Looking to buy my first 2015-2016 Genesis 3.8 AWD and have a few questions

[SangreJoven79]

Hello, everyone! I've wanted to buy a Genesis since they first started coming out, but I could never really afford one. Well, now that the 2015 models are pretty common for around 16-20k, I can finally justify purchasing one.

I've done a ton of searches online looking for long-term reliability for the 3.8 AWD models, but I can't really find much about them. What I have found has always been positive, so it sounds like these are pretty solid vehicles. The ones I've been considering for purchase all have close to 100k miles, so my biggest worry is that things will start failing since warranty will no longer be in effect.

Can anyone with a high mileage 2015-2016 3.8 AWD Genesis please post up and let me know how yours is holding up? Have you had any major issues with the engine or transmission? Any issues with the tech features like heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, retractable shades, etc.?

I did a search on this forum before making this post, and the only real issue I saw was some people having Blind Spot Detection sensor problems. Is this common or rare?

Anything else you all think I should know before purchasing a 2015-2016 would be welcome too. I always like asking questions like these on a forum before making a car purchase because I know I'll get the straight answers I'm looking for.

Thanks so much!

 

[EdP]

Hello, everyone! I've wanted to buy a Genesis since they first started coming out, but I could never really afford one. Well, now that the 2015 models are pretty common for around 16-20k, I can finally justify purchasing one.

I've done a ton of searches online looking for long-term reliability for the 3.8 AWD models, but I can't really find much about them. What I have found has always been positive, so it sounds like these are pretty solid vehicles. The ones I've been considering for purchase all have close to 100k miles, so my biggest worry is that things will start failing since warranty will no longer be in effect.

Can anyone with a high mileage 2015-2016 3.8 AWD Genesis please post up and let me know how yours is holding up? Have you had any major issues with the engine or transmission? Any issues with the tech features like heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, retractable shades, etc.?

I did a search on this forum before making this post, and the only real issue I saw was some people having Blind Spot Detection sensor problems. Is this common or rare?

Anything else you all think I should know before purchasing a 2015-2016 would be welcome too. I always like asking questions like these on a forum before making a car purchase because I know I'll get the straight answers I'm looking for.

Thanks so much!

I had a 2015 AWD but traded at 50k miles so don't know the long life answers. I did have the head unit replaced under warranty though. The 2016 has a different one and has been more reliable. Everything else worked perfectly, as does my now 2018.

With decent tires, the AWD went up snow covered hills with ease. Overall, a great car.

 

[SangreJoven79]

I had a 2015 AWD but traded at 50k miles so don't know the long life answers. I did have the head unit replaced under warranty though. The 2016 has a different one and has been more reliable. Everything else worked perfectly, as does my now 2018.

With decent tires, the AWD went up snow covered hills with ease. Overall, a great car.

Thanks!

 

[joegr]

... The ones I've been considering for purchase all have close to 100k miles, so my biggest worry is that things will start failing since warranty will no longer be in effect.
...

Do be aware that the 100K powertrain warranty only applied to the first owner or to CPO buyers. I don't think it's possible to get a 2015 CPO anymore. Also note that 100K was for some (apparently not all) parts of the powertrain.
Anyway, my biggest concern for 2015 would be the infotainment system. If your budget can swing it, go for 2016 to reduce that probability.

 

[SangreJoven79]

Do be aware that the 100K powertrain warranty only applied to the first owner or to CPO buyers. I don't think it's possible to get a 2015 CPO anymore. Also note that 100K was for some (apparently not all) parts of the powertrain.
Anyway, my biggest concern for 2015 would be the infotainment system. If your budget can swing it, go for 2016 to reduce that probability.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[carguy75]

Hello, everyone! I've wanted to buy a Genesis since they first started coming out, but I could never really afford one. Well, now that the 2015 models are pretty common for around 16-20k, I can finally justify purchasing one.

I've done a ton of searches online looking for long-term reliability for the 3.8 AWD models, but I can't really find much about them. What I have found has always been positive, so it sounds like these are pretty solid vehicles. The ones I've been considering for purchase all have close to 100k miles, so my biggest worry is that things will start failing since warranty will no longer be in effect.

Can anyone with a high mileage 2015-2016 3.8 AWD Genesis please post up and let me know how yours is holding up? Have you had any major issues with the engine or transmission? Any issues with the tech features like heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, retractable shades, etc.?

I did a search on this forum before making this post, and the only real issue I saw was some people having Blind Spot Detection sensor problems. Is this common or rare?

Anything else you all think I should know before purchasing a 2015-2016 would be welcome too. I always like asking questions like these on a forum before making a car purchase because I know I'll get the straight answers I'm looking for.

Thanks so much!

I do not own a AWD model, but I have read that the transfer-case fluid is hard to change and the dealer will not do it as a rule due to it supposedly having "lifetime " transfer-case fluid or maybe needing an clutch re-calibration after the fluid change to avoid damage which can be tricky to perform with a GDS tool.

I would be concerned about a high mileage AWD model transfer-case life with more than 100k miles since a new transfer-case is expensive for an AWD Genesis.

Note: The AWD drive system does have clutches, which means that they will burn out especially when running old fluid. The fluid should be changed; so I would not buy an used AWD model with 100k miles on the old fluid.



Special functions required for when transfer case oil is changed.

