2015 YUKON NOISE IN CABIN

Leslie Wasson Green · October 31, 2016

Last month bought a 2016 Suburban LS 4x4, 18" wheels. No options. Build date Aug. 2016. 750 miles to date. I am not experiencing the cabin pressure/noise/buffeting issue. Either I am lucky or the problem has been resolved for the later builds.

The only thing I notice is the engine lugging in V4 mode at low RPM ~1200. Some unusual exhaust noise in V4 mode. But all seems good. Windows up or windows down it is good. Vehicle is very smooth and quiet. It loves the highway.

Consider yourself a lucky one!!!!!!!!! Thanks for rubbing it in ;)

ruso82 · October 31, 2016

Thanks, Leslie. I wonder if the 2017 models have the same issues

zfasts03 · October 31, 2016

If the pressure is building and releasing with the windows up. What is causing the build of pressure? Is the cabin too tight? Does the climate control have anything to do with it?

Does cracking a window resolve it or make it better?

Was this problem from the beginning of ownership or did it come on later or get worse as the vehicle aged?

I am a retired master tech. and brainstorming / pinpointing what the issue could be.

Years ago I had put an aftermarket exhaust on my 97 Dodge Ram and had a resonating issue where it gave me a headache and earache. Had to wear ear plugs until I exchanged out the exhaust system.

Edited October 31, 2016 by zfasts03

zfasts03 · October 31, 2016

What % of the `15 model year would you estimate have the problem and what % of the `16's have this issue? I see them all the time on the road and can't imagine people putting up with this problem.

I see the `17's are at the dealers.

Edited October 31, 2016 by zfasts03

Jeff Westley · October 31, 2016

If the pressure is building and releasing with the windows up. What is causing the build of pressure? Is the cabin too tight? Does the climate control have anything to do with it?

Does cracking a window resolve it or make it better?

Was this problem from the beginning of ownership or did it come on later or get worse as the vehicle aged?

I am a retired master tech. and brainstorming / pinpointing what the issue could be.

Years ago I had put an aftermarket exhaust on a 97 Dodge Ram and had a resonating issue where it gave me a headache and earache. Had to wear ear plugs until I exchanged out the exhaust system.

Jeff Westley · October 31, 2016

Zfasts03 : The windows and the climate control don't seem to affect it. I noticed it the day I picked it up, but it's subtle so I figured it might've just been me. To this day my wife doesn't notice it, or at least it doesn't bother her. Everyone who drives my car says it rides great. I've lent it to a few people and they never give the keys back and say "what the heck is that noise". It's subtle and I feel like once you notice it, it's all you hear.

It doesn't seem to have anything to do with engine RPM but it does go away at higher speeds. It is really just lower speeds, and is only noticeable over bumps. It almost makes the bumps more jarring because of the pressure. I was thinking body mount issue?

Edited October 31, 2016 by Jeff Westley

zfasts03 · October 31, 2016

I do hear the thumping over bumps in the road, especially in the rear. But that is what trucks do! I don't think I have the cabin pressure/sound issue that people are talking about.

Maybe it was resolved for my late `16 being an Aug. build date. So far my wife and I like it a lot.

Only complaints: (kinda nit picking)

- Body panel fitment on drivers side rear door. (Does't look like it can be adjusted. They split the difference of the problem. As good as it will get kinda thing.)

- Rear bumper plastic welds visible on outside (behind tire) under certain lighting conditions. Passenger side only. Probably from too much temp. or time when they secured the perpendicular attachment pieces that are fused to the bumper for mounting.

- Also not E85 like all listing says that it is. Not on fill door or window sticker. Doesn't bother me, just surprised it isn't. Probably less sensors and stuff to go wrong anyway, and I am not going to buy E85 anyway.

Edited October 31, 2016 by zfasts03

FogDucker · November 1, 2016

If the pressure is building and releasing with the windows up. What is causing the build of pressure? Is the cabin too tight? Does the climate control have anything to do with it?

Does cracking a window resolve it or make it better?

Was this problem from the beginning of ownership or did it come on later or get worse as the vehicle aged?

I am a retired master tech. and brainstorming / pinpointing what the issue could be.

Years ago I had put an aftermarket exhaust on my 97 Dodge Ram and had a resonating issue where it gave me a headache and earache. Had to wear ear plugs until I exchanged out the exhaust system.

This is the tricky part about this - it "sounds" like pressure, but it really isn't. I had 3 distinctly different issues with my 2015i:

Buffetting / Pressure sounds. My description is of this is: "Buffeting at speeds of ~65km/h and ~115km/h [40mph and 70mph]; not heard at speeds greater than 130km/h [80mph]; annoying as hell; sounds like driving with rear windows down [Helmholtz resonance]; sounds like double bass from a heavy metal band using a broken amplifier; 30-70Hz range; not all the time, but most of the time; some road surfaces, even smooth ones, seem to excite it more than others; can be heard more clearly when ear is facing rear of vehicle; fades in and out; happens with seats up, down or folded; more audible from front seats."
Booming sounds over bumps. My description of this is: "Single instances of "the boom" at low speeds over bumps [driveways, expansion joints...]; coincides when rear wheels go over the bump; sounds like somebody flicking a 12" subwoofer with their finger; doesn't always happen; slightly more difficult to hear; commonly heard on concrete borders between driveways/lots and roads; always noticeable on gravel, snow or brick roads; seems to originate from rear of the vehicle"
Vibrating. Felt in seats and steering wheel.

