[bsried]

I've noticed same noise. Believe its coming from exhaust and only when under load as some have said.
People in back seat are the ones to always point it out and notice it, always asking about it. They in back noticing it more so assuming closer to source,.. exhaust.

Reminds me of riding dirt bikes when gunning it at times, so have not been too overly concerned, and doesn't happen all that often for me.

Depending on how many people bringing it back to get looked at, i could see GM taking a look on future iterations of the redesign and adding a little more dampening or adjusting the exhaust hangers to reduce this effect.

 

[mattman]

I am having the same issue with our 2018 Traverse Premier. It does sound like an exhaust issue at 2200RPM when the vehicle is under load. It gets loader than my 8 cylinder truck at that point and quiets back down as it down shifts or moves out of the 2200-2300 RPM range. Only happens after a good 30-45 minutes of driving. Good news is the Dealer was able to reproduce it but they haven't proposed a solution yet. Sounds like it is a poorly designed exhaust system. I am not optimistic if this many people are seeing exactly this issue.

 

[No2rdame]

I'm pretty sure it's the exhaust. I've noticed a lot of people saying the same thing that mine does around 2200 RPMs. It's a droning sound that gets louder in one specific range then dies down. My other vehicle is a Jeep, so to me a small amount of noise on very rare occasions doesn't really bother me that much and if I were in the Traverse by myself the radio would be too loud to hear it anyway.

 

[Thomcat]

You can get exhaust resonance out of any gasoline engine given the right rpm and load. Usually accentuated by reflectivity road conditions, i.e a wet pavement. I don't notice it unless specifically listening for it, maybe the Bose system has more efficient noise cancelling capabilities.



Funny, not a single complaint about the superior handling of the new steering and suspension, jack rabbit response of the 310 hp V6.......but complaints of a creaking trim or exhaust noises become paramount. Want to get rid of the exhaust noise, drop in a 285 hp V6 and 6 speed from a gen 1 which won't meet '18 CAFE standards and sure as heck won't get the pep or the 30 mpg highway mileage of the '18+.


Emissions require a damper to restrict the exhaust. To get maximum mileage the overdrive 8th and 9th keep the rpm below 2000 at 65 mph cruising speeds.......don't get something for nothing so the resonance will come at around 2200 rpm.......bother you?...... a quick foot off the accelerator instead of "dead footing"on the 9 speed will automatically drop 1 gear and boost to a higher rpm and then lock in lower range by shifting to "L" on the fly to get past the 2200.......or just slip some digital media into the USB port.





But, enough of these minor complaints, I discovered a serious condition with mine that warrants a complaint and possible a recall.....the lighted chevy chevron that projects on the ground to show where to kick for a hands free hatch opening is rotated about 15 degrees clockwise and I have to tilt my head to compensate!!!!!! I want a buy back!

 

[Brian Narkinsky]

Anybody get a resolution on this? IMHO it is Definitely load related and at 2000 RPMs but feels more like a drivetrain issue than an exhaust but I’m not really a car guy. Seems to be worse at 700-850lbs if passengers. Loud enough and at a frequency that makes my ears hurt, so more than just annoying

 

[Capucine]

I wish someone would be able to record this resonance noise and give us an idea what it sound like?

 

[No2rdame]

Anybody get a resolution on this? IMHO it is Definitely load related and at 2000 RPMs but feels more like a drivetrain issue than an exhaust but I’m not really a car guy. Seems to be worse at 700-850lbs if passengers. Loud enough and at a frequency that makes my ears hurt, so more than just annoying

I'd rule out the towing as it happened with just my wife and toddler in the car and less than 50 pounds of luggage. The other time it happened, my mother in law was in the back so I was glad it drowned her out.


I did find a possible solution for it. I was pretty close to the speed and RPMs I was able to replicate the issue at. I say pretty close because I was about to hit the "sweet spot" and a typical left lane a-hole pulls in front and cruises along at 1 mph over the speed limit, killing my buzz. At any rate, I still thought I might hear the sound but didn't. Now, the day before I hit an armadillo and heard a loud metallic thunking sound underneath. He may have slightly dented something. So, a POSSIBLE solution is to find and run over an armadillo. Note: the armadillo scampered on his way after I hit him.

 

[Thomcat]

I wish someone would be able to record this resonance noise and give us an idea what it sound like?

Don't need an '18 to record it; they'll all do it. Every gasoline engine with rotating parts has a particular speed(s) which sets up a harmonic resonance. If you don't notice it on your particular vehicle, means you're driving properly by not lugging the engine at the harmonic point. Simply place a passenger or luggage load, drive it uphill with a deadfoot to place under load, lug it by keeping it at the point before the downshift shift and when the rpms drop to the harmonic point it will resonate with a howl.



