2008 HHR SS Quality Controll Problems
01-07-2009 | 10:52 PM
#11
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 09-23-2008
Posts: 34
From: St. Charles, MO
First of all, there is no right rear "strut", it's a regular shock absorber, and second, GM doesn't MAKE shock absorbers. In fact, it was probably made by the same vendor(s) that supply everyone else and that one simply made it onto your car. If it didn't fail during the MVSS post-assembly, then it passed final inspection. Can you tell the difference between a shock that's going to last 6k miles versus a 60k unit on an assembly line? Probably not. Sounds like GM and the dealership are stepping up to fix all of the problems with your vehicle, much like they have for just about everyone else.
Sunroofs are a pain in the a$$. I don't know anyone who's owned a domestic or foreign brand that hasn't had some type of sunroof issue. Of course, you also haven't mentioned whether you noticed the noise when you took delivery of the car or sometime later. Again, it's a system that's manufactured by vendor(s) that supply everyone else in the industry. Do you think that vendor reimburses GM when they have to service the sunroof that vendor built? I don't think so!
Free tune because you were inconvenienced by a little noise and a flickering light, all repaired for FREE? Keep dreaming.
Sunroofs are a pain in the a$$. I don't know anyone who's owned a domestic or foreign brand that hasn't had some type of sunroof issue. Of course, you also haven't mentioned whether you noticed the noise when you took delivery of the car or sometime later. Again, it's a system that's manufactured by vendor(s) that supply everyone else in the industry. Do you think that vendor reimburses GM when they have to service the sunroof that vendor built? I don't think so!
Free tune because you were inconvenienced by a little noise and a flickering light, all repaired for FREE? Keep dreaming.
Apparently someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
The "right rear strut" is a direct quote from my service writer, so why assume he is incorrect? This is the third or fourth time (I cant remember at this point) that I have had the sunroof looked at becasue of a screaching noise while in operation, and I am not dogging GM on the rear shock, because I understand they do not manufacture parts such as these, but the fact still remains I dropped nearly 25k on a brand new car and it has spent about 25 percent of its time with me in a service department. The service department has been great to deal with, but I can only asuume there is some issue with quality controll at the point of assembly based not only on my issues, but the issues of several other forum members. And please remember, I am a staunch supporter of the domestic auto industry, I am a GMAC employee, and the free tune remark was said more tounge in cheek than you apparently took it.
Have a great day.
01-07-2009 | 11:25 PM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: 11-27-2007
Posts: 1,115
From: Austin, Texas
..... and second, GM doesn't MAKE shock absorbers. In fact, it was probably made by the same vendor(s) that supply everyone else and that one simply made it onto your car. If it didn't fail during the MVSS post-assembly, then it passed final inspection. Can you tell the difference between a shock that's going to last 6k miles versus a 60k unit on an assembly line? Probably not. Sounds like GM and the dealership are stepping up to fix all of the problems with your vehicle, much like they have for just about everyone else.
Sunroofs are a pain in the a$$. I don't know anyone who's owned a domestic or foreign brand that hasn't had some type of sunroof issue. Of course, you also haven't mentioned whether you noticed the noise when you took delivery of the car or sometime later. Again, it's a system that's manufactured by vendor(s) that supply everyone else in the industry. Do you think that vendor reimburses GM when they have to service the sunroof that vendor built? I don't think so!
Free tune because you were inconvenienced by a little noise and a flickering light, all repaired for FREE? Keep dreaming.
Sunroofs are a pain in the a$$. I don't know anyone who's owned a domestic or foreign brand that hasn't had some type of sunroof issue. Of course, you also haven't mentioned whether you noticed the noise when you took delivery of the car or sometime later. Again, it's a system that's manufactured by vendor(s) that supply everyone else in the industry. Do you think that vendor reimburses GM when they have to service the sunroof that vendor built? I don't think so!
Free tune because you were inconvenienced by a little noise and a flickering light, all repaired for FREE? Keep dreaming.
01-07-2009 | 11:32 PM
#13
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 09-23-2008
Posts: 34
From: St. Charles, MO
Right about sunroofs, my wife's BMW has also had some issues, and a couple of broken parts. Regarding who makes the parts, it is the manufacturer's responsibility to pick qualified suppliers. The customer does not care whether GM made the part or not, they are responsible for delivering a quality product, and that is a reasonable position for a buyer to have (GM IS responsible). I also get frustrated when my suppliers fall short on parts I am responsible for delivering in my business, but I also know the buck stops here.
