Has the Vibration Problem been Fixed in the 2016's?

Liquorice · September 4, 2016

Sorry if this is an old topic, but I've been off the forum for quite a while.

Did a search but got confused as there are so many posts!

Just traded my 2014 Sierra 1500 SLE double cab for a 2016 (same)

Never had any vibration in the 2014; Love the truck!

Has the vibration problem been fixed in the 2016's - just wondering?

Any other problems with the 2016's I should worry about?

Thanks for your patience,

sam :-)

Donstar · September 4, 2016

I believe the majority of 14's didn't have vibration issues but most complaints of vibration are focused on the 14's. My 15 SLE has been virtually problem free and I haven't noticed a pattern of complaints about the 16's. Enjoy your new truck!

bdbake01 · September 4, 2016

Don't fear the dreaded vibration problem. I don't have it. I've never met another person IRL that's had it. While I'm not claiming that it doesn't exist because clearly some have it bad enough that it's problematic for them, I really don't think it's the norm or somehow systemic. More than likely at some point in the future somebody will stumble on the magic cure and it'll be some stupid little thing like a bad alternator.

Thomcat · September 4, 2016

Aggressive tire treads are noisy on concrete roadways, but surprisingly quiet on new blacktop.

No vibrations at any speed since day one.

kp52 · September 4, 2016

Both my '15 and '16 have a little at 73-80mph. Will shake the drinks pretty good that are in the jump seat cupholders, cant really feel it in the steering wheel or seats. The way the jump seat is mounted it just seems to amplify whatever little vibration is there. If it had a console probably wouldnt even notice it. Not annoying enough to let the dealer try to mess something else up so I just leave it alone

Sir Dan · September 5, 2016

2016 double cab 4x4. Without any weight in bed or on the tow hitch it does the "chevy shake" above 70. Try to describe it to people including the dealer and i get strange looks but it is just an intermittant shimmy. It can be smooth for a mile or so, then start to shake again and certain bumps in the road seem to set it off. Very strange. Throw 200 lbs in the box and it rides fine.

Brianibew · September 5, 2016

I believe it's a resonance issue...which explains why some added weight would change the shake. It's ingrained in the K2 DNA unfortunately...hopefully Chevy will change the frame on the next update to remove this resonate frequency that causes the vibes.

Sir Dan · September 5, 2016

Whether resonance or some other gremlin, I think they could fix it if they really wanted to. I just wonder how much longer we will have traditional pick-up trucks as we know them. As automakers are pressed harder by federally mandated CAFE standards to lighten frames and bodies, I bet the ride and towing/hauling performace of our beloved trucks will get worse and worse.

arkenzo · September 5, 2016

Both my '15 and '16 have a little at 73-80mph. Will shake the drinks pretty good that are in the jump seat cupholders, cant really feel it in the steering wheel or seats. The way the jump seat is mounted it just seems to amplify whatever little vibration is there. If it had a console probably wouldnt even notice it. Not annoying enough to let the dealer try to mess something else up so I just leave it alone

road type makes a difference too, which i've noticed.

amxguy1970 · September 5, 2016

Starts a thread to ask a question that has been beat to death on a topic of a very small percentage problem that he previously did not have or currently has Come on man, quit fishing...

There is no deffinitive answer to that, it was such a small percentage and no real clear cause to be asking such a question. Does anyone know if their truck will have issues or some sort in the ownership period? No, buy the truck, drive the truck and see, chances are very high nothing will happen.

Tyler

Brianibew · September 5, 2016

Starts a thread to ask a question that has been beat to death on a topic of a very small percentage problem that he previously did not have or currently has Come on man, quit fishing...

There is no deffinitive answer to that, it was such a small percentage and no real clear cause to be asking such a question. Does anyone know if their truck will have issues or some sort in the ownership period? No, buy the truck, drive the truck and see, chances are very high nothing will happen.

Tyler

It's not a small percentage. I've driven a few that have all had vibes.

