Rear window leak

Megalomegalodon · December 14, 2020

Got my 2020 SLT on 08/31 and have gone through the touchless carwash 3 times with no leaking. Got my windows tinted including the rear. Last night it actually rained in SoCal and guess what.....I have a leak on the rear window on the drivers side. Called dealer and scheduled drop off for this Thursday. They said the window will more than likely be replaced. Sucks that I will now have to replace my American Flag/Masonic decal but also get the new window tinted again.

Jamie73 · December 14, 2020

Fellow truck owners, I am out of here. Went by the dealership this morning to show the service advisor the damage that was done to my vehicle during the last 19 days that they had it. Talked to the Sales Manager and worked out a decent deal for them the purchase the truck back from me. I will be out approximately $1500.00 after 14 months and 6500 miles. This Sierra has been more of a pain in the ass to deal with then all my other vehicles I have owned in my life combined. And I'm 59 years old. Time to start shopping for my new whip. Probably not a GMC. Stay strong brothers, and don't let them take advantage of you!

DSW1519 · December 14, 2020

Picked up my '21 SLT on 12/4. Rear window leaking right now. Only 10 days of dry ownership! Heading to the dealer now.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

UGADawgs · December 14, 2020

54 minutes ago, DSW1519 said:

Picked up my '21 SLT on 12/4. Rear window leaking right now. Only 10 days of dry ownership! Heading to the dealer now.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

That sucks man!

Also, looks like a new window design too.

SilveradoRST · December 14, 2020

Replacing the rear window will not help, unless they have re-designed the plastic frame. Really it is two things that causes the leaks.

First, the cracks on the plastic frame, which we all know. So a stronger plastic is needed here.

Second, the adhesive between the plastic frame and the glass. The adhesive used is either not the best quality. Or not enough was put on the larger top section of plastic frame with the slider or it didn't cure properly, etc. As the adhesive fails, water gets between the plastic frame and glass and travels right inside. Usually it travels to the edges of the inside frame where the plastic frame rails ends for the slider. So people usually see water dripping there. But the water could have came from the middle of the plastic frame where the adhesive and glass started separating.

Sealant done right will fix this issue.

JohnH4260 · December 14, 2020

Here’s a PDF of the GM TSB showing and describing how the repair is made.

MC-10171889-9999.pdf

Megalomegalodon · December 14, 2020

20 minutes ago, JohnH4260 said:

Here’s a PDF of the GM TSB showing and describing how the repair is made.

MC-10171889-9999.pdf 527.21 kB · 7 downloads

Thanks. I really want my brand new truck to have the headliner dropped and the whole rear window removed geeze GMC.

DSW1519 · December 14, 2020

Here’s a PDF of the GM TSB showing and describing how the repair is made.

MC-10171889-9999.pdf

Thanks. I was just going to search for this so I have a copy for Thurs when I bring my truck in for the leak issue.

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SilveradoRST · December 14, 2020

18 hours ago, JohnH4260 said:

I’m new to GM and this forum because I’m considering ordering a 2021 Sierra Denali. After reading the first 20 and last 20 pages of this thread, I’m shocked to see this problem continue through 3 model years. It seems the only solution is to order a truck with a solid rear window, which is possible on some models, but not the Denali. I may try to get a sliding rear window delete on my Denali order, but if not allowed, then I may order the SLT with solid rear window. Or I may just go with a Ram 1500. Very disappointing because I had my heart set on the Denali.

RAM rear window leaks, with cracks on the plastic window frame. I'm going to take a stab and say RAM gets their rear window sliders from FuYao too. But I have no proof. Just a guess. Some of their members found sealant across the top stops the leak. YMMV.

https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/rear-window-surround-crack.8961/

Edited December 14, 2020 by SilveradoRST

OnTheReel · December 15, 2020

Only 56 pages? Rookies.

THE SILVERADO · December 15, 2020

On 11/26/2020 at 10:45 PM, SilveradoRST said:

Do you mean you had your rear window replaced twice already?

They replaced complete window once. Fixed three times for a total of four visits. This last attempt which I hope works, was sealing with caulking.

bobboberton1 · December 15, 2020

Might as well share my horror story with this repair. Quick backstory, Ive had 14 total repairs to my truck, including this rear window leak. 145 total days out of service as a result of all the repairs including over 55 days with no loaner. Lemon Law arbitration in Texas was a joke, claim was dismissed despite:

- Brake master cylinder failure plus 3x subsequent CEL for brake system communication issues

- Brake system leak

- Infotainment system reboot and distorted screen / eratic behavior 2x replaced unit, 1x replaced screen, issue persists

- Back up camera replacement

- Rear pinion leak

- Window motor replacement

- Body control module failure and replacement

- Rear window leak.

The rear window leaked and ruined headliner - discovered after coming across this thread (back when there were only 20 pages or so, ha), went out to look and sure enough two basketball sized stains in my headliner and water marks on the rear window, rusted rear seat hardware and wet carpet. Just the rear window included:

Repair 1: Pulled spoiler - caulked and sealed and caulked rear window, pulled front window, replaced headliner

Repair 2: Rear window still leaking. Pulled rear window, completely re-sealed

Repair 3: Front window now leaking - pulled and resealed front window

Repair 4: (as a result of repair 2,3) Cracked headliner in multiple places, gouged the hell out of my trim pieces and failed to replaced trim screw covers. As a result another new headliner, new trim pieces. This time I got 3x 3ft long scratches on my hood, and they didn't even snap the headliner in every place.

Repair 5: When the window motor went out (now taking truck to a different dealer) this other dealer finally snapped the headliner into all the clips correctly.

