Brand New GM Full-Size Trucks Sold With Cracked Roof Panels
It’s not uncommon for new vehicles to suffer from various bugs and quality issues, but the recent case involving GM’s full-size pickups is still rather alarming.
In the U.S., the automaker was forced to stop sales and recall some 3,000 units of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra (including 1500, 2500HD and 3500HD models) due to mysterious cracks in the roof panels. Some had already been sold, while others continue to sit in dealer lots somewhere.
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It’s not immediately clear how many trucks, if any, are possibly affected in Canada.
According to a document published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the damage occurs on the passenger side at the roof panel joint underneath the molding.
This clearly looks like a manufacturing defect since the vehicles are still fresh off the assembly line and have not been exposed to the elements or abuse for any significant period of time. And it’s a defect that curiously flew under the radar during quality control checks at the factory.
In a statement sent to Motor1, GM confirmed that the trucks were manufactured with the cracked roof panel, but failed to specify where they came from. One of the plants that build Silverado models is located in Oshawa, Ontario.
But wait, it’s not even the most puzzling thing. GM’s apparent remedy to the problem is to drill holes at each end of the cracks to prevent them from spreading, weld them up and call it a day. Seriously? Imagine paying big bucks for a brand new, supposedly tough pickup and watching some technician perform that kind of work before sending you on your way.
For the record, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 starts at $47,930 in Canada, all fees included, and can top $90,000 for a high-end model before any options are tacked on. GMC equivalents are even more expensive.