Possible carbon monoxide intrusion

[Partsguy61]

I did a search and couldn't find anything on this, but has anyone had an issue with carbon monoxide getting into the passenger compartment? I inspected the exhaust system for leaks and found none. For the last couple of weeks, when I drive a distance (45 mins or so), I and my passengers get bad headaches and feel nauseous. After being out of the vehicle for an hour or two, everyone feels fine. This is the only thing I can think it might be. What say you other Yukon and Tahoe owners? Ever experience anything like this? Does anyone know where the outside air intake is for the rear heat /AC?

Thanks in advance you any help you can provide.

 

[cmc76]

Get a battery powered Co2 detector, just like you would have in your house. just put it on the floor and drive. it will go off, they are pretty sensitive.

 

[GM Customer Service]

I did a search and couldn't find anything on this, but has anyone had an issue with carbon monoxide getting into the passenger compartment? I inspected the exhaust system for leaks and found none. For the last couple of weeks, when I drive a distance (45 mins or so), I and my passengers get bad headaches and feel nauseous. After being out of the vehicle for an hour or two, everyone feels fine. This is the only thing I can think it might be. What say you other Yukon and Tahoe owners? Ever experience anything like this? Does anyone know where the outside air intake is for the rear heat /AC?

Thanks in advance you any help you can provide.

Partsguy61,

I'm sorry to hear about this potential carbon monoxide situation. I also understand how displeasing this would be and realize you may even want to simply receive forum opinions about it. However, we would like to look into this further, so please contact us by private message at your earliest convenience.

Kindly,

William R.
GM Customer Care

 

[Partsguy61]

CMC, thanks. That is exactly what I plan on doing. I'm going to stop by Home Depot this weekend and pick one up. I did not experience anything like this with my 99 Denali so I am somewhat baffled.

 

[afpj]

Check the seals on the rear hatch and window.

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

holy crap its a good thing you used yer head and pulled over becuase if youd drove on much longer everyone in the car would have probably passed out
carbon monoxide is a silent killer because its oderless colorless tastless and non irritating
and if the early signs of exposure are ignored or concentration is high enough youll lose conciousness and in your case crash the car and assuming that doesnt kill you the CO poisoning will

 

[Partsguy61]

GM, I am currently not able to send you a PM yet due to not enough posts. I guess I better get busy posting. LOL

 

[Sheltiemomx2]

I purchased a 2020 Tahoe Midnight Edition on 1/11/2020 and fell asleep while driving on 1/18/2020. My husband and I took a 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive to visit family after a full night of rest. Left around 9 am on the 18th, got very sleep on the way but made it there safely. Didn't think too much about it. Stayed for about 1 1/2 hours, left and my husband started getting really sleepy again. I, too, was sleepy but thought I was okay to drive. Remember stopping at a KFC to eat and hit the road again. Husband fell asleep, I was getting sleepy again. Cruise set at 65 the last thing I remember. I woke up when the car was airborne and we were off the road. Went airborne three times before regaining control and stopping just short of the woods (approximately 450-500 feet).

Fortunately - no one was hurt and no other vehicles or property was damaged. My Tahoe is in the body shop now getting repaired. The more I think about it, the more I suspect carbon monoxide. The wreck occurred at 3:30 in the afternoon. We were both extremely sleepy while in the vehicle but fine when we were out. We stayed out in the cold breathing fresh air for about 2 hours before the police came, wrote up his report, issued me a citation and left. That would have been sufficient time for it to get out of our systems. Not sure where to take it from here, but I think someone at Chevrolet needs to investigate. It's scary to think what could have happened ... I give praise to the Lord for His protection. These pics show where it left the road, some of the driveways it hit causing it to be airborne and where it stopped just short of the woods.

 

[Sheltiemomx2]

I purchased a 2020 Tahoe Midnight Edition on 1/11/2020 and fell asleep while driving on 1/18/2020. My husband and I took a 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive to visit family after a full night of rest. Left around 9 am on the 18th, got very sleep on the way but made it there safely. Didn't think too much about it. Stayed for about 1 1/2 hours, left and my husband started getting really sleepy again. I, too, was sleepy but thought I was okay to drive. Remember stopping at a KFC to eat and hit the road again. Husband fell asleep, I was getting sleepy again. Cruise set at 65 the last thing I remember. I woke up when the car was airborne and we were off the road. Went airborne three times before regaining control and stopping just short of the woods (approximately 450-500 feet).

