2015 YUKON NOISE IN CABIN

ajs800 · October 3, 2015

I tend to agree with you that I feel this can be corrected given the fact many do not have the buffeting problem. This is what makes it even more pathetic the way GM is handling the issue.

The Zip · October 3, 2015

The buffeting is a different animal in my opinion. I am not convinced that it can't be fixed.

I tend to agree with you that I feel this can be corrected given the fact many do not have the buffeting problem.

Shaking and vibration, yes GM should be able to fix this. But what is the logic believing GM can correct the buffeting issue, they have been working on it at least since July 2014 with no realistic end date of a fix. GM road forced balanced the tires, changed tires, changed wheels, reattached bows in roof, added more padding in the headliner, disabled ANC, changed shocks, and changed the driveshaft in an attempt to see if that impacts the buffeting, all to no avail. This would suggest GM acknowledges something went wrong and is attempting to throw everything on the wall to see what sticks. There are some on this forum that believes all of the GM fullsize SUVs are faulty and the reason that folks don’t hear the buffeting is because their ears are not sensitive enough.

Personally speaking, GM knew about the issue, they just doesn't know how it went wrong to fix it. Folks like these trucks too much to stay away, some on this thread bought a truck three times after a GM buyback twice. Look at yourself, you probably read through half of this thread and still bought a truck. So, what motivation is there for GM to modify the design when there are record sales and repeat buyers?

What I think, the trucks (Chevy/GMC/Cadillac) inherently produces escalating levels of noise and pressure. GM tried to mitigate it with incorporating Noise Cancellation in some form or fashion. The level of noise and pressure felt by the customer is probably based on an individual truck set-up (ie, bigger wheels, longer truck, different suspension, build date, quality control, etc, etc) in some combination versus differences in ear sensitivity. My ears are more sensitive than most so I would definitely notice buffeting and pressure. I don’t have a suggestion and identical models to mine does have the buffeting, but whatever the set-up combination of my truck, they got it right. Although to your points, I think the buffeting and pressure will be mitigated versus being fixed. Fixed would mean a new generation.

TOBTEK · October 3, 2015

For what it's worth, I have contacted the following news outlets recapping my story along with links to many others:

NY Times

Wall Street Journal

Car and Driver

MotorTrend

Road and Track

AutoWeek

Detroit Free Press

Automotive News

Jalopnik

autoguide.com

Added:

CarTalk

Consumer Reports

Automobile Magazine

Hopefully, someone will respond and we can get some pressure on GM to put some type of resolution out to the owners of these vehicles.

I'm also having our 2nd 2015 lemon law'd currently (2015i Escalade). Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. I think it's awesome you've taken the initiative and contacted these publications. What about starting a Facebook page/group for 2015 GM SUV's? I'd think it would spread quickly. The general public needs to know how GM is handling this entire issue. Even my wife doesn't believe there's a problem with these vehicles, and I'm being overly picky. She doesn't think a company as large as GM would cover something like this up. She wants a 2016 Yukon or Escalade, I'm simply over dealing with this entire mess since Sept of last year. These SUV's just aren't worth the astronomical price tag. In the next few weeks when we receive our 100% refund for the 2nd time in a year, really don't know what we are going to get. I WISH I was able to convince the misses that a 2011-2013 Escalade made sense.

Let me know if there's anything I can do. Thanks.

The Zip · October 3, 2015

Let me know if there's anything I can do.

Don't wait on yahtzee...

What about starting a Facebook page/group for 2015 GM SUV's?

ajs800 · October 3, 2015

Shaking and vibration, yes GM should be able to fix this. But what is the logic believing GM can correct the buffeting issue, they have been working on it at least since July 2014 with no realistic end date of a fix. GM road forced balanced the tires, changed tires, changed wheels, reattached bows in roof, added more padding in the headliner, disabled ANC, changed shocks, and changed the driveshaft in an attempt to see if that impacts the buffeting, all to no avail. This would suggest GM acknowledges something went wrong and is attempting to throw everything on the wall to see what sticks. There are some on this forum that believes all of the GM fullsize SUVs are faulty and the reason that folks don’t hear the buffeting is because their ears are not sensitive enough.

