2024 Sierra 1500 roof panel drumming / oil canning noise do to panel flexing going through car wash

[Randy Lyons]

I have a 2024 Sierra SLT with an incredible amount of roof panel flex.   While going through the dryers in car wash the roof panel vibrates creating a drumming and oil canning sound.  When waxing / washing roof by hand the roof panel flexes over  1/2” with very little effort.   As a vehicle white body structural engineer for 37 years I’ve never experienced anything like this as being acceptable by design.  Normally there are roof arches with sealant between them and the panel or at the very least a self adhesive melt sheet that stiffens as it goes through paint ovens.   My brother-in-law has a 2022 Silverado that does exactly the same thing.  I can see where this constant flexing can cause weld or material failure in the future.  I can’t find anything on the web related to this. Has anybody else in the truck community experienced this?

[SilveradoRST]

My ‘19 New Body does the same thing around the front of the roof when I go through the touchless car wash drier.  Same oil drum sound.   

[GETGONE]

My 21 crew cab does it as well from the water on high pressure on the touchless somewhere on the passenger side rear roof. I get some as well from the dryers. There was a service bulletin on the 23's and 24's for cracks in the roof I believe somewhere around the B pillar on either side.

[64BAwagon]

The roof crack issue was a couple thousand trucks some time ago. It represented less than 2 days production and IIRC was related to panel fitment being out of spec during the weld process on the joint, lengthways above the doors. A repair procedure (which was quite involved) was developed after the units were identified.  I think its been a done deal for quite some time. Roof panel tin canning has been a thing as long as I can remember. GM doesnt stamp the ribs into the roof just for looks. 

[glassesheadscarf]

On 6/30/2024 at 3:20 AM, Randy Lyons said:

I have a 2024 Sierra SLT with an incredible amount of roof panel flex.   While going through the dryers in car wash the roof panel vibrates creating a drumming and oil canning sound.  When waxing / washing roof by hand the roof panel flexes over  1/2” with very little effort.   As a vehicle white body structural engineer for 37 years I’ve never experienced anything like this as being acceptable by design.  Normally there are roof arches with sealant between them and the panel or at the very least a self adhesive melt sheet that stiffens as it goes through paint ovens.   My brother-in-law has a 2022 Silverado that does exactly the same thing.  I can see where this constant flexing can cause weld or material failure in the future.  I can’t find anything on the web related to this. Has anybody else in the truck community experienced this? Snow Rider

There have been some discussions in automotive forums about roof panel flexing in various truck models, but it doesn't appear to be a widespread topic, which might be why you haven't found much online.

• Contact the Manufacturer: Reach out to GMC's customer service or technical support to report the issue. Given your background, your insights might be taken seriously, and they might provide some explanation or solution.

• Check with Dealerships: Visit a GMC dealership and have a service technician inspect the vehicle. They might have encountered similar complaints and could offer a solution or at least document the issue.

• Join Online Communities: Join forums or social media groups dedicated to GMC Sierra or Silverado owners. Posting your experience there might help you find others with the same issue and gather more information.

• File a Complaint: If you believe this issue could lead to safety concerns, consider filing a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This could prompt an investigation if the problem is found to be more widespread.

[Sophian]

On 6/30/2024 at 3:20 AM, Randy Lyons said:

I have a 2024 Sierra SLT with an incredible amount of roof panel flex.   While going through the dryers in car wash the roof panel vibrates creating a drumming and oil canning sound.  When waxing / washing roof by hand the roof panel flexes over  1/2” with very little effort.   As a vehicle white body structural engineer for 37 years I’ve never experienced anything like this as being acceptable by design.  Normally there are roof arches with sealant between them and the panel or at the very least a self adhesive melt sheet that stiffens as it goes through paint ovens.   My brother-in-law has a 2022 Silverado that does exactly the same thing.  I can see where this constant flexing can cause weld or material failure in the future.  I can’t find anything on the web related to this. Has anybody else in the truck community experienced this? slope

What steps can truck owners take to address excessive roof panel flex in the 2024 Sierra SLT, and has anyone in the community found effective solutions or modifications to mitigate this issue?

