My New 2013 Chevy Silverado Frame is Rusting Away with 300 miles

[dcp]

I just bought a new 2013 chevy silverado in Dec 30 2013

I brought it home and parked it. It has 300 miles.

I just noticed the frame is rusting everywhere and the coating peels right off

with rust behind it.

I can not describe how upset I am.

I did not buy a new truck so the chevy garage can take the whole thing apart

to clean the rust off and re-coat frame and then 6 months from now do it again.

My efforts and time will be used to pursue a full refund.

This is a brand new truck that I have not even had a chance to drive yet.

DCP.

 

[2017SierraSLT]

There must have been a bad run of the frames with poor coating adhesion. My June '13 built Sierra has not experienced this defect at all. There is a TSB out there to recoat the peeled frames.

[GMCustomerService]

Hi dcp,

 

We are sorry to hear that you have concerns with rust on your recently purchased 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. If you would like our assistance please send a private message referencing this thread.

 

Thank you,

 

Andraya R.

GM Customer Care

Edited March 12, 2014 by GM Customer Service

[MS3DALE]

 

Service Information

 

2013 Chevrolet Silverado - 4WD | Cheyenne, Sierra, Silverado VIN C/K Service Manual 3087 | View All Bulletins | Document ID: 3611659

#PI0564D: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting - (Sep 5, 2013)

Subject: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting

 

Models: 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade Models 2011-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado (All Series), Suburban, Tahoe 2011-2014 GMC Savana, Sierra (All Series), Yukon, Yukon XL

This PI is being revised to add the 2014 model year, update the Recommendation/Instructions, Parts information and update the Labor Operation to the Global Labor Code (GLC). Please discard PI0564C.

Condition/Concern

Some customers may comment that areas of the frame wax coating are peeling off and rust/corrosion is visible on the metal in these areas. Several examples of this condition are shown in each group of graphics below.

Truck Example Photos





Van Example Photos




Recommendation/Instructions

A combination of specialized metal coating products manufactured by Lloyds and Daubert have been found to be the most suitable products to provide corrosion control and protection to address this type of repair. Our recommendation is to prep the metal surface using *Lloyd’s Pure Prep™ Metal Surface Preparation P/N 25418, then topcoat with both *Lloyds Kryptonite Metal Treatment P/N 36502 Life Long Rust Protection and *Daubert Non-Rust® P/N X-121B One Coat Rust Preventative Coating. It is strongly recommended they be applied according to the manufacturer’s procedures.

*We believe this source and their products to be reliable. There may be additional manufacturers of such products/materials. General Motors does not endorse, indicate any preference for, or assume any responsibility for the products or material from this firm or for any such items that may be available from other sources.

Important: To ensure proper coating performance, all of the manufacturer’s “Applications Guidelines” MUST be followed.

Prep the frame and apply the Lloyds and Daubert coatings following the steps below:

Important: Any corrosion damage noted to the extent of weakening the component will require component replacement.

Important: Lloyds Kryptonite is designed to apply directly onto brown rust or clean surfaces; however any loose flakes/scale of rust need to be removed prior to application.

Important: The frame must be dry and free of wax/oily substances prior to application of the new coating.

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.
3. If labels are in the area to be reworked, remove any of the visible white labels on the frame (usually one per side).
4. Remove any components as required to gain access to the corroded component or area.
5. Determine a start and finish point on each side for the section/area of the frame to be repaired.
7. Using a rag and wax/grease removing solvent, remove the wax coating and any grease, oil, or undercoating from the truck frame in the affected repair area. The graphic above shows an example of a small portion of the wax coating removed.
8. Any loose rust or loose flakes should be scraped, wire brushed or ground off.
9. Remove any residual wax, oil or rust by wiping the frame down with a towel or Scotch-Brite™ (3M) pad soaked with wax/grease remover.
11. Using Lloyd’s Pure Prep™ Metal Surface Preparation P/N 25418 (10 fluid ounce bottle), or equivalent, saturate a towel or Scotch-Brite™ (3M) pad with the pre-diluted solution and scrub the area well, rendering a foaming of the Pure Prep.™ This will greatly improve adhesion and corrosion resistance in the repair areas.
12. Using a water dampened clean towel, remove any residue and dry the affected area. Dry the repair area completely using an air hose to blow dry the frame.
13. Check the repair area for phosphate treatment by wiping it to see if any corrosion residue can be picked up. Correctly treated areas will not have any residue on the surface.
15. Apply a light flash-coat of Lloyds Kryptonite Metal Treatment P/N 36502 Life Long Rust Protection (14 ounce aerosol), or equivalent, to all rusted and bare areas of the frame where the wax coating was removed. This first coat should flash in approximately 3-5 minutes.
17. Apply a second coat of Lloyds Kryptonite. This can be a heavy coat; double and triple passes with this product, over a light first coat, are not a problem.

    Note: Dried Lloyds Kryptonite will perform beautifully over time and actually get harder and more durable as it experiences heat.

