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Suburban Tahoe Vibration Problems

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    abushaheenabushaheen Member Posts: 1
    I did not face this problem in my Tahoe 2008, but i faced it in Tahoe 2009,, anyway, after six times checking it in Garage, they eventually confessed that the problem of this vibration is from Drive Shaft, they fix it and it is very good now.
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    richbikerichbike Member Posts: 8
    Hi Abushaheen,

    Do you know exactly what was done to the Drive Shaft to fix the vibration problem? I'd like to explain the exact needed fix to my dealer.

    Thanks!!
    -Rich
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    wackwack Member Posts: 2
    My 2010 Tahoe has this problem.

    I notice a shimmy/shake in the engine/drivetrain coming out of first and second gears.

    Also, a intense vibration hits every once in a while, usually when dropping down into cruising speed, underneath the passenger glove box, and works itself out in 8-10 seconds. This happened even the day I drove it off the lot.

    Very annoying for a $60k vehicle with only 3500 miles on it now.

    I dropped it off at the dealer today with a list of problems, brakes squealing, iPod popping through USB, shimmy/shake, intense vibration, engine sputter at idle sometimes.

    Geez, I wish they would give me my 2007 I just turned in back to me, it never had a problem, well...actually a few wiring and electrical problems.
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hello Wack,
    I am from GM Customer Service. Can you please keep me informed on how it goes with the dealership? Thank you,
    Mariah GM Customer Service
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    beach15beach15 Member Posts: 1,305
    Paid for new tires, sold the stock Bridgestone A/T's on Craigslist and went to a TireRack perfectly rated local shop we had used before, to have everything swapped.

    New set of Michelin LTX M/S2 tires, perfect road force balance this time using the correct weights unlike what the dealer had done and scraped the wheels the first time, and was off. Lost the some extra A/T tire squish & wiggle, felt crisper on the road, and cut road noise. Gas mileage even seemed to perk up.

    Problem? Immediately clear, after a little of driving, that the truck still had had the shame vibration and shuddering, exactly as before. Not a tire issue, as I hoped not to see but pretty much proved...makes sense, given how it has always felt drivetrain/powertrain related.

    In the last week, now, for whatever reason, it's shaking so badly, and quivers so hard, it's just bizarre to drive. Feels like an old, ragged truck with 200k that's been abused. Never been off the highway or driven hard. At the same time, it's also started shifting bizarrely, especially with downshifts that send the tach dancing and other shivers through the truck as you decelerate/downshift. Feels like it's stumbling, in varied degrees.

    And...maybe my imagination, maybe not...something is up with the steering. All of a sudden too, seems to have loosened up on center and the other day turning it in a parking lot, seemed to be loose, then bind up, then back to loose again. Not enough to even mention this one, but enough that I've been wondering.

    The shakes are worse. It was shaking and shuddering so badly today driving to work and back on the same new, smooth 2 lane roads, almost felt like it had a bad miss and something wrong with the trans. Oh joy. 3500 miles.

    Going to another dealer locally on Thursday. Never been there for service before, but I hope 1) it continues to act up just as badly and 2) they can figure something out, beyond "everything looks tight and normal underneath..." Now, how to properly explain it to them...

    Transmission, driveshaft, and so on. Joyous. Again. Reminds me of the days when I had to drive around with a datalogger in my '09 Malibu to help show off the shuddering transmission. That was nothing in comparison to what this truck does.
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    meachamdmeachamd Member Posts: 13
    Can someone tell me how to get the District Managers name and address for Florida. He came to Panama City, Florida yesterday and drove my Tahoe. Only to tell me that he didn't notice the vibration. His butt must of been numb...

    I didn't get his business card and can't remember his name.

