Has GM fixed the buffeting and vibration issues?

[JayceeP]

I think I've decided to either keep my 4Runner and wait for a new Gen Sequoia or get an F150 or new 2018 Expedition. Ecoboost, 10sp tranny, aluminum body are all strong selling points. I'm not gonna give up my 4Runner to roll the dice on one of these.

 

[Tahoe14]

Phil, Why would you even think about trading it in and taking a bath without considering the Lemon Law.

 

[boal05]

New member here, and for every vehicle I've ever owned or considered buying I scour the forums to find info, so thank you to all that have been on here and given your insight, I've learned a lot through your posts!!

I've been looking for a few months now, for 15/16 Yukon Denali for my wife to replace our 12 Honda Pilot. we love everything about the Yukon, however I'm concerned now after reading a ton of info on the buffeting and vibration issues. The hard thing is searching for the color she wants and being able to test drive multiple vehicles before buying. Is there anything else I can look for or ask the dealer about when considering a Denali? We test drove an SLT today, and I didn't notice anything, although we didn't get up to highway speeds, or over 45 at best.

I've read everything I can on this issue, but I'm hoping some good tips or advise might help when I'm looking at Denali's that are 2-4 hours away and I'm nervous about making that trip only to find out it's a Lemon!! with no fix to this issue in the 15-17 models, should I just look at something else or wait it out? Thank you in advance for any help or advise, much a

 

[boal05]

Thank you, I appreciate the help and tips so far. I'm just concerned, because I HATE the sound if in our Pilot if our son opens the back window and no other windows are open, the buffeting noise!! I'm already showing my wife other cars to see what she likes, I just get concerned paying good money for a used car, only to have issues come up later that make it unbearable to drive! Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that the issues can develop? Not all are prone to this right away, however would buying a used one around 30k miles give me a better indication of the probability of these issues being present right away or not at all?

 

[jet black slt]

In my uneducated opinion, the development of the buffeting takes place within the first months of ownership or within a few thousand miles. Also in my opinion it's a cumulative affect of a few different factors. I think the internal structure is rigid, yet the body panels are very thin and almost flimsy. Couple that with the large wheels, displacement on demand, and the out of spec rear end/pinions that have been found, then you get a vibration or buffeting. Honestly I feel like it's a crap shoot. If you find one you like, take it on as long of a drive as the dealer will let you.

 

[boal05]

Thank you, I guess I was as clear as mud, but I'm trying to see if there is a mileage point that these issues seem to occur, so if I'm looking at a used Denali with 35k on it, nice long test drive that rules out the issues, should I be in the clear? Just a little trigger shy given the price point of used ones as well, to go buy a car because my wife loves the look and size, to only be remorseful a year later...

 

[jet black slt]

Once again. In my uneducated opinion I think if it hasn't displayed the buffet or vibration yet with 30k on clock, you should be ok. Just drive it and see.

 

[ajs800]

Thank you, I guess I was as clear as mud, but I'm trying to see if there is a mileage point that these issues seem to occur, so if I'm looking at a used Denali with 35k on it, nice long test drive that rules out the issues, should I be in the clear? Just a little trigger shy given the price point of used ones as well, to go buy a car because my wife loves the look and size, to only be remorseful a year later...

Coming from someone that has owned an SLT XL for over 2yrs now and have dealt with the buffeting and vibration issues since the beginning, I'd say not to worry if truck is sitting at 30k+ miles and all is Okay after long test drives.

 

[boal05]

makes me feel better for sure, just need to find some decent prices around Pittsburgh and I'll be doing some long test drives! thanks everyone again, I REALLY appreciate all the help and advice, I'll post pics of the new addition if/when I get my hands on one!

 

[Miami-Dade]

Coming from someone that has owned an SLT XL for over 2yrs now and have dealt with the buffeting and vibration issues since the beginning, I'd say not to worry if truck is sitting at 30k+ miles and all is Okay after long test drives.

With that said I had several rental Tahoe's [and a sprinkling of Suburban's] all with over 40K miles from Enterprise..Some were very early 2015 all the way till I bought my Tahoe in October 2016..Did not notice any of those issues with any of them..I honestly could not find anything wrong with any of them..If it did have those issues I did not pick up on it..I put hundreds of miles on each one from Key West to Savannah Georgia.

I did check out the Expedition,Navigator and even the Explorer but it just was not a good fit for me...As far as other SUV'S out there from Toyota and others I did not care for any of them.

With 23K miles on my 2016 Tahoe LT I do not notice any of those issues knock on wood.

 

[ajs800]

... it has been mentioned over and over, it seems some folks are more susceptible to it while others may not ever notice it.

