NHTSA Complaint #11674929 — 2025 BUICK ENVISTA

Vehicle: 2025 Buick Envista Sport Touring Mileage: Under 5,082 miles Issue: Rear side window trim detachment I am reporting a rear window trim detachment that occurred after my 2025 Buick Envista Sport Touring went through a brushless automatic car wash. The driver-side rear window trim completely detached, and the passenger side is now partially detached. The detached piece was found inside the wash tunnel, confirming it came off during the wash. The trim is made of thin black metal and has sharp edges. The remaining trim is at risk of detaching during normal highway use, especially since I live near railroad crossings, and drive in Florida weather conditions including heavy rain, humidity, and heat. Automatic car washes operate at 1,000–1,200 psi, far exceeding any natural wind or rain conditions. This shows that the trim’s adhesive is not strong enough for routine car maintenance, even when used as intended. There was no warning in the owner’s manual advising against automatic car washes. Because the trim is in a blind spot, I cannot monitor it while driving. The dealership told me to retain the loose trim until replacement parts arrive, but that is unrealistic and unsafe. If the trim detaches at highway speed, it could become road debris, potentially hitting another vehicle or causing an accident. I have already reported this issue to the manufacturer, and it is being processed as a warranty repair. However, I was instructed to ensure the loose trim doesn’t fall off, as the dealership is required to return it to Buick. This expectation places unreasonable responsibility on the driver, despite the fact that the part is already failing under normal conditions. This is not cosmetic — it is a safety issue caused by insufficient adhesive or trim design. I respectfully request NHTSA investigate whether this defect warrants a Technical Service Bulletin or recall.