General Motors launched all-new generations for the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks in conjunction with the 2023 model year, with both nameplates debuting their latest third generation. Interestingly, GM Authority has received reports from some 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon owners that their vehicle’s roof was dented after using a touchless car wash service. Here are the details we’ve collected thus far.
For those readers who may be unaware, touchless car washers are those large, drive-through washing services that use an array of water jets and detergents to quickly clean the exterior of a vehicle. These services are framed as less harsh than automatic car washers that use giant, scrubbing brushes, which can scratch your vehicle’s paint.
That said, some 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon owners are reporting that the high-pressure drier typically used at the end of touchless washing services can create small dents in the roof of their trucks. Owner reports seem to indicate that the issue is present across the lineup for both models, regardless of trim level, though only models without sunroofs appear to be impacted.
While these issues can be easily fixed using simple paintless dent repair procedures, it bears mentioning that this sort of issue really shouldn’t be happening in the first place. Customers say that calling Chevy or GMC customer service directly could help owners in getting financial assistance for the repair procedure.
For now, GM Authority would recommend that owners of the 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon without sunroofs be careful when using these types of washers. If you’re particularly worried, then a hand wash is definitely the best method for cleaning your new pickup.
As a reminder, the 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon are equipped as standard with a turbocharged 2.7L four-cylinder gasoline engine, with Colorado models offering three different engine options (2.7L Turbo L2R, 2.7L Turbo Plus L3B, and 2.7L Turbo High-Output L3B), while the 2023 GMC Canyon runs the 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine as standard.
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Comments
cost cutting in action. how thin can we make the panels. it started with the plastic gas doors…. people let that slide and here we are. skimped on supporting under ribs and made the metal thinner. very curious how these will hold up in 10 years. this on top of magic draining batteries. iffy
I bought a brand new 2023 Colorado Z71. I was driving down the road in a windstorm and heard my roof buckling. GM needs to recall this and fix this because there is a problem and this is a safety concern.
Unfortunately this is not a simple fix. gm would literally have to replace the entire cab- they would be better off buying the vehicle back.
Then that is what they have to do. They scimp, they pay. No gray areas here.
only had mine for a few weeks, first car wash (that I have been going to forever with other trucks and no issues) and now I have a nice dent in the same spot as everyone else…the roof sounded like it was going to fly off
Actually not cost cutting but a reach for less weight and more mpg.
These roofs are strong enough to pass tougher roll over test than in the past but the skin is thinner as it is not structural or major structural part.
Most cars and trucks today have thin or aluminum skin on these horizontal areas tying to cut weight.
Often the aluminum or Boron steel cost more than the normal heavier steel.
Mitigate it best you can, this is cheap crap at its best, and a strong indicator of the rest of the body integrity (or lack thereof).
Funny how “most cars and trucks” don’t have visible damage after a car wash or light windstorm without having been struck by anything. And, where’s the better gas mileage? Even with the whiny turbo 4, it’s rather unimpressive. Where’s the cost savings? These things are expensive as f
I bet you weren’t full of excuses like these when Ford was recalling Bronco roofs (using a supplier GM gave a Gold Supplier Status award to, btw).
I bet you weren’t running your mouth about the Bronco roof recalls either.
I worked at a Lincoln-Mercury dealership back in the day, and we dreaded seeing the mechanics run late model Town Cars through the automatic car wash (with rotating brushes), because sometimes the car would come out with the doors rippled up.
lol: All the brands are doing this for most likely the same reasons. I know the Mazda door metal is so thin and flimsy that it feels like if you slam the door too hard it will bend the panel. You can actually see the panel flex when shutting the doors.
Today’s vehicles sure aren’t like my 1986 Cadillac with the heavy doors where you can push fairly hard on the door panels and barely move them.
mazda is a joke and competing with mitsubishi (is that even still around?) for the 230 credit score buyer. if you have to compare to mazda, you know you’ve dug a deep hole!
miata and the rx7 exempt since they arent normal mazdas in this context
A joke? Have you even looked at Mazda since they dumped their Ford partnership?
I have a 2023 Chevy Colorado and I have noticed the roof pop every time I go through the car wash blowers. So far it hasn’t left a dent But this sucks that I can’t take my truck through car washes without worry. Now they’re telling us we have to hand wash our vehicle because it’s a piece of junk.
I feel sorry for those who are physically disabled and don’t have access to handwash carwashes. This is not okay.
Writer failed to mention that all you have to do is ask the attendant to turn off the dryer. I had a 2014 Tahoe that the dryer would loosen the sunroof enough to allow it to start leaking if I didn’t retighten it every time. After 3 or 4 times I just said turn off the dryer – problem solved.
