Water leak in the roof

strike1st · December 22, 2015

I just realized i never gave an update. Second dealer found leak in 10 Minutes from the time i dropped off my truck. They could move the shark fin 1/8" to a 1/4" depending on direction. They replaced the shark fin...took a week to get the part.

I had started a case with gm and since the 1st dealer was incompetent and i would accept they told me to deal with it and the 2nd dealer was at my insistence...GM called me back a few days after my new dealer reported the issue and solution.

I was given an additional 4 years and 60k mile comprehensive bumper to bumper warranty. My truck is covered until mid 2019 and 71k miles. I was at my dealer today for an oil change and another recall and it came up in the system. They said they've never seen that happen to anyone and were shocked. GM said it's attached to my vin number and now i see that part is true...but i still have the gm letter to back it up.

HondaHawkGT · December 23, 2015

You're certainly right. Just saying that switching brands isn't going to improve your odds of getting a truck that never has an issue or issues. Luckily new trucks come with warranties.

strike1st · December 23, 2015

Under the shark fin and the outer looking rubber gasket is a round closed cell foam disk. This disk is actually the seal that keeps the water out of the truck. The outer black rubber mates the shark fin to the body and the split in it is to allow water to drain out of the assembly. Im assuming that water gets trapped in there thaws and freezes repeatedly and ruins that closed cell foam gasket.

marston641 · December 23, 2015

I have complete confidence in my dealership. To tell you the truth, they are one of the main reasons I stay with GM. I also am a big fan of GM products. My wife's Malibu has been a perfect car! No issues other than normal wear and tear. I completely understand that switching does not increase my odds of getting a vehicle with no issues. My point is, two out of three trucks have had major issues....those are not great odds either! My 2008 Silverado had too many issues to talk about. The main and most concerning issue with my current truck is the paint...shortly after purchasing the truck, my paint has spots appearing as if small bubbles were trapped under the paint that had popped. Now I am stuck deciding whether to have it repainted by my dealer's body shop or wait to see if the problem worsens....my dealer suggested that I should wait to see if the paint begins to peel before repainting it... a decision I really didn't want to make with the new truck that wasn't so cheap...also I think that the 60% foreign material and the 40% American made is showing....really wish this wasn't the case, however, I guess it is what it is...I'm definitely glad that new vehicles do come with warranties! I'm sure my dealer will have the problem fixed quick.

Ken B. · December 30, 2015

2015 Sierra SLT with sunroof here. Just noticed a few drops coming in from the top of the windshield in front of the sun visor on the passenger's side the other day after a hard rain. Planning on making an appointment with the dealer tomorrow. Hope it's a simple fix.

Interestingly enough, my 1998 SLT Z71 leaked around the back window when it was less than a year old. The dealer ended up replacing the entire glass which fixed the problem. Sadly, though, I'm just now getting a leak around the top of the windshield on the driver's side of that truck. Have leaks in both "professional grade" trucks now... :-(

Still have not lost faith in GM, although reading some of these posts is quite alarming.

Thanks,

Ken

LaserBlueZ71 · December 30, 2015

2015 Sierra SLT with sunroof here. Just noticed a few drops coming in from the top of the windshield in front of the sun visor on the passenger's side the other day after a hard rain. Planning on making an appointment with the dealer tomorrow. Hope it's a simple fix.

Interestingly enough, my 1998 SLT Z71 leaked around the back window when it was less than a year old. The dealer ended up replacing the entire glass which fixed the problem. Sadly, though, I'm just now getting a leak around the top of the windshield on the driver's side of that truck. Have leaks in both "professional grade" trucks now... :-(

Still have not lost faith in GM, although reading some of these posts is quite alarming.

Thanks,

Ken

All dealers vary, but I wouldn't call it a simple fix.

I dropped my truck off today because my shark fin is leaking water into the headliner. I was told it would take a week. Depending on how bad the leak is, they may need to replace wiring harnesses above the headliner, or pull the seats and carpet out if it went down the A-pillar, which I know mine did.

I demanded a new headliner, they refused. They have a company come in that professionally cleans the headliner. They guarantee no mold or smell. The only time GM will replace the headliner is if a water stain cannot be removed.

I am furious about this whole thing, but all I can do is follow the process, let the dealer try and make me happy. So far, they are doing ok.

pm26 · December 30, 2015

I demanded a new headliner, they refused. They have a company come in that professionally cleans the headliner. They guarantee no mold or smell. The only time GM will replace the headliner is if a water stain cannot be removed.

