2015 YUKON NOISE IN CABIN

boazEarl8 · December 2, 2015

My 2015 Yukon XL has been in the shop 4 separate times (3 separate GMC dealerships) for the buffeting noise for a total of 34 days in the shop. They have replaced the shocks, exhaust, drive shaft, tires and the last time they removed the headliner and re-glued the roof bows, ZERO improvement. Also when they removed the headliner they must have damaged the antenna because now I have no AM or FM stations and my phone will no longer sync. Have to put it back in the shop for those fixes. Also have dash warning saying side detection system needs service.

Sorry this sucks

Seems like a prime candidate to start the lemon law process in your state

Elripster · December 2, 2015

My 2015 Yukon XL has been in the shop 4 separate times (3 separate GMC dealerships) for the buffeting noise for a total of 34 days in the shop. They have replaced the shocks, exhaust, drive shaft, tires and the last time they removed the headliner and re-glued the roof bows, ZERO improvement. Also when they removed the headliner they must have damaged the antenna because now I have no AM or FM stations and my phone will no longer sync. Have to put it back in the shop for those fixes. Also have dash warning saying side detection system needs service.

Have you checked yourself to see if the roof bows are actually attached? It's easy to do and I'd say better than just taking their word for it.

Just to clarify my points. In engineering we describe these issues with forcing functions (differential equations). On one side you have the disturbance (unbalanced tires, drive shafts, bad diffs, rough roads, whatever). On the other have the disturbed, (truck or a part of the truck). Fixing tires helps the forcing side of the function and if you have unbalanced tires, etc... that is an identifiable issue that should be fixed so you don't FEEL the vibrations. However, if you are HEARING the vibrations or feeling them in your ear drums (buffeting is often below the hearing threshold so you more feel it warping your eardrums than hear it), then you have issues with the truck side of things that need to be addressed. You could have issues on both sides or only one. If you have truck that booms, buffets and speed, and drones, you likely at least have detached roof bows that are resonating due to any input being wind vortices at speed or unbalanced components. If you just have vibration issues with no buffeting you probably just have unbalanced spinning stuff.

At the end of the day I don't think these issues will be all wrapped up in one component, however, I would stress that it is important the vehicle not require unicorn grade car parts not to buffet and boom. It has to have some tolerance of irregularities because nothing is perfect. If your dealer is flailing while only replacing parts they should probably be redirected to look at the truck's body structures.

At the end of the day dealers cannot engineer vehicles, only repair them. Appreciate that they are likely going to through a lot of trial and error in some cases to fix the truck. If they are competent, I see no reason they cannot eventually fix the truck. Patience is required on our part if we can afford it. Some of us can't do that due to things beyond our control but that is the reality.

Frank

Cl Houn · December 2, 2015

Have you checked yourself to see if the roof bows are actually attached? It's easy to do and I'd say better than just taking their word for it.

Just to clarify my points. In engineering we describe these issues with forcing functions (differential equations). On one side you have the disturbance (unbalanced tires, drive shafts, bad diffs, rough roads, whatever). On the other have the disturbed, (truck or a part of the truck). Fixing tires helps the forcing side of the function and if you have unbalanced tires, etc... that is an identifiable issue that should be fixed so you don't FEEL the vibrations. However, if you are HEARING the vibrations or feeling them in your ear drums (buffeting is often below the hearing threshold so you more feel it warping your eardrums than hear it), then you have issues with the truck side of things that need to be addressed. You could have issues on both sides or only one. If you have truck that booms, buffets and speed, and drones, you likely at least have detached roof bows that are resonating due to any input being wind vortices at speed or unbalanced components. If you just have vibration issues with no buffeting you probably just have unbalanced spinning stuff.

At the end of the day I don't think these issues will be all wrapped up in one component, however, I would stress that it is important the vehicle not require unicorn grade car parts not to buffet and boom. It has to have some tolerance of irregularities because nothing is perfect. If your dealer is flailing while only replacing parts they should probably be redirected to look at the truck's body structures.

At the end of the day dealers cannot engineer vehicles, only repair them. Appreciate that they are likely going to through a lot of trial and error in some cases to fix the truck. If they are competent, I see no reason they cannot eventually fix the truck. Patience is required on our part if we can afford it. Some of us can't do that due to things beyond our control but that is the reality.

Frank

Well written. All makes sense. Fix roof-eliminate pressure. Address balancing- eliminate vibrations

Elripster · December 2, 2015

That is it exactly.

Frank

Zig10 · December 2, 2015

Have you checked yourself to see if the roof bows are actually attached? It's easy to do and I'd say better than just taking their word for it.

Just to clarify my points. In engineering we describe these issues with forcing functions (differential equations). On one side you have the disturbance (unbalanced tires, drive shafts, bad diffs, rough roads, whatever). On the other have the disturbed, (truck or a part of the truck). Fixing tires helps the forcing side of the function and if you have unbalanced tires, etc... that is an identifiable issue that should be fixed so you don't FEEL the vibrations. However, if you are HEARING the vibrations or feeling them in your ear drums (buffeting is often below the hearing threshold so you more feel it warping your eardrums than hear it), then you have issues with the truck side of things that need to be addressed. You could have issues on both sides or only one. If you have truck that booms, buffets and speed, and drones, you likely at least have detached roof bows that are resonating due to any input being wind vortices at speed or unbalanced components. If you just have vibration issues with no buffeting you probably just have unbalanced spinning stuff.

At the end of the day I don't think these issues will be all wrapped up in one component, however, I would stress that it is important the vehicle not require unicorn grade car parts not to buffet and boom. It has to have some tolerance of irregularities because nothing is perfect. If your dealer is flailing while only replacing parts they should probably be redirected to look at the truck's body structures.

