At the point of getting rid of our 2016 Denali

[fordfest]

I shared this in the suspension section and realized it is best suited here. Just because my forum name uses Ford, we have been diehard Denali owners for 15 years.


It is insane that we have to consider swapping out numerous suspension components on a SUV with a msrp of $80k+! We have owned 3 Yukon XL Denali over the past 15 years. While the styling and looks are great, the ride simply sucks. Due to the ride, we have countless rattles that can't seem to be corrected and the rear glass/spoiler keep coming loose, also due to the rough ride.

I'm actually giving it a full detail today to put it up for sale or trade it in. We have hit our max with this car. It is a shame that GM hasn't addressed the ride issue. I don't get it, just reprogram the computer or turn it off. There is no way this wasn't seen during development. Every visit to the dealer I mention how it has a horrible ride and ask if there is a TSB. All I get back is the deer in the headlights look. To my knowledge, our dealer has not made one phone call to GM about the issue.

We are still young enough we would have several more of Denali in our future if it is what we have come to expect from the 2007-14 models. That model had a couple of minor interior issues that were addressed with a simple low cost fix.

It makes us completely sick that we are at the point of getting rid of our Denali. At this point, we have no idea what we are going to replace it with. We have been loyal to GMC because we liked their full size SUV. If I could have back our 2007, we would gladly make the swap.

Sorry, to vent. This is the only place where people actually understand what we are dealing with.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tahoe14]

Yes, there are some that have that issue but the majority do not comparing the amount that are sold verses the amount that are complained about. The same with the booming/buffeting. Some feel it most don't. I had a Lemon early build 2015 Tahoe that I took action on instead of just complaining and it was taken care of (Lemon Law) and I have owned many GM vehicles dating back to the 70's. There have been some that had the issue fixed by the Dealer but sometimes you can't blame the vehicle if you have an incompetent Dealer. Don't for one second think that all manufacturers don't have issues. I have been on plenty of other forums. Good luck and hopefully you will be happy with the next brand.

 

[fordfest]

Yes, there are some that have that issue but the majority do not comparing the amount that are sold verses the amount that are complained about. The same with the booming/buffeting. Some feel it most don't. I had a Lemon early build 2015 Tahoe that I took action on instead of just complaining and it was taken care of (Lemon Law) and I have owned many GM vehicles dating back to the 70's. There have been some that had the issue fixed by the Dealer but sometimes you can't blame the vehicle if you have an incompetent Dealer. Don't for one second think that all manufacturers don't have issues. I have been on plenty of other forums. Good luck and hopefully you will be happy with the next brand.

Thanks for the feedback. If the ride issue was fixed, we wouldn't think of selling it. We may go drive a Tahoe (not sure if they have the magnetic ride).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chicagofan00]

Thanks for the feedback. If the ride issue was fixed, we wouldn't think of selling it. We may go drive a Tahoe (not sure if they have the magnetic ride).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Premier trim has the magnetic ride. You can get a loaded LT that has ALMOST every feature the Premier has but without MRC.

 

[fordfest]

The Premier trim has the magnetic ride. You can get a loaded LT that has ALMOST every feature the Premier has but without MRC.

Good to know, thank you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[swathdiver]

While the styling and looks are great, the ride simply sucks.

How does she ride with 200 pounds over the rear axle? These things were made to tow and unhitched are a bit bouncy. Put some weight in the back, behind the third row and they settle down nicely. My experience anyway.

 

[Wambliokiye]

Wow I had I reply but my phone I guess didnt agree with what I said.

 

[fordfest]

It does suck to get rid of it. It is a gorgeous ride and no idea what we will replace it with. There is nothing in the full size segment.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Blueinterceptor]

I’ve had a problem with a 16 Tahoe. There are some tsb’s for the ride in the 15’s
Turns out I had a locked up rear strut.
My tahoe has a very tight ride and when I’d hit a bump any road imperfection for that matter, she rode like a brick. My problems seem a lot like those you are complaining about. I too was afraid of shaking the car apart.
The 16’s had a change of suspension parts to smooth out the ride. I had thought that my problems were due to left over 15 parts being installed. Turns out it was a locked up strut. My truck also has the max towing package. That option compounds the rough ride.
As suggested above put some weight back there. Mulch etc. it will smooth out the ride.

 

[iamdub]

I'm curious to know if it's the shocks and struts being too firm as commanded by the computer. I think my Tahoe rides too firm for what it is, so I unplugged the wires from the shocks to test it. The ride wasn't quite cloud-like, but the sharp bumps were much more softly absorbed. I would've left it had it not also made the car feel so top-heavy. A little side-to-side jig of the steering wheel and the whole body rocked as if it could easily lose control- not safe! I plugged all the connectors back in, satisfied that at least I know where the problem is and will address it when I lower it.

If you don't have a locked-up strut or shock and the suspension programming is what's causing the firm ride, then you probably can't do anything about it other than get non-MRC shocks and struts and either "trick" the computer with resistors (if that's even possible on this model) or have the MRC removed from the programming so you don't get warning lights.