Personally speaking, GM knew about the issue, they just doesn't know how it went wrong to fix it. Folks like these trucks too much to stay away, some on this thread bought a truck three times after a GM buyback twice. Look at yourself, you probably read through half of this thread and still bought a truck. So, what motivation is there for GM to modify the design when there are record sales and repeat buyers?

What I think, the trucks (Chevy/GMC/Cadillac) inherently produces escalating levels of noise and pressure. GM tried to mitigate it with incorporating Noise Cancellation in some form or fashion. The level of noise and pressure felt by the customer is probably based on an individual truck set-up (ie, bigger wheels, longer truck, different suspension, build date, quality control, etc, etc) in some combination versus differences in ear sensitivity. My ears are more sensitive than most so I would definitely notice buffeting and pressure. I don’t have a suggestion and identical models to mine does have the buffeting, but whatever the set-up combination of my truck, they got it right. Although to your points, I think the buffeting and pressure will be mitigated versus being fixed. Fixed would mean a new generation.

I tend to agree but it's very clear that not all have this issue so there must be something different that is causing the increase noise/buffeting. Even the original poster that had two bought back rode in a friend's truck and it had no signs of the issue. A family member of mine has an early build 15 XL SLT (identical options as mine with only diff being 20 vs 22 wheels) and it does not have the pressure issue. I've read other folks mention of driving many before finding one that did not have the problem. I would find it hard to believe and I would like to think GM has researched every scenario but I wonder if many combos of options are more prone to it occurring...almost need everyone to post model, options, etc and whether or not the buffeting is present.

example: buffeting issue present - '15 XL ,SLT, 4x4, sunroof, 22" wheels, no cross rails, etc

yahtzee · October 3, 2015

Facebook group created - join here. We will get to the bottom of this.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GMissues/

TOBTEK · October 4, 2015

Has anyone given any thought about Dynamating the entire roof and floors? I would think it would absorb a large percentage of the vibration which is creating these sounds.

I'd do it, but GM is taking this one back already. And I'm gun shy to step up to a 3rd at this point.

Willyspu · October 4, 2015

Has anyone given any thought about Dynamating the entire roof and floors? I would think it would absorb a large percentage of the vibration which is creating these sounds.

I'd do it, but GM is taking this one back already. And I'm gun shy to step up to a 3rd at this point.

This is exactly what I have been thinking . . . Dynamat or Boommat. Both of these products adhere to the inside panels of the vehicle reducing noise, vibration and heat. I have used this material on several vehicles I have restored. One vehicle, a 1956 Willys Station wagon, sounded like you were inside a beer keg bouncing down a gravel driveway. Once I covered the wall panels, ceiling and floor with Dynamat the experience was much quieter. After I lined the doors, they had that "Thunk" sound when you closed them.

In order to save money, weight and raise fuel mileage, auto manufactures are using lighter and thinner materials to skin cars. If you try to push the door panel on any '50's - 60's model car you will find it very stiff whereas a currently models door skin will flux back and forth.

I will bet that a lot of the buffeting, booming and pressure comes from those panels vibrating and moving in the wind and from road vibrations while driving. Something like Dynamat or Boommat would resolve some of that.

The other thing I wonder about is this ANC system or Active Noise Cancellation. Here are my thoughts; A lot of new cars like Porsche, VW, Audi, Toyota, BMW, Honda and probably US manufactures have worked very hard to create a specific "Sound Sensation" for their cars. Europe has very tough regulations on muffler noise from their vehicles so the manufactures have developed sound generating devices that they place in the car to create a certain engine noise for sporty cars and white noise for luxury cars. My sons 2012 VW GTI had a small box between the firewall and dashboard that created fake engine noise . . .it sounded pretty lame.

