2014 Sierra Rust on Inner Door Flange

rbarnes · April 10, 2017

I thought I would post this to let others know to keep an eye on the bottom of your doors. I live in Michigan and the past few winters have been mild. Not a lot of salt dropped where I live. I don't live on a dirt road. And my truck is always in the garage. I have GM running boards and GM mud guards on it. I bought my truck in late September of 2014. So I have had it for about 2.5 years. The warranty is up do to the mileage. I take very good care of this truck. Every time it's washed the seals are cleaned and doors jambs wiped down. I'm one of those who washes the engine. Well today I was washing the truck and when I got to the rear passenger door I noticed what looked like a bubble by the lower inner seal. I pushed on it with my finger nail and it was rust. I popped off the lower seal to reveal a bunch of bubbles above the door flange. I felt sick. So I went to the other side and sure enough it was bubbling also. Then when I checked the front, it was even worse. I didn't expect this for at least four to five years. It's going to be pretty rusty by the time I pay it off. I have never had a truck rust so fast. It's going to be a job to repair. I'm sure it will return in time, but I can try to slow it down.
Im sure a lot of people wouldn't look for this, being these trucks are so new, but you might want to check behind that seal to catch it early before it gets really bad. I hope you don't find what I did.

HoosierZ · April 10, 2017

That sucks!

My 2008 was starting to rust there at 8yrs and 90k mi. The seals on the doors apparently hold moisture behind them. I may look at leaving mine off when I spray rust proofing in my doors.

Thanks for the heads-up.

SkiDooNick700 · April 10, 2017

Yikes Ill have to check mine. I also wash alot amd always wipe down and spray wax my door jambs.

One thing I noticed is that even a day later after washing or a good rain, when I open the door, a few drips of water fall to the ground. I think these doors hold a lot of water

AllTerrainX · April 10, 2017

I thought I would post this to let others know to keep an eye on the bottom of your doors. I live in Michigan and the past few winters have been mild. Not a lot of salt dropped where I live. I don't live on a dirt road. I have GM running boards and GM mud guards. I bought my truck in late September of 2014. So I have had it for about 2.5 years. The warranty is up do to the mileage. I take very good care of this truck. Every time it's washed the seals are cleaned and doors jambs wiped down. I'm one of those who washes the engine. Well today I was washing the truck and when I got to the rear passenger door I noticed what looked like a bubble by the lower inner seal. I pushed on it with my finger nail and it was rust. I popped off the lower seal to reveal a bunch of bubbles above the door flange. I felt sick. So I went to the other side and sure enough it was bubbling also. Then when I checked the front, it was even worse. I didn't expect this for at least four to five years. It's going to be pretty rusty by the time I pay it off. I have never had a truck rust so fast. It's going to be a job to repair. I'm sure it will return in time, but I can try to slow it down.

Im sure a lot of people wouldn't look for this, being these trucks are so new, but you might want to check behind that seal to catch it early before it gets really bad. I hope you don't find what I did.

Can you post what inner seals are rusting. I am curious. And what part of Michigan are you from? I am from the GR area.

rbarnes · April 10, 2017

Hello Jay,

I live in Brighton. You have a nice truck Jay.

It's not rusting where the seal makes contact. If you look behind the lowest seal on the door. It's the one that only goes across the bottom only. It's the hem flange where the outer panel is folded over the inner panel. GM used a sealant to help protect the flange, but it doesn't seem to be working very well. It looks like the sealant may be part of the problem. When they applied it across the bottom it didn't quit seal up against the inner panel and left a little gap, kind of creating a little gutter for water to sit in. I'm not sure if this is the cause, it may also be that the doors hold water like Nick mentioned. Needless to say it really is disappointing for a truck like this to rust so fast. This had to start rusting awhile back. I have only owned the truck for two and the half years. I assume it started maybe a year ago, I just didn't notice. I have owned a lot of trucks, and this was my favorite until this happened.

AllTerrainX · April 10, 2017

Hello Jay,

I live in Brighton. You have a nice truck Jay.

It's not rusting where the seal makes contact. If you look behind the lowest seal on the door. It's the one that only goes across the bottom only. It's the hem flange where the outer panel is folded over the inner panel. GM used a sealant to help protect the flange, but it doesn't seem to be working very well. It looks like the sealant may be part of the problem. When they applied it across the bottom it didn't quit seal up against the inner panel and left a little gap, kind of creating a little gutter for water to sit in. I'm not sure if this is the cause, it may also be that the doors hold water like Nick mentioned. Needless to say it really is disappointing for a truck like this to rust so fast. This had to start rusting awhile back. I have only owned the truck for two and the half years. I assume it started maybe a year ago, I just didn't notice. I have owned a lot of trucks, and this was my favorite until this happened.

Thanks

And I figured it was that bottom area. I had an 07 Avalanche and I just traded it in in October last year for my new truck. That same bottom area from the front to back (front and back doors) was totally rusted and bubbling, inside and outside, because water just sat in that area over the years. It just doesnt have good drainage. Its a shame.

CDNSS · April 13, 2017

I always watch that area on my GM trucks 2004/ 2010 and yes its the fold where inner outer panels meet I pull off the seal once a year and check it I do get my truck Krown rust prevent oil/wax sprayed in the doors/ rockers ever fall and i take off the seal so they make sure the the stuff oozes out so I know that lip is covered just sold my 2010 and that area looked brand new ........my 2004 did not do 1 st few yrs had same as you cleaned up loose paint wire brushed and sealed with rust converter and sprayed inside the doors and it never came back FWIW

rbarnes · April 17, 2017

I did take it to the dealer and they said they will repair it. I asked how they plan to do this and they said they... "bend back the flange clean out the rust reseal it, fold it back and repaint the inside of the door.

I did notice it's happening on my tail gate also.

I'm waiting for them to call me back to schedule me in.

I will try using that Krown when I get my truck back.

Thanks for the advice.