cost, and more potential failures for the engine. Can they be reliable? Yes. Can they be fun? Yes. But more than likely they're going to end up being more expensive.
 
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Dawgbite

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Nov 1, 2011
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There’s a guy that I watch on YouTube called The Car Wizard, pretty interesting guy. He might be working on a Kia or a Ferrari. He says the two worst engines currently sold are any Kia Hyundai or the GM 5.3 with the cylinder reduction bs.
 

The Cooterpoot

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Outside of Toyotas and Hondas, everything you buy will have some issues. And even those two have issues not engine related. A lot of these problems really took off when makers tried to increase gas mileage and get more power out of smaller engines. Most of the major problems won't hit til you've got a lot of miles on them.
 

Dawgbite

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Turbo story. I had a Duramax 2500 and at about 100,000 miles the turbo light came on. Took it to the dealer and they said the problem was a defective variable vane and the turbo would need replaced , $18000 parts and labor. I knew a retired diesel mechanic who did a little work at his house. He told me to leave it and he’d call me. Few days later he called and said it was ready, I didn’t know what to expect. I show up prepared to write a big check. It’s $165. Turns out it was carbon buildup in the turbo not letting the variable vanes move freely. He drilled a small hole in the turbo housing and filled it full of oven cleaner and let it sit for a few days. Tapped the hole he had drilled and put a set screw in it. Cranked it up after a few days and blew everything out the exhaust. I drove it a few years more and sold it to a nephew who is still driving it. Nobody knows how to fix anything anymore, mechanics are just parts exchangers Now days.
 

DesotoCountyDawg

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Turbo story. I had a Duramax 2500 and at about 100,000 miles the turbo light came on. Took it to the dealer and they said the problem was a defective variable vane and the turbo would need replaced , $18000 parts and labor. I knew a retired diesel mechanic who did a little work at his house. He told me to leave it and he’d call me. Few days later he called and said it was ready, I didn’t know what to expect. I show up prepared to write a big check. It’s $165. Turns out it was carbon buildup in the turbo not letting the variable vanes move freely. He drilled a small hole in the turbo housing and filled it full of oven cleaner and let it sit for a few days. Tapped the hole he had drilled and put a set screw in it. Cranked it up after a few days and blew everything out the exhaust. I drove it a few years more and sold it to a nephew who is still driving it. Nobody knows how to fix anything anymore, mechanics are just parts exchangers Now days.
We have that issue with the motors we use to pump irrigation. Carbon will build up in the turbos and freeze them up.
 

maroontide06

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Dec 14, 2023
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Turbo story. I had a Duramax 2500 and at about 100,000 miles the turbo light came on. Took it to the dealer and they said the problem was a defective variable vane and the turbo would need replaced , $18000 parts and labor. I knew a retired diesel mechanic who did a little work at his house. He told me to leave it and he’d call me. Few days later he called and said it was ready, I didn’t know what to expect. I show up prepared to write a big check. It’s $165. Turns out it was carbon buildup in the turbo not letting the variable vanes move freely. He drilled a small hole in the turbo housing and filled it full of oven cleaner and let it sit for a few days. Tapped the hole he had drilled and put a set screw in it. Cranked it up after a few days and blew everything out the exhaust. I drove it a few years more and sold it to a nephew who is still driving it. Nobody knows how to fix anything anymore, mechanics are just parts exchangers Now days.
I'm just glad we don't have to deal with that with our old Jeeps. Glad you were able to dodge that bullet.
 

DesotoCountyDawg

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We just bought a 2025 Palisade like a month ago. It's got a naturally aspirated V6 without turbochargers and that's something you would think that would be ok since this is the 6th year of production on that engine. Surely they've got the kinks worked out of that by now.
I’m not sure if it’s the 25s or not. I think it’s 20-24 Santa Fe’s and Palisades. It’s the GDI engines getting buildup up because there’s so gasoline to clean out the buildup due to the direct injection. They recommend oil changes every 4,000 miles with fully synthetic oil which is just wild to me but that’s what they’re saying now.
 

NWADawg

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May 4, 2016
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Well it's something added to an engine that is forcing it to do something it wouldn't naturally do. I'm not saying it's bad or it shortens the life expectancy, but it very well could.
The longest lasting engines running on cars/trucks are turbo diesels. They run crazy high compression and tons of boost. The difference is that they have an engine block built to handle it. The 2nd gen 3.5 ecoboost are typically outlastisting V8's because that went to a more diesel like block. Having port injection also helps keep things cleaner on the top side.