You realize that most headliners nowadays consist of a carboard backing to which the headliner material is glued on. Hopefully that glue is waterproof and its strength does not diminish when the headliner gets wet. Typically the glue will eventually dry out after so many years , loose its adhesive strength and the headliner will start separating and will droop. I would be more concerned about the cardboard part - when wet, carboard tends to get permanently distorted.

marston641 · December 30, 2015

Dropped my truck off today at the dealer. There is a recall they are fixing with regards to the 4 wheel drive and the loud rear end clunking has a service bulletin for a potential fix. Shackles and leaf springs need to be loosened and retourqued. They are also replacing the right rear shock which seems to be contributing to the noise as well. They will be calling me later about the leak to advise where the water was coming from. So far so good. Just hope my paint issue does not worsen and I will be a satisfied GM TRUCK owner.

LaserBlueZ71 · December 30, 2015

You realize that most headliners nowadays consist of a carboard backing to which the headliner material is glued on. Hopefully that glue is waterproof and its strength does not diminish when the headliner gets wet. Typically the glue will eventually dry out after so many years , loose its adhesive strength and the headliner will start separating and will droop. I would be more concerned about the cardboard part - when wet, carboard tends to get permanently distorted.

I understand that, but what can I do if GM refuses to replace the headliner? Sure I can get myself into a long lengthy battle with GM and the dealer, is it worth it? I am not sure yet.

Wyatt Bowles · January 5, 2016

Just noticed a leak in my driver side visor. Leaked onto my steering wheel and hand. Will have an appointment made tomorrow to get this issue fixed. I hope there is nothing else damaged by this water leak. Will update when I get more information.

khaindel · February 2, 2016

Service Bulletin, 2015 Chev Silverado OnStar Antenna

I found a service bulletin #15155, dated August 2015, issued by GM concerning a leaky roof mounted antenna.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...58785-9942.pdf
Please note that there are other GM vehicles covered under this service bulletin as well.

It states: "WHAT WE WILL DO: YOUR GM DEALER WILL REPLACE THE OnStar ANTENNA. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FOR YOU AT NO CHARGE UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2017. AFTER YHAT, ANY APPLICABLE WARRANTY WILL APPLY.

I have the same leak talked about at the drivers side sun visor and the roof center console. I called the dealer a week ago and am scheduled for a 'repair" tomorrow. Thanks to several GM forums that led me to research this problem further, I will now get my antenna replaced rather than a patch or fix.
My dealer service rep said they have done a large number of these (over 100). He indicated he wasn't aware of the service bulletin. The service bulletin recommended contacting your dealer for an appointment to replace the unit and to be sure that they have the part in stock for your appointment date. My dealer checked for me today, had only 1 antenna in stock and put my name on it. Pretty interesting. Since they have done large numbers of these, what are the odds that they would have one on hand for my appointment tomorrow?
Thank you for the information.

JimCost2014 · February 2, 2016

had same problem on my 2014. have the dealer check for any "dimples" or anything that might make the roof not flat. it took 3 tries before they noticed the dimples, flattened them and now no leaks from the onstar "shark fin".

JimCost2014 · February 4, 2016

please disregard my last post. it looks as though the 4th new antenna is also leaking. does anyone know if the leaks can be coming fro the holes that the drip rail are attached too?

JGAVER46 · February 23, 2016

My 2015 Silverado 2500 just over one year old leaking water one one sun visor to the other. Leaking "dripping" water from the top center console where all the electronics are located. Dripping Dripping Dripping water from one side to the other. Lost blue tooth phone communication. Interior parts wet. Headliner wet in affected areas. Just coming out from freezing temperatures no telling what damage has been done.

Called sales manger today, said he never heard of the problem. Note it is on several truck forums and includes the Tahoe. Sales manager is going to look into it and call me back?

Plan of action. Is wait to hear what dealership has to say. If not satisfied written letter to Gm.

If still not satisfied options. National safety board serval safety hazards, State lemon laws, problem has been around for several years. Better business bureau, Camping forums, we are retired and visit numerous camp grounds each year, 34 ft camper, good sam reviews, consumer digest reviews, truck reviews, mostly mags.

Any other ideas?

RETIRED MILITARY