All the time! My trial is my first experience with XM radio and, frankly, it surprises me. My interruptions haven't even been from tall buildings (yet); instead, it's trees, underpasses, even my garage... The first time it happened, my Dad was in my truck with me. He has XM on both of his vehicles (2011 Silverado and 2015 Equinox), so I asked him if he had the same issue. His response: "All the time!"...

 

I'm really debating on renewing it, loved it in my other truck not so much in this one :frown2: But that being my only complaint with my truck I guess I can live with it lol

 

It comes from a satellite, it will not work with a roof over the truck in a garage. It is not like GPS which has 24 satellites. There are only 3 satellites used by Sirius XM. Much more chance of that signal getting blocked than on your GPS NAV.

 

Yes, this one is a lot more signal finicky than my past 3 GM vehicles equipped with XM.

 

intermittent outages are wayyyyyyy better than FM radio ( i dont own a song either )

 

In 4 months, Never had it cut out once,

 

No problems and we have driven from VA to FL to KY and DC.

 

Overpasses blocked mine-not a huge deal but a surprise and a bit annoying. With all the music I've ripped onto thumbdrives I didn't bother subscribing to satellite when my trial expired. Heck, the hardware is still there if I change my mind in a year or three...

 

Mine cuts out frequently around obstructions.

 

Yes mine loses reception a great deal more than any other vehicle I've ever owned.
Was wondering if maybe there is an antenna (or signal) booster we could add to improve reception.

 

From Colorado, and yes, I also have noticed that my Chevy Colorado SiriusXM radio cuts out quite a bit more than my 2012 Nissan Frontier did. Even just driving under large trees is causing a cut out.

For some areas, Sirius uses land based repeaters, so that may be why some people haven't noticed issues: DogstarRadio.com Sirius Radio Satellite and Repeater Map

 

It cut out on me many times, there was an area in downtown Fort Worth that when I drove past some tall (5 story) buildings, it would cut out. When I had the loaner Acadia, it did same thing.

 

Any overpass, or pulling into Sonic will kill the signal.

 

XM seems to be very sensitive to obstructions. For example... I drive the same route daily. Before the hardwoods leafed out my XM reception was never interrupted. But now that the trees are leafed out the reception is intermittently interrupted in the exact same locations. This experience has been consistent with my two previous vehicles with XM on this same route and locations. Who would have guessed tree leaves could block satellite transmissions? That is why newer GPS receiver technology is not as affected by foliage and topography. It wouldn't be of much value to have your GPS locator function fail because of leaves! That is the main reason to use GPS nav in the woods...not to get, ahem,"turned around".
XM needs to step up their game for what they charge. Calling them to get a subscription rate is another long story and experience!

 

The reason GPS navs are not affected by this is by the sheer number or Satellites its communicating to.

 

All the time! I thought I was the only one. Even weirder, I lose signal going under a bridge but it works fine in a parking garage...

 

You are lucky to lock in on even 1 satellite underneath any structure or obstruction.

 

The Sirius radios like the Sportster 4 & 5 had a way around this, they would buffer about 5 seconds of radio and it would play from buffer if faded. I really liked that feature but of course XM doesn't do that with their radios. Had a 4 in my Nissan I traded in and it rarely had signal fade. I like the integrated XM radio better than the aftermarket one, don't have to mount it on dash and run **** wires. But I do miss the signal buffer.

 

I too had a Sportster on Sirius for about 10 years. It had both the satellite and terrestrial receiver so I rarely lost signal. I would have thought in 10 years XM would have done something similar.

On the Sportster there was a signal strength meter that would show both satellite AND terrestrial signal strength. Is there a similar screen in these radios?

It's very disappointing!

 

On the Sportster there was a signal strength meter that would show both satellite AND terrestrial signal strength. Is there a similar screen in these radios?

It's very disappointing!

There is no signal strength meter, but you can pause live radio DVR like.

 

I've had Sirius for almost 10 years and the biggest problem with newer vehicles is the placement of the antenna. When you had to put the sirusxm antenna out, you always put it on the passenger side of the vehical so it wouldn't lose signal at drive thru and such but the middle of the vehicle is killing the reception. My truck didn't come with SiriusXm which is very odd so I use my Iphone 6 to Bluetooth it and I never lose signal.

 

Mine loses reception more than other vehicles I've had. Much more, actually, but the dealer said it was normal. I'm going to have them look at it again, because sometimes now, when the signal drops for more than a few seconds, it won't come back on no matter how long I drive or how clear it is overhead. The XM stations will just be silent until I restart the truck. It'll play FM, AM, Bluetooth, iPod, but not XM. Then, when I restart, it's back.

 

Mine cuts out all the time driving around the bay area for work. Anywhere with hills, tall trees, or tall buildings. It's usually a pretty quick interruption so I don't care TOO much, but I do find it annoying.

 

Not happening with mine, and I'm using a stubby antenna. The only time I'm getting signal loss is when I go into a parking garage, long freeway underpass, etc. The signal for satellite is different than radio, which is why it needs line of sight from the transmitter on the satellite to your truck, versus the radio signal that is "pervasive." There is a buffer built into the receiver that holds, I think, about 15 seconds worth of data so you shouldn't have signal loss going under overpasses, bridges, etc. Also, remember the satellite is in a geosynchronous orbit, which means your antenna is looking south towards the equator for that bird way up there. If hills, tall trees are causing a drop out, there might (I say might, because I am not an electronics wizard) be a problem in your unit. I'd recommend taking it back to the dealer and have one of their techs who is electronics-smart go with you to where things are cutting out. I've always found it much easier to get things done when you can demonstrate failure versus having to just explain it...

 

Yup, my previous vehicle and wife's vw has one of those cheap $45 xm portable receivers with a $20 magnet antenna. It would blip out for a second as we went under bridges, lose it in tunnels as expected but thats about it. No complaints there. Verses the crappy satelite reception in my brand new canyon. Seems any kind of shallow valley, group of tall trees next to a hill and I have silence. Its the radio or antenna thats not as good as it could be. However the magnet antenna that works fine on my cheap radios is much smaller than the antenna on my canyon.

Gene

 

It is a location based problem. Never have issues in S FL. Seems like the further north you go, the more difficult it is to lock onto any satellites continuously.

 

This may be a factor but I have not moved and my previous vehicles would not lose xm reception in the places my Canyon does. It seems like traveling east bound with large trees on the passenger side affects my xm the most. Makes sense since the satellites are over the southern sky.

 

Has anyone brought this up with their dealer during service? I've owned 6 different cars with Sirius or XM and never had the issues I have now with drop outs. Jut wondering if GM has a response tot he complaints.

 

I was not impressed with Satellite radio during the free trial, no way would I have paid for it to begin with. Lost signal fairly often, but not a major issue.

When I had my loaner Sierra last week, it was in demo mode with the satellite radio. I noticed it performed worse than my Canyon did. I also saw similar issues with the loaner Acadia I had back in March.

I just assume that it was to expect from satellite radio.

 

I have this issue as well with tall trees on my commute. I think the radio lacks a play buffer like some of the older Sirius radios had. my previous vehicle I added a Sportster 4 which has a 5 second buffer to play from so temporary signal loss doesnt affect playing.

That was the best satellite radio I have had. this is my first vehicle with built in radio so I just deal with it. Like others have said its still better than broadcast radio!