Weird noise in 2025

[VfromOKC]

HI all. I am new to the Equinox world. I just traded in a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited for a 2025 Equinox RS. I'm loving a lot of the features so far but there are a few weird things that I've noticed in the week since I've had it.
I've noticed when I'm traveling around 35-45 mph and have the driver window slightly cracked, there is a loud "whomping" sound that comes from the passenger side area. I can't pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from, whether it's the windows or windshield. When I roll up the window it's stops, but its quite loud when it starts its "whomp whomp" sound. At first I thought it was the tires making the noise but think I've ruled that out as I only hear it when the driver's window is cracked. I only bought this last week and I've been so busy at work that I have not had time to go back to the dealership, but plan to do that Monday to see if they can give me any insight on this weird noise. Has anyone else with a 2025 noticed this?
Also in that same speed range, if I am in stop and go traffic, the car seems to struggle to shift properly. Like the rpm's will idle high around 35mph and I have to try to gas it to get to the next gear to try to get it back down or brake and go slower. IDK, maybe this is normal for a 4 cylinder car? It's been over 10 years since I've driven a 4 cylinder. The V6 in the Jeep was a smooth ride, smooth shifting, it was a great car but kept having electrical problems so wanted to get rid of it. These new Equinox seemed comparable in features, but coming from such a smooth driving and riding Jeep, I'm finding this to be a rougher and louder ride. And this is just ranting, but the sound system in this Equinox is god awful. Maybe I got spoiled by the Bose in the Jeep with the built in subs, but this is so so bad. Honestly if I would've tested that out better when I was test driving I probably wouldn't have bought it based on the sound system alone.
Anyways, anyone else with a 2025 notice the "whomping" or weird shifting?? Thanks!

 

[PoManNox]

With the whomping sounds, try rolling an additional window down along with the driver's window to see if the sound stops. What you describe sounds like typical cabin air pressure buffeting noise you will get in most cars if you crack or roll down just one window. Most vehicles do this. Try to roll just a rear or both rear windows and I can almost guarantee the whomping noise will be unbearably loud.

In terms of the acceleration and shifting thing, give it some time. You've got an all new 8spd automatic in your 2025, where the previous gens had a 6spd or 9spd. Your new 2025 may just take some getting used to.

 

[VfromOKC]

Thank you. I guess I failed to mention, this is definitely not the typical sound that most vehicles make when one window is down, it actually did it to me when I was out on my lunch break today and rolled down the passenger window and it kept doing it. Also is weird that it does it when the window is just slightly cracked, not even all the way down. I've never heard anything like this before in any car I have driven so it's throwing me for a loop. Thanks though!

 

[bagbyjw]

I also have the whomping noise on my 2022 when any windows are just cracked or opened, especially the rear ones. I have to have a rear window opened 1/2 way to cancel the air pressure whomping noise.

 

[ricklack]

I'd take it to the dealer and demonstrate to them, this does not sound normal.

As for the audio, you should have upgraded to the Bose system. I would guess Bose is still available on the 2025? It is usally packed with other upgrades in a package. My 2022 RS has Bose and it is far superior to the Pioneer premium system I had in my 2013 Nox. A friend of mine got a 2024 RS without the Bose and he is not thrilled.

EDIT - I looked at the 25 build site and find there is no audio upgrade! How strange ..... another reason for me not to get one.

 

[VfromOKC]

I'd take it to the dealer and demonstrate to them, this does not sound normal.

As for the audio, you should have upgraded to the Bose system. I would guess Bose is still available on the 2025? It is usally packed with other upgrades in a package. My 2022 RS has Bose and it is far superior to the Pioneer premium system I had in my 2013 Nox. A friend of mine got a 2024 RS without the Bose and he is not thrilled.

EDIT - I looked at the 25 build site and find there is no audio upgrade! How strange ..... another reason for me not to get one.

I talked to my salesman earlier and am going to take it in Monday to see if I can demonstrate the weird noise. And yes, a few days after I bought it I called to ask about the sound system and was told they couldn't upgrade. Really bummed about that.

 

[penright]

@VfromOKC I may have heard the noise. The new 2025 AWD RS is my wife's driver, but I drove it over the weekend. Saturday, I operated it all day, and everything was fine. Sunday morning coming home from church, doing about 55, it sounded like a motorcycle in my blind spot, but there was nothing there. It lasted for a few seconds, my wife did not hear anything. My hearing is slipping and hers is a lot better than mine. I don't think it was the radio but it was gone before I could eliminate it as a possibility. It was kind of a deep rumbling sound. It has about 300 miles.

Same road, same speed came home Sunday night didn't hear anything.

My understanding, the AWD is a 8 speed trans, while the FWD is CVT. My car is AWD. I wonder if there is a certain criteria that causes the trans to shift just right at just the right speed? Right now it is not reproducible. For what it is worth, looks like the OP is from OKC, same here.

 

[penright]

an earlier and am going to take it in Monday to see if I can demonstrate the weird noise

Any update?

 

[ap19063]

HI all. I am new to the Equinox world. I just traded in a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited for a 2025 Equinox RS. I'm loving a lot of the features so far but there are a few weird things that I've noticed in the week since I've had it.
I've noticed when I'm traveling around 35-45 mph and have the driver window slightly cracked, there is a loud "whomping" sound that comes from the passenger side area. I can't pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from, whether it's the windows or windshield. When I roll up the window it's stops, but its quite loud when it starts its "whomp whomp" sound. At first I thought it was the tires making the noise but think I've ruled that out as I only hear it when the driver's window is cracked. I only bought this last week and I've been so busy at work that I have not had time to go back to the dealership, but plan to do that Monday to see if they can give me any insight on this weird noise. Has anyone else with a 2025 noticed this?
Also in that same speed range, if I am in stop and go traffic, the car seems to struggle to shift properly. Like the rpm's will idle high around 35mph and I have to try to gas it to get to the next gear to try to get it back down or brake and go slower. IDK, maybe this is normal for a 4 cylinder car? It's been over 10 years since I've driven a 4 cylinder. The V6 in the Jeep was a smooth ride, smooth shifting, it was a great car but kept having electrical problems so wanted to get rid of it. These new Equinox seemed comparable in features, but coming from such a smooth driving and riding Jeep, I'm finding this to be a rougher and louder ride. And this is just ranting, but the sound system in this Equinox is god awful. Maybe I got spoiled by the Bose in the Jeep with the built in subs, but this is so so bad. Honestly if I would've tested that out better when I was test driving I probably wouldn't have bought it based on the sound system alone.
Anyways, anyone else with a 2025 notice the "whomping" or weird shifting?? Thanks!

So I have news and I'm not sure any of it is good. 1st let's tackle the whomping noise. My wife and I have also noticed the noise. I conquer with the speed, however I'm not sure it's limited to the windows being down, only to add that it's more noticeable with the windows down. I do however, believe it is some kind of wind issue (that I'm unable to confirm) as opposed to a more serious transmission issue. I have the cvt and i hope it's not a transmission issue. 2nd, sadly to say the sound is cheap. If, there's a way to improve that, you will need to spend more money (note - this would be non recoverable money) in upgrading the speakers at an auto sound shop. I'm not sure if the system has support for a subwoofer. The truth and maybe others will agree that coming from a jeep limited (albeit you did not list the model) will require that you modify your expectations. Sadly the equinox is basically a fleet car, that they sell to consumers who want a small cheap car... RS or otherwise. 3rd, All current 4 cylinder cars, specially with a cvt (if yours is front wheel drive) will be under powered and LOUD. I cannot speak of, or i have not noticed the shifting issue you reported, but I do not live in stop and go traffic. The only way you get a better feel from these 4 cylinder cars, is if it's paired with a hybrid system and even then, it will not feel like a 6 cylinder. I was one of the first people sold on the 25 equinox. I too, am new to chevrolet. This car was built in Mexico and I do not know if that has something to do with the lack of quality expectations. I too I'm disappointed, by some of the issues you listed as well as other quality issues and as a result, have already determined that this car will only be in my possession for no longer than 2 years. For now in order to not lose so much money, I'll have to deal with it. And I should say, that as long as it doesn't become a problem that has to be taken to the dealer all the time, it's not completely without merit. Again, just adjust your expectations to the fact that this is a cheap car (35k worth of cheap). That brings me to my closing. You mentioned going to the dealer - hmmm.... I want to say "good luck getting good service" but maybe you're lucky to have a good one??? Been there, fine that. I'm truly sorry to be such a downer, just adding my own ranting.

