2015 YUKON NOISE IN CABIN

Wrench589 · September 12, 2015

My 2016 Yukon Denali with 1300 miles on it has had several issues:

1) Vibration from 1 - 55 mph (95% fixed with 2 road force balancing sessions)

2) Hard hard ride - my 79 vette rode better than this.

3) buffeting noise as if a rear window is down

The owner of a 2nd dealership drove the Denali and had to back it back down from 65 mph it was so bad.

For an SUV nudging 80 grand they should NOT ride like this!

So, there it is.... The 2016's do it also. Not surprised, since I believe there is something inherent in the body structure that is too easily excited by even the smallest vibration or impacting. Bottom line is these vehicles may never be without buffeting and/or vibration without major structural changes. And, while that may be an option to GM on a mid-model update, we will never see it on existing units. Mainly because most owners don't notice it, so statistically, us that do are below the threshold where GM will act. Cheaper to throw parts swapping and RF balancing at the customer. Some will see some improvement and go away. Some will get frustrated and go give up. Some will force a buy back. Obviously cheaper then trying to modify a flawed vehicle platform.

Bottom line - buy one of these and it has these issues. You may or may not feel/hear it, but it's there. And even if you are OK with it, eventually it will come time to sell or trade it in and by then, it will be common knowledge. The used market will reflect it in the residual value - LOW!

I've all but given up on a solution. I think GM understands what is going on but it's not practical to correct it. And so, it's basically "lump it to leave it". This will definitely be my last GM product.

yahtzee · September 12, 2015

So, there it is.... The 2016's do it also. Not surprised, since I believe there is something inherent in the body structure that is too easily excited by even the smallest vibration or impacting. Bottom line is these vehicles may never be without buffeting and/or vibration without major structural changes. And, while that may be an option to GM on a mid-model update, we will never see it on existing units. Mainly because most owners don't notice it, so statistically, us that do are below the threshold where GM will act. Cheaper to throw parts swapping and RF balancing at the customer. Some will see some improvement and go away. Some will get frustrated and go give up. Some will force a buy back. Obviously cheaper then trying to modify a flawed vehicle platform.

Bottom line - buy one of these and it has these issues. You may or may not feel/hear it, but it's there. And even if you are OK with it, eventually it will come time to sell or trade it in and by then, it will be common knowledge. The used market will reflect it in the residual value - LOW!

I've all but given up on a solution. I think GM understands what is going on but it's not practical to correct it. And so, it's basically "lump it to leave it". This will definitely be my last GM product.

I just drove a 16 Denali XL and it has the buffeting issue. The sales guy heard it this time and is going to show it to his service guys. I'm waiting on them to bring my Summit White 16 from another dealer for delivery today or Monday. Not much I can do, it appears, if the issue is in my particular vehicle. We need the room of the XL and unfortunately there is nothing else that compares.

sh00ter · September 19, 2015

I ordered a '16 Yukon XL Denali 4WD with the understanding that I would buy it if I wanted or let them sell it to another customer if I didn't. I came in this week & I could tell before I got off the lot for a test drive that it had the buffeting issue. I've driven 2 different 4WD Denali XLs & all three of them had the issue. However, the 2016 was worse than the others.

I really wish there was another vehicle that compares to it size wise. I've had several Suburbans & really want to get into another large SUV but can't deal with paying almost $80K to have a problem truck!

The Zip · September 20, 2015

I really wish there was another vehicle that compares to it size wise. I've had several Suburbans & really want to get into another large SUV but can't deal with paying almost $80K to have a problem truck!

You and a couple of other "recent" followers on this thread are mentioning that you are primarily looking for size, if that is the case why not buy the previous generation (07-14) for size and trade it in when issues associated with this thread are sorted out? I have not heard of the same issues with the 07-14 generation. It’s sad that someone would even contemplate spending 80K on a vehicle knowing it has major customer complaint issues, and even worse, when someone test drive the vehicle then confirms the complaint. If you buy this truck, you'll need a lot of tolerance because luck won't help you at that point.

Wrench589 · September 20, 2015

If you buy this truck, you'll need a lot of tolerance because luck won't help you at that point.

You got that right!!

jasondenali15 · September 21, 2015

You and a couple of other "recent" followers on this thread are mentioning that you are primarily looking for size, if that is the case why not buy the previous generation (07-14) for size and trade it in when issues associated with this thread are sorted out? I have not heard of the same issues with the 07-14 generation. It’s sad that someone would even contemplate spending 80K on a vehicle knowing it has major customer complaint issues, and even worse, when someone test drive the vehicle then confirms the complaint. If you buy this truck, you'll need a lot of tolerance because luck won't help you at that point.

That's exactly what I did after having both 2015s repurchased. I bought a low mile 2014 Denali. I did not get the new look and technology of the 2015s, but I also have a large SUV without buffeting, headaches, ear pressure,... Honestly, the more I read this thread about the 2016s, the more I am starting to enjoy my 2014. GM needs a full redesign of it's current body style. This issue is not going away.

Cl Houn · September 22, 2015

Didn't 2 people on here get the buffeting issue resolved ?

Wrench589 · September 22, 2015

As I recall, one person report resolution by covering the ANC microphone over with cotton balls. But other tried that (myself included) and it did not help at all.

Don't recall anyone else report it getting fixed.

So....I'm thinking we will never see a fix now after the Volkswagen story broke. I bet all the manufacturers are scrambling to sort out what they've done with emission mapping and make sure they aren't at risk. Some noise and vibration will be the least of their worries right now!!!