Liquorice · September 5, 2016

OK - thanks for the update fellas - the truck's bought so we'll see how it goes!

sam :-)

crushNchowda · September 5, 2016

Don't fear the dreaded vibration problem. I don't have it. I've never met another person IRL that's had it. While I'm not claiming that it doesn't exist because clearly some have it bad enough that it's problematic for them, I really don't think it's the norm or somehow systemic. More than likely at some point in the future somebody will stumble on the magic cure and it'll be some stupid little thing like a bad alternator.

absolutely exists, I have had 3 new GM trucks, 2x2014's & 1 2015 - both 2014's had bad vibration the 2nd worst than the first (swapped my 1st 2014 for another b/c couldnt stand the 3.08s), the 2nd 2014 went to dealer @ least 4x for the vibrations over 40,000 miles. Tried everything couldn't fix it even had a GM engineer flown in to my local dealer to do vibration testing on my truck & 3 others the dealer had in line after it lol.

My 2015 has slight vibration not nearly as bad, but still noticeable....however not bad enough for me to stress about it & only intermittently @ certain speeds. The reason I have a 2015 now is my 2nd 2014 was totaled in an accident....and the ONLY reason I don't have a ram power wagon is they refused to budge on price much other than on the lower trim.

I have to say usually I am of the same mindset that forums tend to "exaggerate" what are "common problems" - BUT that being said, this is clearly a well documented and well know problem. I went for a period of time I even though of trading it, went into a Dodge dealer & when they saw I was driving a new truck were confused about why I'd be looking at another, during test drive guy was like "so what is it, buyer's remorse or you just want a vhange??" I essentially said I was on the fence previous & went w/ the GMC, but now thinking I want a "real all terrain" (I was looking @ the power wagon). Toward end of test drive salesman was like - "Well if you're thinking of trading we have some good incentive for switching brands, but I gotta ask is your truck one of the ones w/ the vibration problems??"

True story.

kp52 · September 5, 2016

absolutely exists, I have had 3 new GM trucks, 2x2014's & 1 2015 - both 2014's had bad vibration the 2nd worst than the first (swapped my 1st 2014 for another b/c couldnt stand the 3.08s), the 2nd 2014 went to dealer @ least 4x for the vibrations over 40,000 miles. Tried everything couldn't fix it even had a GM engineer flown in to my local dealer to do vibration testing on my truck & 3 others the dealer had in line after it lol.

My 2015 has slight vibration not nearly as bad, but still noticeable....however not bad enough for me to stress about it & only intermittently @ certain speeds. The reason I have a 2015 now is my 2nd 2014 was totaled in an accident....and the ONLY reason I don't have a ram power wagon is they refused to budge on price much other than on the lower trim.

I have to say usually I am of the same mindset that forums tend to "exaggerate" what are "common problems" - BUT that being said, this is clearly a well documented and well know problem. I went for a period of time I even though of trading it, went into a Dodge dealer & when they saw I was driving a new truck were confused about why I'd be looking at another, during test drive guy was like "so what is it, buyer's remorse or you just want a vhange??" I essentially said I was on the fence previous & went w/ the GMC, but now thinking I want a "real all terrain" (I was looking @ the power wagon). Toward end of test drive salesman was like - "Well if you're thinking of trading we have some good incentive for switching brands, but I gotta ask is your truck one of the ones w/ the vibration problems??"

True story.

Its a common issue, like many other common car/truck issues some people dont notice/care and others focus on it and let it ruin their whole experience with a new car/truck. I have had a brand new 2015 and 2016 and they both have slight vibrations. My previous Rams and other cars I drive daily do not, unless the tires are out of balance or something. My '07 Duramax also had the frame 'beaming' issue which bothered me for a while then I just shrugged it off.

Bottom line is if you LOOK for problems you probably find it, and the vibration thing is one of them. I could panic and post videos with a couple 1/2 full big gulps shaking like crazy in the cupholder but 99% of the time its OK. Both of these I had the tires road force balanced just to make sure and drive them, its certainly not bad enough for me to take a hit on a brand new truck and trade it in because of just that.