    Thanks
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    solosolo Member Posts: 48
    edited May 2010
    Just checking this forum to see if the topic of 2011 Tahoe was being discussed. Maybe a redesign of that stupid third row seat having to be removed- and a little Storage.
    But all I here about are the endless complaints (on this and other web sites) about vibrations and the inept dealerships that these poor guys have to go thru. Its no wonder this company had to be bailed out.
    I am sure glad I visited Edmunds. And thank you to all the Tahoe owners who have opened up about their lemons. It used to be that GM could not build small cars (Vega, Cavalier,Chevette, Nova Corvair,) I could go on. But they Could build the big V8's.
    In the 70's and 80's I drove big impala wagons. Then in the 90's Tahoes. But to hear these current problems (Gm can't seem to make a wheel round) and then be ignored by the company is too much.
    I can't give Government Motors any more of my money
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    meachamdmeachamd Member Posts: 13
    Sure wished I had check this website before buying my new Tahoe. After all the work and having the vehicle in the dealership less than 2 weeks ago, they now say there is nothing wrong with the Tahoe. Seven tries to fix it and 26 days in the shop and now it's fine. I have the same vibration since day one but now it's normal. I will never buy and I will go out of my way to tell people not to buy a Chevrolet, GM, Cadillac, etc. Anything by GM is off limits. That is why they are in a hole, no customer satisfaction "May the Best Car Win", what crap!!!
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    cat125cat125 Member Posts: 36
    its not the tires - not the tires - do not waste more time money and effort - check drive shaft and other components
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hello Meachamd,
    I am from GM Customer Service. I apologize that you had a less than optimal experience. Did the dealership find the fix to your vehicle or is the concern still present? Thank you,
    Mariah GM Customer Service
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    solosolo Member Posts: 48
    I did not go back to your previous discussions. Is yours 4wh drive? It matters a lot. If 4 wheel you have double the "spinning" parts. If you have 2 wheel drive it should be much easier to find the source
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    cat125cat125 Member Posts: 36
    Mine is a two wheel drive - but it seems it affects both the 2 and 4 wheel drive -
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    solosolo Member Posts: 48
    Scary----- and pathetic
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    bmwm2bmwm2 Member Posts: 2
    I have a NEW only 1000 miles 2010 Tahoe LTZ with exact same issues. It is at the dealership for the second time for this problem. It has had the problem from the first day.
    Has anyone found a fix for this issue? This thing shakes so bad you don't want to drive it and it is embarrassing when you have passengers with you. This vehicle is way to expensive to ride like an OLD dump truck.

    How about GM what are you going to do about this issue?
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hello Bmwm2,
    I apologize that you are experiencing an issue with your vehicle. Can you please email me so I can get more information from you so I can look into the situation further? You can get my email by clicking on my name. Thank you,
    Mariah GM Customer Service
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    bmwm2bmwm2 Member Posts: 2
    cant get your email by clicking on your name...
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    tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Try again. It may have been a temporary glitch with one of our servers.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hello Bmwm2,
    It is socialmedia@gm.com. Thank you,
    Mariah GM Customer Service
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    71cruizer71cruizer Member Posts: 2
    Having the identical problem with my 07 Tahoe. Dealer did the balance thing even though I was specific about how and when. Didn't work. Back in tomorrow.

    It is definitely something in the drive train that can reach resonance. I tried Emailing the GM ID in #72 and it was returned.
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    tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I tried Emailing the GM ID in #72 and it was returned.

    Be sure to type in the "@" symbol by hand when trying to send an email rather than simple copy and paste. What you see on the screen here is actually am image rather than a character to prevent spammers from harvesting email addresses from our Forums.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hello 71cruizer,
    I apologize your email didn't go through. Are you emailing socialmedia@gm.com? Please email me at that address. Thank you,
    Mariah GM Customer Service
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    wackwack Member Posts: 2
    I have taken my truck in 3 times now, first they road force balanced the tires even though it had less than 3000 miles, still vibration, second time, they replaced a hub bearing and guaranteed that worked, still vibration, third time, they replaced a tire, still vibration.

    This is getting ridiculous, throw in a rattle under glove compartment, bad pull to the right, iPod USB popping/crackling noise, and this 2010 $55k Tahoe is a lemon for sure.