In short - Be kind but dont hesitate to ask a lot of questions. Im sure there are competent dealers out there. Also, don't hesitate to ask about front glass work, as most dealers outsource this to a local glass shop. Also, inspect the hell out of the work, and call attention to stuff that doesn't look right. My truck is a 2019 and was probably one of the first getting this repair. It seems like dealers are getting their heads around how to do it right. GM customer support is a joke. I had over 30 calls with them just trying to get expedited service on my vehicle and they couldn't even do that. Legal is the only way to get anything, or going to a news or media outlet. Ive spent enough time dealing with this that I simply don't have the energy for it at this point. Compensation Ive received for all this? Absolutely ZERO. Mostly because Texas lemon law favors big business (not to mention GM lobbyist gaining favor due to manufacturing being in TX). I talked with others on the forum whose states had consumer centric lemon laws, and they got new trucks because of it. If you want to get help - insist on speaking with a district manager of after sales. Dont take no for an answer. I had to go to 2 other dealers before a service manager stood up for me and got me in touch with the DMA in my area. He was the first person to show any empathy. They threw around some certificates and such, but nothing to truly restore faith in GM. I didn't want accessory coupons, I wanted a new truck or reimbursement for time out of service. I asked for a buyback and they refused. Its all about cost benefit for GM, they aren't going to do it out of principal alone. Ive handled everything cordially but firmly - every service advisor Ive talked to cant believe the lack of action on GMs part and said they've never seen a new truck with so many issues, but that doesn't get me any closer to a solution. Nice that some people agree at least, but not the ones who can do something. If I can help anyone else in any way - let me know, and hope this info helps others. Good luck if you're in Texas however.

Edited December 15, 2020 by bobboberton1

JohnH4260 · December 15, 2020

17 minutes ago, bobboberton1 said:

Might as well share my horror story with this repair. Quick backstory, Ive had 14 total repairs to my truck, including this rear window leak. 145 total days out of service as a result of all the repairs including over 55 days with no loaner. Lemon Law arbitration in Texas was a joke, claim was dismissed despite:

- Brake master cylinder failure plus 3x subsequent CEL for brake system communication issues

- Brake system leak

- Infotainment system reboot and distorted screen / eratic behavior 2x replaced unit, 1x replaced screen, issue persists

- Back up camera replacement

- Rear pinion leak

- Window motor replacement

- Body control module failure and replacement

- Rear window leak.

The rear window leaked and ruined headliner - discovered after coming across this thread (back when there were only 20 pages or so, ha), went out to look and sure enough two basketball sized stains in my headliner and water marks on the rear window, rusted rear seat hardware and wet carpet. Just the rear window included:

Repair 1: Pulled spoiler - caulked and sealed and caulked rear window, pulled front window, replaced headliner

Repair 2: Rear window still leaking. Pulled rear window, completely re-sealed

Repair 3: Front window now leaking - pulled and resealed front window

Repair 4: (as a result of repair 2,3) Cracked headliner in multiple places, gouged the hell out of my trim pieces and failed to replaced trim screw covers. As a result another new headliner, new trim pieces. This time I got 3x 3ft long scratches on my hood, and they didn't even snap the headliner in every place.

Repair 5: When the window motor went out (now taking truck to a different dealer) this other dealer finally snapped the headliner into all the clips correctly.

In short - Be kind but dont hesitate to ask a lot of questions. Im sure there are competent dealers out there. Also, don't hesitate to ask about front glass work, as most dealers outsource this to a local glass shop. Also, inspect the hell out of the work, and call attention to stuff that doesn't look right. My truck is a 2019 and was probably one of the first getting this repair. It seems like dealers are getting their heads around how to do it right. GM customer support is a joke. I had over 30 calls with them just trying to get expedited service on my vehicle and they couldn't even do that. Legal is the only way to get anything, or going to a news or media outlet. Ive spent enough time dealing with this that I simply don't have the energy for it at this point. Compensation Ive received for all this? Absolutely ZERO. Mostly because Texas lemon law favors big business (not to mention GM lobbyist gaining favor due to manufacturing being in TX). I talked with others on the forum whose states had consumer centric lemon laws, and they got new trucks because of it. If you want to get help - insist on speaking with a district manager of after sales. Dont take no for an answer. I had to go to 2 other dealers before a service manager stood up for me and got me in touch with the DMA in my area. He was the first person to show any empathy. They threw around some certificates and such, but nothing to truly restore faith in GM. I didn't want accessory coupons, I wanted a new truck or reimbursement for time out of service. I asked for a buyback and they refused. Its all about cost benefit for GM, they aren't going to do it out of principal alone. Ive handled everything cordially but firmly - every service advisor Ive talked to cant believe the lack of action on GMs part and said they've never seen a new truck with so many issues, but that doesn't get me any closer to a solution. Nice that some people agree at least, but not the ones who can do something. If I can help anyone else in any way - let me know, and hope this info helps others. Good luck if you're in Texas however.

So where are you now? Still in your 2019?

bobboberton1 · December 15, 2020

6 minutes ago, JohnH4260 said:

So where are you now? Still in your 2019?

Yup. Still in the 2019. As long as Im in warranty, Ill hang onto it, and may push this back up the chain at some point. Im not letting my frustration cost me money on a trade.

Edited December 15, 2020 by bobboberton1

JohnH4260 · December 15, 2020

1 minute ago, bobboberton1 said:

Yup. Still in the 2019. As long as Im in warranty, Ill hang onto it, and may push this back up the chain at some point. Im not letting my frustration cost me money on a trade.

2019 Silverado or Sierra? And what trim level? Thanks.