19. We suggest top coating the Lloyds Kryptonite with Daubert Nox-Rust® P/N X-121B “One Coat Rust Preventative Coating” (aerosol), or equivalent.

    Note: As shown in the graphic below, besides adding a corrosion resistant layer, it dries to firm, wax-like film which will more closely resemble the appearance of the unrepaired areas of the frame.

    
20. Lower the vehicle and allow the final coat to dry as recommended by the manufacturer.

Parts Information

Dealers should obtain 25418 and 36502 by contacting Lloyds by e-mail at [email protected], or by calling 1-800-361-6766.

U.S. Dealers can obtain the X-121B topcoat by contacting the Daubert website at www.daubertchemical.com or inside the U.S. only, by calling 1-800-914-0034.

Canadian dealers must contact the Daubert distributor in Canada, Corrosion Control Coatings Ltd, by faxing the form below to 519-881-2309.

Important: ONLY Canadian Dealers should use this form.

Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use Labor Operation below and include material cost.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

Edited March 12, 2014 by MS3DALE

[dcp]

Hi dcp,

 

We are sorry to hear that you have concerns with rust on your recently purchase 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. If you would like our assistance please send a private message referencing this thread.

 

Thank you,

 

Andraya R.

GM Customer Care

How do I send a private message to you ?

How do I send a private message to you ?

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/159221-my-new-2013-chevy-silverado-frame-is-rusting-away-with-300-miles/?do=findComment&comment=1426433

[dcp]

This 2013 Chevy Silverado with 300 miles on it is still bone dry

from when I drove it home after buying it.

The truck has never been wet yet the rust on frame is everywhere.

If it would get wet, then rust will begin dripping and staining my garage floor.

[dcp]

After contacting my dealer and explaining my situation, the owners agreed

to purchase back my truck for the full purchase price.

They displayed complete understanding for my point of view and disappointment.

Anyone want to buy a Chevy from a dealer that has been here from 1937 ?

They made my problem top priority and solved my problem at their loss without

going thru a GM Service Case.

I would like to publish the name of the dealership but I do not know if I am allowed but if you

ask, I will be glad to reply.

DCP

[MS3DALE]

Working in a GM dealership myself for over 23 years,Its good to hear when a dealership does the right thing and makes the customer happy,by all means let us know who it was,I think they deserve a little recognition!

[dcp]

Progressive Chevrolet in Massillon, OH 44646 from 1937.

They took care of me with complete understanding.

I just wanted everyone to know what kind of people they are. The Best.

They also have a Chrysler Jeep dealership.

DCP

 

[RCR70ss]

So am i to assume they will fix this issue at the dealership level or do we have to fight them on this? thanks

[dcp]

Service bulletin to be completed at the dealership for

Truck frame rust repair for all models and years listed in the

service bulletin

Dcp

[6Sixathome]

I have a few spots like that on my 2013 Suburban, guess I'll have to show this to the dealer at some point. I also have a wheel starting to have small pitting as well. Just turned 11K.

[mike94silverado]

maybe you should come up north and see REAL Rust before you act like you've got holes... "Rusting Away" LMFAO!

[CapitalTruck]

Yeah, truck frames get some surface rust and then they just sit there...Have you ever had a truck frame that didn't have surface rust?

[Jet doc]

DCP, I'm having the same problem with my Silverado, and share your frustration with GM. I bought my truck new last August, in March my truck had just over 4000 miles on when I noticed a black piece laying on my garage floor, it turned out to be the undercoating from my truck's frame. The more I looked the worse it got. The undercoating was peeling off the outside and inside side the frame in 3-4" size pieces exposing bare metal. In some of the boxed cross members there was loose pieces of coat pealing off and laying in the bottom of the frame.

I called the dealership, they told me a batch of frames went to undercoating before being painted, but GM has a fix for the problem. I was wasn't born yesterday and know it will be impossible duplicate factory applied coating at the local dealership. I said GM can have this truck back, but the dealership went quite after that and did not hear from them for weeks, till I called again. Frustrating when this was the 5th new GM product I bought through them in the last 15 years. When I called back, they wanted to try GM's fix as MS3DALE posted (Thanks), I reluctantly agreed and brought the truck in. I requested the truck be put up on the hoist and we go through areas I had major concern over. They did, the General Manager and manager of the guy doing the work went though it with me.

3 days later I picked up my truck and when I got home I decided to have a look. I think my blood started to boil when the areas inside the frame that were rusted bare metal were never done, looked the same as when I dropped off the truck. Other areas by the spare tire (which was never removed evident by the undercoating spray on it) still have obvious issues of rust and loosening coating.

I'm sure they overlooked the TB statement "Important: To ensure proper coating performance, all of the manufacturer’s “Applications Guidelines” MUST be followed.",

because I can see where sprayed areas stop and dust covers frame is right next to it. Now I have a cobbled mess. I called the dealership and they said bring it in again and will redo those areas. I lost my confidence with this fix and feel there is no way it's going to last. GM can have this truck back.

Sorry for being long winded, but venting my frustrations:(

Edited April 25, 2014 by Jet doc