Roof leak fixed and GM/ dealership response

Jeff Penn · February 16, 2017

Good morning,

I have read many posts about the roof leaks from the XM antenna and wanted to share my experience and what the dealership did to correct it. I was driving doing the normal routine when I noticed water dripping down from the head liner. Took it in and of course dealer says this happens all the time and that they would replace the xm antenna and send me on my way. I told them that was un-acceptable as its a brand new 2016 3500 High country Duramax and a 70k dollar truck should not have these issues. Told them I wanted a new XM antenna ( which they claim is a new design from factory and corrects leaking problem) new headliner, new wiring harness up top, new sun visors and new over head center console as all had water in them. Tey said that is not normal procedure and they would have to get it approved.

While waiting for approval they say that I can pick up the truck and drive it until a decision is made, I explained that if I were to have water drip in my face and crash while driving that it would be a pretty easy scenario to hold Chevrolet/dealer responsible. They agreed and kept the truck and gave me a 2017 1500 that i was not aloud to use for towing so they had to give me an enterprise commercial truck as well so I could tow my car hauler.

Eventually they get approval for all parts to be replaced ( after about a week of waiting) and ordered parts. It took another week for the headliner to come in because it had to be pulled from the production line according to the dealer because this was not standard procedure. Three days after parts finally arrived the truck was done. Now i thought after waiting 2 and a half weeks for a water leak repair they would at east wash the truck before i picked it up but id be wrong in assuming that, it was greasy inside, dusty and dirty outside.

All in all got everything replaced and hasnt leaked since although its only been a week. Its a shame that GM has such a need to save 10 cents and let it cost them thousands on the back end... I read some people were having trouble getting GM to replace the headliners and I think the most "forceful" you are with them the more likely they are to replace it.

Dirtbiker · February 16, 2017

Mine leaked after warranty was done. All that was replaced was the antenna. I had no staining or anything on the headliner so I was fine with it not being replaced. Maybe mine didn't leak as bad as yours though.....

Jeff Penn · February 22, 2017

I was more after the principle of the matter that a brand new truck should not be leaking. I didn't want to have an issue down the road of a wiring harness or something not working because it had had water in it at some point.

Black Denali Canada · February 22, 2017

You have a photo of the "new" vs "old" antenna design to fix the leak ?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Coby7 · February 22, 2017

And you're sure that they replaced everything and that it's not just a big fib to shut you up. You saw all the old parts they removed, right.

truckitytruck · July 21, 2017

So this thread is a little old but I have this issue on my 2015 HD...no water on the interior or any sign of it, but the nav is non functioning and now my XM is done for. I bought the truck used in february and the warranty is expired.

I called the dealership and they told me they didn't think there were 'any special provisions' for this issue. Meaning I would have to pay to fix it. Anyone had this issue? Did you actually have to pay if you were out of warranty? I mean its obviously a defect...so I dont find that to be fair.

I did find this on another thread but thats it

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM491765/CSC-10058785-9942.pdf

Any input??

Dirtbiker · July 22, 2017

Yes I had to pay for mine as it was past warranty.

scott19677 · July 22, 2017

I've made several longer posts about this problem I had on a 2007 I had. So I will keep it short for now.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch out for mold after having this leak issue. You may or not ever smell anything but you or even more important a child that is sensitive to such could become very sick.

I'm an Asthmatic and this nearly put me six feet under. Not a joke!

GM had to rip out and replace a LOT of my interior due to black mold.

COHauler · July 22, 2017

Is there a TSB out on this so people can get this replaced before it leaks?

tbarn · July 22, 2017

Is there a TSB out on this so people can get this replaced before it leaks?

Not unless you lie. TSB's don't mean automatically replace parts that might fail someday.

COHauler · July 23, 2017

Not unless you lie. TSB's don't mean automatically replace parts that might fail someday.

Well I guess it depends on what company your dealing by with. Maybe mine won't leak.

I'm not going to lie about it though, not my style. Thanks for the reply.

Edited July 23, 2017 by COHauler

ScottW · March 8, 2018

My low-mileage 2015 Silverado Crew Cab is now at my local Chevy dealer for the second time to repair a roof leak. A couple weeks ago, the dealer's Service Tech replaced my XM antenna to solve the problem of water leaking into the cab from my passenger-side sun visor. This week, the dealer's Service Tech is replacing the gasket on the rear third brake light assembly (just above the rear window). A leak in that area soaked my seat belts for both the passenger-side front seat and the driver-side rear seat. When I brought the truck home from the the first repair, I checked the headliner with a flashlight to see if there were any stain marks - something I had forgotten to do before I left the dealership. I found none. However, I did find dirty fingerprints on the headliner, my driver's sun visor, and other areas. I offered to clean those surfaces myself if the service department could tell me which cleaning product GM recommends for removing dirty fingerprints from light-gray cloth-like surfaces. At that point, my service rep offered to order a new headliner and sun visor. A Service Tech will be installing those items this week under the direct supervision of the Shop Foreman. So, if you have water inside your truck, please check your passenger-side sun visor and the carpet directly below it. Also check your seat belts after pulling them all the way out. Make sure your Service Rep knows about both the antenna and rear light gasket as potential fixes.

xps800doo · March 16, 2018

so on my 15' 2500hd I have the cab marker lights, have those even been a leak suspect/issue? i assume you have to drop the headliner to get to the lights and xm antenna? has anybody put a bead of clear silicone around these items either on the gasket mating surface or even around the base to sheet metal?

KevinO · February 15, 2019

I have a 2019 Crew Cab Silverado, it surely has the newer antenna...it leaks. All the way back to the rear corner, stained, 1 month old.. waiting to find out their(dealers) game plan.

steelcity · February 15, 2019

On 3/16/2018 at 8:37 AM, xps800doo said:

so on my 15' 2500hd I have the cab marker lights, have those even been a leak suspect/issue? i assume you have to drop the headliner to get to the lights and xm antenna? has anybody put a bead of clear silicone around these items either on the gasket mating surface or even around the base to sheet metal?

That's exactly what I did. Silicone sealer around the XM antenna. When it sat with 4 inches of snow and ice on the roof, a few drops came thru. Dealer said he will replace the XM antenna gasket, no problem. I just didn't want the service dept to drop the headliner. Since I sealed it about three months ago nothing has came thru, knock on wood. Had more snow and ice on it and took it thru multiple car washes and nothing.