Tough call.

It's a judgement call for the dealer doing the repair. Is the dealer doing the repair the same one you bought it from? It "can" make a difference.

It does look like the clip for the trim is what made the pinch marks in the drain line.

Pay the bill and get the work done. Contact GM directly afterwords. They may offer a good will adjustment and reimburse you.

 

I got the vehicle from a different dealership. This dealership had a markup. I brought it for the warranty work since it is closest to home.

 

@jasonlau006
From the pics you posted, it appears that the hose was stuck under the trim where it goes inside that "hole". You can clearly see the indentation on the hose. I bet it will match the underside of the trip.

If the dashcam wire had caused it, you would see a different kind of indentation. Was wire on the left or right side of the trim?

The dealer is probably pissed that you did not buy the car from them with their markup.

 

@jasonlau006From the pics you posted, it appears that the hose was stuck under the trim where it goes inside that "hole". You can clearly see the indentation on the hose. I bet it will match the underside of the trip.

The customer could have removed the trim during installation. However, most likely it was during manufacture and I would fight it.

 

I agree it is a possibility. But, OP said he just pushed the wires behind the trim....

Looks like even their diagnostic fee has a markup! LOL

 

Looks like even their diagnostic fee has a markup! LOL

Not really-

Having worked at a dealer for 24 years, here is how it used to work-

Vehicle would have gone to one of 3 guys in the "body & trim specialty area. Vehicle has customer complaint of "water leak near A pillar or on floor, drivers area"

Tech has to find keys to vehicle. Tech needs to locate vehicle out in back lot. Tech need to see if floor or area is wet. Now, tech needs to find out where water leak is coming from.

Tech now needs to find garden hose in shop. It's out back since the lot guy was cleaning the driveway. End of garden hose has been run over so now tech needs to have parts dept order a new end. Finally gets hose working. Tech needs to find helper or another tech to spray vehicle with water while he sits inside and looks for leak. Tech needs to dissemble trim & toe panels to see if he can find leak. Still can't find it. Asks helper to spray windshield, cowl. front wheel well, sunroof.

Ahhh, haaa! see some water coming down A pillar. Begin removing more trim pieces. Locate possible problem area. Go find another helper and have them spray water to verify.

Tech has 2-3 hours into the vehicle. Not including the other technician who helped (sprayed water) for a half hour or more for free.

Now, back in the 70's-mid 90's, warranty paid real good. Tech could get his 2 hrs warranty and additional 1.0 OLH and make his 3 hours.

Fast forward to today.

GM pays a whopping .2 - .3 (thats 12-18 minutes) to find the vehicle and bring it inside, verify the complaint, locate (diagnose) the problem, repair the problem and then verify the repair. OH!!! Dont forget to perform a 27 point inspection. All for 12-18 minutes.

Labor rate in CA is probably $200 an hour posted at the front desk. Mechanic, if he is lucky gets $27-35 of that $200 an hour. Mechanic just made about $10 for 3 hours work.
Flipping burgers pays better.

That's why they wanted to change it to customer pay and get the 2-3 hours labor.

 

You forgot. We have to pay for the water that was used to check for leaks as well. 😃

 

We're no longer in a drought so water should be cheaper now

 

Gosh that sounds crazy! Back when I had a Mercedes the tech told me warranty work was at a fixed rate except for diagnosis. Mercedes paid the local dealer for as many hours as it takes. They loved doing warranty work and it was really satisfying to get your car fixed. But when the warranty ran out.... ouch!

 

So aside from the motives of the dealership, what's the best action I should take? Pay them $500 for the diagnostic? Complain to corporate? BBB?

 

My vote is complain to corporate.

 

Contact GM Tuesday morning. They are probably closed Monday.

Don't complain. Just state facts. Its pretty obvious in the picture. Let them know you also talked to your selling dealer.

Explain your case and show them the picture. The kinks in the drain tube right by where the clip that holds the trim piece on should be pretty self evident.

You might even ask the service manager at your selling dealer to call GM and help you out. Don't ask him to call the servicing dealer. . . . have them help you out directly at GM.

 

GM phone number-
1-866-636-2273

They are open until 9:00 PM EST on a Saturday

 

I currently work at Chevrolet dealer and agree that looks like a pillar trim install damage. Contact GM and let them know what happened, most likely help you out. We see lots of drain plugging on sunroofs, usually full of fine dust from dry times of year. Good luck. See enough problems with sunroofs that i wont purchase vehicle with one

 

My other vehicle with a sunroof just had a clogged drain I had to clear. I rarely ever use the sunroof and don't care much for it, but beggars can't be choosers.

 

I got a number from the dealership where I got my car from, called GM (concierge I think) and spoke to someone from the east coast. She said someone from California will call me within 24-48 hours so we'll see.

 

I purchased a 2022 EUV on Sept 2022. Those that are in the SF Bay Area know we have been getting dumped on by a lot of rain. Rainwater started leaking from the A-pillar so I brought it to Stewart Chevy in Colma for a diagnostic thinking it should be covered under warranty.

1st red flag: they stated there was dirt around the moon roof drain holes and insinuated I caused it. Their body language and the tone they were saying it seems to me their intention was to try to find fault. I got the car 4 months ago and opened the moonroof 3-4 times. I told them I have no idea how dirt is collected in the area.

2nd red flag: they saw cables for the dash cam tucked around the headliner and A-pillar and they stated it likely caused the leak before any tests. I am trying to understand how would the cables cause the leak. I've installed dash cams the same way in multiple vehicles that also had moonroofs and never had an issue.

