If you’ve gone for a drive in your late model Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban, GMC Yukon or Yukon XL, or Cadillac Escalade or Escalade ESV, and experienced an odd shaking and/or buffeting noise, you are not alone. Many people have, even with the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.
“Along with the buffeting, a vibration can be felt inside the cabin. According to many of those affected, the sensation gets worse when the vehicle switches into V4 mode, as these engines are equipped with cylinder deactivation.
And it’s not just an annoying sound – the defect seems to be causing some health issues.
‘Pressure, sound and sensation at low to mid range speeds. Creating headache, dizziness and strain,’ reads one complaint on the NHTSA database ( NHTSA ID Number: 10701714).”
After a little poking around here on Chevrolet Forum, I came across a 17-page thread in which many of you posted about similar problems. (For the record, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country and 2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ I reviewed gave me no such headaches.) Forum member ajutzi said, “I … purchased a 2014 Silverado. It has a drive line vibration between 55-65. I took it to the dealer for all recalls and mentioned the vibration. They test drove it, then some new units and found the same vibration. The loaner they gave me, also a 2014 Silverado had the same vibration.”
Ebel27 chimed in with:
“The vibration is mainly between 55 and 80 mph. Felt most on the freeway with cruise control on. And the vibration goes away if you shift to neutral. She is back at the dealer now so I will let everyone know what they say this time.”
Needless to say, GM is aware of these issues. It’s issued a preliminary information bulletin (PIT) connected to them. In fact, under its screen name, Chevrolet Customer Service, in our Silverado & Fullsize Pick-ups subforum, it’s reached out to those of you affected by these issues. It’s offered to log cases in its database and reach out to dealerships to try to remedy these problems. If you need further assistance, Chevrolet Customer Service suggests you send it a private message with your contact information, the name of the dealership from which you purchased your affected vehicle, your vehicle’s VIN number, and its current mileage.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
