Is the 2.8 duramax a good engine

After reading through a number of different posts and comments on numerous topics, I have found a common theme. And perhaps you get this with any vehicle, I'm not sure. I wouldn't think you should get it with a brand new one however.

But that common theme is either; you absolutely love your truck and have had no issues with it after a couple of thousand miles, or; you absolutely hate it, or are at least very frustrated, and have had numerous issues within the first thousand miles.

My question is who has a good one and who has a bad one. Also, when did you buy your truck and is a Chevy or GMC. And if you have problems with it, what are they. Thanks.

I, so far, have a good one. Brought it home 27 March 2016 and now have over 21,000 miles and the only problem thus far is with a fuse related to trailer lights blowing.

Great truck I am around 12K miles.
I have had some weird minor things that i cannot thing of at the top of my head. but all dealers fixed easy peasy

My biggest complaint is the Regen Mode it happen to me 2-4 times a week. I believe because I do a lot of short local driving all city. I live in Los Angeles. Anyway is devastates my MPG's literal drop of 15-25MPG

Bought in early Aug of 2016. Have around 8500 on it. GMC only have had two issues with it, where it was constantly going into a regen cycle every other day and one time my radio display went completely black but came back the next day. I hated this truck after I got it and that was mostly due to miss having my full sized duramax and having the regen issue while getting blown off by my local dealerships, because my truck did not have a fault code so there must not be an issue. After I decided to just accept the issue with the truck, I found a dealership that would actually look at it and I had a bad DEF injector causing it to regen so often and was not throwing a check engine light. A week later I got my truck back and now it regens about once a tank. So with the issues I have had with it aside, drivability with the truck is great, it is more like driving a small suv, it can tow anything that I need to, please the mileage is nice(now that I resolved my regen issue). Down side is the room/size, I noticed this when traveling for Christmas. Both interior and bed wish they were a tad bigger, I did get a crew cab short bed, which I know was my own fault but I liked the look better compared to the long bed. So in summary, this truck fits my needs right now and no complaints after my regen issue was resolved, but I still miss having a full size duramax and if I find one that I fall in love with I will trade my canyon off for.

Bought My truck in May of 2016....I have had 2 duramax before....had 2 issues the dealer in Dixon Illinois Repaired it quickly...they are Awesome.
The Truck is a very nice Truck....I have 10,000 miles on it...this week the dealer serviced it and added def fluid..I was down to 22 percent in 10,000 miles thats good I thought. The mileage is fantastic....The ride is fantastic....The Diesel has more than enough power......I like diesel trucks even if I dont tow....
The only complaint I have is The truck didnt have a engine block heater.....no heated mirrors....I think if you have heated seats and a electric rear defroster....the mirrors should be on it and an engine block heater on all diesels......at a list price of 42,000 dollars.
Its a GMC All terrain...crewcab 4x4
#1 problem....The electronics for .clutch fan was replaced...throwing codes sounded like jet engine...fixed with in 24 hrs.
#2 problem......Would not start,,,no power to starter.....Towed in ..fixed in couple hours...loose connector at Starter...
Love the Truck.....Mileage...27.4 country/city and hwy......cold weather 1 mile less avg.

Chevy Z71, crew, short. I freakin' love it! Almost 7k, got it 9/28/16. Love the blacked out look, looks badass with just a 1.25 Zone spacer. Not one single issue...love it

Trying to love it - but it will have to prove itself over the long haul and my gut feeling is that the mechanical parts will hang in there but I have never seen electronic components last over long periods of time - and this is one electronic baby.

My concern is this engine and all the associated electronics and complex emissions package will not last or be supported* for the 15 years I want to get out of this vehicle. Make no mistake, the diesel engines today live off of the legendary reputation of 'diesels past' however their lasting durability was due to their comparatively simple design and implementation.

*FYI - With the exception of some emissions parts or battery packs, the manufacturer is only required by law to provide support/parts for the length of the warranty on the last vehicle it was used on. Don't count of after-market support for computer modules either because the design and manufacturing process for electronics changes very rapidly nobody makes 'old' style electronics (as I found out trying to obtain a new ECM module for my 2002 F150 and the dealer laughed.

Currently, A Black, 2017 Z71 Crew Cab Short box with the 2.8L. I LOVE IT.... 2500 miles no issues what so ever. Black was not my first choice. I wanted one in red but it wasn't available at the time. I just Order my ZR2 yesterday in Red Hot with the 2.8L. This engine has been on the global market for while I'm glad to see it in here the USA!

After reading through a number of different posts and comments on numerous topics, I have found a common theme. And perhaps you get this with any vehicle, I'm not sure. I wouldn't think you should get it with a brand new one however.