I attribute #1 to being an overly sensitive chassis, maybe related to body mounts as some have suggested. Unfortunately, there is no fix. All that can be done is to minimize the source/input of the vibrations that get transferred into the cabin. In my case, it was 100% tires. I know this with certainty because my dealership made the buffeting disappear by road force balancing all to 15lbs or better (they had to replace a few to make that happen). A couple weeks later, I mounted my winter tires and the buffeting returned, albeit less severe. I had those road force balanced to 12lbs or better and the buffeting disappeared again. Just a couple of weeks ago with ~10,000km added to the standard issue Continentals, the buffeting returned very slightly. I just put my winter shoes back on and it's gone. I'm going to have the Continentals road force balanced again in the spring and bet that they've worsened. 15lbs is the required spec by GM, apparently.

#2, the booming was exhaust related. Installing 6 dampers did the trick. No more low speed boom when going over bumps. See a previous post in this thread for pictures, but no part numbers. This was done by my dealership before #1 was fixed, so I know it's isolated.

#3, the vibration, was fixed with a new rear end. This was fixed before #1 and #2.

My Yukon is now super smooth at all speeds. Every now and then, I'll get a hint of buffeting, but it never lasts long and has been mostly with the Continentals and not my K02s. There are some other minor quality issues, but my dealership is taking care of those as they arise.

Hope this helps,

--

Marc

zfasts03 · November 1, 2016

I am not experiencing the cabin sound/issue. I hope it doesn't develop as the vehicle ages and get miles on it.

zfasts03 · November 2, 2016

Are the `14-`17 pickup truck folks experiencing any of this since it is based on the same platform and drivetrain?

FogDucker · November 2, 2016

Are the `14-`17 pickup truck folks experiencing any of this since it is based on the same platform and drivetrain?

A while back, put together a quick site to gather stats from fellow K2XX owners. Most of the Silverado owners reported vibration and shaking. "buffeting" is not reported for pickup truck owners, likely because there is no large boxy cabin to transfer into, something unique to the SUVs. Who knows for sure if they're all symptoms of the same theory - a new truck platform that is overly sensitive to vibrations.

Attached are the results.

--

Marc

[email protected] · November 2, 2016

Well, my 2016 Yukon SLT 4x4 is unbearably noisy when the rear windows are partially down at various speeds due to the intense buffeting of air pressure changes. 5.3, 6sp, 3.08 axles, Diablo Sport Active Fuel Management Module-plugs into OBDII port to enable full-time V-8 operation without leaving a signature on the PCM, and it has 2800 miles on it now.

I found that if I FOLD the MIRRORS IN, the noise abates to a reasonable level.

Now, how do I achieve that noise level at all times? I haven't seen an aftermarket mirror set nor mirror covers with better aerodynamics.

My dogs are getting Pretty cranky over the windows being up at speed and I'm getting pretty tired of screwing with the window switches. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it, but the barn door front end sucks because of air flow and piss-poor visibility when cornering. The Lane Keep Assist camera puked at 100 miles. My 2004 AWD Yukon is looking better every day. Glad I kept it, because I don't see the "progress" being worth it. I'm a retired GM non-mgmt quality guy and I see the EPA regs destroying what should be flagship vehicles to please the Green Sheep. Rant/

boazEarl8 · November 2, 2016

Now imagine the same feeling with your windows closed - that's the issue people here are having

Well, my 2016 Yukon SLT 4x4 is unbearably noisy when the rear windows are partially down at various speeds

Snoringbear · November 2, 2016

Now imagine the same feeling with your windows closed - that's the issue people here are having

Virtually every car/ truck built within the last thirty or more years exhibits harmonic buffeting when certain windows are down. Since air conditioning became the norm autos have been aerodynamically designed to be driven at speed with the windows up. I have read articles where BMW owners have duct taped empty water bottles to the leading edge of the window frame to break up the air flow, all sorts of DIY stuff has been tried. So, this condition is not unique to GM trucks and suv's for sure.

boazEarl8 · November 2, 2016

What other cars in recent history (last 3 years) have issues with buffeting with the windows UP across the entire generation (not just a few complaints)

I think you're causing confusion

Virtually every car/ truck built within the last thirty or more years exhibits harmonic buffeting when certain windows are down. Since air conditioning became the norm autos have been aerodynamically designed to be driven at speed with the windows up. I have read articles where BMW owners have duct taped empty water bottles to the leading edge of the window frame to break up the air flow, all sorts of DIY stuff has been tried. So, this condition is not unique to GM trucks and suv's for sure.

Edited November 2, 2016 by boazEarl8