Big +1 on that! 
01-08-2009 | 12:39 AM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: 05-05-2008
Posts: 128
From: tampa
Nicely put, and I think its great that you haven't had to put up with the nagging quality issues that a lot of us have. I traded in a 2005 GTO with a 6spd for this car, and since my purchase on 7/3/08 it has spend nearly 6 weeks in the shop 
I wonder if I could get GM to throw in a free tune for all my troubles, after all, I even wrote my congressman urging him to vote for the auto maker bail out! 
I wonder if I could get GM to throw in a free tune for all my troubles, after all, I even wrote my congressman urging him to vote for the auto maker bail out!
01-08-2009 | 12:42 AM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: 05-05-2008
Posts: 128
From: tampa
Unfotunetly im sorry to say these cars (mine included have 7 warranty claims) are still apart of the crappy quality generation, cheap interior, thrown together, not well made etc..."rental cars" . Next gen if there is one will be better. But for now this is what you get from gm fo 25k...
01-08-2009 | 05:43 AM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Nicely put, and I think its great that you haven't had to put up with the nagging quality issues that a lot of us have. I traded in a 2005 GTO with a 6spd for this car, and since my purchase on 7/3/08 it has spend nearly 6 weeks in the shop I wonder if I could get GM to throw in a free tune for all my troubles, after all, I even wrote my congressman urging him to vote for the auto maker bail out!
I wonder if I could get GM to throw in a free tune for all my troubles, after all, I even wrote my congressman urging him to vote for the auto maker bail out! I have been lucky. The worst thing I had was gettin run off the road by a guy who turned infront of me. It tore up the front and rear a little but the dealer fixed it and it ws not GM fault. In fact the body man did a heck of a good job. I have seen many dealers do poor work listed here.
As for the brakes, it id not a daily problem and once the repair kits are more available I will take it to get it retro fitted to the latest parts.
I know some have had issues as many have posted here. I feel for Red Wagon on the engine. But on the other hand few people also start threeads and say they have not had issues. Most times folks don't complain if nothings wrong.
01-08-2009 | 09:47 AM
#19
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 09-23-2008
Posts: 34
From: St. Charles, MO
I am glad they were able to fix the brake issue for you. That is what most everone is waiting for and it finally looks to be here.
I have been lucky. The worst thing I had was gettin run off the road by a guy who turned infront of me. It tore up the front and rear a little but the dealer fixed it and it ws not GM fault. In fact the body man did a heck of a good job. I have seen many dealers do poor work listed here.
As for the brakes, it id not a daily problem and once the repair kits are more available I will take it to get it retro fitted to the latest parts.
I know some have had issues as many have posted here. I feel for Red Wagon on the engine. But on the other hand few people also start threeads and say they have not had issues. Most times folks don't complain if nothings wrong.
I have been lucky. The worst thing I had was gettin run off the road by a guy who turned infront of me. It tore up the front and rear a little but the dealer fixed it and it ws not GM fault. In fact the body man did a heck of a good job. I have seen many dealers do poor work listed here.
As for the brakes, it id not a daily problem and once the repair kits are more available I will take it to get it retro fitted to the latest parts.
I know some have had issues as many have posted here. I feel for Red Wagon on the engine. But on the other hand few people also start threeads and say they have not had issues. Most times folks don't complain if nothings wrong.
that is very true, but as someone who doesnt post here very often, are there a lot of people on this forum who are really cranky, or is it just me? It seems like in response to most of my posts I am getting attacked or talked down to, and I am really not appreciating that.
01-08-2009 | 10:26 AM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: 03-28-2008
Posts: 1,115
From: Oshawa
TO: My name is wazy, please give a grain of salt to what hyperv6 says about the SS. I really like mine; however, as have others, it is wrought with brakes issues. The small things/problems that you have are fixable; however, the brake issues-soft peddle upon cold starts, low vacuum, noisy, etc. have plague the car and the Ponitiac Solstice/Saturn Sky for all of 2008 and now 2009. GM has no fix and they are"working on the problem." Just read the SS Forums. Some people, like me are or have taken them to court. Just be sure to read everyones replies to your question, not just hyperv6's. Not wanting to sound saracastic, but hyperv6 sounds like a GM employee, not a real concerned car person. Good luck, Badge 73