I wonder, if these sound generation systems, out of "tune" can actually cause or add to the buffeting sound described here. Simply disabling the system or covering the microphones may in fact make this condition worse. There is one post about a person who covered the microphones and said the car sounded very strange like it was revving up.

I currently own a 2002 Suburban which has been like a trusted member of the family, my wife has convinced me to put a deposit on a 2016 ordered from the factory with the items we want. Hopefully, 1. I am old enough not to hear the buffeting, 2. It might be fixed, 3. We ordered 18" wheels because we drive quite a bit offroad, 4. if it does have the problems . . . . I can figure out how to pull off the panels and try the Dynamat solution.

Anyway, just my thoughts. I will let you know my driving experience with the 2016 sometime in November.

Jim

The Zip · October 4, 2015

I wonder, if these sound generation systems, out of "tune" can actually cause or add to the buffeting sound described here. Simply disabling the system or covering the microphones may in fact make this condition worse. There is one post about a person who covered the microphones and said the car sounded very strange like it was revving up.

...my wife has convinced me to put a deposit on a 2016 ordered from the factory with the items we want. Hopefully, 1. I am old enough not to hear the buffeting, 2. It might be fixed,

I don't think ANC is out of tune or even if it can be tuned, but there are other components of ANC, GM may not have incorporated them into the system for the Fullsize SUVs. You are right about disabling ANC it makes it worse, even allowing more noise into the cabin. There are a few folks that did something with the mics, only one had a semi successful result with the pressure and buffeting.

When you get your 2016, your age won't have anything to do with hearing the buffeting and it won't be fixed. All of the 4th generation GM fullsize SUVs have the issue, I think it's how well an individual truck set-up reacts with this new body and chassis. Whether or not it affects you will "probably" be dependent upon if your truck has the right combination of - wheels (18, 20, 22) / weight of wheels (chrome, aluminum) / length (standard, XL) / engine size (5.3, 6.2) / with or without ANC and how well it works / suspension (magnetic ride, premium ride) / sound dampening / sunroof / whether or not roof bows are attached / 4x4 / roof rails / skid plate.

The Zip · October 4, 2015

.....but I wonder if many combos of options are more prone to it occurring...almost need everyone to post model, options, etc and whether or not the buffeting is present.

example: buffeting issue present - '15 XL ,SLT, 4x4, sunroof, 22" wheels, no cross rails, etc

This has been tried on a couple other threads, lost steam and nobody did anything with the data once it was produced. My previous post identify most of that data. Also, most folks that are not having problems are not on this thread, I may be the only one.

FogDucker · October 5, 2015

@yahtzee: I don't use Facebook and can't view or add.

Can't we use surveys on this site and simply promote the survey? my-truck-booms.com?

Is there some way to measure and isolate pressure related noises? I tried a free Android app called "SPL Spectrum Analyzer" and ran it while driving around to see if I could visualize the boom. In the hands of someone who knows how to interpret it, it might be more useful. If I were to guess, it's in 50Hz +/- 25Hz. GM seems to have used picometers to isolate and fix some vibration issues [ring/pinion, unbalanced tires, driveshaft...], maybe they have tools to measure booming noises?

I'd also like to try being in the back while someone else drives my Yukon. When driving, I find that I can hear the boom more when my ear is facing the back [looking out side windows]. Maybe I can narrow it down while in the 3rd row? Has anyone else with sensitive hearing tried this?

--

Marc

Anon2015 · October 5, 2015

This has been tried on a couple other threads, lost steam and nobody did anything with the data once it was produced. My previous post identify most of that data. Also, most folks that are not having problems are not on this thread, I may be the only one.

I did not have this specific problem with any of the three '15 Yukon Denalis (1 - 2015, 2-2015i). Other issues? Oh yeah. For example, after two software updates, the 8-speed still doesn't shift correctly.

yahtzee · October 5, 2015

I did not have this specific problem with any of the three '15 Yukon Denalis (1 - 2015, 2-2015i). Other issues? Oh yeah. For example, after two software updates, the 8-speed still doesn't shift correctly.