Fours are particularly bad with a lower rpm harmonic so many manufacturers use multiple methods, i.e.counter rotating crankshafts to compensate....even had one with a lead counterweight hung off the tail stock of the tranny to dampen the harmonic.

 

[Legalladyv]

I purchased a 2018 traverse high country in July. I’ve taken a number of trips 2+hours long and only started noticing a problem in October. Ithe humming noise only occurs when my husband and I are in the front 2 seats and the car is right about at 2000rpms. I’m not sure what gear but it is definitely a transmission issue because the sound disappears if the car transitions up or down to a different gear. This will occur at low or high speeds. I recorded it with my phone a few times to reproduce and finally got it to take. Have a service call in to see what they will do.. very distracting and headache causing...
I’ve got the recording but not sure how to upload it here... we’ve got 6000 miles and bought brand new.

 

[Brian Narkinsky]

Same issue. Headed back to dealership for third time. Please post if you fiend the fix.

 

[Thomcat]

I purchased a 2018 traverse high country in July. I’ve taken a number of trips 2+hours long and only started noticing a problem in October. Ithe humming noise only occurs when my husband and I are in the front 2 seats and the car is right about at 2000rpms. I’m not sure what gear but it is definitely a transmission issue because the sound disappears if the car transitions up or down to a different gear. This will occur at low or high speeds. I recorded it with my phone a few times to reproduce and finally got it to take. Have a service call in to see what they will do.. very distracting and headache causing...
I’ve got the recording but not sure how to upload it here... we’ve got 6000 miles and bought brand new.

Actually proves it is an engine/engine accessory issue not a transmission issue..........tach records the rpm of the engine crankshaft which is directly proportional to all accessories driven off the crankshaft; its attached induction and exhaust systems; and the torque convertor including mounting points where attached to the unit body. Transmission transmission gears/drums/shafts change speeds with gear changes.....so if resonance is always at a the same rpm, proves it is engine, not transmission or driveshaft(s) related.



For my .02 it is most likely related to the backflow damper in the exhaust system (similar complaints on other late brands/models) which is active once engine reaches operating time/temperature and emission systems transition to open loop operation.............if so, part of the emission system and CAFE standard related so even if it is the cause of the noise - my guess the dealer will claim it is normal or say he can't screw with the emissions equipment design and do nothing.

 

[Brian Narkinsky]

Any idea where the backflow damper is exactly or what it might be called?

Was at Dealership for fourth time this morning and we were able to recreate the problem in short order however we heard something "pop" and it quit making the noise. Makes some sense that it is some sort of gate that is stuck somehow.

 

[Bobcat77]

I am having the same issue with my 2018 traverse 3LT AWD, started around 3000k miles but it was so loud I literally thought it was another car next to me making the noise. It has been to the dealer 5+ times, they have replaced some parts and this last time they are replacing the entire exhaust system to see if it fixes it. They have heard the loud humming noise at least twice now and agree that it is not normal. Seems like they are going back and fourth between what they think is causing the noise. {Exhaust, firewall, or drivetrain} Will follow up once I get more information. This is super frustrating because we bought a new car so it wouldn't be in the shop the entire time. Also #TomCat this is defiantly not normal FYI so unless you have a 2018 traverse maybe don't comment like its normal.

 

[26458]

Also #TomCat this is defiantly not normal FYI so unless you have a 2018 traverse maybe don't comment like its normal.

Thomcat has a 2018 Traverse Premier Redline edition.

I also have a 2018 Traverse Premier Redline edition and have had no issues with my vehicle.

I suppose that like any other vehicle, regardless of brand, some have defects and other don't.

Sorry to hear you are having all these issues.

 

[Thomcat]

I am having the same issue with my 2018 traverse 3LT AWD, started around 3000k miles but it was so loud I literally thought it was another car next to me making the noise. It has been to the dealer 5+ times, they have replaced some parts and this last time they are replacing the entire exhaust system to see if it fixes it. They have heard the loud humming noise at least twice now and agree that it is not normal. Seems like they are going back and fourth between what they think is causing the noise. {Exhaust, firewall, or drivetrain} Will follow up once I get more information. This is super frustrating because we bought a new car so it wouldn't be in the shop the entire time. Also #TomCat this is defiantly not normal FYI so unless you have a 2018 traverse maybe don't comment like its normal.[/QUOTE]


Guess what Bobcat77? I do have a 2018 Premier Redline, check out the picture to the left, serial #018 first months' production and mine makes a slight noise at 2000 rpm I attribute to exhaust noise under load and that is normal. What may not be normal is the degree to which ambient noise pi$$es one.



