[1999 White C5 Coupe]

I have the same issue with my 2015 Chevrolet Impala LT. I didn't discover the issue until 9 months after purchasing. I didn't have any valid warranties to cover the cost. Yes I have taken it to a few dealerships in central Texas, but they always claim there is no fix or try to charge me thousand of dollars. What exactly needs replacing? What are the recommendations?

Although I highly doubt any dealership would try to charge you thousands of dollars to fix a taillight gasket water leak, here is a link to instructions for the repair: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/SB-10092869-0335.pdf

This information was posted previously. Perhaps you could post a copy of the estimate involving the thousands of dollars to fix the leak?

 

[Micky86]

Actually two dealerships in the area did a quote, first $1,098.23 and the second $1,288.92. Thank for the info.

 

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Actually two dealerships in the area did a quote, first $1,098.23 and the second $1,288.92. Thank for the info.

Replacement of the tail lamp body gaskets are rather straightforward - for anyone with basic mechanical skills. There are YouTube videos that show to to partially remove the rear bumper fascia cover, to remove the tail lamps.

What was itemized on your two dealer quotes? How much labor? What parts?

 

[Cassie]

Hello All, I just purchased a used 2015 LTZ from a Chevy dealer. The car is in great shape and is in "like new condition". When I was purchasing the car I noticed that there was water in the spare tire well. I pointed this out to the dealer and he assured be that he would get it resolved. I left the car at the dealership a couple of days in order for the leak to be fixed and so it could be detailed and serviced (the car was just turned in on lease). I picked the car up and they told me that the leak had been found and resolved. They told me that the seal on the rear windshield had to be redone. I took the car home and have had it a almost two weeks. This weekend I was installing some sound deading mat in the trunk area hoping to reduce some of the rear road noise when I noticed that the carpet was wet on the drivers side. After reading through several post I see where this was a issue on 2014 gen 9's but I haven't seen where any 2015's were affected. This car has only been in the rain once since I have took ownership and the rain was not severe. I took advise from previous threads and closed the trunk and ran water down the back of the windshield, it appears that the water is coming in through the taillight gasket and making its way into the trunk area. I am planning on taking the car back to the dealership and have good faith that they will get it resolved. I would think that this car would have the new style taillight gaskets installed from the factory? Has anyone else had any issues with a 2015 gen 9 leaking in trunk? I always feel better walking into a situation knowing what what others have experience at least I can ask them did they check...... Thanks

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Replacement of the tail lamp body gaskets are rather straightforward - for anyone with basic mechanical skills. There are YouTube videos that show to to partially remove the rear bumper fascia cover, to remove the tail lamps.

What was itemized on your two dealer quotes? How much labor? What parts?

I too, had this same issue with my 2015 Chevy Impala LT. So, I began to problem solve. I called the Chevy dealer first and foremost to ensure there were no open recalls regarding this particular issue. Of course, they said no - so that ended quickly. Next, I began doing research on YouTube. Turns out, the impalas (of many different years) have this issue and it can look differently for each. From rubber seals to gaskets and loose or worn screws/attachments. Dealers and car mechanics are just going to do a process of elimination as well. It’s very likely that if you take it in to get fixed, it will be expensive and the problem could return due to poor diagnosis. Again, it’s a process of elimination and I’m currently working to fix mine even still. Once I have succeeded, I will definitely return and share the knowledge.

 

[impala_14]

I put silicone around the gaskets and lights in that area as it leaked just like before after the dealership fixed. I bought mine used so I wasn't about to waste another day of work. Years now gone by and no leaking.

 

[Wet2015]

I had the same problem with my 2014. I drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the floor of the trunk near the spare tire. No more water in the trunk.

Had 2015ltz since 2016, mostly in garage. Recently notice wet trunk carpet. Found about 4 gallons of water in wheel well. Trunk mats got wet from splashing up on the underside. Seems to be very slow leakage, just accumulated over 4 years. Drilled a few 1/8th inch holes in low spots, dried it out and we'll see how it goes. May neede a CO detector inside the car!

 

[Aggie1]

2015 chevy Impala LTZ trunk leak

I too have this make ans model which was also a returned lease with low miles and nearly new condition. I noticed a weird odor. Upon investigation I found almost 5 inches of water standing in the wheel well. My entire carpets were soaked. We took it to our Chevy dealer because of course I have a 6 yr bumper to bumper extended warranty. They claimed no knowledge of this problem in 2015. Of course the warranty does not cover leaks? WTF?? So they spent 3 hrs tore the entire back end apart, sealed some screw holes and rescrewed them. Well yesterday I looked because i never pt the carpet back and theres 2-3 more inches of water. I will go back as this is a defect and they will fix it under warranty as it appears to be a manufacturing issue. Glad I found your post!
T Graves

Has there been any thought to reaching out to the GM directly?

 

[Cleatus1]

the fix shows 1.3 hrs of time and a $10 gasket
i would print that out and shove it in their faces.

 

[renees28]

I reported water in my trunk to my dealership 2 years ago, Was told it was not covered under my warranty and told to take the car to a leak specialist. Which i couldn't afford. Still has not been fixed. Any chance Chevy will ever fix this issue.

 

[LFX 9C3]

I just bought a used 2014 2LT with the same issue. The area under the spare had almost an inch of standing water to which I'm pretty sure it had been doing that for quite some time and never noticed by the dealer I bought it from or the original owner. I bought both tail light gaskets new from Chevy but haven't had time to install them. That should be a 100% fix for the issue.