My favorite transmission related issue is what feels like 12th gear at 25 mph....it goes from sounding like a complete beast to a complete puss in a few seconds.

Wrench589 · October 6, 2015

@yahtzee: I don't use Facebook and can't view or add.

Can't we use surveys on this site and simply promote the survey? my-truck-booms.com?

Is there some way to measure and isolate pressure related noises? I tried a free Android app called "SPL Spectrum Analyzer" and ran it while driving around to see if I could visualize the boom. In the hands of someone who knows how to interpret it, it might be more useful. If I were to guess, it's in 50Hz +/- 25Hz. GM seems to have used picometers to isolate and fix some vibration issues [ring/pinion, unbalanced tires, driveshaft...], maybe they have tools to measure booming noises?

I'd also like to try being in the back while someone else drives my Yukon. When driving, I find that I can hear the boom more when my ear is facing the back [looking out side windows]. Maybe I can narrow it down while in the 3rd row? Has anyone else with sensitive hearing tried this?

--

Marc

I used a similar sound analyzer and did dozens of different tests, on my vehicle as well as several rentals. Pretty sure the buffeting is just under 30 hz. But there is a fair bit of noise at all frequencies, so pretty hard to isolate. I also did a rough calculation of what frequencies fundamental standing waves would resonate at in the XL version and came up with higher first order frequencies then the 29 hz.

If you want to get a sense of what frequency the buffeting is, you could also do what I did to verify the microphone in my tablet can actually sense such low frequencies. I down loaded a frequency generator app. Now, the speaker in the tablet won't output much under about 100 hz, so I connected the headphone jack to my home theatre subwoofer. And guess what? 30 hz sounds EXACTLY like the buffeting in my Yukon.

So now what? I shared this info with the service manager at my dealership and I could tell this was WAY of his head by the deer-in-headlights look.

Also, I sat I the back of mine several times and to be honest, the buffeting is much less noticeable. Seems the drivers seat is the worst place to sit. So, that of course makes sense with low frequency sounds as they will hacpve a very long wavelength and hence, the nodes and antinodes will be quite far apart and the amplitude the ear hears will vary greatly with where you are relative to them along the wave. For example, the wavelength of a sound wave in air (at 20C) at 29 hz is approx 1.2 meters.

The other thing I observed that is very important is the buffeting actually "phases" in and out. This is typically a beat phenomenon and could be caused by some kind of interference between multiple waves in the cabin. Or, the vibration that is caused the buffeting that is phasing in and out. Has anyone else observed the phasing in and out?

Recent posts on the pickup thread on this site are quite disappointing. Someone posted that the body mounts are involved in the excessive transmission of vibration but according to someone at GM, GM will NOT be changing them because to do so would mean re-doing all the government crash testing and GM is not going to do that. Now, I did a bunch of research a while back and I am pretty sure that a change to the body mounts will "detune" the entire body/frame structure and possibly resolve this whole thing. But based on what I read over there, I have lost all hope GM will be doing that. Heck, I even recorded all the body mount parts numbers from the 2015 parts manual to track any changes that get made. Now, seems less likely to happen.

TOBTEK · October 6, 2015

I'm really surprised aftermarket Syspension tuners haven't grabbed onto these new SUV's and started offering alternatives to these overly harsh riding vehicles.

Every time we pull into our driveway we have to come in at a angle for there's about a 12" curb. When we do so the front passenger side shock and wheel completely drop fully out. When it does so, it creates the same body booming sound that occurs as when you drive over any road imperfections.

I still stay the shocks are one of the leading causes of this problem.

Since GM isn't doing anything to help us, maybe it's time we contact Bilstein or another shock manufacture?

I've also been thinking about getting a set of the new OEM body mounts that GM has boosted about in their advertisements as new firmer body mounts. I'd like to contact aftermarket suppliers such as Keystone and inquire about producing softer body mounts. I wonder if 2014 mounts would fit into a 2015 ??

Anybody have access to this info?