    Oh and my navigation system quit working today!!! :cry:
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    iamdmaniamdman Member Posts: 1
    there is a list that u follow to review a problem
    tires and rims
    ball joints
    brakes
    sway bars
    shocks
    driveshaft
    axles
    pinion
    transmission
    most of those problems will go to the driveshaft angle and balancing. go to a transmision shop maybe they can shed some information on this. pep boys will also know about this. most 4x4 shops also can add information

    good luck
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hello Wack,
    I apologize that you are having concerns with your vehicle. Can you please email me with more information about your situation so I can look into it further? You can get my email by clicking on my name. Thank you,
    Mariah GM Customer Service
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    blimpyblimpy Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2010
    Why don't you just post what they did instead of pushing business and a million phone calls their way?

    I'm not calling miami and I am certainly not driving to miami. The only thing that makes sense to me about your post is your recommendation for a quality dealership.

    Good techs and engineers solve problems, everybody else just gets in the way.
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    cat125cat125 Member Posts: 36
    Don't know exactly what they did - that is why I gave out the information so maybe you can get some help - spent over two months with another dealer and they could not fix the problem - the only thing I know for sure is they worked on the drive shaft because it had yellow markings on the shaft and the part where is mounted - it seemed they used the markings for alignment - I'm sure you don't want to call Miami - just trying to help - I even took GM to arbitration ( certainly not pushing business ) and lost so it seemed to me anyone having the same very frustrating issue would appreciate some guidance - fact is a lot of the mechanics at the dealerships don't know how to fix the problem - maybe you have another solution without spending money on long distance - good luck -
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    cat125cat125 Member Posts: 36
    PS> Forgot to tell you a month after the problem was fixed had to replace the rack and pinion .... again not sure if it had anything to do with this issue or as a result of the vibration - not sure -
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    71cruizer71cruizer Member Posts: 2
    Hello All...
    My dealer seems to have fixed mine. I had bought mine Certified Used and they had a new but off brand set of tires. I am a mechanical engineer and I swore it had nothing to do with balance and when they balanced my tires the first trip back without it working I was furious.

    The second trip back they had it two days. When I went to pick it up I found they put new tires on it, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S. Look to be the same ones that come stock. I was immediately apprehensive and told them so. I took it home and with almost 2K on it since I haven't been able to reproduce it. They said one of my tires was out of round. How they could tell that, I don't know.

    So, to make a long story short, mine seems to be fixed.
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    solosolo Member Posts: 48
    Hello 71cruiser,
    So glad to hear you found the problem. And it was the tires! A lesson for us all.
    Goodyear probably built a batch of junk tires and tried to pass them off. It happened to me on a vehicle that came with goodyear Integrities and a new set of Michelin Cross terrains solved the problem (dealer supplied after much prodding and aggravation) I will never buy a Goodyear tire after that.
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    blimpyblimpy Member Posts: 8
    Be wary, if the source of the vibration is not cured your tires will weaken and wear unevenly. You will experience accelerated wear and the vibration will be quite noticeable again. Good tires seem to a better job of dampening the vibration, still a band aid fix. Odd how the old set ran 90% better on my buddy's truck. I made him take them off anyway because I feared they would screw up his truck eventually.

    Seems to be the truck is trashing the tires and that makes things worse. The tires are not initially faulty.