Testing this theory only takes a few minutes and, if you have no issues or reasons to ditch your Denali other than the stiff ride, it may make you reconsider. I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other, I actually don't have much faith at all in the newer vehicles. You just seem like you really don't wanna get rid of it so I threw in my last-ditch effort idea. Best of luck to you.

 

[Wambliokiye]

It does suck to get rid of it. It is a gorgeous ride and no idea what we will replace it with. There is nothing in the full size segment.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOT

Not sure if you saw what I said yesterday. I didnt see it on here. Anyway here it is again, I said, Sounds like its time for mods! Rip out the stock suspension and put a small lift on it with a little bigger tire. I mean not some crazy lift unless that's what you like. Something just to take out the stock and fix the ride. Because if you trade it in you will only get half what you forked put for it and if you private sale you could be stuck with it for days, weeks maybe even months. Then when sold you have to start the hunt for another rig. A brand you like with with less or around the same miles the color you like extras and all the things you like about the Kon. Even then you will probably have a whole new set of issues maybe, you got it because its what you want and to see a relationship of 15yrs go south sucks. Or if the kon is still under warranty do like tahoe14 and lemon that thing. I didnt see a pic yesterday but man a beautifully built rig like that I could see how your upset. Do you know if cadillac has the same set up for the suspension? If so id try and take it to them and see what they say. Im not sure about a 200lb in the back like swathdiver said but to hear and now see the Kon, dose suck. I understand the headache and frustration but dont give up yet. I mean this is my 2 cents and I hope you can get some kinda resolve from us here.

Or lower it! Lift or lower! Somethi g clean and classy. Anyway this is my 2cents, I got an 07 but she's mine! Hehe.
Good luck and hope You get it figured out.

 

[fordfest]

Thanks for all of the feedback! I may take it to another dealer to see if it may have a strut locked up. With the summer heat, our roads are getting spots where the road buckles similar to a small speed bump. When we hit those at speed, the car kicks out and get pretty squirrelly. My son's 2016 HD2500 handles these road issues much better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Blueinterceptor]

I just want to add. I have a 17 Tahoe premier The ride is much less stiff.

If your truck is running 22 “ tires. I’d try taking few psi out of them or try 20” rims and tires

 

[Tylus]

I was driving in New York yesterday. They have horrific sections of roads, bad enough that on certain sections I felt the rear end kick out several times. Swear it was coming off the road. Scary as hell. Up until then, I hadn't had any complaints. I will never drive that road again lol

My 'Burb LT only has the standard suspension. She rides really nice otherwise.

I had a 05 Escalade. While the super fancy suspension was nice, once they start having issues it gets old real quick. I highly recommend you check out a highly decked out LT or Premier. Without the magnetic crap

 

[Tahoe14]

fordfest, one other thought. Take another 16 like yours for a test drive and see if the ride is the same. You should be able to find one on cars.com or autotrader. If it is different in a good way you may want to have another Dealer take a look at the shocks as someone else has suggested. Just a thought and peace of mind before you get rid of it. I assume it is still under warranty as a 2016.

 

[fordfest]

Great ideas! Ours does have 22" wheels. I drove a 2018 SLT Yukon, not XL. It had 20" wheels. I drove it when it was crazy cold outside, it probably wasn't a good day to test drive it. So, we are going to look at a couple of pre-owned Tahoes. However, I'm not sure what trim level to look at to ensure it does not have the magnetic ride. We were going to look at a 2016 LTZ yesterday, but the dealer said it had it. I would like to know how to determine it for myself. The dealer may tell me it does thinking it is a good thing. Our rep who has been there for 30 years said he hasn't had anyone tell him about the horrid ride. There is no way we can be the only ones in our area. I'm guessing they think it is normal. I have a relative that also bought a 2016 XL Denali, they hate the ride. They had an Armada before the Yukon. They too, like the styling and looks, but not the ride.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Blueinterceptor]

All Ltz and premiere Tahoe’s/suburban have the magnetic rides. No other levels have it

Do you have the max towing option?
That makes for a hard ride too.

If you have mrc max towing and 22” wheels. You have the perfect storm for a HARD ride



You can try to determine yourself if a strut is locked up
Go to each corner of your car. Try pushing down and bouncing each corner
If one corner is more difficult that the other, that could be your problem

 

[ajs800]

How does she ride with 200 pounds over the rear axle? These things were made to tow and unhitched are a bit bouncy. Put some weight in the back, behind the third row and they settle down nicely. My experience anyway.

true, but how come a pre 15 rides 100x better than a '15+ denali?

 

[swathdiver]

true, but how come a pre 15 rides 100x better than a '15+ denali?

Sorry, don't know. It would be nice to know the designer's intent on such things. Find out who designed the suspension and ask him.

 

[RSN NVSN]

Just picked up a 2017 Tahoe Premier and I love it! Great ride even on factory 22’s. And it does have the magna-ride suspension.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk