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Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Undercarriage Rust

208 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 10:09 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Truck

Messages Page 5 of 21

#41 of 208 Re: 2008 GMC 1500 Undercarriage Rust [blurry25] by gm167

Dec 17, 2010 (7:42 am)

Replying to: blurry25 (Apr 15, 2008 11:26 pm)
I live in RI and own a 2000 Silverado 1500. After reading these posts on rust, I have to chime in. My truck has had EVERY brake line repleaced due to complete brake sys. failure, which caused me to have an accident in 2008. I aslo have NO rocker panels left. At the time of the accident the state took my plates and would not allow my truck on the road until all lines where replaced and the trk. was recertified for the highway. My ins. company was no help with the lines , but did repair the body damage and replace the other vech.I contacted GM (haha). Not their problem(really).But I'm curious if anyone has been contacted by an investigator wanting to look at your vech. for a "research project". I also contacted and made a report to NHTSA. I wonder how many millions of Chevy and GMC trucks are loosing their brakes and are becoming unsafe for the highways?

#42 of 208 Complete frame failure by bobcampbell

Jan 30, 2011 (9:06 am)

I suppose you are all heading for what I've been through. Bought my 2000 silverado 1500 in June of 2009 paid $10,000 and it only had 70k on it. Body was and is very clean. A couple of days ago I experienced a steel brakeline burst and lost my brakes. Strangely the brake light never did come on at all. The steel line was rusted completely through with the rest close behind it. I was fortunate that I was going slowly enough without much traffic so no accident.I dropped it at the shop and the mechanic called awhile later to inform me that my truck is "no Good", unsafe, not repairable, not driveable. My frame has rotted completely through. The rear crossmember rotted out and is laying on the exhaust. This is the crossmember that holds the right shock and gas tank strap. In one moment I've lost my truck. I'm not in a position to buy another and as a self-employed carpenter I need it to work. I'm in Massachusetts and I know they say our weather and road salt cause corrosion but, I've never in 30 years of driving and owning vehicles seen anything close to this. I'm actually fortunate that the brakeline went when it did because something bad would have happened had the frame come apart at speed. I've never seen a frame dissolve under a ten year old vehicle like this. I don't care what part of the world it lives in. There is obviously a manufacturing/ material defect here and those of you with this same problem will eventually and far to soon end up with an expensive piece of scrap metal. My truck now has 103k on it and is otherwise still very clean. The book value on it is somewhere between 6,500-7,000. I can only sell it for parts now and might get 1,000.

#43 of 208 Silverado Frame Rust by john4759

Feb 19, 2011 (6:33 pm)

I was researching information on the excessive rust on the Silverado, and I came across this forum. So, like some of the other posters I thought I would add another story. I have a 99, I bought new. It has 66,000 on it. All the brakelines have rotted off, both bumpers, and last week, the frame had so much rust it broke in half. I called GM but they wouldn't do anything for me. Because the truck has so little miles I will probably buy a new frame and swap everything. From the amount of posts this sounds like a widespread problem. GM should step up like Toyota and take care of it.

#44 of 208 2003 GMC undercarriage rust started early by barnowl3

Apr 13, 2011 (8:33 pm)

Interesting seeing these comments, as I have one of those amazing rusting GMs. I have had cars for over 30 years and live Upstate NY and we do use salt, but there is something very wrong with this truck. Rusty rear bumper, 1st month. Brake line failures within 4 years ( extensively posted on brake problem forum). PS pump and line corrosion with 4 years. Oil cooler line failure 3.5 yrs, 30,000 miles. Also replaced AC lines and tranny lines. Fuel lines repaired, but now need total replacement. SS muffler corrosion. Not all GM trucks seem to exhibit this level of rust here, so there is some defect that does not affect all trucks, but if you get one of these, hold on to your wallet.. My brake lines rusted right up to the master cylinder as if they were in a salt bath and rust was growing on them. Have never seen something this severe in this area on this new of a vehicle. There is certainly a design or manufacturing problem and it unfortunate that GM is ignoring this. How do we know the problem does not exist with 2011s, if GM keeps covering this up. I know it is 8 yrs old now, but it started within the warranty period and GM did nothing but replace the parts that I am on the 2nd round of replacement. Rather not risk another $40,000 to start it all over again, so I'll keep replacing parts for now. I'll try to get a closer look at the frame.

#45 of 208 Re: 2003 GMC undercarriage rust started early [barnowl3] by mltsurger

Apr 19, 2011 (6:58 pm)

Replying to: barnowl3 (Apr 13, 2011 8:33 pm)
Does it make sense to replace all of the lines with pre-bent stainless steel.They cost about 298.00 plus the time to replace them ?

