Ahhh, just an idea....

But, almost everyone is using the word "problem" with this issue. Does anyone know if it is a problem? Maybe it was designed that way.

Does anyone know if that area of "indentation", "discoloration", etc. is relieved to provide the actual deployment of the airbag upon impact?

Again, don't shoot the messenger.....I'm just offering a thought.

And, I DO NOT and WILL NOT use the ignore feature for anyone. We all are allowed an opinion on a forum.....even "crafty" and "bdubsee" and yes you also, "CH".

 

Snoopy, why I brought this up is because I feel this is a comestic issue/problem. This recantgular marking is due to the design of the cover. The cover is designed with a rectangular bracket on the underside which holds the passenger airbag sending module (or so I've been told by the service techs and by the GM Canada reps.) If the airbag were to deploy that entire cover comes off to expose the airbag. The problem, in my opinion, probably lies within the material and production procedure. I think that the module, when placed in the holder which is part of the cover, generates some sort of stress or heat or something which causes this marking on the exposed side of the cover. This is my opinion but at this point GM will not look into it any further. I'm not a materials engineer nor a production engineer so this is complete speculation on my behalf.

 

Captain, yes this is a fairly inexpensive "econo-wagon." I'm not expecting it to have a standard of finish comparable to the high priced luxury vehicles. But why should we settle for something that is not up to par. A great example of a cheap vehicle with excellent finish and attention to deal is the 2007 Kia Magentis. If you haven't seen one of these it is worth a look. Yes, the Magentis is a completely different type of vehicle. I've compared the fit and finish of both the HHR and the Magentis. Both are roughly the same price. My HHR was around 29,000CAD and a luxury Magentis is around 29,000CAD. Both have leather, sunroofs and lots of goodies. I'm ridiculuously impressed with what Kia has done with that car. Why the Americans can't provide the same level of finish I don't know. The Kia is an extremely well finished and well appointed vehicle, albeit a completely different category of car.

 

That's why I said to some extent. If you feel its a concern you are entitled to do so until it gets to the point of bashing the manufacturer for what a few consider to be an "issue" like "the running board issue" when it is not an issue in the eyes of the auto manufacturer or most owners. Like I said I have previously owned a Sunfire that the airbag cover looked exactly the same as it does on my HHR and both are cheap GM vehicles. The statements about the quality of the vehicle are just how I feel. They weren't directed at you. Sorry if I phrased it that way. It seems like a large majority of the owners on this site are expecting the quality of Bentley for under $25,000. Our vehicles are quite well built and luxurious for a cheap car. I was more concerned about owners who weren't previously involved on either side of the issue jumping on Crafty for voicing his opinion so that's why I posted again to voice my opinion which kind of sides with his. Is it necessary to jump in to a thread just to say you're mean and not add anything to the thread? If the person chooses to be what you consider to be mean or rude is that enough reason to enter a thread just to argue with that person? Doesn't that make you worse than them?

 

EXACTLY!!!

When I called Chevy's 800 # to tell them about the airbag cover - they had no idea there was even an issue. It takes US, THE OWNERS to let them know what's going on and demand that they fix the problem.

The rep at Chevy told me to encourage all my other HHR friends to call and complain as well - they won't do anything until they hear our voices.

P.S. Props to all ya'all with the dash mats - this is my first car that HASN'T needed one and for the price I pay each month on my car payment I want that dash to be looking PERFECT without one!

 

Calgary and BettyS....thanks, I see your point and agree

And, I need to disagree with everyone who state the quality of the HHR should not be to the level of a more expensive vehicle. That is just not true....in regard to quality of a vehicle. Quality SHOULD be at the same level across the manufacturers' vehicle line.......fit, finish, getting from point a to point b without trouble, etc. GM has been attempting to do this for many years and is gradually making progress according to independent and "clinic" surveys.

