2011 Yukon - rust question

GMC21 · February 18, 2014

I have a question for you all. My wife drives a 2011 Yukon with about 43k on it. Bumper to bumper warranty ran out at just under 40k (we bought it as a demo). Just above the driver side rear wheel is an area about one inch around that is bubbled up - paint is not chipped and no rust is visible, but no question it's under there. There is not another spot anywhere on the vehicle. I know it is covered if there is a rust hole, but not surface rust. My questions is, do you think if I scrape the bubbles off, I will find a hole? I am trying to decide if I should just pony up and get it fixed, or battle with the dealer over it. They are pretty good at telling me "sorry that's not covered". I have a 2011 2500HD with 25k miles that has intermitient brake issues only when towing and that is their response. I have had 3 or 4 of the 2500HD and never had brake issues. I know if they are choosing to fight me on that, that they will give me the same response on the rust issue on the Yukon.

2017SierraSLT · February 18, 2014

The Yukon is covered for rust perforation(holes) for 6 years or 100k miles. If the current dealer does not help you out, complain to GM and take it to another GM dealer.

montyss · February 18, 2014

The sooner you get it fixed the better off you will be , once the rust gets started it only gets worse. It may only be surface rust under the bubble at the moment but as time goes on it gets bad a lot faster , you don't want a hole there

2017SierraSLT · February 19, 2014

If a hole is found on this quarter panel, I wouldn't be happy until GM replaced the entire quarter panel. Repairs to rotted panels rarely last.

mike94silverado · February 19, 2014

Out of bumper to bumper good luck with GM until there's an actual hole....

GMC21 · February 19, 2014

My thinking is the same as Nationalminer84's. I have not yet scraped off the bubbles, because right now it is not too noticable and I like to keep my vehicles looking good. If I have to pay to have it fixed, I will leave it as is until I get it into a shop. I don't want to scrape the bubbles off to find surface rust and no hole. The thing is, with no chip or anything, I have to believe that it is coming from the back side, which should mean a hole, correct? In any case, I don't feel this should be happening to a 2011 with just over 40k on it. Both vehicles are kept clean, washed and waxed. Not sure what else I could do.

montyss · February 19, 2014

take a look at the spot with a magnifying glass and somewhere near the centre there may be a very small speck where something has hit it , like a rock from a weed eater or

lawnmower , it starts there and creeps under the paint till it gets loose then you see the bubble.

GMC21 · March 12, 2014

Here are a few pics of what it looks like now. Dealers want nothing to do with it as they say there must be a hole. I really did not expect this on a three year old $50k vehicle. I should have learned by now - this is our third Yukon/Tahoe and all three have had paint issues. The 2005 was around the rear gate, the 2007 was around the rear gate, behind the front tires and one the rear door lip. We have been thinking about another one, but with the price of them now, the paint quality and their willingness to do anything about it, I'm not so sure.

Bottom of drivers door (least of my concern)

Just of rear fender on drivers side

Sir Dan · March 14, 2014

The bottom edge of my tailgate and inner edge of my rear fenders are starting to look like this too, (2008 w/ 55,000mi) and I am OCD about keeping my truck washed and waxed. Just heartbreaking that they can't find another way except a billion tons of salt to keep ice off roads. I love this truck but will have to trade it in while it's still somewhat decent looking. Gotta admit, I'm very interested in the upcoming Ford F-150 with the aluminum body...no rust ever.

2017SierraSLT · March 14, 2014

Aluminum does not rust. However, it corrodes into a fine powder.

oldmann · March 14, 2014

A good dealer will good will a rust fix that close to warranty.

GMC21 · March 14, 2014

NBSGMC - That's what I was hoping for, but it did not happen. I bought this rig from a dealer that is about 2 hours from me. It was the first time I did business with them, however my inlaws have bought there for many years. The dealer pretty much said I should do to a dealer that has a body shop, maybe they could help. Well, seeing how I did not buy from the dealer with a body shop, I'm sure they are not going out of their way to do anything. My trucks have all come from the local GMC dealer, but the Chevy dealer has always done all my service and warrany work. I really like the Chevy dealer, just prefer the looks of the GMC. About two months ago, I was told by the Chevy dealer that they are not allowed to do warranty work on GMCs anymore. I was there to show then this rust issue. He said if they could, they would go to bat for me, but the rep had said no more. I called GM to see why a Chevy dealer can not longer do GMC warranty work and was pretty much told that's just the way it is. However I know of some (the dealer I purchased the Yukon from) that said they are still allowed to do it - they think it's because the Chevy and GMC dealers are so close to each other here. It sucks and it really making me look at other options for my wife.

ttopcamaro86 · March 15, 2014

Just a suggestion, maybe you could GENTLY prod it from the rear of the panel with a dental pick type of tool and see if it is in fact a hole. Thats what i would do before scraping to see what the extent of the rust is.

2017SierraSLT · March 15, 2014

That will be a hole very soon. That is a defective panel, and needs to be replaced at their expense!

Bent-1 · March 16, 2014

That will be a hole very soon. That is a defective panel, and needs to be replaced at their expense!

Agreed. Is all the rust on the same side? If so, it may have been in an accident and aftermarket replacement sheet metal used. I'd run a car fax. Regardless, this should be covered by GM as it was purchased from a GM dealer. Besides, rust is 6yr/100,000 mile GM warrantee. Completely unacceptable for the dealer to even question it!!!

I work in an industry where we RARELY wash the 5 silverado trucks 2009 to 2011, and work with salt. Never seen this before on any of our units.