[ChevyCruzr]

I recently purchased a pre-owned 2018 Chevy Cruze Premiere RS sedan. When looking at the car I found there was some water in the spare tire well. I didn’t think much about it and thought maybe they shampooed the carpet and got it really wet. The dealer I bought it from said they would look for any leak points and investigate. So they spent a week and finally found the leak point. The rear spoiler wasn’t sealed properly. The dealer fixed the spoiler and said the car was good to go.

Unfortunately, when the car was delivered the other day (driven about 2 hours in rain) the spare tire well had about a quarter inch of water in it. Clearly the issue wasn’t the spoiler. When investigating I felt some wet spots on the left side of the trunk close to the tail light and spoiler area. The dealer is coming back to pick it up and work on it soon. It’s concerning because of rust and mold, but also because the battery is behind the rear seats in the trunk. Fortunately this Cruze is still under warranty and has only 7,000 miles on it.

Has anyone else had this issue with a 2018 Chevy Cruze sedan? I know there were recalls on the 2016-2017 Cruzes for an issue with the tail lights.

Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated. I would hate for a trunk leak to turn into a battle with the dealer and GM.

 

[WillL84]

It might be related to the recall if it was a late '17 build using '17 parts. Should be easy enough for the dealer to look at and figure out if it is recall-related

 

[ChevyCruzr]

It might be related to the recall if it was a late '17 build using '17 parts. Should be easy enough for the dealer to look at and figure out if it is recall-related

Okay, the dealer picked the car up today and they are going to investigate further. They are ordering a new spoiler and installing it this week. I will call them and mention your suggestion of the potential use of '17 parts. It's a great car, but this issue just needs resolved.

Thanks!

 

[Fireworks234]

Okay, the dealer picked the car up today and they are going to investigate further. They are ordering a new spoiler and installing it this week. I will call them and mention your suggestion of the potential use of '17 parts. It's a great car, but this issue just needs resolved.

Thanks!

The problem on the '16 an '17's was the 3rd brake light wouldn't stay tight and would leak all the way down to the battery compartment.

 

[ChevyCruzr]

The problem on the '16 an '17's was the 3rd brake light wouldn't stay tight and would leak all the way down to the battery compartment.

Does my 2018 Chevy Cruze Premiere RS sedan have a third brake light? It's a good possibility that '17 parts were used in the making of my Cruze as mentioned above. The water hasn't been in the battery compartment yet and has collected in the spare tire well.

 

[snowwy66]

All vehicles should have 3rd brake lights these days. Been that way for couple of decades now. Even my 94 grand am had one.

You can't miss it. It's seen through the rear windshield on most cars.

 

[Fireworks234]

Does my 2018 Chevy Cruze Premiere RS sedan have a third brake light? It's a good possibility that '17 parts were used in the making of my Cruze as mentioned above. The water hasn't been in the battery compartment yet and has collected in the spare tire well.

If you look out, it is at the top of the back windshield. You can go out and see if it's loose as that would be an immediate indication that is likely the issue. Or another issue I've heard of is them being overtightened from the factory and they will crack on the edges. Another clear indication that is probably where the water is coming in through.

 

[ChevyCruzr]

If you look out, it is at the top of the back windshield. You can go out and see if it's loose as that would be an immediate indication that is likely the issue. Or another issue I've heard of is them being overtightened from the factory and they will crack on the edges. Another clear indication that is probably where the water is coming in through.

Okay, thank you! I will suggest this as a potential point of entrance for the water to the dealership.

 

[Slaw0042]

Mine was doing the same thing it was the outermost guide pins on the spoiler leaking.

 

[ChevyCruzr]

Mine was doing the same thing it was the outermost guide pins on the spoiler leaking.

Thank you for the insight! I suggested this to the dealership and they said they found a leak around the spoiler. They are ordering a new one and replacing it. Since your spoiler has been fixed has it leaked anymore? Also, what was done to fix your spoiler?

 

[ChevyCruzr]

All vehicles should have 3rd brake lights these days. Been that way for couple of decades now. Even my 94 grand am had one.

You can't miss it. It's seen through the rear windshield on most cars.

Okay, it's one of those things that I overlooked because they're so common. Thanks for the input!

 

[Slaw0042]

I took the spoiler off myself and just covered the underside in sealant. Haven't had an issue yet. If it leaks again I'm just going to remove it and have the holes patched.

 

[ChevyCruzr]

I took the spoiler off myself and just covered the underside in sealant. Haven't had an issue yet. If it leaks again I'm just going to remove it and have the holes patched.

Sounds like a fairly simple fix. I'll suggest this to the dealership.

 

[Roxanne]

Get ready for a fight. I took my 2016 RS Premier to the dealer and told them I had 2" of water in spare tire area last week, which I cleaned up. They had it all day and said they couldn't find anything after "running a hose on it". Really? I suggested, before I went in, that they check out this blog, but apparently they didn't. I get tired of telling them how to do their jobs. They said to bring it back when there is water again. Why? So they can look at the water and wonder where it came from? That isn't going to show them anything. Frustrated with the dealer. Maybe going to GM can get some action.