 

[Phil25101]

Well the dealer called, Truck in ready. Road Force balanced the wheels....they were out a little bit.
Pick it up and let us know....I said, ok, see you tomorrow and I’m sure I’ll be back for round three.

 

[gat0r]

^ did they even drive it?

fingers crossed for you that it is right.

 

[Phil25101]

^ did they even drive it?

fingers crossed for you that it is right.

I seriously doubt it. In fact the low speed 5-10 mph boom was so bad it made me sick on the 30 min drive home. I was so mad I wanted to drive it thru the dealership front window.
Last night I googled some more and found a threat over on GMC trucks which addressed the low speed booming. “The hood”!! So I opened my hood took small balls of play dough on the top of the six rubber bump stops across the front and found all four front ones were not making contact with the hood wtf

Made several adjustments until all made contact and drove. Appears the booming is gone. So I also see GM put out a PI on this back in 2015 but when I mentioned all the older PI’s to my service their response was “that doesn’t pertain to your truck” those are for 15-16 trucks. Again wtf

 

[boal05]

We found a 2015 Denali about an hour away, test drove it last night in the rain. I didn't notice any booming or vibration although it was hard to tell. The price is right, and the miles are low, around 23, 200, a single owner lease, with only normal dealer visits on the carfax report. It's a certified GM Denali as well, bumper to bumper until Oct 2018. The dealer is holding it until tomorrow as at this point, I asked them to fix a few small things, (tear in leather, weird spot on dash where it looks like the protection on the leather is pealing at one spot, and the hitch cover) and that we are setting up a deliver for tomorrow, however I am planning on taking it on another drive, without my wife and kids, and hopefully the salesman will leave me alone in peace and quiet so I can listen, feel and have my fingers crossed that I don't notice, booming, shuttering, buffeting, or vibrations. It has the 22's, the 2 tone aluminum wheels with bridgstone tires from what I can tell. Hopeful that we are in the clear with miles, but we'll find out tomorrow! Of course the dealer, which was a GMC, Chevy dealer, had 'never heard of the buffeting or vibration issues' lol, just kept saying how good of a car these are, how well built and drive so nice, the true salesman approach...

 

[cardude2000]

We found a 2015 Denali about an hour away, test drove it last night in the rain. I didn't notice any booming or vibration although it was hard to tell. The price is right, and the miles are low, around 23, 200, a single owner lease, with only normal dealer visits on the carfax report. It's a certified GM Denali as well, bumper to bumper until Oct 2018. The dealer is holding it until tomorrow as at this point, I asked them to fix a few small things, (tear in leather, weird spot on dash where it looks like the protection on the leather is pealing at one spot, and the hitch cover) and that we are setting up a deliver for tomorrow, however I am planning on taking it on another drive, without my wife and kids, and hopefully the salesman will leave me alone in peace and quiet so I can listen, feel and have my fingers crossed that I don't notice, booming, shuttering, buffeting, or vibrations. It has the 22's, the 2 tone aluminum wheels with bridgstone tires from what I can tell. Hopeful that we are in the clear with miles, but we'll find out tomorrow! Of course the dealer, which was a GMC, Chevy dealer, had 'never heard of the buffeting or vibration issues' lol, just kept saying how good of a car these are, how well built and drive so nice, the true salesman approach...

Smart.

I took my Denali on a 1+ hour torture test before signing for it.

If you have a sweeping highway on ramp take it on that. I’ve found with these that turning at speed is a good way to see if it’s going to vibrate. Straight line at 75+ sometimes is hard to tell. Good luck!

 

[fozzi58]

Just flipped to 6k miles on my 17 Burb. No booming....but the damn rattling from the right rear suspension is pissing me off. grrrr

 

[Serg-214]

Didnt test drive my 18 Denali XL. Just wanted to get in and out of the dealership asap with my 9 month pregnant wife. 600 miles in since getting it about a week ago and it rides as smooth as butter with the 22s.

I did ride on 26s with a 2/4 drop for 9 years on an 07 Tahoe so even if it eventually starts to vibrate a little...I wouldnt notice or even care honestly.

 

[cardude2000]

Didnt test drive my 18 Denali XL. Just wanted to get in and out of the dealership asap with my 9 month pregnant wife. 600 miles in since getting it about a week ago and it rides as smooth as butter with the 22s.

I did ride on 26s with a 2/4 drop for 9 years on an 07 Tahoe so even if it eventually starts to vibrate a little...I wouldnt notice or even care honestly.

Hit 80+ for a good stretch yet?

 

[Serg-214]

Hit 80+ for a good stretch yet?

I have a couple of times for about 10-15 minutes each time and no issues. For the most part I drive 75- 85 mph on the fast lane.