Fortunately - no one was hurt and no other vehicles or property was damaged. My Tahoe is in the body shop now getting repaired. The more I think about it, the more I suspect carbon monoxide. The wreck occurred at 3:30 in the afternoon. We were both extremely sleepy while in the vehicle but fine when we were out. We stayed out in the cold breathing fresh air for about 2 hours before the police came, wrote up his report, issued me a citation and left. That would have been sufficient time for it to get out of our systems. Not sure where to take it from here, but I think someone at Chevrolet needs to investigate. It's scary to think what could have happened ... I give praise to the Lord for His protection. These pics show where it left the road, some of the driveways it hit causing it to be airborne and where it stopped just short of the woods.
View attachment 239139 View attachment 239140 View attachment 239141 View attachment 239142 View attachment 239139 View attachment 239140 View attachment 239141 View attachment 239142

And not one single safety alarm sounded to my knowledge - NONE!

 

[LeAnne]

I did a search and couldn't find anything on this, but has anyone had an issue with carbon monoxide getting into the passenger compartment? I inspected the exhaust system for leaks and found none. For the last couple of weeks, when I drive a distance (45 mins or so), I and my passengers get bad headaches and feel nauseous. After being out of the vehicle for an hour or two, everyone feels fine. This is the only thing I can think it might be. What say you other Yukon and Tahoe owners? Ever experience anything like this? Does anyone know where the outside air intake is for the rear heat /AC?

Thanks in advance you any help you can provide.

I just bought a 2019 Chevy Tahoe in June 2020. I’ve been sick for months ever since, but it took a while to find out that it was my Tahoe causing the problem because of covid lockdown, I don’t drive it every day. I finally got a positive diagnosis from the fire department and emergency room last night that I have carbon monoxide poisoning!! My SUV has been leaking carbon monoxide into the cabin! I had elevated levels of CO in my blood. I’ve seen numerous doctors and specialists these last few months trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Finally and urgent care doctor said it sounded like CO poisoning! I put a CO detector in my car and it registered for CO. The CO randomly emits though. The car has to be driven for about 30-45 minutes. I have hundreds and hundreds of dollars in medical bills and have had horrible debilitating medical symptoms over the last few months due to the chronic exposure to CO. I am trying to figure out what to do now. I will never set foot in this vehicle again. I expect more from GM to protect me. I am lucky to be alive. If anyone has pursued this further, please let me know.

 

[Doubeleive]

I just bought a 2019 Chevy Tahoe in June 2020. I’ve been sick for months ever since, but it took a while to find out that it was my Tahoe causing the problem because of covid lockdown, I don’t drive it every day. I finally got a positive diagnosis from the fire department and emergency room last night that I have carbon monoxide poisoning!! My SUV has been leaking carbon monoxide into the cabin! I had elevated levels of CO in my blood. I’ve seen numerous doctors and specialists these last few months trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Finally and urgent care doctor said it sounded like CO poisoning! I put a CO detector in my car and it registered for CO. The CO randomly emits though. The car has to be driven for about 30-45 minutes. I have hundreds and hundreds of dollars in medical bills and have had horrible debilitating medical symptoms over the last few months due to the chronic exposure to CO. I am trying to figure out what to do now. I will never set foot in this vehicle again. I owe $50k on this vehicle and I expect more from GM to protect me. I am lucky to be alive. If anyone has pursued this further, please let me know. There are many long term medical consequences for CO poisoning. I want my medical bills, pain and suffering, and future medical reimbursed as well as a replacement vehicle that’s certified through inspection free of CO in the cabin!!!!

thanks for the post but you may want to contact a lawyer and document your issue with them and then seek compensation with gm, nobody here can help you with this. good luck sounds like you may have a case provided the vehicle has not been modified in any way.

 

[Thouse]

I just bought a 2019 Chevy Tahoe in June 2020. I’ve been sick for months ever since, but it took a while to find out that it was my Tahoe causing the problem because of covid lockdown, I don’t drive it every day. I finally got a positive diagnosis from the fire department and emergency room last night that I have carbon monoxide poisoning!! My SUV has been leaking carbon monoxide into the cabin! I had elevated levels of CO in my blood. I’ve seen numerous doctors and specialists these last few months trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Finally and urgent care doctor said it sounded like CO poisoning! I put a CO detector in my car and it registered for CO. The CO randomly emits though. The car has to be driven for about 30-45 minutes. I have hundreds and hundreds of dollars in medical bills and have had horrible debilitating medical symptoms over the last few months due to the chronic exposure to CO. I am trying to figure out what to do now. I will never set foot in this vehicle again. I owe $50k on this vehicle and I expect more from GM to protect me. I am lucky to be alive. If anyone has pursued this further, please let me know. There are many long term medical consequences for CO poisoning. I want my medical bills, pain and suffering, and future medical reimbursed as well as a replacement vehicle that’s certified through inspection free of CO in the cabin!!!!

this reads like a daytime TV ambulance chaser ad. Sorry- but I am glad you are okay.

