just out of curiosity, how is the dealership evaluating the noise level to determine it is too loud? Is there a threshold
sone level? Have they stated that this is just the way they all are?
"Cheap fans usually have very fast motors with very small turbines. That means they move a lot of air, but they’re loud. "
If the seat fan is not loose then it probably is an issue of the design as described above. Can they fit a larger fan operating at a slower speed? If not, the dealer may be replacing the fan for as long as the warranty can cover it and then you get cut off.
I also wonder if the noise is due to the channeling of the air as compared to the fan itself. in other words, the more directional changes the louder the air movement, particularly if the channeling includes severe angles. I do not know where the fan is located since I do not have this feature in my Limited.
Is the noise of the air movment type or would you describe it as a card in spokes? Two very different issues.
This
three stage option may work if all else fails. Generally multi stage fans are quieter than single stage.
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The dealership took two new Touring models and compared the noise side by side, which is a fair assessment (provided those vehicles do not exhibit the same issue). The sound is now more of a struggling fan sound, whereas in the past it was a combination of card in the spoke and a struggling fan ( whirring) sound.
The sound surprised me, as the ventilated seats work better now than with the old fans, so it doesn't seem like they're having any issue moving air.
I've had ventilated seats in every car I've owned in the past 15 years (Save for the Corvette), and none have been intrusive in terms of noise. The vented seats in the Ascent on low, are far louder than any of my other cars on high, even when the fans were not making the excessive noise they make now.
It's a nice car, but I'm constantly having issues ( fortunately none so serious to have rendered the car inoperable) with it and the dealership. I'm just glad that I'm in the minority.
Anyone who's been on the forum for the past year, knows I went through my dislike stage for a while when I was having a ton of issues with the car, then I came around toward the beginning of this year, but now I'm falling off the wagon again.
Hopefully the Hyundai dealership next door will have a Palisade that I can try, since I missed the opportunity last time. The Hyundai salesperson did casually mention selling at MSRP and offering over book on the trade, so I may consider that if I
really like it, and I'll bring my anti-garlic spray for the test drive!! ...a few weeks ago someone here asked me to report back when I do drive it, and I will post it if I get the chance to drive one.