Looking to purchase a 2015-2019 Suburban LTZ what problems should i look for

[SFX Group]

Hi

 

Am new here, joined to gain experience in issues and mods (mostly light changes to LED)...  i am looking to buy a 2015-2019 Surberban LTZ / Premier (what ever they brand them as now).. raises a few questions:

- WHat problems should i look for

- Which are real easy to fix so overlook with a drop in price

etc...

 

I also notice some are "shadow lined" (which is a BMW labeling) meaning the chrome around the windows, front grill, door handles and branding "SUBURBAN" are all black, was this an option at some point?

 

many Thanks

[The Zip]

Scan through the thread titles and stop on the ones that interest you, you'll find some consistent problems with a few owners.  The "shadow lined" you mentioned may have been a later Gen 4 option or a special order, black was in the grille only with Chevy models below LTZ/Premier.  Why concern yourself with problems, the 2020's should be ready to hit the street?

[Black02Silverado]

The only issues I'm away of is the magnetic ride shocks could be an issue.  They don't last long and at $500 a pop can add up in cost.  We love our 2016 Suburban.  Nice to be getting 22mpg out of it as big as it is.

[KARNUT]

Some have electrical problems. Dash lights blinking at speeds. Shutting off at parking lot speeds. Some say it’s grounds. Chances are it would be on the car fax.


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[SFX Group]

7 hours ago, KARNUT said:

Some have electrical problems. Dash lights blinking at speeds. Shutting off at parking lot speeds. Some say it’s grounds. Chances are it would be on the car fax.


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That sounds odd, is this common?

[Black02Silverado]

One other thing that I just thought of is the AC condenser. It cracks I think in the upper driver side section.  At least the Suburban's have a TSB out on this.  Why the trucks don't is beyond me.  

[SFX Group]

8 minutes ago, Black02Silverado said:

One other thing that I just thought of is the AC condenser. It cracks I think in the upper driver side section.  At least the Suburban's have a TSB out on this.  Why the trucks don't is beyond me.  

This is the AC radiator in the engine?  How would i check that its been recalled and repaired? (VIN to the local dealer?)

[KARNUT]

That sounds odd, is this common?

My son unloaded a 15 model. They could never fix it. There was a separate designation and appointment schedule, there was so many at the time. Sometimes he waited two weeks to get it in. He lost a lot of money when he finally traded it in.


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[Black02Silverado]

44 minutes ago, SFX Group said:

This is the AC radiator in the engine?  How would i check that its been recalled and repaired? (VIN to the local dealer?)

The condenser that is in front of the radiator.  You can look up by VIN if it was fixed.  We got an extended warranty coverage on our for 125k miles or until 2025 I think.  I would have to look up the paperwork.

[Mandalorian]

I would avoid MY 2015. Seems to be the source of probably 90% of issues with the K2 Suburbans. Never really good to buy the first model year as a general rule anyway. 2016+ have a lot more/better tech features as well. I would not buy without the max tow package either, it gives you a 2-speed transfer case and importantly a 3.42 rear end which puts some good pep into the powertrain. 20 inch wheels will give you a better ride over 22, especially if you live in an area with bad roads, but of course that can always be done aftermarket. As for the suspension, magride is pretty comfortable and lasts longer than the conventional setup with optimum ride quality the entire time (whereas regular shocks gradually wear out), but is more expensive to replace. That being said, you can always convert it to conventional shocks when the time comes. 

[SFX Group]

8 hours ago, Black02Silverado said:

The condenser that is in front of the radiator.  You can look up by VIN if it was fixed.  We got an extended warranty coverage on our for 125k miles or until 2025 I think.  I would have to look up the paperwork.

Thanks for the confirmation...

[SFX Group]

12 hours ago, Black02Silverado said:

The condenser that is in front of the radiator.  You can look up by VIN if it was fixed.  We got an extended warranty coverage on our for 125k miles or until 2025 I think.  I would have to look up the paperwork.

Thanks

[K2xxSteve]

Definitely look for the infamous highway buffeting noises, especially 2015-2016 models, double especially on LTZ with 22" wheels and the Mag Ride. It's less of an issue with the 20's. Get it up to a good 70-80 mph. Most of the manufacturing improvements and bandaids to improve it were in by the 2017 models, which got it as good as possible, but not perfect. My 2018 had very mild "buffeting" issues on the highway at two specific speeds, but wasn't a big deal. Swapping out factory Bridgestones for Michelins fixed it.

 

The issue is because of less than perfectly balance tires from the factory putting a lot of vibrations through the body structure at highway speeds, and said body being a bit too thin (to save weight) and ending up vibrating in such a way that it seems like somebody has one window open a crack and a pulsating pressure imbalance. Road force balancing tires can help, or swapping out the factory Bridgestones for Michelins, or going from 22's down to 20's, or having a 2017+ model all helps. 

 

Also, if you care about performance at all, get one with the 3.42 gearing. Look for ones with the 2-speed transfer case and a setting for both 4HI and 4LO on the dash. It's almost a sin that the 3.08 gearing is standard. The truck drives a lot better with the 3.42's and there's no fuel mileage penalty either. At cruise on the highway at 70 mph, you have 25% more power available in 6th gear with the 3.42's due to the engine being in a fatter part of the torque curve, which makes a huge difference going up highway grades. Hard to believe that 200 rpm could make such a difference, but it does. The 3.42 trucks are also probably around a half to a full second faster to 60 mph. There's a reason why most every single press fleet truck all had 3.42 gears.

[SFX Group]

UPDATE

 

Just driven a 2017 LTZ (premier), did not have HI/LOW (only 2wd or 4wd), also had Bridgestone tires.

 

Went up the highway about 110km, was very quiet in the cabin, didnt hear anything as explained about buffeting etc.. (the 2/4wd was set to Auto)  Was a real nice drive.

 

Not super happy with the steering / chair location as not where to lean my right elbow without fine tuning.  Located in Canada and this was $57000 with about 60'000 kms on the clock.  They said it had the recall for the AC radiator done.

 

It had the HUD, might take some getting used to but could see that as handy for navigation and safety info.

[Mandalorian]

On 10/30/2019 at 11:39 PM, SFX Group said:

UPDATE

 

Just driven a 2017 LTZ (premier), did not have HI/LOW (only 2wd or 4wd), also had Bridgestone tires.

 

Went up the highway about 110km, was very quiet in the cabin, didnt hear anything as explained about buffeting etc.. (the 2/4wd was set to Auto)  Was a real nice drive.

 

Not super happy with the steering / chair location as not where to lean my right elbow without fine tuning.  Located in Canada and this was $57000 with about 60'000 kms on the clock.  They said it had the recall for the AC radiator done.

 

It had the HUD, might take some getting used to but could see that as handy for navigation and safety info.

 

If it does't have a 2-speed transfer case, it won't have the 3.42 rear end and aux trans cooler. I'd pass.