Andreas Raphael · September 22, 2015

Hi all. This is my first post here, but I've been reading this threat for a while now. I purchased a 2015 Tahoe LTZ in the beginning of September and pretty much immediately noticed the buffering issues. I am not sure why I didn't feel it during the test drive, but I guess you get caught up in the excitement, speaking to the sales guy, and I also had no idea about this issue. I bought the truck the week before the labor day holiday and went to the service first thing on Tuesday after. Of course none of the service staff had any idea and claim to never have heard of this issue. The service manager thought it may be the type of tires or the wheels were not aligned. They gave me an appointment for Thursday, but then called me to reschedule for the following Monday.

The buffering is really bothering me, to the point that I couldn't even drive the truck.

So finally on Monday I dropped off the truck at the dealer and they called me on Wednesday to let me know they had to remove the headliner and perform the service. Today it's been 8 days without a truck and they just called to tell me they need one more day. Once I get it back I will update to see if it's resolved and what sort of difference it has made.

I also called GM last week and opened a case. They told me a buy back would have to be initiated through the dealer and they forwarded my case to them. When I called the dealer to ask about it, they did get the email, but told me it's nothing they could do, but it would have to be done through a local GM rep. They assured me that my info was passed along. Well, that was last week Thursday, so it's been 5 days and I haven't heard a thing. Not surprising, but very frustrating to say the least.

I do want to point out that my dealer has been very nice and trying to do a good job fixing this issue. But I am VERY DISAPPOINTED in the complete lack of any sort of communication from GM. I guess they are too big to care. If any GM rep should happen to read this post I'd be very happy to talk to them further.

Edited September 22, 2015 by AndyR77

Cl Houn · September 23, 2015

As I recall, one person report resolution by covering the ANC microphone over with cotton balls. But other tried that (myself included) and it did not help at all.

Don't recall anyone else report it getting fixed.

So....I'm thinking we will never see a fix now after the Volkswagen story broke. I bet all the manufacturers are scrambling to sort out what they've done with emission mapping and make sure they aren't at risk. Some noise and vibration will be the least of their worries right now!!!

A few pages back they replaced some ring in the rear end and adjusted a gear in there or something like that. I think there's a report for that fix at gm now

The Zip · September 23, 2015

....2 people on here get the buffeting issue resolved ?

Two people, this is a laugh-er. But to that point, some on this thread is not having a problem with all the issues (OP was about buffeting, the thread has evolved). Buffeting may stand alone or added with some variation of shaking, vibration, or pressure. The dealer attempting a fix all at the same time is not working.

GM needs a full redesign of it's current body style. This issue is not going away.

The issues may not completely go away as a whole, but a full redesign is not going to happen. It took Chevy 8 years to roll out the fourth generation Tahoe and GM spent hoops of dollars on factory equipment and inventory, not to mention Chevy is clearing a million dollars per 100 units. The only way GM comes out with a new design before 2020 (just long enough for your truck to go out of warranty) is if customers stop buying.

Cl Houn · September 23, 2015

I just drove a 16 Denali XL and it has the buffeting issue. The sales guy heard it this time and is going to show it to his service guys. I'm waiting on them to bring my Summit White 16 from another dealer for delivery today or Monday. Not much I can do, it appears, if the issue is in my particular vehicle. We need the room of the XL and unfortunately there is nothing else that compares.

Was the buffeting resolved

Willyspu · September 23, 2015

Looks like Consumer Reports had an article on this: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/07/cadillac-escalade-amends-its-bad-ride-manners/index.htm

jrk · September 26, 2015

I purchased a 2015 GMC SLE in June 2015. The vehicle has a 5.3 V8 Ecotec3 engine which I think is causing the noise problems. If you select from the steering wheel cursor, the Fuel Economy window, it shows the V8 mode in the lower right hand corner of the screen. If you are stopped, it will show the V8 mode. As you accelerate and eventually level off your speed, the V4 will initiate (you can see it on the screen) and the noise begins. It's a deep droning noise. If you accelerate, it will move back to the V8 mode and it's quiet. The droning noise is more prevalent at speeds of 45 mph or greater. I took my vehicle to the dealer. They said that they drove another like car and it did the same thing (same noise). One of the service managers told me that it was the exhaust. I told him that I had driven a new Silverado pickup with the same engine and it didn't make that noise. He said that's because the tail pipe is 2 feet longer. The service manager in charge told me later that they can't confirm that is the problem. They said that they could dismantle the roof and check the insulation. I said forget it. That's not the problem. You can't tell me that this has been going on since 2014 and they don't know what the issue is. I think that it's definitely the engine causing the problem...not necessarily where the noise is coming from. I have contacted my dealership about this issue again today.

Wrench589 · September 27, 2015

Jrk, unfortunately, there are several things wrong with these vehicles.

Yes, there will be a definite lower frequency drone from the engine/exhaust when the engine goes into V4 mode. Unfortunately, this is the nature of the beast. And yes, slight differences in the exhaust system (length, bends, etc) will change the sound. I believe GM has a TSB to change something in the exhaust but not sure how effective it has been.

Then there is the mechanical vibration some folks experience, especially on the pickup versions. Often called a "Shake" by some owners. So far, not much in the way of a solid fix.

And for us SUV owners, we get the added bonus of the buffeting. Yea! Yes, for onlyn$80,000 you too can come on down to your local GM dealership and drive away in the biggest turd of a vehicle to come along since the Ford Pinto! Seriously though,there is a lot of back and forth on whether the first two are causing the buffeting or not. The jury is definitely still out on that, but I believe even if the vibration is resolved, the body/structure is so sensitive it will still result in buffeting from any minor disturbance.