    Blimpy
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    blimpyblimpy Member Posts: 8
    I have a 2003 Tahoe for sale. Yes it is supposed to vibrate like that, it has always done that. It is a speed deterrent, if you go to fast you won't be able to hang on to the wheel and you will crash and die, perfect first car.
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    solosolo Member Posts: 48
    Blimpy,
    You nailed it. GM has used that tactic many times. Now american tax payers own a worthless piece of stock.
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    meachamdmeachamd Member Posts: 13
    Mariah GM Customer Service
    No the dealership now says that the vibration that I feel is normal now. I am contemplating do the Lemon Law.
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    bonnatwbonnatw Member Posts: 1
    I just recently bought a "GM Certified" 2007 Tahoe. First off the dealership switched out the factory OEM Chevy Rims and tires and replaced them with GMC rims and cheap tires., second they would not switch back. Third I took my truck into the dealership for oil change and rotation, after that if on the freeway and reach 75 mph, it starts vibrating...I called the dealership told me that it is the tire balancing. SO I got that done, and it is actually worse. What should or can I do to get this fixed. I only have had this vehicle for about 2 months..
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hello Meachamd,
    Can you email me your service request number or your VIN so I can look at it further? You can get my email by clicking on gmcustsvc. Thank you,
    Mariah GM Customer Service
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hello Bonnatw,
    I apologize that you are experiencing a problem with your vehicle. Can you please email me your VIN, current mileage, contact info and dealership? You can get my email by clicking on gmcustsvc. Thank you,
    Mariah GM Customer Service
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    slingbuckslingbuck Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2010
    I have a 2011 GMC Yukon XL with 750 miles on it and it has shuddered badly off and on since I got it. The tire have been replace and its been aligned. It comes and goes but my wife notices it and she can tell the difference between a new Lamborghini and and old Ford Escort! Did I spell Lamborghini correctly??? Anyway, I wrote down all the possible causes for it from this website, thanks. The dealer who services it is great but I purchased it about 100 miles from my home. Hope this isn't a problem if I have to use the lemon law. My 2007 Suburban shook violently at highspeed new but was perfect after the tires were balanced properly. My 2004 Canyon was way out of alignment new from factory too. Geez, its tough to support a company that can't do the basic.....like give your a car that drives nice when new. I get them straightened out but its crazy they can't do it from the start. I test drove a new toyota tacoma that was sitting on the lot in the cold and snow and it was perfectly smooth! Maybe its time to switch? Will let you know what happens with 2011 Yukon.
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    slingbuck,
    Have you taken your vehicle in to the dealer to have the issue resolved?
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
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    dtrapanidtrapani Member Posts: 2
    I just bought a new Suburban 1500 4 wd. I traded in my 2003 that I had purchased new. The new Suburban drives very hard and when I hit a bump at higher speeds the wheel shakes. There also is a subtle vibration at highway speeds. I have the 20" tires and they bounce all over. On a rough road at highway speed the car seems to be a little airborne and flighty. My 03 drove like a dream. I took it back to the dealer and asked them to balance the tires. They drove it and said it was normal and they all drive like this. This is my fifth new GM. I wish I had gone with a Toyota this time.
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    meachamdmeachamd Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2011
    I had the same problem with my new 2010 Tahoe. They had to replace the entire rear end. Everything. They told me the same thing (that's its normal) until I showed them a GM document documenting the problem I got the document off of this website. It at the very beginning of this blog. If you can't find it let me know and I'll see if I have a hard copy of it. Good luck.
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    solosolo Member Posts: 48
    Thank you to all the people on this post. As I try to decide what vehicle to buy next (and want to go back to USA made) the cheap and ignorant people at General Motors still can not do quality. I will not go back to a tahoe
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    dtrapanidtrapani Member Posts: 2
    The vibration on my suburban is subtle. It seems to be much worse on a bumpy or washboard road. Is this the kind of problem you had?
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    solo,
    When looking into a new vehicle I would definitely recommend using the brand web sites. All GM brand sites have an option to chat online with a representative trained to assist you with most pre-purchase questions. If you have any other questions please feel free to email me.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
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    cat125cat125 Member Posts: 36
    the same story - over and over - you would think they get it right at some point - no way - there are 2011 models having the same problem - the worse part is when they tell you hat is the way it should feel - making you wonder if you are stupid and crazy - GM man up to the fact there is a problem - fix it - and be proud of your work -
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    dtrapani,
    Will you please email me with your VIN current mileage and more information about your situation?
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
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    etn09etn09 Member Posts: 1
    I am having the same problem with my 2009 Suburban that was purchased new from the dealership. I have taken it in numerous times to be told each time it is supposed to drive that way. My father in law has a 2009 Yukon that does not drive like this. Could you please send me the GM document you mentioned in your post that helped you resolve your problem? Thank you.
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    cat125cat125 Member Posts: 36
    Subject:EI07266 - Vehicle/Tire Vibration, P275/5R20, LT265/70R17, P285/45R22, LT245/75R16, P265/70R17 #07-03-10-013A - (11/01/2007)

    Models:2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT
    2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
    2007-2008 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL
    with any of the following Tire RPO's:
    - QSS (P275/55R20)
    - QXT (LT265/70R17)
    - QST (P285/45R22)
    - QIZ (LT245/75R16)
    - QAS / QAN (P265/70R17)
    - QJM / QJP (P265/70R17)

    Attention: Proceed with this bulletin ONLY if the customer has commented about this concern AND the EI number is listed in GMVIS. If the customer has not commented about this condition or the EI does not show in GMVIS, disregard the bulletin and proceed with diagnostics found in published Service Information. THIS IS NOT A RECALL -- refer to Service Bulletin 04-00-89-053A for more detail on the use of Engineering Information bulletins.

