Multiple types of Chevy trucks are included in an updated GM technical service bulletin for a problem related to the wax coating peeling off the frame, with rust and corrosion appearing on the metal exposed by this issue.
Among the potentially affected Chevy trucks are the 2011 to 2013 Chevy Avalanche and 2011 to 2024 Chevy Silverado models, with several SUVs and vans also possibly subject to the peeling wax and rust, including the 2011 to 2024 Chevy Express, the 2011 to 2024 Chevy Suburban, and the 2011 to 2024 Chevy Tahoe.
As described in updated GM service bulletin number 19-NA-255 first released in November 2019, the Chevy trucks will have sections of the wax coating peeling off the frame and exposing the bare metal underneath. Moisture and corrosive substances in the environment then cause surface rust to develop. Over time, this rust may eat deeper into the frame component and weaken its structure. Images in this article show examples of this problem’s appearance.
The issue is believed to be caused by a manufacturing error by the third-party company supplying the vehicle frames. The Chevy truck frames built by this supplier had their metal incorrectly prepped prior to the wax coating being applied, leading to the current peeling. However, GM dealerships offer a fix to this issue.
Dealership service personnel can correct the wax peeling issue by removing remaining wax and surface rust, then apply a new coating to the frame of the affected Chevy truck units. The procedure should only be applied to those places where frame peeling and/or rusting has occurred in order to restore a factory look.
GM recommends that dealers should use Lloyds and Daubert metal cleaning and coating products, which the automaker has found to be the best match for the metals and coatings used. The truck is jacked up or raised on a lift, then loose wax coating is removed, cleaners and metal prep applied to eliminate rust, and several coats of Lloyds Kryptonite Metal Treatment High Temp Satin Black applied to complete the fix.
GM notes that the frame should be carefully inspected. While surface rust can be removed, if the inspection shows the rust has penetrated deeply enough to affect the part’s structural strength, that frame component must be entirely removed and replaced with a new component.
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Comments
this has been a bulletin for 8 years, nice of gm to blame a third-party company instead of painting their frames from the start
GM doesn’t make the frames, a third party does, and they didn’t do their job properly (prep work) so ya, it’s their fault.
if gm required painted frames from said supplier instead of the silly wax
Toyota frames have been painted for decades yet those frames develop rust rot faster than any other brand of trucks sold in the US.
Paint or wax coating I think road salt just eats up.truck frames unless you spend the money for a professional under coating I had ziebart on my first car it came used that way abd that really helped keep the rust off.
Don’t do it! Had my 2013 Silverado Ziebarted (rust proofing & undercoating) at 9K miles. The undercoating falls away here and there and they re-coat those spots every year. In between the salt migrates in behind the coating and is trapped there. That with Chevy’s frame problem rots the frame out. My bed above the wheels also has rusted. It wasn’t us (Ziebart) or rust, turned out to be us and rust.
Wondering if my 2010 Silverado is covered by this recall. The frame is beyond a rusted mess. Does anyone know?
Our 2011 Silverados frame also a rusty mess. Seems like it’s too late for the likes of us.
Should be a recall as most of the vehicles in the bulletin have long since been out of warranty
Are they gonna fix my 2020 Silverado that has rust on the frame ?
I disagree. GM chooses to use wax frames. This has been a problem since the 1990’s, but has definitely gotten worse the last 15 years. No other company has this problem that I know of in the 21st century.
Actually they have been doing the job properly and going by what GM wants. The wax coating has always been an issue from the start and the “third party” wanted to paint the frames, not wax coat them. That wax coating can get damaged very easily during assembly.
My Colorado truck’s frame rusted through! It won’t pass inspection any longer!! I will NEVER buy another Chevy!!
Can you get me the service bulletin number? My truck needs this fixed
I just replaced a cross member that wouldn’t pass safety, they should replace the frame like Toyota did when there frames were no good
Toyota was sued for billions for denying replacement frames. It was all a PR stunt. They told dealers to inspect the frame and the only way the frame got replaced was if there were holes rotted through the frame. The holes had to be at least 1/2″ in diameter. Smaller than that and the frame was not to be replaced. Instead dealers were told to spray undercoating over the rust to hide the rot.
Chevrolet TSB 19-NA-255
Is Chevy going to pay for the cost of work ? My 2011 tahoe has been rusting for 5 years. All the dealership told me was to get the undercarriage sprayed myself from a body shop with the 3M undercarriage spray
chevy = made in china=junk
What Chevy sold in the USA is made in China? Certainly not the vehicles described in this article.