Next time you take it to a car wash, head to a dealer afterwards and trade it in.
There’s a new Tacoma this year.
Better not let your wife’s cat walk around up there.
I have a 2023 Cayon, and we drove it through the
Tunnel Matis Car wash on Hill rd near VanSlyke rd. and we haven’t had any issues of dents in the roof from the dryers. The owner said to take off hitch before coming because it messed up his brushes that’s all.
All well and good, but, this regards brushLESS car washes.
Lol, nobody knows where those roads are, this is a national site not a neighborhood chat.
What will the first hail storm do to these?
You ever shoot a beer can with a pellet gun?
Does it make a difference if it has a sunroof or not?
Sunroof vehicles have a frame bonded to the roof panel to support the weight and movement of the sunroof.
Unfortunately this is not a simple fix. gm would literally have to replace the entire cab- they would be better off buying the vehicle back.
Or just take the headliner down and stick on sheets of adhesive support material.
Not sure who downvoted… but I’ve seen a lot of brand new door shells from different manufacturers with adhesive patches on the inside of the outer panel to quiet and support that panel. The roof panel only needs a little bit of added thickness/support, an adhesive support pad would work. It is only happening at the front of the roof. Toward the rear, the ribs add strength.
Remember, this complaint is NOT due to direct contact, it is due to a wide expanse of flat metal being oilcanned from forced air.
I was interested in a gmc canyon denali but if I am paying 57,000 or more for a truck that the roof buckels in a car wash gives me second thoughts.
I ordered a Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss in February. The vehicle was built on March 29th. I still have not received the truck. Customer service can’t tell me anything about where the truck is or when I will receive it. This would have been my very first GMC vehicle. I went to the dealership and told him to keep it and to find another sucker to purchase it if it ever arrives. I just ordered a Toyota Tacoma instead. GMC are a horrible company with a horrible product and even worse Customer service.
Smart move. I purchased a Chevy 1500 years ago and the top of the shock wasn’t attached at the factory. That was my last vehicle purchase from the Big 3.
I have a deposit on 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro to replace my 2019 Pro. I have been driving Tacomas for the past 20 years and they all have displayed top notch build quality as well as being bulletproof.
Actually, I’ve had the opposite experience. I will never buy a Toyota again
Two things keep me out of Toyota showrooms. a) the sheer arrogance of the dealers, both in sales and in service, and b) every Toyota now comes with a center console so big I am surprised they don’t need to pull a permit at city hall to build it. The result is narrow, cramped seat, and a narrow, cramped driving position that makes me feel trapped.
toyotas are extremely overrated to the point id trust a GM more. ive had a camry, one of those old ones that should run forever. except for the self destructing engine sludge. anyway
what isnt unique is people not getting the vehicles they ordered. see a lot complaining about that. they cannot just be sitting on a storage lot outside final assembly for months… i suspect they go to dealer allocation elsewhere since gm doesnt really care. they build something, dealer buys it. which dealer… matters not to them. but this is just speculation. just refuse they are that incompetent to let an rot on a lot that has a buyer lined up
This is my 5th Colorado and may be my Last if Chevrolet Doesn’t do something about this Roof issue I paid $400 to get the Dents out of the roof and Switched Car Washes same issue the roof is thinner then a Beer Can very unsafe if you have a rollover.I think Chevrolet has a Huge Lawsuit waiting to happen ? They need to buy them back or do a massive recall.😡😡😡
But… the roof panel itself bears no load. The pillars and reinforcements around/below it protect you in a rollover. The roof panel simply keeps the rain off your head. I certainly agree that a car wash should not dent it without even TOUCHING it though.
Always hand wash. A car wash aka “Automatic Car Scratcher” is horrible for the paint. Even the touchless car washes, while better, can trap dirt and grim under the wax/sealant that is applied at the end because the touchless car wash can’t scrub dirt off.
That is why I always use Quick Detailer after going through the touchless car wash.
Just took a 6 hour trip in a new 2022 (5000 miles) Colorado V6. Rode nice. Handled well and towed a boat easy. The seats are terrible. Short cushion and too hard. Hope 2023 is better? I avoid automatic car wash since I saw my neighbor’s car have passenger side crushed in front to back.
quick detailer is actually a lube best used during claybaring (since it’s cheap). after a wash its a cheap hack to get some extra shine fast when you have no time for better. it does nothing to remove embedded debris or mitigate paint swirls etc.
Most people (who are not enthusiasts) could care less about hand washing. Heck, I’m one and don’t have time to hand wash.