    This bulletin is being revised to add tire RPOs QST, QIZ, QAS, QAN, QJM and QJP. In addition, step 11 has been revised to request the 11-digit DOT number of the tire. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 07-03-10-013 (Section 03 -- Suspension).


    Condition
    Some customers may comment on a vehicle/tire vibration.


    Cause
    GM Engineering is attempting to determine the root cause of reported tire vibrations on vehicles equipped with P275/55R20, LT265/70R17, P285/45R22, LT245/75R16 or P265/70R17 tires. GM has a need to obtain information during diagnosis and BEFORE repair. This information will be used by engineering to "root cause" the customer's concern and develop/validate a field fix.

    If the customer's concern can not be duplicated -- disregard this bulletin. If the customer's concern can be duplicated, complete the following steps. Be sure to note the following information on the repair order:

    Verify that the VIN and mileage listed on the repair order is accurate. Describe the customer's concern (i.e. shake, buzz, roughness, tingling). Note when (mph, idle, accel, decel, etc) and where (steering column, seat, etc) the vibration is felt. Document the tire size and manufacturer of the tires currently on the vehicle. Inspect the following components to verify that they are in good working condition. Note any "faults" on the repair order:
    • tire/wheel assemblies
    • steering components
    • suspension components
    Install the J 38792-A (Electronic Vibration Analyzer -- EVA) sensor to the component identified by the customer as the most respondent to the vibration. If no component was identified, install the J 38792-A sensor to the steering column. Select a smooth, level road and slowly accelerate the vehicle up to highway speed. Observe the vehicle for disturbances that match the customer's description and note the following conditions:
    • Vehicle speed
    • Engine RPM
    • Transmission gear range and specific gear
    • Vibration frequency reading, detected by the J 38792-A
    If the sensor was originally placed on the steering column, and the vibration seems to excite a particular component of the vehicle more than the steering column, move the J 38792-A sensor to that component and repeat steps 6 and 7. Does the frequency data clearly fall within the tire/wheel parameters? (Refer to Symptoms -- Vibration Diagnosis and Correction, found in SI).
    • NO -- continue to diagnose and repair the vibration not related to the tire and wheel assembly. • YES -- proceed with Step 10.
    Using the HUNTER GSP9700 Roadforce/Balancer, measure the roadforce variation of each tire/wheel assembly. Also, with the original balance weights still installed, measure the inboard and outboard imbalance. Record the findings on the RO. Record on the repair order, the 11-digit DOT number found on the rim flange of the tire.
    PRIOR to making any repairs, contact the engineer listed below with information from your diagnosis. The engineer will provide direction to repair the customer's concern. For vehicles located in SE Michigan, the engineer may need to physically inspect the vehicle
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    gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    etn09,

    I would like to look into this further for you, could you please email me your VIN?

    Thank you,
    Caron, GM Customer Service
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    solosolo Member Posts: 48
    Thank you Edmunds for allowing us to network our agravations on brand new GM products. If GM hired the same amount of Quality Control people as they do "customer service" they might build a vehicle worth owning! I predict the company will be out of business (again) in 5 years. If you think the Tahoe lines have problems, check out the GMC Acadia platforms. Terrible. And to watch the secrecy and oblivion and run around after the sale is just pathetic.
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    meachamdmeachamd Member Posts: 13
    Chevrolet Tahoe Vibration Problems, it's been over a year now since I brought my Tahoe. If I could trade it in and get the pay off for it I would. I will never own a Chevrolet again as long as if live. Actually any GM car. So if you're thinking of buying one look at Edmunds.com to make a intelligent decision. I still have the vibration. Chevrolet is going under again, and I hope all of GM with it.
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