I’ll wait…….
every part of any car in this country for the last 15 years is all made in china .shipped here and than assembled and sold to people here as an american product.
Wrong Victor…I work in the automotive manufacturing industry so stop pedaling your uniformed nonsense
Hope I didnt buy a 65k lemon GM better get there head screwed back on o
That statement could not be more incorrect. You must be a politician.
You’re some kind of ignorant, aren’t you!!
Check BUICK though! Almost All Chinese or Korean
The conversation isn’t about Buick. But sadly only 25% of Buick’s stable are manufactured in the USA.
Are the gmc trucks also included
There all made with foreign made parts. Chevy have not been made I usa for long time
True, Chevy hasn’t made anything anywhere for a very very long time. It’s a brand not a company. There are no Chevy manufacturing plants and there isn’t a Chevy headquarters. There are however multiple GM truck plants in the United States that make both Chevy and GMC trucks. A half ton plant in Indiana, a midsize truck plant in Missouri, and a heavy duty truck plant in Michigan.
The parts all come from China. I know because I assembled vehicles.
So TSB is not necessarily a not cost service, what are the true details of this bulletin as it impacts owners and any out of pocket expense?
My 2002, that I bought new, and still have, has been doing this for many years. Not a new problem.
My truck has 142,000 miles. Still serves me well.
you bought one of the better years. Back when GM was good.
I have a 2009 Silverado, which I just bought, only to discover the frame is rotted beyond, which will consequently deny a safety inspection. In an informal quote from a Steel/Metal rebuilder, they tell me a minimum of 3-$5000, not including parts that break off in the rebuild process.
My question is, which I have not seen anything on- if Toyota was mandated to fix their issue, why hasn’t GM been under the same policy recall. Many of these frames cannot be corrected with an application of a new wax, as they are, through no fault of the owner, beyond comprehension and repair.
I agree. Definitely should be a recall. Sounds like class action.
they better do em all, 2014 and up are still peeling
2020 chevy colorado frame rust to
Hope I didnt buy a 65k lemon GM better get there head screwed back on
The wax coating doesn’t hold up in the NE rust belt.
I had my 2012 Silverado 2500 recoated by GM several years ago, and the only thing it did was hide the rust until the wax fell off again. Once the rust starts the wax coating ends up trapping moisture against the frame thereby making things worse. Now I use products like Krown (oil based) to slow down the rust- and it seems to do the job, but it is a yearly expense that adds up. Ford and RAM e-coat their frames and IMHO they hold up much better over time than the wax coating.
I have 2021 siera at4 every time it was on the hoist the frame had bare metal exposed on contact of hoist so what I did bought half gallon of white grease and greased the whole frame than oil sprayed the undercariege at my cost should of complained to gm it was faster to do what I did grease will last longer than wax which will dry up and peal sooner or later but good to know other people noticed this issue
Ford e-coatings are also junk. Since 2015 they have had brand new F-150’s with rust all over them on the dealer lots. E-coatings are thinner than even paint.
I think I have a bulletin in my 2014 Silverado from when I worked at a Chevy dealer? Have been thinking about NHOU or Woolwax covering? Anyone tried either coating?
woolwaxed my 2017 have to do at 80 deg or above for brst results
To RWD,
Have been using NHOU for many years…..absolutely no rust problems. Like any other product, if the application isn’t performed correctly, the protection won’t be as good. Been using same guy for long time now, and always a great job, with initial apps. and touch-ups. The stuff is great, as it will “self heal” if it happens to get wiped off by high grass, dirt, or car washes that under spray. It never gets totally wiped off, there is always a good film regardless. Cost in my area for pick-up or suv, around $250.00 initially, and around $75.00 for a touch-up, every couple of years. I live in SW Ohio. Really great product! Good luck,Ted D
What about all the ones that the frames have already failed and owners had to scrap them???
I use Woolwax on both my 1980 K20 and my 2019 Sierra 1500. It holds up very well and I have found I only need to do touchups after I did the first thorough application.
At least they are fixing it instead of letting it slide then letting it go to a court case that could take years to solve. I wish these suppliers would get their act together enough already the whole auto industry is suffering because of this.
Suppliers build to specs engineered and determined by the OEM. If GM wanted fully painted, E-Coated frames, they could do that. They choose to go down the wax coating path, and this is what you end up with… My 1999 Suburban frame doesn’t have a spec of “coating” left on it, its solid “surface rust brown”. The frame is also solid as a rock, so you b ethe judge. Notice how the bulletin calls out this will retore the “factory look” of the orginal frame. This is about nervouse nellies worried about appearences….