[Bikerjon]

On 6/29/2024 at 3:20 PM, Randy Lyons said:

I have a 2024 Sierra SLT with an incredible amount of roof panel flex.   While going through the dryers in car wash the roof panel vibrates creating a drumming and oil canning sound.  When waxing / washing roof by hand the roof panel flexes over  1/2” with very little effort.   As a vehicle white body structural engineer for 37 years I’ve never experienced anything like this as being acceptable by design.  Normally there are roof arches with sealant between them and the panel or at the very least a self adhesive melt sheet that stiffens as it goes through paint ovens.   My brother-in-law has a 2022 Silverado that does exactly the same thing.  I can see where this constant flexing can cause weld or material failure in the future.  I can’t find anything on the web related to this. Has anybody else in the truck community experienced this?

Both my 21 and 23 Trail Boss pickups do that tin can/drum roll sound in the car wash mostly during the high pressure drying cycle also during hand waxing on the roof panel. I think they should have installed some type of roof spanner or arches as you describe but sadly I think this is normal.

[addisonjerry79]

On 7/1/2024 at 6:27 AM, glassesheadscarf said:

There have been some discussions in automotive forums about roof panel flexing in various truck models, but it doesn't appear to be a widespread topic, which might be why you haven't found much online.

• Contact the Manufacturer: Reach out to GMC's customer service or technical support to report the issue. Given your background, your insights might be taken seriously, and they might provide some explanation or solution.

• Check with Dealerships: Visit a GMC dealership and have a service technician inspect the vehicle. They might have encountered similar complaints and could offer a solution or at least document the issue.

• Join Online Communities: Join forums or social media groups dedicated to GMC Sierra or Silverado owners. Posting your experience there might help you find others with the same issue and gather more information.

• File a Complaint: If you believe this issue could lead to safety concerns, consider filing a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) . This could prompt an investigation if the problem is found to be more widespread Heated.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 may experience a drumming or oil-canning noise from the roof panel when going through a car wash, primarily due to panel flexing under high-pressure water jets. This occurs because the large, relatively thin metal roof panel lacks sufficient structural reinforcement in certain areas, allowing it to flex and create a popping or booming sound

[Bikerjon]

On 6/29/2024 at 3:20 PM, Randy Lyons said:

I have a 2024 Sierra SLT with an incredible amount of roof panel flex.   While going through the dryers in car wash the roof panel vibrates creating a drumming and oil canning sound.  When waxing / washing roof by hand the roof panel flexes over  1/2” with very little effort.   As a vehicle white body structural engineer for 37 years I’ve never experienced anything like this as being acceptable by design.  Normally there are roof arches with sealant between them and the panel or at the very least a self adhesive melt sheet that stiffens as it goes through paint ovens.   My brother-in-law has a 2022 Silverado that does exactly the same thing.  I can see where this constant flexing can cause weld or material failure in the future.  I can’t find anything on the web related to this. Has anybody else in the truck community experienced this?

I was waiting for this thread to pop up again. Both my 2021 and 2023 Trail Bosses did the tin can/drumming sound from the roof flexing under blow dry and high pressure in the automatic car wash. My new 2025 Trail Boss does not make these sounds after several car wash/dry cycles. Something has definitely been added or improved in the roof panel. I have not yet waxed the truck (it is 9 below 0 today) but I will report back if it flexes when I get around to waxing. 

[2016 Sierra Owner]

22 hours ago, Bikerjon said:

I was waiting for this thread to pop up again. Both my 2021 and 2023 Trail Bosses did the tin can/drumming sound from the roof flexing under blow dry and high pressure in the automatic car wash. My new 2025 Trail Boss does not make these sounds after several car wash/dry cycles. Something has definitely been added or improved in the roof panel. I have not yet waxed the truck (it is 9 below 0 today) but I will report back if it flexes when I get around to waxing. 

Did any of the 3 trucks you had have a sunroof? My 20 had a sunroof and I didn't have an issue with the roof but my 24 does not and it has a issue every once in a while now.

[Bikerjon]

On 2/12/2025 at 8:44 PM, 2016 Sierra Owner said:

Did any of the 3 trucks you had have a sunroof? My 20 had a sunroof and I didn't have an issue with the roof but my 24 does not and it has a issue every once in a while now.

None of my trucks had the sunroof. There must be added support in the sunroof equipped trucks to attach rails or tracks for the sunroof glass to slide in.