 

[penright]

I wonder if this is related to what we heard. Sounds like it was reproducible for them, I have not had a chance to see if I can do it on ours.

roaring sound at 1800 RPM

Recently I was driving my new Equinox on the freeway and noticed a loud roaring sound when I was driving at a consistent speed where the engine was at 1800 RPM. I am taking it into the dealer today. But my Son and I decided to try and figure it out ourselves. It appears that the noise...

www.chevyequinoxforum.com

 

[bagbyjw]

I wonder if this is related to what we heard. Sounds like it was reproducible for them, I have not had a chance to see if I can do it on ours.

roaring sound at 1800 RPM

Recently I was driving my new Equinox on the freeway and noticed a loud roaring sound when I was driving at a consistent speed where the engine was at 1800 RPM. I am taking it into the dealer today. But my Son and I decided to try and figure it out ourselves. It appears that the noise...

www.chevyequinoxforum.com

I believe they/them were discussing a issue with the speakers/microphone in the vehicle. Are we not talking about the whomping sound when the windows are down or cracked?

 

[ap19063]

Yeah, that's why I'm confused i don't know what the whomping sound have to do with the microphone issue listed on that thread.

 

[penright]

Yeah, that's why I'm confused i don't know what the whomping sound have to do with the microphone issue listed on that thread.

My bad, I misunderstood the OP. What I thought I heard was not with the window down. Sorry.

 

[Hey Vern!]

In regards to the transmission in traffic. I have a 9 speed in my 2018, but I will tell you that it uses the transmission to slow the vehicle in traffic. I had hill descent in my 13 silverado and the 'nox seems to take this a step further with traffic. It can at times feel very odd.
In regards to the audio. My 'nox has the bose system and it is amazing. If your 'nox audio is not up-gradable through Chevy, I would reach out to crutchfield or your local audio shop.

 

[VfromOKC]

Any update?

So I did take it back to the dealership, they heard the "whomp" but said it was the normal cabin pressure sound when a window is down. I just don't believe that's it. In my 30 years of driving, and as a smoker who cracks their window every time I drive, I have never heard a sound like this. The "normal" cabin pressure sound usually only happens when one window is completely down or a back window is partially down. I have never in my life heard that sound when I am driving with the driver's side window cracked less than 2 inches. It even continues when I crack another window. And only seems to do it between certain slower speeds. The more I hear it the more it sounds like the tires or something because the whomps seem to slow down when I am slowing down. I just don't know. Something I will have to live with I guess, but pretty annoying.

 

[VfromOKC]

So I have news and I'm not sure any of it is good. 1st let's tackle the whomping noise. My wife and I have also noticed the noise. I conquer with the speed, however I'm not sure it's limited to the windows being down, only to add that it's more noticeable with the windows down. I do however, believe it is some kind of wind issue (that I'm unable to confirm) as opposed to a more serious transmission issue. I have the cvt and i hope it's not a transmission issue. 2nd, sadly to say the sound is cheap. If, there's a way to improve that, you will need to spend more money (note - this would be non recoverable money) in upgrading the speakers at an auto sound shop. I'm not sure if the system has support for a subwoofer. The truth and maybe others will agree that coming from a jeep limited (albeit you did not list the model) will require that you modify your expectations. Sadly the equinox is basically a fleet car, that they sell to consumers who want a small cheap car... RS or otherwise. 3rd, All current 4 cylinder cars, specially with a cvt (if yours is front wheel drive) will be under powered and LOUD. I cannot speak of, or i have not noticed the shifting issue you reported, but I do not live in stop and go traffic. The only way you get a better feel from these 4 cylinder cars, is if it's paired with a hybrid system and even then, it will not feel like a 6 cylinder. I was one of the first people sold on the 25 equinox. I too, am new to chevrolet. This car was built in Mexico and I do not know if that has something to do with the lack of quality expectations. I too I'm disappointed, by some of the issues you listed as well as other quality issues and as a result, have already determined that this car will only be in my possession for no longer than 2 years. For now in order to not lose so much money, I'll have to deal with it. And I should say, that as long as it doesn't become a problem that has to be taken to the dealer all the time, it's not completely without merit. Again, just adjust your expectations to the fact that this is a cheap car (35k worth of cheap). That brings me to my closing. You mentioned going to the dealer - hmmm.... I want to say "good luck getting good service" but maybe you're lucky to have a good one??? Been there, fine that. I'm truly sorry to be such a downer, just adding my own ranting.

Thanks for your rant lol. I am going to have to look into upgrading the sound system at a shop which is frustrating. We do have 3 Equinox in our fleet of cars at work, they are all 2023s or 2024s, so I knew from driving those kind of what to expect. Of course the '25 is redesigned so completely different than the ones we have in our fleet so when I went into look these new ones threw me for a loop. I actually went in to test drive a Blazer and ended up with my Equinox RS. I am enjoying some of the safety and convenience features that my Jeep did not have, but I am really struggling with the sound. It is what is it is. I will continue to drive it for atleast a few years.