Anyone on here dealt with the Lemon Law? I have filed all the paperwork, and Bob Steele currently has the HHR for the "final repair attempt".

My question is; should I attain an attorney? I can give more information, and even email you the service records for the entire ordeal if it helps, but here is a quick rundown.

I took delivery of my 2008 HHR SS with 107 miles on it, March 30th 2009. June 4th, I brought it to Bob Steele for the FIRST time to fix the misfiring issue. Since that day, I have brought it in 6 times (including June 4th), including last Tuesday (Nov 3rd, for the "final repair attempt"). Thus far, they have had possession of the vehicle for 27 days. Since I dropped it off last tuesday, I have talked to them 5 times. Each time I call them, or they call me, they keep telling me that they are waiting on the "engineers" to call them back to tell them what to do, so 7 days now and they havent touched the vehicle. Last Monday my dad and step mom went there and talked to the service manager (Randy Copeland), to try and figure out what is happening. Basically, they were told that they "dont know how to fix it".

I simply want my vehicle back so it can happen again and I can get my refund, the problem at this point is that the vehicle has 11,500mi on it, and every mile I put on it is less money GM has to pay me for the vehicle. This is the 6th time it has been to Bob Steele in the last 7,000 miles for misfiring. 27 days = $390 in days that I have paid for but havent had the joy of driving my vehicle. I am afraid I am going to have to get an attorney to get the maximum money back from GM that I can get.

Lastly, here is some quick numbers for you:

Delivery date: March 30, 2009 - 226 days ago
In 226 days, Bob Steele has had the HHR for misfiring 27 days, or 11.946% of the time.

First misfire date: (first time brought to Bob Steele for misfire) June 4th, 2009 - 160 days ago
In 160 days, Bob Steele has had the HHR for misfiring, 27 days, or 16.875% of the time.

Where do I go from here? I have submitted all the paperwork, but I am roadblocked until they give me the car back.

Thus far they have changed 16 valve springs, 2 valves, headgasket, 2 valve retainers, and the #4 spark plug. IDk...

 

Seems like they haven't replaced enough to do a buyback yet. You've still got a new engine and all kinds of modules they could swap out first. I dunno...

And yes, an attorney is probably advisable if you're going that route.

 

Have you spoken with the GM District Manager who handles problems for the Bob Steele Chevrolet, Cocoa Florida, dealership ?

 

Good morning brother. First, I can understand how you feel at this point, and I know it is frustrating. I also agree with what the guys have advised above. A single problem (misfiring) I don't think makes the car a lemon. Many cars are built with a single, annoying, nagging fault. It's the ones where everything is falling off the car that are classified lemons.

Joe UniqueW is a wise man and has given good advice. Go over the heads of those you have been dealing with. Alternately, if one dealership has failed to live up to your needs, don't return. Go to a different dealership. Nothing says it has to be repaired where it was bought (a common misconception).

In my opinion, the HHR SS is a complex little beast with all of the modules, controls, and turbo system. wxman is correct that they simply have not swapped out or searched out enough yet.

My advice is this: A car with one (albeit noticeable) problem is not a big deal. Your dealer not finding it IS a big deal. Direct your displeasure at the service not your car. Use your "feet" and go to a different dealer. Alert the District Manager what you are doing at the same time. Be calm and respectful to the new folks you contact, and I think you'll get it solved. My grandmother used to say "Remember, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar." I hope this helps. God Bless, Marc

 

I did a quick search yesterday and couldnt come up with the district manager's contact information, if anyone has that info on hand that would be great.

if it was simply misfiring, i would deal with it but it is more than that. the misfire causes the engine to violently shake, check engine light flashes, and on 2 occasions i lost boost until they cleared the code. in addition to losing 3mpg (from 24 to just under 21mpg now).

the biggest thing that gets me is, i traded in my 2006 Spec V with 70k on it for this car, and I never had any issues with it. 4,000 miles in and this started happening, not good for me especially when it is my only vehicle.

 

I dropped it off last Tuesday again for misfiring, today is day 8 and they havent even touched the car because "they are waiting for the gm tech's to call them", because the dealer "doesnt know how to fix it". they changed the valves and whatnot during the last visit, where it was there for 17 days.

 

1.) What Marcruger has stated is very prudent.

2.) I spoke with the Service Manager at Bob Steele Chevrolet, he advised calling GM Customer Service (CS) at 1-800-222-1020, suggest asking to speak to a Supervisor at GM CS and explain what has transpired. If I am able to obtain a number for your District Manager I will send you a PM. In the meantime ask to speak with the Bob Steele General Manager and advise that person you want to speak to the District Manager.

3.) Do not understand why they are changing out valves, have you heard back firing out the air intake or the exhaust pipe ?

4.) This is the process one would have expected them to take prior to changing valves https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/cylinder-3-misfires-26592/
Do you know if they tried replacing the coil and injector of the cylinder that is misfiring ?

5.) Have they told you what the diagnostics are indicating ?

6.) Have they provided you with a loaner vehicle while yours is being work on ?

 

2. I take it you spoke with Randy Copeland? I will call the dealership later today, or talk with Randy in person tomorrow, since they just called me and said I should be ready for pickup tomorrow.

3. Sometimes it would backfire out the exhaust, couldnt tell if it was out the intake due to the silencer and everything. hell, it is still backfiring sometimes

4. They have not changed any coils, or injectors yet. They just called and said they are changing the injectors and it will be ready to pick up tomorrow.

5. Diagnostics are showing misfire codes (and 1 time a low voltage code), but aside from the codes, they cannot replicate the problems that the codes are showing.

6. Yes, thus far I have had 3 rentals. A Caliber, a impala (because I complained about the Caliber), and a POS cobalt.

 

I looked at HHRs at Bob Steele and was not impressed with their sales staff. I don't know about there service staff. They may just be thowing fixes at it so they can bill GM for warrenty work. Good luck with the fixes, just keep all your paperwork for the repairs for a future claim.

 

For as much as you have been through, don't give up on pursuing the District Manager (DM).

If the problem continues you may want to bring it to another dealership, seems like Bob Steele covers a large area around Cocoa.

Here is one in Melbourne -
Rosner Chevrolet
800 S. Harbor City Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida

Just called Rosner Chevy, Roger the Service Manager - also advised calling GM Customer Service and register the problem with them 1-800-222-1020 (they will ask for your VIN number), they will be able to bring the District Manager on board.

If the problem seems to be corrected once you pick it up, you may still want to obtain the DM's involvement in the event it returns again.