So just like Toyota when they tried to blame their supplier for 30 years of frames rust rotting through in under 5 years. They played dumb for 30 years. Then they get credited with replacing “all the frames” when in reality Toyota denied new frames unless the frame had holes larger than 10mm in diameter. If the holes weren’t big enough they told dealers to hide all the rust rot with undercoating.
Yea most people are clueless on the truth about the Toyota frame “replacement”. They denied replacement frames for most trucks and their painted frames rusted even more aggressively than GM’s each frames. The only brand of truck I have ever seen break in half at just 5 years old was a Toyota Tacoma that was used for rural mail delivery.
service bullitens are not recalls $$$.
Does this also pertain to GMC products?
WT🤬?? Maybe Consumer Reports has it right after all.
I wonder why power coating is not being used on these new frames from the start..I can see how just doing part of the frame now will solve future problems..Strip it all and use a rust incapulator produce at least..I rust proofed several in my day and had no problems with any of them..Produces are better today if applied right. JMO
Great running well cared for ’02 Silverado and ’07 Yukon junked before their time due to rotted frames due to the same issue. ’17 Silverado with the same issue was totaled while parked and replaced with nice new Ford with a painted frame and aluminum body. It’s a shame that it took over 20 years to address this.
You should see how these Chevy (and Ford) trucks rust here after several salty winters here in southern Bavaria (Germany)..
The mentioned „wax“ looks more like paint to me, not elastic at all.. The ONLY cure/prevention is real wax with a content of 10% of the cheapest engine oil you can find.
And yes, it is a lot of work pressure washing the underside of the whole truck, letting it dry for a couple days in summer an respray it with „my“ mixture..
Living in the rust belt, I had Ziebart undercoat/sound-deaden my 2023 Silverado CC (covering the frame and everything else that could be coated). I’ll have this truck for quite some time so I feel it was money well spent. Have done something similar on previous trucks and it has paid off at the time of sale.
Been there, Ziebart undercoating doesn’t work. I had my 2013 done and inspected every year where they touch-up any spots where the undercoating fell off. The touch-ups just trap salt & moisture against the frame where washing can’t get to it. My truck sits in the driveway while I figure out if it’s getting scrapped or GM/Chevy steps up and makes it right. Less than 87,000 miles on it.
I have a 2008 Chevy Colorado, with only 77000 miles on it. And it’s a rust bucket underneawhy can’t you people have thosrfraims Rhino lined, so this won’t happen. Thanks
Rubberized coated frames rust rot faster than anything else. Water/salt get in between the coating and metal and rot it away without any signs of a problem until rust jacking creates bubbles under the rubber.
Magna makes the frames and was them for GM, definitely there issue to solve.
If you live in the NE, you don’t dare wait until you see things peeling. Within a year or two after purchase you pay to have your vehicle rust proofed with the best product going. If you didn’t you’d definitely have problems within five years.
I own a 2013 Gmc Sierra withe same problem with the waxy under coating. I leased it first and when I took it in after the 3 year lease to buy it out I talked to the dealer about the rust problem. He said unless you can push a screw driver through the rust that is also in both driver side and passenger side back door lower panels, GM will not back it on the rust through warranty. Now when I took it to him it only had 17,500 miles on it. Now I only have 51,382. It is garaged most of the time. This truck has frame rust also and rear fender rust. This should not have happened especially when I took it in to a GM Dealer and complained back at the initial inspection at 17,500 miles. If they had a problem with using the waxy under coating they should have made good on their problem. Something needs to be done with this. Thank You.
I have a 2017 Denali built in Canada GM put a similar bulletin prior to this one. The dealership where I got my truck serviced made me aware of the rust on my frame GM declined to do anything about the issue knowing my vehicle was listed on the service order it’s a slap in the face that they are helping Chevy customers with the same year models as my GMC this is not going over well with me something has to happen differently now
My 2010 equinox had rust in the front fenders and underbody at ten years old rust doesn’t matter how much mileage you have if you drive on salt and don’t wash it often garage or not it’s going to rust, also the dealership is not GM corporate the dealer can care less about your rust problem better off contacting GM directly.
There are some videos on you tube that show some brands such as woolwax, Amsoil HD metal protector and couple others that work and you don’t have to spend a lot of money on. Most can be done at home.
I had a friend who had ziebart on his truck and it made it peel. But it was a undercoating then. Now they even use a wax like substance.
