2025 front bumper very small gap

[nomech]

The other day I noticed that the front passenger side bumper is slightly popping out. I can push it in and it goes back in place, but over the span of 12 hours it pushes back out.

Purchased brand new, didn't notice it until yesterday and I've washed the vehicle plenty of times where I would have noticed it by now, meaning, this is a new issue and was not present when I bought the vehicle (it's been about 3 months since I've purchased).

I don't have a pic right now, I'm going to see if anything obvious stands out by maybe looking under the hood, but I don't think I can see that part.

I have included a stock image with the area that I'm referring to where the gap is located.

https://imgur.com/fO4IMm2

Edit- I just saw part of a youtube video that shows that area is accessible if you remove some screws from the wheel well cover. I'll start there and see it something came loose.

 

[2024 White Tahoe]

The other day I noticed that the front passenger side bumper is slightly popping out. I can push it in and it goes back in place, but over the span of 12 hours it pushes back out.

Purchased brand new, didn't notice it until yesterday and I've washed the vehicle plenty of times where I would have noticed it by now, meaning, this is a new issue and was not present when I bought the vehicle (it's been about 3 months since I've purchased).

I don't have a pic right now, I'm going to see if anything obvious stands out by maybe looking under the hood, but I don't think I can see that part.

I have included a stock image with the area that I'm referring to where the gap is located.

https://imgur.com/fO4IMm2

Edit- I just saw part of a youtube video that shows that area is accessible if you remove some screws from the wheel well cover. I'll start there and see it something came loose.

Since the area defect was not apparent when you washed the vehicle, is it possible someone bumped your fascia, causing it to be misaligned?

About a month ago, I removed the front fascia on my wife’s 2014 Impala 2LTZ (purchased news) to replace the original headlamp assemblies with new GM ones.

In addition to four torx screws in the fiber fender liner, there was one hex-head bolt that was mounted vertically through the fascia and into the metal fender. There was also one 10 mm bolt mounted horizontally, from rear to front, connecting the top corner of the fascia to the metal fender (on the inside lip of the metal fender, with the hood open).

The fascia had several tabs that fit into slots in the metal fender, which kept it lined up and flush.

The bumper cover (fascia) on your vehicle is probably mounted very similar on your vehicle.

Perhaps loosen the fasteners (do not remove) and see if you can adjust the fascia mounting, so it will be flush like the other side.

On my Impala, there was some “wiggle room” to adjust the fit so it looked great. Having a helper to maintain alignment while I tightened the fasteners worked well.

The other option is to return the vehicle for repair under the new vehicle warranty?

 

[nomech]

Since the area defect was not apparent when you washed the vehicle, is it possible someone bumped your fascia, causing it to be misaligned?

About a month ago, I removed the front fascia on my wife’s 2014 Impala 2LTZ (purchased news) to replace the original headlamp assemblies with new GM ones.

In addition to four torx screws in the fiber fender liner, there was one hex-head bolt that was mounted vertically through the fascia and into the metal fender. There was also one 10 mm bolt mounted horizontally, from rear to front, connecting the top corner of the fascia to the metal fender (on the inside lip of the metal fender, with the hood open).

The fascia had several tabs that fit into slots in the metal fender, which kept it lined up and flush.

The bumper cover (fascia) on your vehicle is probably mounted very similar on your vehicle.

Perhaps loosen the fasteners (do not remove) and see if you can adjust the fascia mounting, so it will be flush like the other side.

On my Impala, there was some “wiggle room” to adjust the fit so it looked great. Having a helper to maintain alignment while I tightened the fasteners worked well.

The other option is to return the vehicle for repair under the new vehicle warranty?

If it was bumped I don't see any damage. I plan on washing it this weekend and i'll take a closer look.

I really don't want to dig into this on my own, it is new and i'd rather take it to the dealer and have them look at it, but I want to make sure it isn't something obvious, like a loose fastener/clip that wasn't properly tightened from the factory. I'm willing to take off some screws to get behind the wheel well cover for a closer look. If it isn't obvious, then I'll bring it up when I take it in for the next oil change.

The mis-aligned panel (bump) stood out to me as I walked over to the passenger side to put something in the rear passenger side of the vehicle, I would have noticed this if it were like this from day 1, which I know it wasn't. I also have pictures and video of the vehicle on day 1. The good news is that it only sticks out about 1/4 of an inch, it doesn't continue to separate and create a bigger gap, but something is either not holding it in place properly or a slight mis-alignment is causing pressure and the pressure is making it pop out that small amount.

 

[nomech]

I removed as much of the wheel liner as I could while leaving the wheel on and turned in all the way and there is too much stuff in the way of where the panels line up.

Unfortunately I'll have to have the dealer look into this if I want to have the gap corrected.

There is nothing that indicates the bumper was bumped, etc. to cause the gap.

It goes back into place w/o any issues, but does pop back out after some time.

Edit- I took another look, I never thought to check from the engine bay, first, but there is a big area in the front passenger side where I can reach my hand and touch that panel from the inside, I can easily push out on it and see the gap expand. I can't spend any time, today, to look at it in greater detail, but I'd like to look at it when I have more time with some more light shining on the inside of that void so I can see how the connection is made.

 

[JayceeP]

Post a pic. Is it possible someone bumped or leaned into it as opposed to something like a car hitting it?

 

[Doubeleive]

I removed as much of the wheel liner as I could while leaving the wheel on and turned in all the way and there is too much stuff in the way of where the panels line up.

Unfortunately I'll have to have the dealer look into this if I want to have the gap corrected.

There is nothing that indicates the bumper was bumped, etc. to cause the gap.

It goes back into place w/o any issues, but does pop back out after some time.

Edit- I took another look, I never thought to check from the engine bay, first, but there is a big area in the front passenger side where I can reach my hand and touch that panel from the inside, I can easily push out on it and see the gap expand. I can't spend any time, today, to look at it in greater detail, but I'd like to look at it when I have more time with some more light shining on the inside of that void so I can see how the connection is made.

it's most likely just a clip that goes in a slot, if you look in there you might be able to just put a zip tie on it, which is probably what the dealer would do if not just replace the whole thing in typical gm fashion.

 

[nomech]

Post a pic. Is it possible someone bumped or leaned into it as opposed to something like a car hitting it?

I don't see any damage.

 

[nomech]

it's most likely just a clip that goes in a slot, if you look in there you might be able to just put a zip tie on it, which is probably what the dealer would do if not just replace the whole thing in typical gm fashion.

I still haven't had a chance to spend more time looking at this, but I would like to try sometime this week or this coming up weekend. I'm really hoping it is something that simple. I will try to take a pic tomorrow to upload.

If it is a clip, I'm not sure how to get it to stay, it doesn't feel like it is a clip unless the clip popped out and that's why the bumper has nothing to snap/clip in to. As stated, I can push it back in and it stays, but over time it just pops out. It almost seems as some pressure it the cause of it popping out.

 

[PG01]

Typically there is a plastic bracket bolted to the fender and the bumper has holes to ‘grab’ the plastic piece bolted to the fender. Do you park in the sun? Hot area of the country? Bumper may not have been fully pushed and the sun is giving the plastic enough give to let loose. Sometimes even a light tap to the bumper from another car will break misalign the bumper not allowing it to grab. I give the bumpers a firm hit with the heel of my open hand to get them to ‘grab’
Kinda looks similar to this image i took off google…disregard red and blue circles… this just an example of how the bumper holds to the fender

 

[nomech]

Yes, that is exactly where it is not lining up and popping out and yes it is parked in the sun all day when I'm at work. However, I park in a garage at night and if I push the piece in at night the next morning it is slightly popped out.

Edit- Just to confirm, I have not noticed any type of mark to indicate that it was bumped/hit/etc.