Rear window leak

bamatuktuk · March 6, 2020

Add me to the leak list. 2020 AT4 bought 2 weeks ago, 350 miles. Build date is 09/19 I believe. Glass is the Virto E9. Local dealer has a separate glass specialist doing the reseal next Thursday.

Add this to the SD card error that started before even pulling off the lot (replacement SD card on order) and a CEL that came in last night (parking brake sensor). I will have had this thing in the shop every week since purchase. Not a hot start.

econometrics · March 7, 2020

Just got back into the country from being out for a couple of weeks. My RST was parked on my slightly inclined (nose up) driveway while I was gone. I know it rained a good bit in DFW while I was out.

I had put a new towel between the rear window and the seat back to make sure to catch any drips. Towel was dry and the headliner stain did not grow. I guess it's not leaking anymore? I'm now wondering if my headliner stain -- which did not seem to appear until I had the rear window re-sealed in late December (after noticing the leak in earlier November) -- just appeared slowly from the original leak, not from the re-seal job.

So hard to figure this thing out.

Cpl_Punishment · March 7, 2020

On 3/4/2020 at 5:24 PM, D A said:

UGADawgs; I agree and understand completely what you are saying. I’ve read all the posts over the past several days as I had done all my homework and was planning to purchase a new truck this month. I was shocked to find this post and if GM is following this please be aware you should do something to resolve it. But I’m still not aware of a consistent repair method resulting in a permanent fix for this issue. Yes, as many of you fine folks say that a “quality dealership” that knows what they are doing can/will fix it but what is that fix? Sealant or new window + frame? I’m kind of in a bind as our local dealer has a horrible reputation, extremely limited supply of vehicles so I was planning to visit Everett GMC (based on positive comments I’ve read here) which is 7 hours away. So I can’t afford to run to Everett GMC with ongoing leaking issues. So unless I’m missing something the dealer repairs are hit and miss and even with a brand new 2020 there’s still no guarantee it won’t leak. That’s a $60,000+ gamble I can’t afford to take. Please tell me I’m wrong or missing something? Thanks in advance.

If you need a truck now but are concerned about the leak, maybe consider buying one with a fixed rear window instead of the slider?

D A · March 7, 2020

17 minutes ago, Cpl_Punishment said:

If you need a truck now but are concerned about the leak, maybe consider buying one with a fixed rear window instead of the slider?

No hurry, no rush to buy but you have a valid suggestion and I appreciate it. I’d rather wait and see if there is a long term fix or re-design. A shame when you read bamatuktuk with a brand new vehicle has immediate issues like that. I’m a big boy and realize there are/will be things to deal with on a vehicle but the issues with the leaking seem to really be significant. Thanks again.

Cpl_Punishment · March 7, 2020

53 minutes ago, D A said:

No hurry, no rush to buy but you have a valid suggestion and I appreciate it. I’d rather wait and see if there is a long term fix or re-design. A shame when you read bamatuktuk with a brand new vehicle has immediate issues like that. I’m a big boy and realize there are/will be things to deal with on a vehicle but the issues with the leaking seem to really be significant. Thanks again.

Better stay away from the dealerships until you're ready to buy, then; I'm convinced these trucks sell themselves. My brother went in looking for a 2020 SLE double cab with bench seat, fixed rear window, 10 speed and max trailering package. He left with a 2019 SLT crew cab standard box with bucket seats, sliding rear window (that I recommended he avoid), 8 speed (that I recommended he avoid) and no max trailering package (which he probably doesn't truly need anyway).

komodo · March 7, 2020

Hello everyone.Great forum you got here.My truck went in thursday morning for rear window leak and a couple recalls.Dealership called that afternoon and said the frame was cracked and they had a new window on order.Hopefully get truck back early this comming week.I'll let you all know how it turns out.

