Hi everyone. Within the next few months I think I would like to buy an H2. What am I looking for? What are some of the cronic problems? Is there a better year? I am not completely nieve to off road trucks. Just don't know about the H2.
Thanks.

 

Buy the lowest mile, best condition H2 that you can afford. Take it to an independent mechanic for an inspection. For me the closer they are to stock condition the better. Most modifications turn me off.
Check, Mirrors for power folding, door panels for cracks, exhaust manifold bolts that are broken, sunroof or cab light water leaks.
Once you find a nice H2 you will luv it.

 

This is good and helpful information. I just want to know what the querks are. Cronic problems. Thank you Phil.

 

H2 is not necessarily a Chevy Tahoe but it is its big brother. Major problems for me were the front bearings as the Hummer is much heavier than a Tahoe. Changed them out. Changed out the radiator for a all aluminum rad. Began a small leak at 160,000 ish. It is AWD so I change the Diffs and Transfer case regularly with syn GEAR oil. I would not use trans floid in the Tcase as recommended by dealer as all I would see is shavings during a oil change with transmission fluid use at the Tcase. TCase pushing 200,000 miles with no problems. Had the trans rebuilt once. 4L65E. They are strong but that truck is just heavy. Wifes 92 4L60E in her Yukon, no problems to date with almost the same mileage. Changed out window regulators rear driver and passenger had failed. Other than that, its just regular preventative maintenance, changed out belts Tires and hoses, front driver seat skin (rubber parts), oil filter changes w synthetic. I have no major mods on the car. Basically bone stock. Pushing 200000 miles. Its my daily driver and average 14 mpg city/highway. You might not get great gas mileage but you get a bit more respect than driving a smart car. X) I love this truck.

 

Thanks Mike. Very helpful. Seems as these trucks are just like any other for the most part. Just a little heavier. I believe in fixing things right. So putting in heavy duty and better quality stuff won't be a problem.

I hope for you that is you wife in your profile picture. Lol
Thanks.

 

[QUOTE=I hope for you that is you wife in your profile picture. Lol
Thanks.[/QUOTE]

That would be her 10 years ago. She drives 4x4s and loves AR 15's. I fear for my life daily lol

 

There's basically been 2.5 itterations of the H2:
Hummer H2 model year changes and buying guide.

2003/2004: 6.0 316 HP/360 lb-ft, 4L65E
2005-2007: 6.0 325 HP/ 365 lb-ft, 4L65E

There's minor interior/exterior changes, mostly interior.

2008/2009: Overhaul years
6.2L 393 HP/ 415 lb-ft, 6L80E Entirely new interior, added safety features (still feels like it can compete with new luxury SUVs from 2016).

Everyone I've known with the 6.2L (two other H2s & a Yukon Denali) had vibration issues. I also have those issues, although I believe mine is simply due to abuse from the previous owner. I'm nto sold on the 6.2L from my experience.

I've owned both a 2003 & 2009. The 2003 was rock solid, but I got it with 2000 miles on it & it was babied. The 2009 had 106k miles of mystery abuse. So take my experience with a grain of salt.

If you're off-roading, I'd look for an earlier model. The 08/09 models are rare & are significantly more money than a 2003-2007. If it's a daily driver & you really really love H2s, go for an 08/09.

 

Mostly agree with my Luziana amie above. I've got an '04 and an '08. Love both trucks but the diffs are noticeable. After driving both over hill and dale you begin to see just how heavy they are.

03-07 have 4-speed trannies, 08-09 have 6-speeds. Have just driven the 08 from NM to MS to FL and back to MS now, a return to NM in a few weeks. Lots of shifting with the 6-speed on minor inclines, say, interstate overpasses. I'm doing the speed limit-ish, but I suspect if I were running closer to 80 or 85 the shifting would be less. The 04 will shift too, just takes a bigger incline before it drops to 3rd. The 08 will drop to 5th and occasionally 4th, especially with the cruise on. I run alot without it for that reason.

The 04 has close to 150k on it, bought with 140k. The 08 has 114k, bought with 108k. The front end is mostly shot on the newer, lower miles truck while the older, higher mileage unit feels solid. Both look original, and from reading different threads here and other forums it seems likely that the quality of the parts in the newer trucks just isn't there. But there's a dearth of after-market HD parts available to beef it all up, including using Duramax componenets. Once I get some down-time in the fall the front end will get a nice upgrade.

As mentioned above, watch for water leaks. Prime areas are the roof marker lights and the drains for the moonroof. Not the moonroof itself, but the drains. A/C blend doors have been issues; they break and quit directing the air, so check all modes, even the heater.

When you test-drive one, stop somewhere and give the truck the sniff test. If you think you're smelling antifreeze, you are. They had to put a radiator in my 08 before I would take delivery of it.

Earlier trucks had a factory air suspension. Some love it, some hate it, some remove it altogether and put coils under the truck. I still have the compressor - there's a shrader valve in the back for airing up air toys and sports equipment - but I removed the air shocks and went to coils. Personal pref unless the whole thing is giving you problems, and mine was. The 08 doesn't have the system.

If it's a lifted truck, check it over closely. Lots of pro installs out there but lots of backyard versions, too, some better than the pro versions! Just be careful with lifts. I tend to look for stock trucks, like MadMike and others.

All that being said, I'm glad I finally got to the point in my life that I can afford to have one of these. There's not many of us out there, and they are great-riding vehicles. We live in the mountains at 9000 feet, and I wouldn't have any other SUV up there. Pickups are a different story, but until they bring out a new Hummer with a no-kidding 6' bed...

 

M2c Y wouldn't go with any H2 over 70k miles unless it looks like mine
First you never know what care the previous owner took
Also as any American made car ot will start to give you little headaches after 90-100 k
Those headaches are minors in Hummers but still could be a pain or a pocket breaker
Such as water pump , suspension, hubs , oil leak etc
After 100k miles those problems are more prone to happen

Look for older thread there are lots of info for new buyer

 

I have a 2006 H2.Some problems are to be expected. Window regulator. Stuck key, luggage rack mounts....etc,etc. This forum has saved me a lot of time and money. So far any problem I have had has been covered here. Just do a search. Youtube helps too. As far as owning the H2, I have a Harley collecting dust since I got my H2.