Some Chevy and GMC Trucks ARE made in China!
They are also ONLY sold in China!
My garaged 2016 Silverado with 62k peeled and rusted easily 50% of the frame so I spent a weekend grinding rust, using rust converter, painting, and then spraying fluid film black. Good as new. If you live in New England you do this multiple times or you’ll be driving a rust bucket. Guarantee this recall is a temporary fix for those that don’t rinse and repeat..
Parking a salty tlwet truck in a garage is the worst thing you can do if you want to avoid rust.
Hmm…..They must have forgot the wax coating on the rocker panels and bed sides from every truck built since 1988
What about the paint That’s peeling on the Chevys and GMC trucks and vans especially the white colors?
Yep. Have a ‘16 1500 truck in summit white that has 2 spots. Passenger side window bezel, towards the windshield edge and passenger side rear door where the window meets the door at the lowest furthest back point. Glad it’s not just me.
Meanwhile the bodies are rotting twice as fast .
When will somebody finally use the right steel and do a hot dip galvanized stamped the entire frame to straighten it once it comes out of the bath.
Can’t we build something we’re proud of? Can’t we do something better than everyone else for a change?
When will somebody finally use the right steel and do a hot dip galvanized stamped the entire frame to straighten it once it comes out of the bath.
Can’t we build something we’re proud of? Can’t we do something better than everyone else for a change?
Even Toyota has problems with frames being replaced.
Here’s a genius idea. How about GM joins the 21st century and just e-coats the frames?
Does this also include gmc sierra models from the same years?
Whats the pint of having this TSB, since most of these vehicles are out of warranty and the customer has to pay to have the repair done. NHSTA should have them issue a recall so there is no out of pocket expense for owners
Easy fix, Fluid Film…Done!! Have your truck done every year for salt prone regions…I live in New England my truck is a 2016 I spray inside rockers, fenders, frame, backing plates everything! I swear by this product, best investment hands down
My 2010 is doing the same thing
What’s the point of having this TSB, since most of these vehicles are out of warranty and the customer has to pay to have the repair done. NHSTA should have them issue a recall so there is no out of pocket expense for owners
Who pays for repairs on out of warranty trucks
On January 10, 2024, I purchased a 2015 Silverado K1500 from Springfield, IL. I live in Dallas, TX. After I started cleaning it up I noticed the rust on the frame. I saw this Service Bulletin on March 5, 2024. I took it to a local Chevy dealership on March 6, 2024. I was told that it is a Service Bulletin, not a Recal and that I would have to pay for it if I wanted it fixed. The consumer should not have to pay for a manufacturer’s defect. This should be a Recall.
I am a CR writer for a popular auction in Pennsylvania and let me tell you that all of the manufacturers in the U.S. for trucks the frames rust an wax or Krown simply does not hold up to the weather. The steel that is used for the truck frames by the U.S. manufacturing is all imported junk steel from Japan or china sadly an is not chemically formulated with the proper alloys to withstand harsh conditions in the U.S. or Canada. It’s a simple fact people . The people who are in charge of our economy should be shamed. That goes for our government and the U.S. based manufacturing industry
Let’s half A it and only fix the rusted spot instead of under coating the whole frame. Joke
Says Chevy Silverado but what about 2023 GMC SIERRA 1500 ?? Weird it wouldn’t be on the list.
I went from a 12 ford f150 5 0 with 150k on it to a new 18 silverado. And within a yr the frame on that truck started rusting. Multiple trips back to the dealership and they said it was normal. Between that, the 8spd transmission issues, drive shaft issues, 5.3 cyn- de activation issues I just got rid of it. Back in a f150 and haven’t looked back. I really gave the gm product a shot, but it was truly disappointing, and the service was even worse.
My 2014 Silverado had the wav peeling and surface rust problem. Last year I crawled under the truck, grinded and scraped all the surface rust that I could see off, and applied Surface Shield made by PB Blaster to every part of the frame and underside of the truck. I also used a wand extender to spray inside the frame to coat it. Product states that it protects for 2 years.
My 2010 Sierra is doing the same thing, guess I’m outta luck!!! 😵💫
Isn’t this bulletin from 2019? It doesn’t seem new to me?
i have a 2014 pickup truck i took spare tire down and saw the rust back cross member rusted out on both sides went on line i can buy it for18500 dollars to do it right i will have take the bed off the truck this $hit should not be doing this i drive around town back and forth to work does anything last anymore we pay big money for trucks i see 5 year old trucks rusted out maybe they will fix it it sucks to see this happen good luck to us all thanx chevy
The spare ture rubs on the frame and causes the wax to get rubbed away, exposing the steel underneath. Regardless of brand, if you want to prevent frame rust, you can’t wait until 10 years later to start protecting it. A Toyota will rust in half in less time than that.
Come on, before you do that again sell the piece of junk, refer to Consumer Reports and buy something else.
CR is a joke. They would tell you to buy a Toyota even as engines are having crank bearing failures left and right.
Don’t worry gm won’t fix your truck I have a2012 Silverado that the frame is completely Brock on all four sides and they said it wast in the spectrum fix .I think it’s all a hocks hope everyone has better luck than I did .ps gm sucks
I’m a fleet manager of gm vechiles. I love gm but that frame coating is garbage. It doesn’t stand a chance to time and conditions. It does more harm then good, like it got stated. I wish they would change it. Ford is lots ahead on that frame
My 1949 five window 3100 has rust on the frame too is that covered?
Formet a division of Magna in st Thomas Ontario builds the frames and wax coats them…. something tells me the wax ingredients has changed because the wax was previously a self healing wax that never hardened or peeled… things change…$$$$$
Rather than fix these petty things, how about addressing the 6L-80 and 6L-90 torque converter issues that are causing GM owners to fork out $3500+ for a rebuild!!!
The trans cooler bypass thermostat TSB is where you find your fix. Turns out 195F is too hot for the torque converter. Who would have thought! Oh wait guys were doing the flip mod years ago to stop the TCC problems. Now GM has a thermostat part that keeps trans temps at 160F. People should also change their fluid more often.
Speaking with the dealer,if your vehicle is out of warranty the cost of the procedure is out of pocket,not covered by GM
Hey Mike – we got the same response from GM corporate – what a load of crap. Terrible customer service. There should be a class action – if they knew it was defective parts used, they should replace it. But what do I know. All I know is never to buy Chevy ever again – and I will be spreading the word. Husband out looking for a toyota rn.
I’ll never buy another GM vehicle there junk I had a 2014 Silverado that would shake all over going down the e way lost my but on that picked up a 2017 had the coating issue then the transmission blew up that they know they have an issue with Costed me $6000 still have issues with the truck then 1 year Later my wife’s engine in our buick blew up that’s over $9000 for a used one putting it in and GM only offered about $1000 off on repairs never buy a GM there Garbage and don’t stand behind there Product because they know what there selling.
Too bad it’s just the frame, for a second I was happy, but after I read what the frame is, I have a 2011 Silverado Lt and I was going 35mph on the street and I heard like I hit a bird with the windshield, because I looked at something similar in the rearview mirror and when I got home it turned out that it was the paint on the roof.🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴
2012 gmc cargo van peels like everywhere they have issues with there paint vendors paint shouldn’t peel like that it’s like there missing something in there paint recipes and metal preparation
What about my Escalade EXT, same as Avalanche
None of this does much to stop a frame from rusting from the inside out. Since GM switched from C- channel to boxed frames to increase stiffness, the frames have become traps for sand, salt, and moisture. You can do whatever you want to make the frame look pretty, but the cancer that will kill you starts from the inside.
Goes back further than 2011. It started on the 07s
So, I live in Detroit and we have winters, and salt. The question I have who pays for the frame repairs?
Gm should stand up and at least do a partial payment or take the full cost of repairs.
They should back date this issue. My 07 Yukon that I maintain religiously frame is shot. I’ve got an 07 Yukon with a brand new engine, new 3 inch lift front 2 inch rear. Replaced and up graded brakes with slotted rotors and ceramic brake pads. New drive axles hubs upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tierod ends, new shocks and struts. To find out my frame is shot. So I’ve got a decent body new engine and new suspension with a junk frame. Now what? I can’t afford $80,000 to buy a new one and a car won’t do for my needs, now what?
My mom bought a 2012 1500 ltz in Ohio (rust belt), took it back to wv, and it wouldn’t pass inspection due to the rust and compromised frame integrity.
Lesson learned there
I have a 2010 Silverado with major rust on the frame and it always disturbed me until I saw this bulletin. How can I find out if my truck is covered? Where can I email or go to?
Apparently GM is not claiming any responsibility for the defect as it was a third party part. I read on this site that a Bulletin is not a Recall. How disturbing is that!! To reiterate another post on this site – We are never buying a GM or Chevy vehicle again! What a way to lose customers. Terrible outrageous customer service.
Get a toyota next time they fixed there problem instead of blaming someone else