The real downside of turbos is if/when you ever have to do any work on the motor. Cost typically go up when power adders are involved.
 

horshack.sixpack

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Oct 30, 2012
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Improve your odds by:

Change oil every 5k

Use 0-40 oil instead of 0-20

And FFS, turn that damned cylinder deactivation garbage off, or disable it. That shitt wrecks camshafts, lifters, and phasers over 80k miles to save a total of 8 gallons of gas.
Agree. I simply cannot wait and let my truck tell me when to change the oil. This every 10k stuff is BS IMO. I have allowed myself to move from 3k to 5k, but I use full synthetic. I also change air filters every other oil change. Bought two washable so I always have one clean to put in.

ETA: i also only run premium gas, but that may just be stupid. I did have the Acura dealer tell me that the wife's ride did not need some normal intake maintenance item because I was premium only
 

patdog

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May 28, 2007
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Agree. I simply cannot wait and let my truck tell me when to change the oil. This every 10k stuff is BS IMO. I have allowed myself to move from 3k to 5k, but I use full synthetic. I also change air filters every other oil change. Bought two washable so I always have one clean to put in.

ETA: i also only run premium gas, but that may just be stupid. I did have the Acura dealer tell me that the wife's ride did not need some normal intake maintenance item because I was premium only
Yeah, the premium gas thing is just throwing money away. If your car requires it, you need it or the engine will knock & eventually you’ll have real problems. If not there’s no advantage to premium gas. And regular gas has the exact same additives as premium so the Acura dealer was full of sh* t.
 

horshack.sixpack

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Oct 30, 2012
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Yeah, the premium gas thing is just throwing money away. If your car requires it, you need it or the engine will knock & eventually you’ll have real problems. If not there’s no advantage to premium gas. And regular gas has the exact same additives as premium so the Acura dealer was full of sh* t.
Both cars prescribe it. It was actually the service advisor who I asked to do the full service, but he told me there was no need.
 

Darryl Steight

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Sep 30, 2022
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Improve your odds by:

Change oil every 5k

Use 0-40 oil instead of 0-20

And FFS, turn that damned cylinder deactivation garbage off, or disable it. That shitt wrecks camshafts, lifters, and phasers over 80k miles to save a total of 8 gallons of gas.
Please tell me how I can turn it off permanently... I have to push the damn button every time I get in my vehicle. I hate that stop/start shitt.
 
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Perd Hapley

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Sep 30, 2022
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Turbo story. I had a Duramax 2500 and at about 100,000 miles the turbo light came on. Took it to the dealer and they said the problem was a defective variable vane and the turbo would need replaced , $18000 parts and labor. I knew a retired diesel mechanic who did a little work at his house. He told me to leave it and he’d call me. Few days later he called and said it was ready, I didn’t know what to expect. I show up prepared to write a big check. It’s $165. Turns out it was carbon buildup in the turbo not letting the variable vanes move freely. He drilled a small hole in the turbo housing and filled it full of oven cleaner and let it sit for a few days. Tapped the hole he had drilled and put a set screw in it. Cranked it up after a few days and blew everything out the exhaust. I drove it a few years more and sold it to a nephew who is still driving it. Nobody knows how to fix anything anymore, mechanics are just parts exchangers Now days.
Ultimately, issue there seems to be both vehicle design and part specs on GM side.

Variable vane turbo is a far more complex way of doing what a twin scroll turbo already does with far fewer moving parts. That’s mistake #1. Mistake #2 is not designing enough clearance in the engine compartment for service. $18,000 for a simple turbocharger replacement is insanity. I’m seriously hoping you added an extra zero in there by mistake. The only way it’s accurate is if they are having to either pull the entire engine, or lift the cab off to do the turbo swap (or maybe both).

And even then it still seems too high. If the new turbo is like $500, that’s $17,500 in labor cost. Even at an asinine labor rate like $150/hr, that’s still 116 hrs of work. That’s 3 technicians each working for an entire week on 1 truck repair. I’m calling BS. So the other mistake is that GM is letting their dealers completely fleece their customers with their service costs.
 

SyonaraStanz

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Mar 5, 2010
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My ‘23 Sierra 6.2 was completely replaced at 31K miles earlier this year. They claimed the replacement engine is free of the common issue. We shall see.