They called me today after diagnosing it and found moonroof drain tube was pinched and they stated it was caused during the install of my dashcam. I told them that is not possible as I use a plastic tool to tuck the wires and there is no way that can pinch the tube. The trim only tucks the cable about 1/4 in behind the liner. They stated I can't prove I didn't cause that pinch and my warranty is void since there were modifications. I would have to pay them $500 for the diagnostic. I told them to send me a photo of it.

I looked at the photo and it looks like it was pinched by a clip during assembly when the trim was installed. The direction of the pinch is also different from where the cables are being tucked in. Once again, they said I can't prove I didn't take out the A-pillar trim. I said you can't prove that I caused the damage. They said it was not leaking when I got the car 4 months ago. I responded of course it wasn't leaking since it didn't start raining until recently. They are not going to cover it under warranty regardless.

What can I do and what should I do? Thoughts? View attachment 51848

Did you sign a repair order and get a copy of that repair order ? What was the dollar amount of that repair order you signed and have the copy of ? You are not liable for anything more than that repair order you signed and have a copy of, unless, you gave further diagnostic time with a dollar amount and a CDL or some other form of legal ID as binding authorization. This is why you always get a copy of anything you sign.
If they don't offer a copy you need to request one every time.

If that RO has a ZERO dollar amount you don't own them a dime and if they try to hold your car, call the local Sherriff to the dealer. They have no legal right to hold your car for anything more than what you signed for or anything authorized after you signed the RO.

I played this game with a dealer and when I threatened to call the CA. B.A.R.,
they changed their tune pretty quick. Most people don't know this and pay anyways.

Don't do that!!

 

Agree with this
Get you car out of that dealer and pay nothing, beyond what you agreed on the Signed Estimate.

Still talk to GM, but by the time they get back to you, you should already have it fixed by the other dealer.
Which will help your case (having a 2nd opinion in your favor).

GM might be willing to compensate you (in some way) for what you paid the ScumBag Dealer.

If they knew how to write up that job, they could've got paid, just fine under warranty.
Not sure how they think it's good business to alienate customers : /
I think it was a bitter smart-ass tech, who wrote it up that way and then the SM had to roll with it.

My friend had warranty PushBack on his CT6 Hybrid and called GM (on my advice).
GM took awhile, but made things good and flagged his car (in the system) as being covered (under warranty) for any future re-occurrences of his issue.

Might feel guilty playing the EV Card, but GM has a lot on the line and wants EV customers happy & loyal.

 

I just wanted to point out that the dashcam wires should probably go behind the airbag.

 

Yep. There were quite a few mistakes made in that installation. Having worked in a body shop, I've seen my fair share of airbag macerators.

 

Be very careful working near airbags. Make sure you disconnect the battery for at least 20 minutes prior to working on the car.

If I were you, I would route the dashcam cable so it stays far away from the airbag so in case it is inflated, the wires do not come in contact with it.

 

Be very careful working near airbags. Make sure you disconnect the battery for at least 20 minutes prior to working on the car.

If I were you, I would route the dashcam cable so it stays far away from the airbag so in case it is inflated, the wires do not come in contact with it.

This might be of use to you. The dashcam sold thru Chevrolet is made by Echomaster the GM part # is 19433432 sold discounted by various GM parts suppliers. I have attached the insruction install manual from Echomaster.

 

So here is the series of events that happened today: the service manager tells me that the tubing got damaged during the routing of the dashcam wires. He agrees it was not necessary for me to remove the pillar trim but he doesn't believe the clip from the trim pinched the tubing. There are no cases of this happening to any other vehicles. I asked if he even took a look at damage as it is pretty self evident. He said he didn't buy will take a look when he has time.

Couple of hours later, GM Corporate contacts me and asked me for some details. The said they will work something out with the dealership if it is not covered by warranty but will find out why it wouldn't be covered. My impression is GM seems a little more customer centric.

A couple more hours past and I get a call from the service manager. He stated the tech misdiagnosed the issue and after he reviewed with the engineer he agrees with my assessment. He stated the service consultant, the one that accused me of causing the damages, was fed incorrect information. I stated everyone makes mistakes but the way I was treated and accused is unacceptable in any customer service industry.

I'm not sure if corporate has anything to do with the outcome. I appreciate everyone's feedback and help and hope y'all enjoyed the rollercoaster ride.

 

So here is the series of events that happened today: the service manager tells me that the tubing got damaged during the routing of the dashcam wires. He agrees it was not necessary for me to remove the pillar trim but he doesn't believe the clip from the trim pinched the tubing. There are no cases of this happening to any other vehicles. I asked if he even took a look at damage as it is pretty self evident. He said he didn't buy will take a look when he has time.

Couple of hours later, GM Corporate contacts me and asked me for some details. The said they will work something out with the dealership if it is not covered by warranty but will find out why it wouldn't be covered. My impression is GM seems a little more customer centric.

A couple more hours past and I get a call from the service manager. He stated the tech misdiagnosed the issue and after he reviewed with the engineer he agrees with my assessment. He stated the service consultant, the one that accused me of causing the damages, was fed incorrect information. I stated everyone makes mistakes but the way I was treated and accused is unacceptable in any customer service industry.

I'm not sure if corporate has

Just make sure you look @Vegas7717 post on how to route your wires.
Corporate has everything to do with it. So what did you sign and did it have a monetary amount ?