 

[LFX 9C3]

I just bought a used 2014 2LT with the same issue. The area under the spare had almost an inch of standing water to which I'm pretty sure it had been doing that for quite some time and never noticed by the dealer I bought it from or the original owner. I bought both tail light gaskets new from Chevy but haven't had time to install them. That should be a 100% fix for the issue.

I finally got around to replacing the taillight gaskets and it has rained here enough to say that the issue is totally fixed! At least in my case.

Be warned, the rear bumper isn't that easy to take off if anybody wants to replace the gaskets on their own.

 

[impaler]

Just found out recently our 15 Impala LT2 has water in the trunk as well. Most all of the water was down in the spare wheel/tire area. Carpet and trim was pretty dry, the insulation near the back seats was a little damp. I pulled out the top mat, top carpet, scuff plate and spare. Got the shop vac out and sucked up the water and then dried with a towel.
Called up the dealer and ordered the gaskets for the taillights 23211647 and 23211648. They were about $20 each. At first they tried to sell me gaskets 84527173 and 84527174. I told them there was a bulletin and the other gaskets were supposed to be thicker to solve the issue. Not sure if the gasket numbers he gave me are thick also or not but don't want to take a chance, just want to do it once and be done. Hopefully that solves the issue. Glad I caught it before it got worse and started stinking.
Gaskets should be in tomorrow. Hopefully that bumper trim is not too hard to pull back, kinda nervous.

 

[impaler]

It rained pretty good a little bit ago so I went out and looked and it is definitely the taillight gaskets leaking. I took a pic the best I could of the left (driver side) taillight and there was water inside the opening between the taillight and the body opening. If you look close you can see it in there. The right side was the same way and I saw a trail of water on both sides coming down.

 

[impaler]

Got er done!

Took about 1.5 hours because I'm slow but it was pretty easy. DO NOT pay the dealer to do this. If you can loosen and tighten screws you can do it. Scariest part was popping out the bumper but it was really easy.
The part of the bumper by the wheel well has a little play when you take out the screws in the wheel well then just gently pull it out and it pops right out. I was surprised how easy it popped off.
Here is a really good video describing the tools needed and exactly what needs to be done

The taillights didn't feel real tight when I went to remove them so that probably had something to do with it as well, who knows but at least they have the new much thicker gaskets on them now.
I cleaned up the nasty taillights and I sprayed some concrobium all over the trunk and trunk carpeting/trim although I still didn't smell any mold, better safe than sorry.
I'll leave the carpet/trim out of the car for a while and check it periodically just to make sure I don't see any more water back there.


The little plastic Christmas tree push in retainers that hold the trunk carpet/trim were screwed up since I didn't use the proper tool to remove them. I asked the dealer how much they were for part # 1605396. He quoted me $4.50 each and said they were normally over $6.00 a piece. Umm nope.😧
So I went to Lowes and found these that worked just fine and the best part they are 83 cents in a pack of 2 (75 cents after military discount) 😂
Hillman Push Fasteners for GM in the Automotive Hardware department at Lowes.com

 

[LFX 9C3]

I had the same issue with my 2014. My taillights were way more loose than they should be which is most likely the main issue, and I'm pretty sure the factory didn't tighten them enough. I'm surprised this was never a recall as bad as the tail lights leak. I had a ton of standing water in the whole area of the spare tire well. I installed the non tsb gaskets and I don't have any issues. I'm glad this is a simple fix!

 

[Angus576]

This should be a class action suit. My 2015 gets water too. Benn that way for 3 years

 

[impaler]

Angus576 have you done anything to try and fix it? If so what have you done that hasn't worked?

 

[JimTech]

This should be a class action suit. My 2015 gets water too. Benn that way for 3 years

Well, at least they don't all have this problem. My 2014 has been high and dry since new. Knock on wood!

 

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Well, at least they don't all have this problem. My 2014 has been high and dry since new. Knock on wood!

Your 2014 may have been repaired or updated with the new gaskets prior to you taking delivery. I bought a new 2014 Impala 2LTZ and a friend that worked at the dealership in the parts department checked the vehicle’s serial number after I bought it. It showed it had been repaired prior to sale as new. He said the dealership had numerous new 2014 Impala models with water leaking into the trunk while parked new on their lot, so their service department would perform the TSB repair on all of the vehicles they received.

 

[impaler]

What I'm wondering is if the new part numbers 84527173 and 84527174 are thicker than the stock ones and replace the ones 23211647 and 23211648 mentioned in that old 2014 TSB. I didn't want to take a chance and find out so I just stuck with the part numbers mentioned in the TSB. I wish I could see them side by side for comparison though.

I can't believe GM found the issue and mentioned new gaskets to solve the issue back in May 2014 but continued to use the same old gaskets as before (as evidenced by Impalas clear up to 2018 I have seen mention of that have the leaking taillight gasket issue). Why on Earth would they do that?
Is it something like this?

GM: Oh we found an issue with the stock taillight gaskets so to fix them from leaking use these new ones.
Owner: Thanks GM for finding the issue and having a fix for it
GM: You're very welcome and thanks for buying and trusting our GM product!
Part suppliers: So should we start shipping you these new gaskets that were found to be a fix?
GM: Hell no, we have a shit load of the stock gaskets in inventory. We'll just use those up on the next 5 or so year models and if someone complains about a trunk leak we'll just order a few of those other gaskets.