NHTSA Complaint #11362544 — 2012 CADILLAC SRX

AFTER A HEAVY STORM, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, BUT NOTHING IN THE CAR WOULD RESPOND TO THE KEY FOB OR PUSH TO START. AFTER JUMPING THE BATTERY, WE WERE ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WERE ERRATICALLY SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING. THE GAUGES AND SYSTEM LIGHTS KEPT BLINKING AND TURNING OFF. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE, SO I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THERE WAS A MUSTY SMELL WHICH PROVOKED ME TO SEARCH FOR WATER INTRUSION. THE FRONT FLOORBOARDS WERE SOAKING WET. I COULDN'T GET THE LIFTGATE OPEN, SO I CLIMBED INTO THE REAR AREA AND FOUND COMPARTMENTS THAT HAD STANDING WATER. THE REAR CARPETS WERE ALSO WET. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE STORM CAUSED DEBRI TO CLOG THE SUNROOF DRAINS CAUSING THE OVERFLOW PANS TO POUR INTO THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE LIFTGATE MODULE TO INITIATE A PERPETUAL SIGNAL TO THE BATTERY CAUSING IT TO DIE. I ALSO HAD WATER AND FOGGING BUILT UP IN THE HEADLIGHT COVERS REDUCING THE LAMP OUTPUT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON DESIGN FLAW THAT GM REFUSES TO ADMIT OR EVEN COVER REPAIRS BEYOND THE INITIAL MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING BECAUSE I'M SURE THE ISSUE WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN THERE'S A RAIN DOWNPOUR, AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE WATER CORRODES THE LIFTGATE MODULE OR OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. WATER AVOIDANCE IS NOT AN OPTION. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD OWN THIS PROBLEM THEY CREATED AND PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE.