2015 YUKON NOISE IN CABIN

Wrench589 · February 10, 2015

I wouldn't let what you read here deter you completely. Use this info to make informed decisions and test drive thoroughly, but don't be fooled into thinking this is wide spread. This forum represents a very small percentage of buyers. I, along with many others, don't have any issues. There's a valid reason your dealer didn't know about the problem.

I would love to believe this is not widespread, because that implies that there is something "wrong" with our vehicles compared to the rest. Which further implies that "defect" can be identified and fixed. Unfortunately, that really hasen't happened. I can only think of three reasons why....

1. GM isn't smart enough to figure it out. Hmmm - not a comforting notion.

2. GM doesn't give a crap to figure it out because only a small percentage of customers are complaining about it (note that the number of complaints and the actual number of vehicles with the issue may not be the same! Some folks may not even notice).

3. There is no fix. All these vehicles are the same and they all do it. (I realize there are lots of folks reporting on this forum that they do not have the problem. I also know that "noise" is a very subjective thing. Everyone has a different sensitivity to noise. A different threshhold of what they hear, and more importantly what "bothers" them. One person will be driven nuts by a noise, and someone else won't even hear it. And I'm sure GM is counting on that!!)

I can't say for certain that all vehicles have this issue. But, when you look at the number of views of this thread (well over 50,000!!), tells me there are alot of folks looking for information on the topic. I've never seen a thread so popular!! Can't be a coincedence.

But, there is noting I would like more then to be proven wrong with a solid, repeatable, permanent fix from GM. Until then, the jury is still out....

Edited February 10, 2015 by Wrench589

Wrench589 · February 10, 2015

Hey Sub, your truck had the issue without roof racks? You had roof racks installed and it went away? Is that accurate? I am getting desperate for a solution before I start a buy back again. I really want to love this truck...

To add to this, Anon has 2 or 3 of these vehicles and none of them exhibit the issue. He confirmed the first 2 have cross bars, but didnt say about the third.

I recently rode in a Tahoe LT that has cross bars, and I can definitely hear the noise and feel the pressure. So, not to encouraged to think the cross bars will solve it. That said, both cross bars were near the back of the vehicle, so it is possible there is an optimal location. Worth playing around with....

Wrench589 · February 10, 2015

More reports of 'vibration' described on carcomplaints.com. No reports of 'pressure' - unsure if they are referring to the same problem.

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Marc

Actually, I think this link is absolutely referring to the same problem. I maintain mine has the same "rough" ride and vibration, and like was said on that site, "you feel every pebble and bump" on the road. I also observe that when the road is extremely smooth, the vibration goes away and so does all the annoying noise and pressure sensation. Lastly, someone on that other site mentioned "reverberation" - definitely referred to sound/noise.

blackout07 · February 10, 2015

I would love to believe this is not widespread, because that implies that there is something "wrong" with our vehicles compared to the rest. Which further implies that "defect" can be identified and fixed. Unfortunately, that really hasen't happened. I can only think of three reasons why....

1. GM isn't smart enough to figure it out. Hmmm - not a comforting notion.

2. GM doesn't give a crap to figure it out because only a small percentage of customers are complaining about it (note that the number of complaints and the actual number of vehicles with the issue may not be the same! Some folks may not even notice).

3. There is no fix. All these vehicles are the same and they all do it. (I realize there are lots of folks reporting on this forum that they do not have the problem. I also know that "noise" is a very subjective thing. Everyone has a different sensitivity to noise. A different threshhold of what they hear, and more importantly what "bothers" them. One person will be driven nuts by a noise, and someone else won't even hear it. And I'm sure GM is counting on that!!)

I can't say for certain that all vehicles have this issue. But, when you look at the number of views of this thread (well over 50,000!!), tells me there are alot of folks looking for information on the topic. I've never seen a thread so popular!! Can't be a coincedence.

But, there is noting I would like more then to be proven wrong with a solid, repeatable, permanent fix from GM. Until then, the jury is still out....

Well said, and I think point 2, followed by point 3 are the most likely. I can't imagine many people test driving a vehicle(s), noting such a prominent issue and signing on the dotted line anyway. I sure wouldn't have. Sales of these things aren't slowing down and for good reason. I hope you guys get a resolution soon but I really think your 2nd point is why GM isn't running for their life here. My main point is that there is a difference, at least I beleive there is, between the affected Vehicles (minority) and the unaffected (majority). That in of itself would suggest a solution.

romanbasi · February 10, 2015

Hi all, new to forum, but not new to Chevys. I am in the market for a new tow vehicle for a new boat I have coming in the spring. I have had a 2007 ltz Tahoe and now a 2011 ltz suburban, both of which have been excellent high mileage vehicles for me. I am / was in the market for another ltz suburban but this thread has me completely freaked out over potential next purchase. I drove one today trying to hear what others on here have experienced, I did not replicate it with the one I was driving. My question is are the ones prone to this born with it so to speak and you hear the issue from day one, or does something "break" over time. The one I drove did not have the issues spoke of on this forum at present, but not sure if they will develop and admittedly the one I drove (build date of October 30 2014) does not have all of the options (and color) that I would like to have....any input on this is greatly appreciated as to what I might expect next.....thanks in advance for your guidance!!!!!!

From what we experienced, in October 2014 - we test drove 2 of the 2015 Yukon Denalis. One of them absolutely had the buffeting and it was so bad we couldn't continue the test drive. The 2nd one did not have it at all. We then test drove and bought the 2015 Escalade ESV and it did NOT have it. This was October 28th, 2014. However, on January 7th, 2015, the Escalade was left outside all day from approximately 7:00 AM until around 9 or 10 PM. The day was an extremely cold Illinois day, temperatures in the single digits. The ride home that evening was horrible - I attributed it to the cold tires as the tire pressure was extremely low. As the tire pressure came up, the buffeting did not go away, and from that day forward, the buffeting has been terrible. My current status is that my local dealer test drove it, noticed the buffeting and agreed to the roof fix, but we have not heard back that the parts have arrived so that it can be scheduled. So to answer your question, while I think they may be prone to it, something definitely happened to ours on January 7th, 2015 that caused this (My guess is the cold temperatures may have caused the separation) Prior to that date, the vehicle was silent on the inside.

jasondenali15 · February 10, 2015

From what we experienced, in October 2014 - we test drove 2 of the 2015 Yukon Denalis. One of them absolutely had the buffeting and it was so bad we couldn't continue the test drive. The 2nd one did not have it at all. We then test drove and bought the 2015 Escalade ESV and it did NOT have it. This was October 28th, 2014. However, on January 7th, 2015, the Escalade was left outside all day from approximately 7:00 AM until around 9 or 10 PM. The day was an extremely cold Illinois day, temperatures in the single digits. The ride home that evening was horrible - I attributed it to the cold tires as the tire pressure was extremely low. As the tire pressure came up, the buffeting did not go away, and from that day forward, the buffeting has been terrible. My current status is that my local dealer test drove it, noticed the buffeting and agreed to the roof fix, but we have not heard back that the parts have arrived so that it can be scheduled. So to answer your question, while I think they may be prone to it, something definitely happened to ours on January 7th, 2015 that caused this (My guess is the cold temperatures may have caused the separation) Prior to that date, the vehicle was silent on the inside.

Yes! I agree there is a variable in the vehicle that is causing some sort of "trigger" to the buffeting. My current Denali (1st was repurchased due to the problem you describe) was perfect for the first 250 miles or so. I know the sound and I know the feel. It was not there when I first got the vehicle...I would not have accepted delivery if it was present. Now, 1200 miles in, it is back with a vengeance just like my first one. Starting at the same exact speed as my first one...38mph. Coincidence? I doubt it.

Is it the frame? It really is the only true common denominator between the Tahoe, Yukon, and Escalade. While some have more features than others, or different sized tires, the frame is the same for all. Is it too rigid, then "breaks in" causing it, or the other way around? I don't know, I am not a car guy. I just play a very pissed customer on TV...

