GM Addresses Roof Issue in Chevy Colorado to Prevent Dents from Car Washes

      Since the introduction of the third-generation Chevy Colorado in the 2023 model year, some owners have reported flexing and dents in their roofs. Notably, these occurrences happened after going through automatic car washes. The air dryers seem to exert enough force on the roof panels to cause minor dents. This issue has only been observed in trucks without sunroofs, and GM later released a service bulletin providing a solution for customers with warranties. According to GM Authority, the company is now implementing this roof fix during production, enabling future Colorado owners to utilize car washes without concern.

      The Drive reached out to GM for a statement and will update the article once a response is received.

      This issue is often referred to as “oil canning,” which describes the visible waviness of a flat metal panel. It is not a structural concern, as it affects only the sheet metal; Colorados with dented roofs are still safe in rollover accidents. However, the aesthetic impact is undesirable, especially on a brand-new truck. To address the problem in current Colorados with affected roofs, dealers are required to take out the interior headliner and apply five reinforcing patches to the underside of the roof. Additionally, they would install a longitudinal metal strengthening bow to reinforce the entire roof panel and add vibration-dampening material.

      This specific solution is now being applied to new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks before they exit the production line. Any Colorado or Canyon manufactured after February 3 will incorporate this fix. Trucks built prior to this date are eligible for the installation of the fix to avoid further denting, assuming it hasn’t already occurred. If dents have already appeared on older models and repairs to paint or bodywork are necessary, this fix will be implemented first. It remains uncertain whether GM will compensate customers who previously paid for dent repairs themselves before the announcement of the factory fix.

      Additionally, it's unclear how GM will address cases where owners had their roofs repaired but still experienced denting after visiting a car wash. Colorado owners on Reddit have reported that their roofs developed dents again even after dealer repairs. Moreover, some owners have noted that documentation from dealers states that any roof dents occurring after the fix are not covered under warranty, potentially leaving the owners responsible for costs if the issue recurs. However, with the introduction of a factory fix, GM may reconsider its approach regarding the repairs of current owners’ trucks.