komodo · March 7, 2020

2019 GMC sierra AT4.Fort Wayne build.E2 rear window.Purchased in mar.2019.Not sure of build date.

DaveHC · March 8, 2020

Update, Denali ultimate 2020, 1320 miles leaking rear window, water intrusion so bad all carpet front and rear totally saturated with rain water . After my truck being at dealer for a month i got it back, leak fixed, my leak was different it from the rear defrost wire being caught under the window frame driver side and it had a hole in sealer size of pencil according to the leak specialist my dealer used to fix it. Now the rest of the story, for you guys who think its a easy fix well the actual leak is but the problem Is if they have to replace carpet or drop the headliner like they did in mine they gut your truck, to drop headliner alone means every corner pillar front center and rear has to be removed along with the back seat. My truck doesn’t leak but the inside is scratched and scared and many parts broken like the fastener covers and line up pins on rear corner covers and on and on. My dealers tech must have missed how to properly remove and replace trim. Dealer ordered some replacement parts but I didn’t want the rest of the truck where they scratched side of dash and other places torn out so I guess I’ll live with them. I also have rattling and pops and cracks from where everything was taken out and put back in. So to me the fix is almost worse than the problem . I opened a case with GM to have it on record but as of now have not been offered anything as compensation for all the trouble or imo diminished value ot my truck. If you’re thinking About buying a GM truck I would hold off till this problem is addressed at the factory. I feel for all going thru this ordeal

tbare54 · March 8, 2020

Anyone had there window replaced and ended up with the exact same window, FUYAO E4 43R-000072?

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PackerChev · March 8, 2020

First car wash after having the window replaced. No leaks!

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Thomcat · March 9, 2020

On 2/24/2020 at 10:48 AM, hotrodz37 said:

I’m wondering if we can get someone to design a little bracket, something thicker than vinyl that would be able to go between the gap of the window and spoiler and direct water out. Something like the attached drawing.

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A year old and never been in a pressurized car wash. Mine doesn't leak and probably will never leak because water never touches the top frame of the window. At speed in a thunderstorm the sports bar disrupts the flow of water on the roof over the spoiler and there is never any water dripping on the outside of the rear sliding window(s). No cracks in the window rail probably because it "pops" in the heat......no popping and something has to give, usually the thin part of the plastic frame......no way I'm taking to the dealer for a pop, he can only compromise the existing seals or worse anchor the window so tight the frame will break expanding under heat.

Actually the above idea suggests the same principle as a drip rail .... a brilliant idea and effective way to keep water from traveling the underside of the spoiler onto the window frame. All the window sills in my house have it for the same reason. But no need to design anything special for the truck and go for the cheap quick fix as a preventative.. All it takes is using a 3M backed strip if 1/4" or 1/8" body molding on the lower surface of the spoiler directly below the CMHSL/bed light...and it won't look bad either....5 minutes for piece of mind even if the frame ever should crack. Parked in the Sun to today let the skin heat up and the molding goes on in an hour or two.

Thanks to hotrodz37 for the idea!

Edited March 9, 2020 by Thomcat

grapedrinkesha · March 9, 2020

49 minutes ago, Thomcat said:

A year old and never been in a pressurized car wash. Mine doesn't leak and probably will never leak because water never touches the top frame of the window. At speed in a thunderstorm the sports bar disrupts the flow of water on the roof over the spoiler and there is never any water dripping on the outside of the rear sliding window(s). No cracks in the window rail probably because it "pops" in the heat......no popping and something has to give, usually the thin part of the plastic frame......no way I'm taking to the dealer for a pop, he can only compromise the existing seals or worse anchor the window so tight the frame will break expanding under heat.

Actually the above idea suggests the same principle as a drip rail .... a brilliant idea and effective way to keep water from traveling the underside of the spoiler onto the window frame. All the window sills in my house have it for the same reason. But no need to design anything special for the truck and go for the cheap quick fix as a preventative.. All it takes is using a 3M backed strip if 1/4" or 1/8" body molding on the lower surface of the spoiler directly below the CMHSL/bed light...and it won't look bad either....5 minutes for piece of mind even if the frame ever should crack. Parked in the Sun to today let the skin heat up and the molding goes on in an hour or two.

Thanks to hotrodz37 for the idea!

Do you have any pictures of this installed?

smit303 · March 9, 2020

Good idea and hope it works but we shouldn't have to do this homemade, band aid, shadetree crap on brand new trucks. GM should be mortified sending out so many leakers. In the 2020 models too. Will 2021 be any different?

gt tangerine · March 9, 2020

Add me to the freaking list. October 2019 built with sliding rear window. First time seeing this on my truck, probably has been happening. Thought my glass was cracked at first but nope, water running straight down the glass inside.

hotrodz37 · March 9, 2020

Well, first hard rain since my permatex window and glass sealant fix. Happy to report, dry as a bone. Here’s to hoping it lasts!!

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