Either way, don't waste your time getting the roof repaired. It will make the same sound after the "repair." The only difference will be the greasy finger prints left all over your interior liner. Trust me, I know.

romanbasi · February 10, 2015

Yes! I agree there is a variable in the vehicle that is causing some sort of "trigger" to the buffeting. My current Denali (1st was repurchased due to the problem you describe) was perfect for the first 250 miles or so. I know the sound and I know the feel. It was not there when I first got the vehicle...I would not have accepted delivery if it was present. Now, 1200 miles in, it is back with a vengeance just like my first one. Starting at the same exact speed as my first one...38mph. Coincidence? I doubt it.

Is it the frame? It really is the only true common denominator between the Tahoe, Yukon, and Escalade. While some have more features than others, or different sized tires, the frame is the same for all. Is it too rigid, then "breaks in" causing it, or the other way around? I don't know, I am not a car guy. I just play a very pissed customer on TV...

Either way, don't waste your time getting the roof repaired. It will make the same sound after the "repair." The only difference will be the greasy finger prints left all over your interior liner. Trust me, I know.

Now you have my attention as well....... 38 MPH is the EXACT same speed that we have the most notable production of the buffeting. I about fell out of my chair just now when I was reading your post and noted the MPH. However, as for the fix, I really don't see a better way to negotiate with GM unless we allow them to attempt to fix the vehicle first. I have not taken the issue any farther than my local dealership at this point. If the fix doesn't correct it, then I fully intend on taking the issue to the next level. As I disclosed earlier, I am an Attorney in Illinois. That doesn't make me any better than anyone else, just a heck of a lot easier to cause some real problems that won't cost me a lot of real money.

ateam_burb · February 11, 2015

I've been in the vibration playing a significant role camp since first finding this thread. If I'm not mistaken the suburban, Yukon, escalade all share the same platform with the new Silverado/Sierra introduced with the 2014 model. Just do a search for Silverado vibration and you'll find a bunch threads and videos. I actually drove a 2014 Silverado and it had similar buffeting. Then a buddy got a brand new 2015 and it had zero. They were the same trim level but the difference was night and day. The 2015 drove like a caddy!

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Wrench589 · February 11, 2015

38 mph (60 kph) is definitely where mine really starts to be noticeable. But it persists up to 80 kph, diminishes somewhat, seems real bad at 100 kph again, then diminishes again by 120 kph.

I too am thinking more and more that the vibration is totally related to the noise/pressure. They feel/sound completely in sync when it's 'rocking and Rollin' at its worst.

I find Romanbasi's story totally fascinating. Thinking back, I do recall an extremely cold day here about a month after we got it. The vehicle is always parked in our heated garage, but we took the kids to skating lessons and it sat outside for a spell. I remember the day because it didn't start all that great and I was thinking "oh, oh, I hope this isn't going to be an issue" now that I think about it, it is possible,I first started to notice the noise/pressure around that same time. Can't claim as distinct an observation as Romanbasi, but maybe.....

Observations like this, that show a distinct change in the behaviour, are incrediably crucial in determining a root cause of this issue. This is extremely helpful. Thank to both Romanbasi and Jasondenali15. Thanks guys!

As for taking it in to the dealer for the roof fix, yea. Pretty hard to avoid giving them a chance to fix it. I think most lemon laws give them several attempts. We don't have any lemon laws in Canada. The Ontario government was going to pass one, but the big three petitioned them not to, offering to set up an "independent" group to arbitrate these issues, funded by the automobile industry. Since it wouldn't cost the government any money, they agreed to it. So that's what we got stuck with!!

FogDucker · February 11, 2015

I've been in the vibration playing a significant role camp since first finding this thread. If I'm not mistaken the suburban, Yukon, escalade all share the same platform with the new Silverado/Sierra introduced with the 2014 model. Just do a search for Silverado vibration and you'll find a bunch threads and videos. I actually drove a 2014 Silverado and it had similar buffeting. Then a buddy got a brand new 2015 and it had zero. They were the same trim level but the difference was night and day. The 2015 drove like a caddy!

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Yes, this vibration/noise problem is reported on all product on that platform:

The temperature trigger is interesting as it would make test drives irrelevant. I'll love to be able to take a poll of the viewers of this thread to see how many of those affected live in the colder climates. I've spoken with 2 dealerships in southern Ontario and neither were aware of any issues.

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