#46 of 208 Re: 2008 GMC 1500 Undercarriage Rust [crusin57] by crusin57

Apr 24, 2011 (2:34 pm)

Replying to: crusin57 (Sep 08, 2010 2:56 pm)
Update with winter now over the roads clean and the winter salt gone i recently took my 06 Silverado to three different body shop for ( Lets call it a check up ) It seems that my rocker panels are now rusted threw and need to be repaired very soon. I find this very frustrating as even though my truck is winter rust proofed ( oil sprayed ) and even power washed at the car wash during winter months to remove the sludge and salt i still have a issue like this.
 
I have posted in various areas of this Silverado form with many different issues from rust to electrical, after driving GM products for over 30 years i can honestly say this will be my last GM product, I have only had my truck for a year now and just realized that i have already done over 4 grand in extra repairs just to maintain the thing.
 
I try not to come to this site much as its always bad news when it comes to Silverado trucks. and to all my fellow Silverado posters hope you have better luck than me

#47 of 208 Re: 2008 GMC 1500 Undercarriage Rust [crusin57] by gmcustsvc

Apr 25, 2011 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: crusin57 (Apr 24, 2011 2:34 pm)
crusin57,
I apologize for your experience. Can you please send me your VIN?
Christina
GM Customer Service

#48 of 208 Re: 2008 GMC 1500 Undercarriage Rust [gmcustsvc] by gmrustbucket

May 07, 2011 (3:04 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Apr 25, 2011 1:06 pm)
I love that a GM CS rep chimes in here but after I had to replace all my brakes and put in cunifer brake lines to resolve the Mexico metal issues with a 'not our problem' attitude from GM, I get nothing. I put my issue in to NTHSA but unless we all do GM will do nothing. I have been a Chevy guy my whole life but that is no more and my kids and friends will continue my boycott. Good Job GM. Put a few dollars in your pocket but at what cost? I see other companies out there that are replacing parts or vehicles (Ford Windstars) due to rust issues but GM states that if the vehicle lasts 1 year that is good enough for them. Please look at the (new) vehicles you see on dealer lots and if you see rust walk away. Rust does not stop on it's own.

#49 of 208 Re: 2008 GMC 1500 Undercarriage Rust [gmrustbucket] by gmcustsvc

May 17, 2011 (10:18 am)

Replying to: gmrustbucket (May 07, 2011 3:04 pm)
gmrustbucket ,
I understand your frustrations with your situations. As all major companies or corporations, we have standard operating procedures. GM does handle their customers individually, not all situations are the same, so they must be handled on a case by case basis. I am here to help make GM aware of our customer’s situations. The only way I can do this is with the customer’s assistance. My first step is to gather their contact information (including a good number to reach them), VIN, current mileage, involved dealer, and a break down of what they are experiencing. The best way to get me this information is a direct email. The next step in the process is the vehicle must be taken to a GM Dealer. They have a contract with GM and must look at the vehicle. For GM to know their customers are experiencing issues, they must contact GM; whether it is me via email or Customer Assistance via the telephone. This will help identify the problem and how large it is. I understand when customers are experiencing these concerns these processes can be frustrating. All concerns, whether it is with a dealer or your vehicle, are documented in the cases set up if GM is contacted directly. Just because one person did not get the resolution they expected this should not prevent anyone from speaking with them. As most situations have variances. Any customer that would like to call Customer Assistance and speak with someone the number is in your owner manual, or email me and I can provide it to you. Any customer that would like me to assist them, please feel free to email me the information requested above.
Christina
GM Customer Service

#50 of 208 GM Customer Service by kendonhank

May 20, 2011 (5:54 pm)

If you have a rust problem, you are wasting your time calling GM customer service. After you finally navigate their automated answering system, which may take a half hour, you will speak to a customer service rep who is nothing more than a note taker. They have no authority, and will tell you that they will get back to you. When and IF they get back to you, they will give you the company line, which is that GM DOES NOT COVER CORROSION CAUSED BY THE ENVIRONMENT, which if you were not aware, is ALL corrosion. If you are not satisfied with that response, they will pass you to another customer service rep, who will give you the exact same response, and on and on. I spoke to a dozen reps. Each time they promised to get back to me with a resolution, and each time they gave me the same canned answer.
 
If you take your car to the dealer, the dealer will take pictures and call the GM area manager, who will tell you the same thing.
 
GM has stated in court that they do not cover any corrosion caused by the environment, regardless of where in the country was purchased, how it is used, and how it is stored and maintained. If you bought it in the middle of the desert and it rusted out in a year stored in a climate controlled clean room, GM would tell you that they do not cover corrosion caused by the environment.
 
Government Motors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Messages Page 5 of 21

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