I live in northern Minnesota. We have winter nine months out of the year. Not always convenient for a hand was, especially when you are a 74 year old senior citizen. Has anyone contacted GM about the roof denting issues? That would be the first place to start.
I have notified GM through my dealer and Gm says they are unaware of any issues with dented roofs on the 2023 Colorado. I am a lifelong customer of GM products and worked for them for 32 years. This is completely unacceptable, and they need to get this resolved before they ruin the reputation of a great little truck.
Wow. My 16 year old Chevy Aveo has a stronger roof than a new Colorado! 🤣🤣🤣
Wow, I was seriously thinking of buying a new Colorado or Canyon. After reading these comments, I think I’ll just keep driving my 89 Cheyenne with the 305 V8, 5 speed tranny that I bought new in 88. The few times I’ve ran it through a car wash- no damage and the wife’s cat walks all over it.
Yeah, me too. I was seriously considering at a 23 Colorado or Canyon but after reading all the problems they have been having, I’m keeping my Ford Ranger. It’s been pretty bullet proof truck so far.
This is my 5th Colorado and may be my Last if Chevrolet Doesn’t do something about this Roof issue I paid $400 to get the Dents out of the roof and Switched Car Washes same issue the roof is thinner then a Beer Can very unsafe if you have a rollover.I think Chevrolet has a Huge Lawsuit waiting to happen ? They need to buy them back or do a massive recall.😡😡😡
Mine came with big dent and I have never went through the process my wife washes at the 2$ wash. Wow mine is trail boss 2023 WJM
touchless car washes use hydrofluoric acid to clean your truck that is why they use high pressure to blow it off .
I also worry about the high-pressure dryer blowing the four drain tubes off the corners of the sunroof causing a leak.
What happens when you lean on the roof while putting a kayak or a bicycle up there ? How about the next civil disobedience sponsored by your local democratic club. Roof will be junk
im pretty confident any panel will be junk after a grown adult steps on it.. on any vehicle.
ok maybe not on the H1 as it was designed to be stepped on so there you have it. get an H1 if you want to dance on it
Leave politics out of these discussions. Tired of all that bs.
Years ago I had a body guy tell me his 1st work on an Acura he tapped out a small dent like he would any other car, the 3rd light stroke he took with the file, he was through the metal.
Just sayin’ .
Who has time to hand wash?! Some of us reside in states, where it is winter for 6 months a year. Can’t expect someone to hand wash in inclement weather. I take my vehicles to the automatic car wash, though I don’t care for those touchless car washes. I have never had a problem with the roof denting. However I make sure I have everything out of the truck bed prior to going through.
I agree. I am a senior citizen and can no longer hand wash my truck. Something is better than nothing. Also, there aren’t many detailing shops where I live. I think people are making a mountain out of a mole hill about these car washes. I have been using therefor year with no detrimental affects.
Maybe those who feel that the touchless car wash is harming their vehicles should file a claim again the car wash.
These trucks wouldn’t do well in AZ. We have high temperatures and high winds here, especially up around the Reservations.
I think I’ve only seen maybe one Gen 3 in my area. Most Colorado lovers drive Gen 2s and the rest drive Gen 1s.
what is the best way to contact GM have the same problem on my 2023 colorado
Google the GM technical services and see if you can get a number.
These trucks seem like lemons. The battery drain and now this.
I have a 1989 Chevy k2500. I have been the original owner of the vehicle. When I go through a car wash I here the same thing as you are hearing. Yes i painted the old paint peeler that she was. Yes I replaced the engine when a frost plug fell out….But the pickup has been rock solid. I do not believe that any of the trucks built today would of lasted this long.
What about all the cowl issues?
My dealer claims that they have not received any bulletins concerning the roof issues. Who’s b.s.ing who?
Easy fix: Just make the sunroof standard.
For those of you who act like hand washing your vehicle is so much trouble: buy one of those car wash wands with a soft brush or wash mitt on the end, else go to a do it yourself wash where you can use one. It’s actually pretty easy. And if you are handicapped or too old, find a young relative or neighbor and pay them to do it.
Those automatic car washes will destroy any car after awhile anyway. They are only good for beaters.
Wait till you get old and decrepit, you will change your attitude on hand washing. It isn’t alway feasible to get a hand wash from neighbors and relatives, they are old too. My vehicles are daily drivers, they aren’t going to a car show to be judged. I do the best I can to keep my vehicles clean and maintained.
The 2024s still have the same issue. My Trail Boss is dented. Looks the same as the one posted in the comments. The service bulletin was put out in March. $1,800 estimate to repair. Covered by warranty, so far.