Help identify this rusted piece

[EpicLT]

I’m sorry that I don’t know what this is so I can’t search the forums to see if other people have this problem. But I will try to show some pictures and see what you all say. My truck is a 2018 Silverado and it has less than 1,600 miles on it, so I don’t know why something in the cabin is rusting. 

[EpicLT]

Here is a bit of a closer picture:

[Sierra Dan]

Steering Shaft.

[EpicLT]

Just now, Sierra Dan said:

Steering Shaft.

That’s what it looked like, thanks! I don’t think it should be rusting, so I’ll have to go to the dealer this weekend  

[Sierra Dan]

I think there should be some sort of boot or grommet at the firewall it passes through.....

so if outside moisture can reach it without a boot or sleeve, no wonder it is rusting.

[EpicLT]

2 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

I think there should be some sort of boot or grommet at the firewall it passes through.....

so if outside moisture can reach it without a boot or sleeve, no wonder it is rusting.

Yeah just a big hole there is probably not the best thing. We shall see what they say at the dealer

[Racindave]

Man. That look likes it been submerged in water for years...

[EpicLT]

3 minutes ago, Racindave said:

Man. That look likes it been submerged in water for years...

Yeah it’s pretty bad. Has anyone else had this problem? Because my dad just went out to his 2018 Silverado to check after I sent him this picture, and his is starting to rust as well. 

Edit: I’d like to know if you have had this problem, what the dealer did to fix it (if they did anything).

[DeePa]

There was some tsb about a missing or poorly sealed boot ...

 

[EpicLT]

32 minutes ago, DeePa said:

There was some tsb about a missing or poorly sealed boot ...

 

Ok, I wil try to find that. Thanks

 

[Capt Bob]

Yeah it’s pretty bad. Has anyone else had this problem? Because my dad just went out to his 2018 Silverado to check after I sent him this picture, and his is starting to rust as well. 
Edit: I’d like to know if you have had this problem, what the dealer did to fix it (if they did anything).

2018 with 5K miles

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[EpicLT]

5 minutes ago, Capt Bob said:

2018 with 5K miles

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
 

Not good. Thanks for the input

[EpicLT]

Here is another from the other truck in my driveway. Also 2018

[Darksky]

Does anyone have a service bulletin or recall # for this issue. This looks like it could be a serious issue. The heavily corroded part is absolutely structurally compromised. That is more than surface rust.

 

To my poorly educated eye, that appears to be the direct mechanism for transferring steering wheel turning to the next piece in line to eventually control the wheels. Am I wrong?  

 

If so, a failure of that connection would cause a loss of communication between the steering wheel and the actual wheels on the ground. That sounds potentially catastrophic if it is the case.

[PMurray]

That rust is harmless. In a million miles it won't weaken the shaft. The opening in the firewall is still a concern as moisture getting thru can damage more delicate parts.