 

[LeAnne]

thanks for the post but you may want to contact a lawyer and document your issue with them and then seek compensation with gm, nobody here can help you with this. good luck sounds like you may have a case provided the vehicle has not been modified in any way.

Thank you. I want others to be aware that this is a real thing that really is happening before they lose their life or a loved one. I reported it to the National Highway Safety Commission Administration too. I’ve always been a Nissan owner and am new to Chevy. Not sure that I’m a fan.

 

[LeAnne]

thanks for the post but you may want to contact a lawyer and document your issue with them and then seek compensation with gm, nobody here can help you with this. good luck sounds like you may have a case provided the vehicle has not been modified in any way.

An odd question... my 2019 Chevy Tahoe has also had electronic malfunction of the rear camera, right mirror, and rain sensor plus the CO in the cabin. I haven’t modified it at all and bought it under factory warranty. Could these electronic issues be related to the CO leak into the cabin? I’ve only owned the vehicle less than 4 months and it had no record of accidents. It was previously listed as a fleet rental vehicle.

 

[wjburken]

An odd question... my 2019 Chevy Tahoe has also had electronic malfunction of the rear camera, right mirror, and rain sensor plus the CO in the cabin. I haven’t modified it at all and bought it under factory warranty. Could these electronic issues be related to the CO leak into the cabin? I’ve only owned the vehicle less than 4 months and it had no record of accidents. It was previously listed as a fleet rental vehicle.

About the only way CO would get into the passenger cabin is a leak in the exhaust system or you drive around with the rear hatch open allowing the exhaust to enter in that way.

Have a reputable exhaust shop inspect the exhaust system to see where it might be leaking from and if there was any signs of previous work done to the exhaust system.

I am glad that you found the issue and are starting to get your health pulled around. I am sorry to hear that it took so long for a doctor to find the problem.

That being said, as Wes suggested, a lawyer will give you much better legal advice than us yahoos that hang out here.

 

[Fless]

An odd question... my 2019 Chevy Tahoe has also had electronic malfunction of the rear camera, right mirror, and rain sensor plus the CO in the cabin. I haven’t modified it at all and bought it under factory warranty. Could these electronic issues be related to the CO leak into the cabin? I’ve only owned the vehicle less than 4 months and it had no record of accidents. It was previously listed as a fleet rental vehicle.

If your truck is still under the factory warranty, is there a reason it's not gone back to the dealership for service on this issue?

 

[Doubeleive]

An odd question... my 2019 Chevy Tahoe has also had electronic malfunction of the rear camera, right mirror, and rain sensor plus the CO in the cabin. I haven’t modified it at all and bought it under factory warranty. Could these electronic issues be related to the CO leak into the cabin? I’ve only owned the vehicle less than 4 months and it had no record of accidents. It was previously listed as a fleet rental vehicle.

NO, those would not be related at all, like Wade said the exhaust is a sealed system all the way to the tail pipe, so unless you taped a hose in the tail pipe and stuck it in your window there is pretty much no way carbon monoxide is going to enter the vehicle

 

[Jason in DLH]

Wow, didn’t realize this could happen with brand new vehicles like that! I’m reconsidering my custom exhaust setup after reading this as it’s currently cut near the front of the rear axle with a down pipe. Glad nobody got hurt!

 

[Doubeleive]

Wow, didn’t realize this could happen with brand new vehicles like that! I’m reconsidering my custom exhaust setup after reading this as it’s currently cut near the front of the rear axle with a down pipe. Glad nobody got hurt!

given the long history of these suv's I would be highly doubtful of carbon monoxide entering the vehicle unless it was done on purpose

 

[LeAnne]

If your truck is still under the factory warranty, is there a reason it's not gone back to the dealership for service on this issue?

They said the exhaust system looked ok. The vehicle has to be driven over 30 minutes for some reason when it’s happened. It’s not constantly happening. It does it on and off. I can’t figure it out, but my portable CO detector picked up CO in the cabin of the car and I became sick again and emergency department and fire department confirmed it in my blood. I can’t figure out why it’s happening. I brought the SUV back to the dealership. I’m done with it.