Vehicle Alerts

This information is provided as a courtesy for car wash operators to share information in order to enhance the safety of employees and customers. If you have a vehicle alert, let us know. Some alerts reprinted with permission from the International Carwash Association.

General Motors 2007 Full Size SUV Rear Door Outer Belt Sealing Strip
The rear door outer belt sealing strip molding on the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Yukon Denali can come loose. The problem is that there may be a lack of adhesive between the window run channel and the outer belt sealing strip which can contribute to this condition. To correct this condition, General Motors has published Service Bulletin No. 06-08-64-026A to replace the rear door outer belt sealing strip with a new designed part. If the subject condition occurs in your car wash, direct the owner of the vehicle to return to their dealership where a new rear door outer belt sealing strip will be installed at no cost to the owner. (Oct 07)

Toyota Sienna Rear Bumper Update
The International Car Wash Association has received several reports of damage occurring to Toyota Sienna rear bumpers in automatic car washes. Association representatives have spoken to Toyota about this issue, which they have reported to be monitoring. Toyota suggests that if a Sienna rear bumper is damaged in a car wash, have the owner of the vehicle contact the Toyota Motor Sales Executive Office at (310) 468-2442. Toyota has not committed to covering the cost of repairs or replacements at this time, but reporting these incidents could result in a change in that policy. (Sept 07)

GM Full Size SUV High Mount Stop Lamp Housing
General Motors has reported that possible damage might occur to the high mount rear stop lamp housing located above the rear window on certain GM full size SUV’s in a car wash. The vehicles affected are the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and the 2007 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and Yukon Denali models built between September 28, 2006 and November 3, 2006. The attachment of the high mount stop lamp housing has been revised and should not be a problem on vehicles built after November 3. General Motors has notified their dealers advising them that if this damage should occur on the affected vehicles the repair will be covered under the vehicle warranty. (Apr 07)

Karcher Dryer System
Some car wash operators with Karcher automatic car wash dryer systems have experienced problems when the vehicle being serviced has add-on items (e.g. exterior mounted spare tires). Karcher dryer systems are equipped with “photo eyes” that are used to map the shape of vehicles. This maping allows the dryer to follow the surface of standard vehicles at a defined distance, but Karcher has identified some exceptional situations when vehicle contact, and thereby potential damage, can occur. The bulletin from Karcher describes how you can determine if your dryer could contact vehicles incorrectly, and suggestions for modifying the dryer system. Car Wash operators can also request free modification kits from Karcher. For more information, contact your distributor or Karcher directly. (March 07)

General Motors Bulletin for 2007 Full Size SUV Rear Window Wiper
As previously reported, the rear window wiper arm on the 2007 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and the 2007 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and the Yukon Denali can be broken or become inoperative in an automatic car wash. General Motors has responded by issuing Bulletin No. 07-08-43-001 which directs the GM dealership to install an updated rear wiper arm park ramp and replace the rear wiper arm or blade if damaged. If this damage should occur in your car wash, suggest that your customer return to their dealership for the rear wiper repair. Please note, General Motors has not committed to making any free repairs for vehicles out of warranty and has incorporated the new rear wiper correction into production starting the last week of August 2006. (Jan 07)