What are the worst & best GM large SUV engines in last few years?

ChatGPT says

If you want gas:
? 2023–25 5.3L

If you do substantial highway mileage:
? 2022–24 3.0 LM2 Duramax

If budget allows a nearly-new one:
? 2025 3.0 LZ0 Duramax is especially compelling.

I'd be cautious about:
? 2021 5.3 or 6.2, primarily because of the early lifter history.

I'd scrutinize very carefully:
? 2021–24 6.2 L87.

Best Option:
5.3L L84: probably the gas engine I'd shop

The 5.3 isn't problem-free. It shares the DFM lifter architecture, and 2021 is the year I'd be least enthusiastic about.

GM had a specific 2021 service campaign for certain L84/L87 engines with lifters having a broken lock-pin spring, requiring replacement of all lifters on both banks in affected dealer-inventory vehicles. TSB Search

But critically, the 5.3 isn't included in the enormous 6.2 crankshaft/rod-bearing recall.

So for a conventional gasoline family SUV, I'd be much more comfortable shopping something like a:

2023–2025 Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon 5.3 with good service history and a clean pre-purchase inspection.

Statistically speaking the 3.0 Duramax in recent years is the longest lasting and least repaired engine. Most problems are around emissions, coolant control valve, and the fuel pump. There are recalls to address the latter 2.

5.3 has been around for a while and is reliable, but has issues with the AFM/DFM and lifters.

Avoid the 6.2, just not worth it with all the problems they have with it.

They all have the same transmission, which has some of its own known issues but so do the other major manufacturers in the large SUV space.

FTR, I am trying to get her into a Sequoia or 2022/23 Lexus LX, but the prices of those seem to be pretty outrageous for used vehicles.

If I can find one in the right range, I'll pull the trigger without thinking much.

Engine wont matter. its coupled to a steaming pile of shite transmission.

If you buy a used one, buy an extended warranty. The 6.2L V8s are hot garbage and have been since 2020. I'm a huge hater of GM as I had them since 1993 and they completely destroyed reliability starting around 2017 IMO. Shitty engines and trannys aside, they started to make their vehicles way too complicated. All that magic shite eventually breaks and costs thousands to fix. (ask me how I know). Honestly, I'd look at a Ford Expedition or Toyota Landcruiser instead.

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Wife wants a Tahoe/Yukon or a Suburban/Yukon XL

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Of course she does. But what she really wants is a minivan.

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hated the 5.3 V8 I had in a Silverado. Mileage was decent but the AFM was horrible. Nothing worse than pressing the accelerator to merge onto the MRB and feel the engine lag while it goes from 4 cyl to 8cyl.

I realize thats all part of unattainable CAFE standards. But it sucks plain and simple. I'm paying for a v8 engine to be a v8 engine all the time. Not a parttime 4 cylinder

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I hear ya but better it goes than it just locking up on a whim.

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I've heard from several people how shitty these vehicles are and anecdotally we have two friends with them and they live in the shop for random arse reasons. Broken arse, fuel pumps, sensors breaking, etc.

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strike that POS too, then.

Looks like you're narrowing it down to the Toyota or Honda. May want to just suck it up and get a Lexus.

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She doesn’t need an SUV to keep up with the other vapid women.

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OK Karen....

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Buy a used one for a great price. Have the 5.3l engine rebuilt and delete the AFM. The transmissions need valve body replacement to last.

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That sounds expensive and like a lot of work