But that common theme is either; you absolutely love your truck and have had no issues with it after a couple of thousand miles, or; you absolutely hate it, or are at least very frustrated, and have had numerous issues within the first thousand miles.

My question is who has a good one and who has a bad one. Also, when did you buy your truck and is a Chevy or GMC. And if you have problems with it, what are they. Thanks.

Still in the fence. Truck is easy to drive and does what it needs to when not in the shop. At 600 miles truck went into limp mode 7 weeks later and an exhaust injector it is running well. Drivers seat is not comfortable and not thrilled with lack of heated side mirrors. Truly considering tradin in the truck.

Still in the fence. Truck is easy to drive and does what it needs to when not in the shop. At 600 miles truck went into limp mode 7 weeks later and an exhaust injector it is running well. Drivers seat is not comfortable and not thrilled with lack of heated side mirrors. Truly considering tradin in the truck.

We finally bought ours (2017 GMC Canyon SLE All Terrain CCLB) back in later January/ early February and already have 5,500 miles on it. We haven't had any issues yet. I figured if we were going to, it would have been in that first 1,000 miles. As it seems like you, MrBones and a few other members have had their issues within that time frame. I don't know what the issue is, that some people get great trucks and some get awful ones. It's a luck of the draw thing and it shouldn't be like that. Sorry about your situation though =/

Just passed 6000 miles in mine. No hiccups.

Actually I have had two non mechanical issues but nothing major

I've got around 22,000 miles on mine in less than a year. No problems so far, change my own oil and filters I use fuel additive every other tank XPD and rev x oil additive every oil change.

I have a leveling kit on with 265/65/17 falken atw3s, grille guard and will be adding rocksliders soon and possibly a sport bar. I'll eventually get a spade tuner for the truck when I get the money

My average fuel economy is between 27.5 -28.5. Overall I love the truck and think it's a jack of all trades so to speak.

After reading through a number of different posts and comments on numerous topics, I have found a common theme. And perhaps you get this with any vehicle, I'm not sure. I wouldn't think you should get it with a brand new one however.

But that common theme is either; you absolutely love your truck and have had no issues with it after a couple of thousand miles, or; you absolutely hate it, or are at least very frustrated, and have had numerous issues within the first thousand miles.

My question is who has a good one and who has a bad one. Also, when did you buy your truck and is a Chevy or GMC. And if you have problems with it, what are they. Thanks.

Purchased mine in March 2016, have put 60,000 plus miles with no problems. Pull a trailer with 5000lbs frequently, once this truck gets moving you do not even know you have a trailer attached.
I am happy with this truck, does everything I want and is fun to drive.

2016 GMC Canyon
All Terrain

2016 Z71 Crew Short 4WD... bought July, 2016. Just over 20,000 miles. It's been pretty good so far. Had a period where it kept throwing engine codes, but I'm pretty sure that was a bad batch of diesel... It's been fine for about 5 tanks now. Other than that, no issues. I would have preferred extendable mirrors, but it's not a deal breaker. Don't know if I should have held out for the ZR2... that's a hefty chunk of change and wold put me at the limit of it's towing capacity. Still kind of want it though... might add a front locker to mine and live with that.

Other than the above specific items, I love it. I needed a vehicle that I could use as a commuter and a tow rig and this does both nicely.

9 months, 12k mi, not one issue! But the ZR2 is calling, hope I get a good one!

After reading through a number of different posts and comments on numerous topics, I have found a common theme. And perhaps you get this with any vehicle, I'm not sure. I wouldn't think you should get it with a brand new one however.

But that common theme is either; you absolutely love your truck and have had no issues with it after a couple of thousand miles, or; you absolutely hate it, or are at least very frustrated, and have had numerous issues within the first thousand miles.

My question is who has a good one and who has a bad one. Also, when did you buy your truck and is a Chevy or GMC. And if you have problems with it, what are they. Thanks.

Purchased mine in March 2016, average roughly 800 miles a month, only problem is it uses oil after 4500 miles if I am towing a lot. Other than that love it, mpg 25 to 30

I should reply I guess, since I now have a 2017 GMC Canyon All Terrain Duramax of my own now. We have around 10,900 miles on it since purchasing it at the end of February (the wife drives about 40-50 miles one way for work each day and she drove the thing religiously for the first month and a half ). We both love it. We have not had an issue yet, which I am very thankful for. Love that on the highway, we can get up to 30+ as long as it's not going through a regen...and when you pull the 12x6 utility trailer, even with both atv's on it, you get 20-25 mpg. Way better than the Jeep Liberty we used to have got not pulling anything, or my 2004 Silverado 2500HD Duramax I used to have (I do miss that truck some days ).