And at 10,000+ miles of ownership I have a good feel for the vehicle, it's quirks and capabilities.....enough to know that my LZ Traverse has a different noise dependent resonator and finisher setup than an LT. In fact one of my pipes exiting the muffler is 3/4" lower than the other probably due to manufacturing tolerances, but this has no effect on engine noise. If an excessive noise problem is due to acceptable production tolerances in the the shape of the finishers, welding angles, shape of the resonators, damper or couplings..........guess what? it's doubtful that any dealer could find it quickly or correct it short of replacing the whole induction system. So if their replacing the entire exhaust system doesn't work the alternative is to trade it, crank up the audio, buy a good set of earmuffs or take to another dealer for another ride on the merry-go-round........because if the noise is not consistently repeatable or deemed to be excessive.....no buy back.



After all it is the bottom feeder of the GM lineup, can't expect the noise level of a Caddy for Chevy dollars.



Of course there is always the remote possibility that it is a defect in the active noise cancellation system built into the audio system which would make normal ambient noises more pronounced rather than muted. But, that would sound more like a loud booming noise which was not the problem noise described. ANC is always active, just like the Nav, directional and warning noises even when the radio is muted or OFF. In that case a simple test might be to pop the RDO fuse in an attempt to cut out all speaker noises including the ANC's inverse wave generation for noise cancellation....... I say might because I don't know if ANC goes through the same fused amplifier as the other audio sounds.

 

[Brian Narkinsky]

So narrowing my 2200 RPM noise issue a bit. Dealer pulled fuse to entertainment system and while it is off there is no noise. It appears to be the ANC system and some flaw that causes feedback just before the tranny wants to shift. With the ANC off you can hear a slight but acceptable strain. The ANC seems to be amplifying it through the back speakers instead of canceling it. They are replacing the ANC unit and we’ll see how that goes.

 

[Thomcat]

So narrowing my 2200 RPM noise issue a bit. Dealer pulled fuse to entertainment system and while it is off there is no noise. It appears to be the ANC system and some flaw that causes feedback just before the tranny wants to shift. With the ANC off you can hear a slight but acceptable strain. The ANC seems to be amplifying it through the back speakers instead of canceling it. They are replacing the ANC unit and we’ll see how that goes.

Re: my previous post: "Of course there is always the remote possibility that it is a defect in the active noise cancellation system built into the audio system which would make normal ambient noises more pronounced rather than muted. But, that would sound more like a loud booming noise which was not the problem noise described. ANC is always active, just like the Nav, directional and warning noises even when the radio is muted or OFF. In that case a simple test might be to pop the RDO fuse in an attempt to cut out all speaker noises including the ANC's inverse wave generation for noise cancellation....... I say might because I don't know if ANC goes through the same fused amplifier as the other audio sounds"


Sound like that may be it!......problem is whether they know how to correct it...source may not be where amplified noise is coming out but where it is picking up the noise...changing the ANC unit (alone) may not fix the problem. They must also address the known microphone that feeds the counter wave issue to the ANC problem instead of just screwing with the ANC unit. There's info regarding the '16-'18 Malibu (neither my '16 or '18 Malibu had/have this problem),


https://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=10528



Possible that poor mic placement or attachment in the area above the Traverse headliner may be picking up sounds from the metal body that are actually increasing exhaust noise at certain frequencies.. And the funny thing is I don't get the exhaust humming noise but do get the booming described only on a single FM channel, so there must be some commonality to all GM ANC systems.

 

[Quatchi]

Hey Brian, I hope you had good luck with the ANC module fixing this problem, as my 2019 with under 1000 miles is doing this too... very irritating. Looking forward to seeing how it goes with yours, as the dealership is “baffled” as to why this is happening.

 

[Barker]

Hey Brian did they replace the ANC and did it work. I just purchased a 2019 red line traverse it has olny 600 miles and doing the same thing. Would realy like to hear what happened Thanks

 

[up906]

I have a 2018 Traverse Redline (25k miles on it) and have the same issue. I was thinking it was a transmission issue and that it was slipping or not engaging fully, but after reading about the exhaust resonance, that makes sense. I do notice it is usually when we are fully loaded with the whole family and gear and driving on the highway around 60 to 70 mph and around 8th gear. It is usually lower RPM, but haven't noticed exact RPM, but will pay attention now. It doesn't happen when my wife is driving, but she is usually driving around town or work by herself, so not fully loaded under load conditions. I hope it is just exhaust resonance and not transmission issues, especially with GM's transmission reputation. Replacing transmission right now in my 2014 Silverado with only 77k miles on it.