 

[SangreJoven79]

I do not own a AWD model, but I have read that the transfer-case fluid is hard to change and the dealer will not do it as a rule due to it supposedly having "lifetime " transfer-case fluid or maybe needing an clutch re-calibration after the fluid change to avoid damage.

I would be concerned about a high mileage AWD model transfer-case life with more than 100k miles since a new transfer-case is expensive for an AWD Genesis.

Note: The AWD drive system does have clutches, which means that they will burn out especially when running old fluid. The fluid should be changed; so I would but an used model with 100k miles on the old fluid.
View attachment 43724

Thanks for the reply. However, your last sentence is kinda confusing. Are you saying you would or wouldn’t buy a AWD with 100k miles on it? Thanks!

 

[carguy75]

Thanks for the reply. However, your last sentence is kinda confusing. Are you saying you would or wouldn’t buy a AWD with 100k miles on it? Thanks!

LOL. I meant I would not buy a used AWD model with 100k or more miles.

However, if you can fix a car yourself then it may be worth the risk since you could try changing the transfer-case fluid yourself or buy a used transfer-case and install it yourself for less than $1000 if your old one fails.

 

[Alfer]

I've got the 2015 AWD 3.8 and it has 41,000 miles.

So far my issues have been (a growing list monthly):

Pano roof frozen up and won't slide open anymore and Hyundai won't repair under even the extended warranty they issued.

Paint on front and rear bumpers started peeling off last summer and getting worse over winter.

I have the clicking propeller shaft issue many other have that is heard at 25-30mph. Another costly repair.

Driver seat lumbar motor broke a year or two ago.

Rubber track changing button on steering wheel cracked and peeling away.

Transmission has terrible pause when in normal mode and you hit the gas to, for example, exit a parking lot to beat cross traffic. Nearly got t-boned 2-3 times when I hit gas and car just sits there. Very scary.

14 speaker Lexicon stereo system lacks bass due to wimpy little "subwoofer" in read deck.

I noticed that the shiny black side door trim is fading on 2 of the 4.

But it is nice to have AWD in the winter. But as time goes on, this car is really starting to fall apart.

Buyer beware. Especially if it's over 100K miles.

 

[SangreJoven79]

I've got the 2015 AWD 3.8 and it has 41,000 miles.

So far my issues have been (a growing list monthly):

Pano roof frozen up and won't slide open anymore and Hyundai won't repair under even the extended warranty they issued.

Paint on front and rear bumpers started peeling off last summer and getting worse over winter.

I have the clicking propeller shaft issue many other have that is heard at 25-30mph. Another costly repair.

Driver seat lumbar motor broke a year or two ago.

Rubber track changing button on steering wheel cracked and peeling away.

Transmission has terrible pause when in normal mode and you hit the gas to, for example, exit a parking lot to beat cross traffic. Nearly got t-boned 2-3 times when I hit gas and car just sits there. Very scary.

14 speaker Lexicon stereo system lacks bass due to wimpy little "subwoofer" in read deck.

I noticed that the shiny black side door trim is fading on 2 of the 4.

But it is nice to have AWD in the winter. But as time goes on, this car is really starting to fall apart.

Buyer beware. Especially if it's over 100K miles.

Wow! I appreciate all of the info. Definitely sorry to hear about all of your car problems. This is making me reconsider even looking at a Genesis.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Alfer]

All I can say is take a LOT of time to look for similar issues on any 2015 you look at. Drive it as much as you can and listen for the propeller shaft noise, do some stop and go to see if you can deal with the random slow accelerations etc.

With used cars being WAY overpriced right now, I'd be very leery of any vehicle knowing that in a couple of years the value may drop significantly.

 

[SangreJoven79]

I think I'm just going to buy a FWD Kia Cadenza. Thanks again, everyone!

 

[joegr]

I think I'm just going to buy a FWD Kia Cadenza. Thanks again, everyone!

You probably want to avoid the 2014 and 2015 (and maybe 2016) ones then. They have the oil filter up top and have trouble with poor top end oiling at startup. Also note that the 2014 and 2015 had trouble with windshield bonding. Other than those things, they are great cars, as far as FWD goes.

 

[SangreJoven79]

You probably want to avoid the 2014 and 2015 (and maybe 2016) ones then. They have the oil filter up top and have trouble with poor top end oiling at startup. Also note that the 2014 and 2015 had trouble with windshield bonding. Other than those things, they are great cars, as far as FWD goes.

Ok thanks. I've been looking at the 2016 model years, so that is good.

 

[danenzmann]

Alfer, I think you scared him. Both of my low mileage AWDs are so far so good. The B pillar trim on my 15 is crazing. It came from the salvaged door panel, but the original panel still looks new.
I don't have any of the other symptoms yet.

 

[Jaeger]

My 2015 3.8 AWD has a list of problems. A worn out battery when new that was replaced under warranty. Then last year part of the rear passenger door handle fell off and had to be replaced at the staggering cost of $35. That's it. I didn't say it was a long list.

 

[skipgen]

Do be aware that the 100K powertrain warranty only applied to the first owner or to CPO buyers. I don't think it's possible to get a 2015 CPO anymore. Also note that 100K was for some (apparently not all) parts of the powertrain.
Anyway, my biggest concern for 2015 would be the infotainment system. If your budget can swing it, go for 2016 to reduce that probability.

Or if it has been replaced - on the 2015's most of them croak early on. On the CARFAX for mine it was was noted as "replaced" @ 15k... I bought the car @ 60K and now have 98K on it. Never had a problem with it.