2011 Denali - AWD long term durability

67Mustang · October 1, 2020

I'm shopping for used truck (Crew Cab 4WD). There's a 2011 Denali near me with just over 100k miles. I believe it has AWD instead of the traditional 4WD driveline.

I am not looking for hard core off-roading abilities. Buying a 10 year old truck with 100K+ miles I am more concerned with reliability and maintenance.

How are these old trucks with AWD holding up over the long term?

CamGTP · October 1, 2020

Generally speaking they are pretty good. The 6.2's in the half ton trucks do not have the AFM/DoD system so you won't run into those issues at all. The transmissions are good but as we know it's a toss up after 100k miles how long it may live. It might go another 80k miles without a single hiccup or it might not.

If you live in the salt belt that is were the concern would be wanted. They are prone to rust behind the bottom rubber door seals and the rear wheel well rust. Even if you live down south you still should clean behind those door seals and inspect inbetween the two bed panels for dirt/mud build up. If you remove the tail light you can shine a flashlight in there to see what it looks like.

67Mustang · October 2, 2020

Thank you. I didn't know the '11 6.2L was not AFM. That is some real good info and almost justifies the cost to feed it Premium gas. But what I was really concerned with is the AWD driveline as compared to traditional 4WD. I rarely use 4WD besides the occasional ski trip and turning it on occasionally on a wet road to move the gears and fluid around.

CamGTP · October 2, 2020

The Silveardo/Sierra's don't have the AFM but the Yukons did.

I've seen a few front diffs go out but that could happen to any of them. A bearing failure just chews them up. Also axle seals on the fronts are pretty common on these trucks, easy to replace just takes a little time.

swathdiver · October 2, 2020

17 hours ago, 67Mustang said:

I'm shopping for used truck (Crew Cab 4WD). There's a 2011 Denali near me with just over 100k miles. I believe it has AWD instead of the traditional 4WD driveline.

I am not looking for hard core off-roading abilities. Buying a 10 year old truck with 100K+ miles I am more concerned with reliability and maintenance.

How are these old trucks with AWD holding up over the long term?

Their drive lines are very reliable. Keep the fluids clean and change them often and they will last a long time.

intheburbs · October 2, 2020

Well, the front diff in my '09 Sierra Denali ****** the bed earlier this year, just shy of 120k miles. The AWD front diff is MUCH more expensive than a regular 4WD diff. Best I was able to find was a used diff with 70k miles, $1800. Add another $400-$500 for labor if you don't do it yourself.

I'm super-****** about changing fluids, the front diff fluid was changed at 100k, by a Chevy Dealer.

ETA: Geez, they got the censor dialed up pretty high on this site. Didn't like the "s" word, and even didn't like word that's the first four letters of "analysis."

Edited October 2, 2020 by intheburbs

67Mustang · October 5, 2020

On 10/2/2020 at 1:12 PM, intheburbs said:

Well, the front diff in my '09 Sierra Denali ****** the bed earlier this year, just shy of 120k miles. The AWD front diff is MUCH more expensive than a regular 4WD diff. Best I was able to find was a used diff with 70k miles, $1800. Add another $400-$500 for labor if you don't do it yourself.

Was it not able to be rebuilt? I had the rear rebuilt my '08 Avalanche Z71 at around 155K. It cost me just under $1500.

Edited October 5, 2020 by 67Mustang

CamGTP · October 5, 2020

I've seen rebuilt ones go for $700-900 around here.

You could swap one out in maybe 1 hour if you had air tools and strong arms.

Reitan · October 10, 2020

My 2012 Sierra 1500 Denali 4 door crew cab is about to roll 145,000 miles. The 6.2L and 3:42 gears in the rear end sucks for fuel mileage, but the comfort out ways the mph.

swathdiver · October 11, 2020

On 10/9/2020 at 9:09 PM, Reitan said:

My 2012 Sierra 1500 Denali 4 door crew cab is about to roll 145,000 miles. The 6.2L and 3:42 gears in the rear end sucks for fuel mileage, but the comfort out ways the mph.

What kind of mileage do you get in town and out on the highway with that? We're looking to pick up an NHT Silvy or Sierra with the 6.2 and those have 3.73 gears.

Mommabear · July 29, 2024

On 10/1/2020 at 7:10 PM, 67Mustang said:

Thank you. I didn't know the '11 6.2L was not AFM. That is some real good info and almost justifies the cost to feed it Premium gas. But what I was really concerned with is the AWD driveline as compared to traditional 4WD. I rarely use 4WD besides the occasional ski trip and turning it on occasionally on a wet road to move the gears and fluid around.

I own an '11 6.2L denali AWD full size, 4 door . I will say that ,at 139,000 miles, it is still one heck of a great truck! AWD may eat the fuel a bit at 15 MPG average , but it's well worth it for the performance. I live in Montana and drive through some serious snow. It performs fantastic in snow, on dry pavement and dirt roads. (Wouldn't recommend mudding, lol). I wouldn't trade her for anything (except maybe another AWD denali). I have zero complaints! She's sturdy, yet comfortable. Sleek, yet aggressive. I highly recommend the '11 sierra denali AWD to anyone looking for comfort, class and a whole Lotta fun !!! I am a mom of 2 daughters and we all have GMC's. Mine, obviously, is the '11 denali AWD. My oldest drives a '99 rear wheel drive 3 door 5.3L with 177,000 miles and still going strong. My youngest ( the lead foot queen), has an '03 5.3L 4x4 z71 with 340,000 miles ( you read that right, 340,000 miles!!!) on it and it's STILL blowing the doors off of the competition ( at least it tries to, lol). All our GMC's have seen it, lived it and can't wait to do it again tomorrow! Definitely get the GMC!!

dsr611 · July 29, 2024

17 hours ago, Mommabear said:

I own an '11 6.2L denali AWD full size, 4 door . I will say that ,at 139,000 miles, it is still one heck of a great truck! AWD may eat the fuel a bit at 15 MPG average , but it's well worth it for the performance. I live in Montana and drive through some serious snow. It performs fantastic in snow, on dry pavement and dirt roads. (Wouldn't recommend mudding, lol). I wouldn't trade her for anything (except maybe another AWD denali). I have zero complaints! She's sturdy, yet comfortable. Sleek, yet aggressive. I highly recommend the '11 sierra denali AWD to anyone looking for comfort, class and a whole Lotta fun !!! I am a mom of 2 daughters and we all have GMC's. Mine, obviously, is the '11 denali AWD. My oldest drives a '99 rear wheel drive 3 door 5.3L with 177,000 miles and still going strong. My youngest ( the lead foot queen), has an '03 5.3L 4x4 z71 with 340,000 miles ( you read that right, 340,000 miles!!!) on it and it's STILL blowing the doors off of the competition ( at least it tries to, lol). All our GMC's have seen it, lived it and can't wait to do it again tomorrow! Definitely get the GMC!!

Been almost 4 years...I'm pretty sure the truck has been bought by now, either by OP or someone else, or owner decided to keep it for himself