At the end of the day dealers cannot engineer vehicles, only repair them. Appreciate that they are likely going to through a lot of trial and error in some cases to fix the truck. If they are competent, I see no reason they cannot eventually fix the truck. Patience is required on our part if we can afford it. Some of us can't do that due to things beyond our control but that is the reality.

Frank

Forcing functions. I just had a flashback to my systems dynamics class from junior year...nearly two decades ago. Ugh.

Anyway, my Yukon has been at the dealer for 3 days now for the roof bow fix. I was told it would take 2, now we're heading towards 4. I hope this is just because the body shop got backed up and decided to take their time, and not because the fix didn't work.

Still keeping my fingers crossed.

ajs800 · December 2, 2015

Forcing functions. I just had a flashback to my systems dynamics class from junior year...nearly two decades ago. Ugh.

Anyway, my Yukon has been at the dealer for 3 days now for the roof bow fix. I was told it would take 2, now we're heading towards 4. I hope this is just because the body shop got backed up and decided to take their time, and not because the fix didn't work.

Still keeping my fingers crossed.

have you been in the loop on the fix? Are they installing dynamat as well as making sure all bows are stiffened up? Did you share any additional info with them or are they just following the TSB? What size wheels are you running?

Zig10 · December 2, 2015

have you been in the loop on the fix? Are they installing dynamat as well as making sure all bows are stiffened up? Did you share any additional info with them or are they just following the TSB? What size wheels are you running?

I gave them the contact info for Frank's dealer and asked them to call to review their process. I am doubting they called, though. According to the service manager this was the first issue they have had with this, so they sent it to a local body shop for the work.

It's all a little loose for my taste. If it doesn't work, I will be back in touch with GM (I have a case number), and we'll see where it goes. This whole thing is just giving me a headache...from the pressure when I drive that car, and from the stress and frustration dealing with this.

ajs800 · December 2, 2015

I hear ya...My dealer has never dealt with it either and sent me to their body shop as well. I am planning to provide the body shop "handouts" when I drop it off to them.

Zig10 · December 3, 2015

Oh, and I am running factory 20" wheels. Sorry I missed that earlier.

Weber Dude · December 3, 2015

Hi all. New to the site and saw this.

I'm currently shopping for a 16 Denali XL since I need the space for my 2 big dogs, and 4 yo girls, plus space for luggage. I haven't read all the posts, but is this buffeting issue more prevalant on sunroof models?

FogDucker · December 3, 2015

Hi all. New to the site and saw this.

I'm currently shopping for a 16 Denali XL since I need the space for my 2 big dogs, and 4 yo girls, plus space for luggage. I haven't read all the posts, but is this buffeting issue more prevalant on sunroof models?

Negative. Sunroofs are not a factor.

yahtzee · December 3, 2015

Well, it looks like at least one automobile publication is going to be writing a story about these issues. I just got word that the news editor for a auto rag (can't say just yet) is "finalizing his story on the SUV issues" and asked for more information. I hope this is the bump we need to get GM to get off of their ass and do something. I will keep you all posted.

UPDATE: I spoke to Stephen Elmer, News Editor for Autoguide.com, this morning. They are days away from publishing a piece on our issues. He is now on these forums and has reviewed a lot (not sure if he hit all 98 pages). GM has provided comments back to him basically stating that a PI was issued for the buffeting and that should have fixed it. It obviously hasn't. Regarding the larger vibration issue, dealers are obviously trying all types of things none of which are really working. We are trying to get more attention on this and this is a great start. I've asked him to chime in and ask any specific questions that he can include in his piece. This will hopefully get us closer to a fix.

Stephen, please quote this message as a starting point. Thanks.

Edited December 3, 2015 by yahtzee

Cl Houn · December 3, 2015

UPDATE: I spoke to Stephen Elmer, News Editor for Autoguide.com, this morning. They are days away from publishing a piece on our issues. He is now on these forums and has reviewed a lot (not sure if he hit all 98 pages). GM has provided comments back to him basically stating that a PI was issued for the buffeting and that should have fixed it. It obviously hasn't. Regarding the larger vibration issue, dealers are obviously trying all types of things none of which are really working. We are trying to get more attention on this and this is a great start. I've asked him to chime in and ask any specific questions that he can include in his piece. This will hopefully get us closer to a fix.

Stephen, please quote this message as a starting point. Thanks.

Would love to know what that PI was

Booty · December 4, 2015

Man this is all over the place. Wish we could establish what helped or didn't help and what needs to be corrected in that order

CI , I agree with you. Once again... My rear trunk hatch window is real tight against the seal. No problems. The first Yukon I test drove had wind problems AND a sloppy fitting rear trunk window. Hello ??? Please just Try to adjust the hinges and the latch by 1/16" to 1/8'' to "smash the glass tighter against the gasket and frame. No stupid Putty and glue on my new Yukon. I own a fleet of GM work vans and the roofs are glued to the ribs with a foam liner in the middle. No Problems on any vans. Rear windows are tight on all vans. Just want to help,,, I bought a Porsche 4 years ago and found the " 986 forum" After reading about a problem with an "IMS" bearing for 3 years , I got so down on the car and the uninformed forum idiots ,that I did not drive it. It stayed in the garage, covered, until I woke up and sold the car and quit looking at the "Forum". Come to find out the problem was not a problem if you serviced the car and did not "Race the hell" out of it. Good Grief !!! Just for your info.........All the best, Booty

Edited December 4, 2015 by Booty