This is a software update, the Silverado had the same thing done a while ago.

 

NHTSA recalls can generate a "stop delivery" status. This status is lifted as each vehicle is "repaired". In this case it's just an adjustment to the parameters for the low speed idiot (pedestrian) warning sound.

Since there are probably very few 2024 Equinox EVs sitting on dealer lots, this really has no impact except for Equinox EVs that are traded to a GM dealership for another GM. Non-GM vehicle sellers aren't required to comply with this "stop delivery" notice.

 

Yeah, there is no way there is no fix for this, cause all GM vehicles in our neighborhood make the same obnoxious noise that you all I’m sure are familiar with. It sure is louder than some ICE vehicles.

The only EVs that I suspect are not meeting this requirements must be Teslas, cause they are definitely too quiet and you won’t know it’s coming until it’s too close.

 

The official FMVSS 141 requirement didn't take effect until September 2019. My former 2018 Model 3 had no noise maker at all (silent), whereas my 2016 ELR did (GM just proactively doing this). Agree though that with the current crop of EVs, Teslas still sound more tame than what GM is doing.

But if I understand this recall, it isn't that the sound is too quiet (or too loud). It is that it doesn't modulate the volume such that you can tell if the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating. The way the recall is worded, it sounds like this isn't being done correctly...

"Relative volume change to signify acceleration and deceleration. The sound produced by the vehicle in accordance with paragraph S5 shall change in volume, as calculated in S7.6, from one critical operating condition to the next in accordance with the requirements in Table 7."

Or basically, from 0 to 19 MPH, the sound volume has to increase by +9dB as the vehicle accelerates - after which point no noise is needed. And for deceleration, it needs to get quieter by the same span.

Probably there is lag or other conditions that cause the car to not comply with this, or GM just calibrated it wrong. GM had a similar issue on Lyriq with a bad OTA update in summer of 2023 for certain cars (before they stopped the update), which comically required a dealer update to correct.

 

Maybe this is why so many report no difference when personalizing the car's motor sound?

 

That's the inside sound - different animal. But could be the same problem source, if they also aren't adjusting that based on speed.

 

Is this "no delivery" issue for new vehicles only? Are there still new '24 out there? Or it includes used '24 for sale on a dealer's lot?

Or does it apply to already sold '24 that has this recall such that for some other reason, the car is brought to a dealer, it will not be released back to the owner untill recall is fixed?

 

There will typically be 24's that some dealers are still using for loaners, or early lease returns. They won't be able to sell those until fixed.

They won't hold your existing car hostage if you bring it in for other service and they still don't have a fix. That said, when the fix is available, you will also get it if you bring the car in for any other service.

 

Does the little 'jingling' sound really alert a pedestrian? One drive-through server asked if my car was playing jingle bells. 🎅🔔

 

If they heard it, then yes it is doing its job to alert people that a car is approaching.

What a lot of people on the forum complain about is that it is too loud and doing too good of a job of alerting pedestrians and sometimes the whole neighborhood that the EQEV is coming.

I owned a Volt before this and I thought the Volt was quieter than the EQEV. Personally, I wish it was quieter.