Frame and Under carriage rust

[Rj0912]

I have 4600 miles on a 2013 Silverado 1500 never been off road and have extensive rust on all of frame, crossmembers, and many other parts. Also gasket from the tranny is extremely sloppy. My first truck was 40 years old and looked better underneath. Just took pics and they are astonishing to say the least. Also, I am dealing with clunks, hesitations, and it has backfired once. Worse truck I have ever bought. I am consulting an attorney.

[amc31b]

I have 4600 miles on a 2013 Silverado 1500 never been off road and have extensive rust on all of frame, crossmembers, and many other parts. Also gasket from the tranny is extremely sloppy. My first truck was 40 years old and looked better underneath. Just took pics and they are astonishing to say the least. Also, I am dealing with clunks, hesitations, and it has backfired once. Worse truck I have ever bought. I am consulting an attorney.

 

Boy that sucks, Sounds like you got a real lemon. Let us know what comes of it, hopefully the attorney wont be needed too much.

[Wires]

My truck is an '08, and it came with some factory undercoating (that oily crap they lay on). It's peeling and falling off. The rear suspension/diff was laced in rust at 20k miles, and I ended up tremclading it.

 

In later models, GM decided to cheap out ever more, and not put any of that coating on. So in a matter of months, your brand new ride looks orange like a pumpkin underneath. I sold my 8 year old '00 Z71 with 5x the mileage on it, and it looked really good underneath. My new truck looks like a$$.....

 

[amc31b]

My 2011 has the black waxy coating on the frame and the only rust I ever had was on the cast parts like the lower control arms and differential. Those parts dont ever really deeply rust anyways. I rust proofed my truck before any of the rust really started and I am glad I did!

[Zaxxon]

I now have 3600 miles on my truck, a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. Extensive rust on cab mounts, bump stops, upper and lower control arm mounts, crossbar etc. Take a look at this gallery and tell me if what you see is considered 'normal':

 

http://sonar.smugmug.com/Other/GMC-Sierra-frame-rust/31739126_6XZGWs#!i=2752088703&k=HG6fKzD

[montyss]

I now have 3600 miles on my truck, a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. Extensive rust on cab mounts, bump stops, upper and lower control arm mounts, crossbar etc. Take a look at this gallery and tell me if what you see is considered 'normal':

 

http://sonar.smugmug.com/Other/GMC-Sierra-frame-rust/31739126_6XZGWs#!i=2752088703&k=HG6fKzD

Sure looks like the pictures are from a older truck than a 13 . The aluminum on the transfer case housing looks like its been through a salt bath a few times (pic #6) , did you buy it new from a dealer ?

Someone has been spraying black undercoat on a few parts to hide more by the looks of it too (pic #33 #40 )

[Zaxxon]

Yes, this was purchased from a dealer, Jan of 2013 in Troy, MI. I received the vehicle with 13 miles on it. It's not a lease or company vehicle, so I purchased it with my own funds.

 

I agree, the entire undercarriage looks like it is seeing corrosion on nearly every surface (engine, transfer case, differential) which is something I am taking up with said dealer.

 

It helps that I am a GM employee, so I am not taking 'no' for an answer and getting to the bottom of this concern.

[Caleb 6R]

Mine looks that bad as well, '13 with 4400 miles on it....humn my borthers '12 tacoma is mint underneath...and it's seen a few "holes"

[Zaxxon]

Well, for anyone with a concern, there is a fix (of sorts). I'm taking mine to the dealership tomorrow, even if it's just to get into their system and to have their people get this on record. There is also a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) dated Sep 5, 2013 about frame rust. Will let you all know more later this week what the outcome is.

[amc31b]

Thanks, keep us updated. Mine is a 2011, has seen 3 harsh winters and looks quite a bit better than yours.

[Zaxxon]

This is quite a shame for me, as this is my first new GM vehicle purchase. I lobbied with the wife when GM was offing the multiple incentives last winter so I went for the new truck. Plus, the 07-13 models look far better than the recent facelift which is out currently.

 

Seeing this on the underside of a new, black truck makes me feel beyond foolish. However, it's been getting a lot of email traffic at work so let's hope for the best. I'll keep everyone posted, these trucks aren't exactly cheap, and a frame isn't a 'replacement item'.

[amc31b]

This is quite a shame for me, as this is my first new GM vehicle purchase. I lobbied with the wife when GM was offing the multiple incentives last winter so I went for the new truck. Plus, the 07-13 models look far better than the recent facelift which is out currently.

 

Seeing this on the underside of a new, black truck makes me feel beyond foolish. However, it's been getting a lot of email traffic at work so let's hope for the best. I'll keep everyone posted, these trucks aren't exactly cheap, and a frame isn't a 'replacement item'.

 

I hear ya man. If I didnt get such a crazy deal on my truck, I would consider trading it in for something else. The sticker price on my truck was 29,997, I was able to talk them down to $22K + change and with taxes and fees, I paid $24K out the door. I have been making payments for 2.5 years and I only owe 12K on it now. I am just not willing to eat the loss in up front savings I got on the deal.

 

It is my understanding that the dealership will only repair minor frame rust like you have, under the bumper to bumper warranty that will be ending on my truck very soon. That being said, I like to fix my own vehicles and do not mind getting dirty so I plan on fixing any rust issues I have, myself. My plan is to gently peel off the black waxy crap that is falling off and then brush on some chassis saver paint in it's place as I go. So the procoess will be: Peel old waxy junk, paint on good stuff, peel, paint, peel, paint ETC untill the entire frame is done. At that point, I can do the entire thing with a second coat if it needs and it should be set for life at that point.

 

I know I really shouldn't have to do this but I am not going to trade in this relaitvely easy fixable problem for a bunch of other problems that may or may not be so easy to fix. This combined with the fact that I will probably never get as good a deal as I got on my truck makes it not worth it for me. Go to any other truck forum and read through, they are complaining of similar or worse problems as US GM truck guys and most of their trucks cost much more than ours and dont really perform any better.

 

Now that there is a tsb on this issue, GM is headed in the right direction. We will see how it plays out.

[amc31b]

Zaxxon or RJ0912- Do either of you happen to work for a major employer in South Eastern Connecticut?

[Zaxxon]

Just a quick 'in progress' update. I dropped the truck off at the dealership this evening. Very professional treatment as always. The Service Manager was my contact and he had already been in contact with several representatives from the Company. Basically, it's become an 'all hands on deck' concern to get out and inspect the underbody of this truck. I'm sure I'll hear much more tomorrow.

 

Thus far, I have to give credit where it's due. All emails regarding the images and questions were replied to very promptly. The TSB (technical Service Bulletin) addressing the issue tells me there are methods to remedy ths issue. Finally, the fact there will be direct investigation and communication is impressive.

 

I can't predict or guess what the outcome will be, but the degree of service is very professional. If anyone in a similar situation needs to take up a similar concern, post your thoughts here. I'll post the details and a link to the TSB for your information.

['01LS1]

Not saying this in a way that this is OK for GM or anything like that. But have transported NEW F150's & Rams as well as GM stuff & you will see one in a bunch with the same issue. All were new & when they are up in the air on the trailer, you can see the parts affected. Am assuming it comes back to how or who is prepping the frames differentials etc from the get go. By that I mean, new source, new employees etc.