Water Leak In Rear Floor Area – 2011-2015 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

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NHTSA ID Number: 10115111

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIC5458D

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles with water that may be leaking into the vehicle and accumulate in the rear floor pan area on either the left or right side of the vehicle. Technician will need to verify that the plastic water diverter that is sewn into the top is on the “wet-side” of the trim. Technician should also verify the front of the water management bag is properly attached to the body sheet metal panel then inspect the front drains for proper installation. Technician should also verify the presence and proper location of the foam tape on both the left and right side 5 bow brackets. Inspect the area of the vehicle where the folding top frame is fastened in place, if there is no visible seam sealer on the side of the vehicle that has the leak, this may be the cause for the concern.

 


Condition/Concern

Water may leak into the vehicle and accumulate in the rear floor pan area on either the left or right side of the vehicle. This could be caused by any of the following issues described below.  Be sure to read over all possible areas of concern listed below.

 

Recommendation/Instructions

Note: When the water management bag has standing water in it (after a car wash, heavy rain, ice, etc.) you may hear a sloshing noise on acceleration, deceleration, cornering, or braking.  This noise is normal and will go away after a few stops as the water makes its way to the drains.

Everything to the inboard side of the rear quarter glass is considered a dry area; water should not be in the “dry area” (1). Everything to the outboard side of the rear quarter glass is considered the “wet area” (2).  It is acceptable and by design that water is present on the outboard side of the rear quarter glass and in the area of the quarter glass regulator that the front drain spills into.

 

Area of concern #1

The water diverter that is sewn into the canvas top may be on the “dry side” of the vehicle.

With the top in the closed and latched position, have an assistant stand outside of the vehicle and run water over the top of the car. While sitting in the back seat, lift the headliner up in the area behind the quarter window. With the water running, look past the headliner to confirm the water is draining into the water management bag. If the water doesn’t drain into the water management bag verify that the plastic water diverter (1) that is sewn into the top is on the “wet side” of the trim. The two pictures below show this plastic diverter in both the correct and incorrect positions.

 

Area of concern #2

Verify the front of the water management bag is properly attached to the body sheet metal panel. In the photo below, the water bag (1) is correctly positioned and attached to the vehicle’s sheet metal (2) in the LH photo. The RH photo shows the bag where it is not attached (2) to the sheet metal of the vehicle.

 

Area of concern #3

Inspect the front drains for proper installation.  This can be difficult to confirm due to the limited space and limited visibility in this area.  The following picture illustrates a drain that is not fully seated in position.  The front drains are difficult to install and may not be fully seated in the body sheet metal panel.  If the front drains were previously dislodged, it is possible that the drain may have taken set and will not remain in place.  Replace the water management bag ONLY if the drain will not stay in place.  Water management bag replacement can only be performed after removing the top from the vehicle.

Important: It is normal for the quarter glass window to make light contact with this drain when the window is rolled down. Modifications to the upper lip of the drain can be made if cycling the window results in the drain tube being pushed out of the sheet metal.  An opening on the top of the drain tube that resembles th opening on the bottom of the tube can be made for this condition.  The drain will not fall out of the body sheet metal unless the drain is not fully seated.

 

Area of concern #4

Verify the presence and proper location of the foam tape on both the left and right side 5 bow brackets, as shown in the following photograph.

By design, water runs along the folding top and down to the 5 bow and 5 bow brackets. It runs down until it hits the pieces of foam. Once it reaches this foam, it can no longer wick down the brackets and into the vehicle. Instead, the water drips off the brackets, directly into the water bag located directly below these foam pieces. If the foam pieces are damaged or missing, they will need to be replaced. If the foam pieces are still present, an additional layer of foam tape may be added on top of the existing foam pieces. This will make the foam stand taller, preventing water from overcoming the height of the foam. This peel-and-stick foam tape can be purchased at any local home improvement or hardware store.

 

Area of concern #5

Inspect the area of the vehicle where the folding top frame is fastened in place. There may be water leaking into the vehicle between 2 pieces of sheet metal in the quarter panel area. When comparing the body seams on both RH and LH sides of the vehicle, it may be noticed that there is visible seam sealer protruding from the body seams on only one side of the vehicle. If there is no visible seam sealer on the side of the vehicle that has the leak, this may be the cause for the concern. The first photograph below shows the area in question. The second photo shows a close up view of the circled area and the potential leak in the body seam. The LH side of the photo shows a body seam that has not been properly sealed. The RH side of the photo shows a body seam that has been properly sealed.

 


5 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKE MODEL YEAR
CHEVROLET CAMARO 2011-2015

 


1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIC5458D
Date: Nov-2015

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10115111

MC-10115111-9999.pdf 891.347KB

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NHTSA ID Number: 10075723

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIC5458D

Summary

Water may leak into the vehicle and accumulate in the rear floor pan area on either the left or right side of the vehicle. This could be caused by any of the following issues described below. Be sure to read over all possible areas of concern listed below.

 

1 Associated Document

Service Bulletin Document

Bulletin No.: PIC5458D
Date: 10-Nov-2015

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10075723

SB-10075723-2280.pdf 324.183KB

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NHTSA ID Number: 10112669

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIC5458C

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles with water that may be leaking into the vehicle and accumulate in the rear floor pan area on either the left or right side of the vehicle. Technician will need to verify that the plastic water diverter that is sewn into the top is on the “wet-side” of the trim. Technician should also verify the front of the water management bag is properly attached to the body sheet metal panel then inspect the front drains for proper installation. Technician should also verify the presence and proper location of the foam tape on both the left and right side 5 bow brackets. Inspect the area of the vehicle where the folding top frame is fastened in place, if there is no visible seam sealer on the side of the vehicle that has the leak, this may be the cause for the concern.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIC5458C
Date: Dec-2012

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10112669

MC-10112669-9999.pdf 892.361KB

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NHTSA ID Number: 10071895

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIC5458C

Summary

SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIC5458C
Date: December, 2012

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10071895

MC-10071895-3639.pdf 1594.772KB

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3 thoughts on “Water Leak In Rear Floor Area – 2011-2015 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible”

  1. I have a 2013 ZL1 convertible and have paid thousands of dollars to my dealership and I still have water puddles in the rear floorboards by the seatbelt bracket on both sides. Replaced water bag as well as several weather stripping. Still leaks!!!!! Now they don’t want to give me a refund. Going to contact GM and hope they can help me.

    Reply
  2. I purchased a brand new 2013 Chevy Convertible and it leaks and the rear floor board fills up with water. I have taken it to the dealer where I purchased the vehicle with no solution to fix the problem. They said they don’t know why? I also reached out several times to manufacture …there is a report I’m sure! I’m very frustrated that I bought my dream car and it stinks 🙁
    I really thought Chevy had more integrity than this… Very disappointed

    Reply
    • I currently own a 2012 Chevy camero and I have been experiencing the same exact problem. Mine is on the drivers side behind the front seat in the floor board. It stays soaking wet all of the time. Regardless of rain, sleet, snow or anything else that may cause it to be wet from the outside. I too have asked the dealership with no answer! It is very frustrating to have paid thousands of dollars for this vehicle and then have to turn around and pay who knows what to have the floor leak problem solved/fixed and then possibly have to replace the carpet from the stinch of mold!! Not a happy camper!!

      Reply

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