 

[ChevyCruzr]

Get ready for a fight. I took my 2016 RS Premier to the dealer and told them I had 2" of water in spare tire area last week, which I cleaned up. They had it all day and said they couldn't find anything after "running a hose on it". Really? I suggested, before I went in, that they check out this blog, but apparently they didn't. I get tired of telling them how to do their jobs. They said to bring it back when there is water again. Why? So they can look at the water and wonder where it came from? That isn't going to show them anything. Frustrated with the dealer. Maybe going to GM can get some action.

Sounds similar to my problem. My Cruze has been at the dealership now for over a week and they are still investigating. Fortunately, the dealership has found a leak point and is taking a proactive approach to fixing the problem. I've read that the 2016-2017 Cruze's may be involved in a recall regarding water leaking in through the tail lights I believe. There have been a lot of great suggestions in this thread. Share these ideas with the dealership and keep bothering them to fix it. I've been texting and calling all week with the people from my Chevy dealer, as this is a serious problem. Best of luck!

 

[Roxanne]

Sounds similar to my problem. My Cruze has been at the dealership now for over a week and they are still investigating. Fortunately, the dealership has found a leak point and is taking a proactive approach to fixing the problem. I've read that the 2016-2017 Cruze's may be involved in a recall regarding water leaking in through the tail lights I believe. There have been a lot of great suggestions in this thread. Share these ideas with the dealership and keep bothering them to fix it. I've been texting and calling all week with the people from my Chevy dealer, as this is a serious problem. Best of luck!

Thank you for the information. I'm glad you have a good dealership to help you out. I don't give up easily, and have written to GM, too.
Hope they get you fixed up.

 

[LostHighway]

I have a '17 Cruze HB RS that I bought new, car currently is at 22k miles. I have had no issue nor any indication of a leak till two months ago when my CEL came on. The dealership had my car for a few days before they called and said I had a leak that they couldn't find the source of. I end up taking it back another day for a tech to do a more thorough look at, they called and said my trunk pan was rusted. Sure enough, I go check it out and there is rust over all the exposed metal in and around the tire well. Now I'm working with GM on a buyback.

 

[ChevyCruzr]

I have a '17 Cruze HB RS that I bought new, car currently is at 22k miles. I have had no issue nor any indication of a leak till two months ago when my CEL came on. The dealership had my car for a few days before they called and said I had a leak that they couldn't find the source of. I end up taking it back another day for a tech to do a more thorough look at, they called and said my trunk pan was rusted. Sure enough, I go check it out and there is rust over all the exposed metal in and around the tire well. Now I'm working with GM on a buyback.

That's a shame. I'm hoping this will be the only problem for awhile with the Cruze I got (probably won't be after reading discussions on here) but I hope the buy back process with GM goes smoothly! I'm interested in hearing how the buy back process is going in case I'm ever in the same boat.

 

[Blasirl]

Date: December 14, 2016

Subject: 16147 - Customer Satisfaction Program
Center High Mount Stop Lamp Water Leak

Models: 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze

To: All General Motors Dealers


General Motors is releasing Customer Satisfaction Program 16147 today. The total number of U.S. vehicles involved is 147,982. Please see the attached bulletin for details.

Customer Letter Mailing
The customer letter mailing will begin the first week of January, 2017.

Attention:

This program is in effect until January 31, 2019.

Make	Model	Model Year	RPO	Description
From	To
Chevrolet	Cruze	2016	2017

Involved vehicles are marked “open” on the Investigate Vehicle History screen in GM Global Warranty Management system. This site should always be checked to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs.

Condition

On certain 2016-2017 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles, the center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) fasteners may back off over time and cause a water leak, allowing water to flow into the rear compartment battery tub. When the battery tub fills with water to a height of 50mm or more, the DC/DC converter module board and connector are exposed to water which may cause corrosion. If water drains below the DC/DC converter, a resistive short may occur on the printed circuit board which could result in an unattended fire when the DC/DC converter is powered.

Correction

Dealers are to inspect for water damage in the battery tub electrical components, and replace the CHSML gaskets and nuts (adding Loctite to the nut).

 

[mumbogray]

Date: December 14, 2016

Subject: 16147 - Customer Satisfaction Program
Center High Mount Stop Lamp Water Leak

Models: 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze

Attention:

This program is in effect until January 31, 2019.

Curious if you have seen the recent TSB for the CHMSL on the Malibu. Seems owners are now getting extended warranties on the part. It is the same part with the same water leak issue as the Cruze, no? If so it would suck that the Cruze was only covered it for ~2 years officially under warranty. Not sure if the Malibu ever got the same "fix" as the Cruze after the 2016-17 model years.

For OP it doesn't sound like the CHMSL. If you have ruled out the spoiler, most likely it is the tail lamps. I had this issue, with water accumulating under my spare tire in the trunk. Got mold as I didn't realize it was happening. I posted pics months ago, if you care to try to find the thread to compare to your car. Dealer replaced both sides lamps under warranty, and the liner under goodwill, and it hasn't happened again in 8+ months. I do check after every big storm lol. @Blasirl mentioned at the time if the battery compartment is dry, its likely not the CHMSL.