I think what most people mean....and I do not wish to speak for others....is the quality of a specific amenity. In the case of the HHR.....the quality of fabricl used on the seats is not comparable to that of a Chev. or Buick. The quality of the carpeting is not comparable to that of a Cadillac. The quality of the glass, the quality (or quantity) of the paint, quality of leather, etc. etc. The work...physical labor of installation...should be of an equal standard.

Bottom line is the assembly of any vehicle, should be at the same standard as other vehicles in the manufacturers line. The added "enhancement" installation should be of the same standard as other vehicles. It is the material used for the enhancements that changes between vehicles and greatly determines the cost of the vehicle (particularly, if it is not shared with other vehicles).

As far as the airbag issue.....(which I do not have....could it be because my car is garaged 90% of the time ....heat/sun exposure) I would guess that GM's Quality Assessment people are rating it in the catagory of....Visible Blemish---acceptable....

 

So our $16,000 - $25,000 car should be built to the same quality as a $150,000 luxury car? IMO when you buy from the bottom of the line you shouldn't expect top of the line quality. Maybe I'm wrong in thinking that but I bought a cheap HHR not a fancy Escalade. The same applies to anything I buy in life not just vehicles. If I buy a $500 TV I'm not going to expect it to be the same quatity as a $5000 TV. I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I kind of see what you’re saying Snoopy but I think the quality should only be the same as comparatively priced and similarly built vehicles.

 

This point I agree with you 100% on Captain and this is where I think GM has dropped the ball. At this point I don't think that GM is comparable to other manufacturers who offer cars at the same price point. I have not been or looked at a PT, which is the closest competition. But similar priced vehicles (Kai Magentis, Ford Fusion, Nissan Sentra) have much better quality, in my opinion. Yes, I think that GM has been improving over the last number of years but I think they have a ways to go. GM is my favorite brand of American vehicles and I've always driven GM but when they are unwilling to deal with quality concerns is when I start to get a little worried about them as a company.
Telling me that every HHR they have checked has the same problem, which is very clearly visible, and not wanting to do anything about it does not uphold a very good level of quality. Also in hearing that sunfire's and other vehicles in the past for GM have this same issue makes me wonder why they can't invest a little bit of money into actually looking at this.

 

You know...we are hijacking this thread but,

Quality...as determined and agreed upon by the manufacurers is more like....all 4 of the doors should close with the same amount of force, when closed they should all be the same clearance around the door, body and roof, the hood opening should be even all the way around (as opposed to 1/2 inch gap on one side and a 1/8 inch gap on the other), the trunk should equal. Paint should be applied evenly without "drips" runs or spattering. Vehicle should be "insulated" from rattles, loose fittings, etc. Etc. If I remember correctly, there is 260 different agreed on "points" to rate quality. And, as a whole, the Japanese are still beating us and using the same point system. And, Toyota, across their entire manufacturing line maintain this standard. Again, GM is improving, but still has to many "gaps" between the brands and even within brands (Corvette is an expensive car, but it is notoriously service prone....while Impala is considered "better quality" by several different review companies).

All these things should be accomplished on a $50,000 Caddy or a $20,000 HHR....the pay for a Caddy assembly worker is the same a a Chev. assembly worker. The engineer for Caddy "door fit" is paid the same as the Chev. engineer in a comparable position....at least in the U.S. Shouldn't the standard be the same, for the fit.

Maybe on Cadillac, different metals, different and more paint, insulated fittings, and even (at one time) paying for a smoother shift in the same trans. that is used for the Chev. Pontiac, Buick. But the inherent quality is supposed to be the same and GM is pushing for that.

 

We bought a dashmat for our HHR back in Sept. of last year. They are made with a flap over the pass. air bag and the compartment on top of the dash. I doubt the mat would have any effect on the air bags function since I hear they open with quite some force.
FYI: Bought the Dashmat through the dealer. But most any auto parts store can order one for you. (Then you won't see any lines!!)