2018+ Regal GS TSB: 18-NA-288 Rocker Panel Molding Gap at Rear

[BahamaTodd]

Just a heads up for 2018+ GS owners. I noticed my ground effects had a gap just in front of the rear wheels. Looked it up and there is a service bulletin out for the dealer to fix it.



Service Bulletin 18-NA-288

 

[Katsubento]

I have this on my car. Have to take it in.

 

[Gotboost6]

Took mine in right after I bought it for this for the passenger side, dealer stated they fixed it and it still looks the same. Thanks for the information and looks like I will be taking it back again until it's fixed right.

 

[BahamaTodd]

Make sure they followed the process detailed in the service bulletin. Maybe they didn't.

Mine has been fixed for 2 weeks now and is still good on both sides. Just forgot to post about it at the time.

 

[Gracie615]

Ours was also gapped on the passenger side. Took it back to the dealership about a week after we had it, they kept it for a couple of days, but made the repair, and it looks good.

 

[liuby33]

Had this day one, thought it was just a GM quality thing, lol

 

[TricoatGS]

I had this to about two months ago, mentioned it to service last month on its oil change and they fixed it that day. I think its holding up good.

 

[liuby33]

Took it into the dealer today and they did not find the service bulletin, regardless they re-installed the panels and there's still a gap as big as the OP has shown. It was worse before the fix, to be fair. If it doesn't fall off this time I'll just live with it, otherwise it's another man-hour for the dealer lol

The dealer's service coordinator is nice though, discussed with me about the gap and she said that the gap is due to the adhesive itself. It is a bit ridiculous none-the-less that a body panel like this is secured by what essentially is a piece of tape.

 

[BahamaTodd]

Took it into the dealer today and they did not find the service bulletin, regardless they re-installed the panels and there's still a gap as big as the OP has shown. It was worse before the fix, to be fair. If it doesn't fall off this time I'll just live with it, otherwise it's another man-hour for the dealer lol

The dealer's service coordinator is nice though, discussed with me about the gap and she said that the gap is due to the adhesive itself. It is a bit ridiculous none-the-less that a body panel like this is secured by what essentially is a piece of tape.

With the gap there dirt, water, ice etc is going to get in and it will probably fall off again. Give them the bulletin number. It describes the whole process and type of adhesive required.

Service Bulletin# 18-NA-288
Rocker Panel Molding Gap at Rear - (Sep 21, 2018)

 

[liuby33]

With the gap there dirt, water, ice etc is going to get in and it will probably fall off again. Give them the bulletin number. It describes the whole process and type of adhesive required.

Service Bulletin# 18-NA-288

I gave them the number but they didn't find it. I'm in Canada so it could be possible that the service bulletin is for the US. (Also typical for a dealer to know less than a customer do).

Anyways using adhesive for body panel is just bad design 🙄

 

[Pacer69]

I gave them the number but they didn't find it. I'm in Canada so it could be possible that the service bulletin is for the US. (Also typical for a dealer to know less than a customer do).

Anyways using adhesive for body panel is just bad design 🙄

Odd they wouldn't have it, but not too surprising. Maybe see if you can get a hold of the full thing and give them the actual bulletin with the fix instrux included?

 

[liuby33]

Odd they wouldn't have it, but not too surprising. Maybe see if you can get a hold of the full thing and give them the actual bulletin with the fix instrux included?

Service Coordinator replied to me saying that they've inspected the SB and I'm quoting now: "All they are doing is using urethane to fill the gap. I would wait till you are closer to the end of the warranty to have this done."

While I am not willing to pay and dig the SB info myself, assuming they are correct about it then I'll just take this suggestion unless the side panel falls off again in the near future

 

[BahamaTodd]

I hope you give them the lowest possible rating on the satisfaction survey. Take it to another dealer if you can.

 

[liuby33]

I hope you give them the lowest possible rating on the satisfaction survey. Take it to another dealer if you can.

Thanks for the full documentation, I know it isn't freely available. However I do think it's a fair recommendation given the fact that the "fix" suggested by GM itself is basically using glue to solve a problem as a result of poor design involving tape.

Now I know what the full process is and it kind of solidifies my plan to get it fixed either closer to the end of warranty or when the panel detaches again. Personally, I would prefer tape that may fall off to glue that sticks to the body panel effectively forever, lol

(p.s. I would simply not bother with it if it is a 24-hr process as shown in the doc.)

 

[BahamaTodd]

If they follow the full process correctly it should stay attached for the life of the vehicle.

Using adhesive to attach trim is not poor design. It is very common across the auto industry.

 

[Anaduff]

If what they are going to use is this...

3M™ VHB™ Commercial Vehicle Tape CV45F | 3M United States

www.3m.com

I wouldn't be overly concerned--I believe it's the same stuff they use to hold the badging & trim on for the life of the car.