Dropped the car at the dealer, guess I'll see what happens. I told them of the problems others have had.

 

I've posted here before and gained lots if information from your forum that I really appreciate. You guys are a wonderful resource!

My HHR is at the dealership for the 4th time to get repaired for its water leaks. It has been there since 1/11/07. My husband talked to the manager of the dealership about getting the car replaced, but they wanted $4,500 cash or to increase my monthly payment by about $75/month!! They said the 07's were higher priced than the 06's. An increase in the price isn't an acceptable alternative. I want the car replaced without additional cost to me.

Today I called the Chevrolet Assistance number that I found in the back of the owner's manual. The number is 800-222-1020. The people I spoke to there were very helpful and sympathetic. They promised me a resolution to the problem in 2 business days and made a commitment to call me back on Thursday between 1 & 3. At the end of my call, the customer service rep asked me what my optimal solution would be. I told her that I want the car replaced with an identical new vehicle that doesn't leak. She asked what my second choice would be and I told her that I hadn't thought about that - I would probably continue to communicate with the lemon law attorney group that I had also contacted if they couldn't replace my car. I told her that I want to resolve the problem through GM's resources, but made it clear that would not be my only alternative.

I'm sorry for everyone who has had the leak-mobile experience. I have had the same leaks pop open multiple times, so I'm not confident that any repair is going to last. This time they have gutted the interior of my car and when I saw it without seats, carpeting and console, I realized that all my wiring has been submerged every time the car was wet!! I think that was the last straw for me.

Take care and I will let you know what I find out. Thanks again for all the knowledge you share on these forums.

 

bn_here_b4.........

Seems like you are going about it the right way. You are, and should be, persistant but polite. If I may, a couple of suggestions.....

Total up the number of days the vehicle has been in the dealer FOR THE LEAKING PROBLEM. Have that number available for the GM people. Remind them of the inconvieneces regarding arranging alternative transportation, etc. (unless the dealer provided a loaner for EVERY repair date).

Remind them you are a working Mom and the vehicle is necessary for transportation to work and to transport your child to school, or whatever.

Remind the GM people that you have been tolerent with the attempts at repairs, but the leak is NOW a serious concern related to reliable transportation and health issues (mention the wet wires, mold etc.)

Be consistant in your demands, but polite (also consider a secondary resolution, but don't reveal that until YOU ARE SURE GM will not yield on a replacement vehicle). Also impress that you wish to resolve your situation rapidly, fairly. But you are prepared to solicite the services of an attorney and your state's Lemon Law. You'll get some babble about this from GM's people and it usually is a posturing.

GM may offer you a replacement with a depreciation for the time you had use of your vehicle...usually xx cents a mile. The GM rep will not mention this because it is in his interest (representing GM) to get the best deal he can for GM. This is a negotiable number.

GM is impressed with people who organize their complaints, and with this, they are more attentive (unfortunate for some people who are not....but that's the way it is).

The 2007 HHR's DID NOT INCREASE IN PRICE $4500. The dealer was scamming you. Go to chevrolet.com and build an HHR similar/same as yours. The retail price will be listed after all the options(if any) are selected.

I would ASK the GM rep. if you could select another dealer for the replacement. You have lost faith in the dealers ability to repair a problem and he mislead you on pricing. That would give credance for your request. At least it would make the dealer "stand up" and listen.


Oh, just thought....GM may guarantee the repair and want to give you an extended warranty for no addition charge, if you agree to keep the car. YOUR Decision.

Good Luck.

 

I eneded up having the ssame problem but on the drivers side. I took it to the dealer where they found a leak in the firewall, drivers side wire harness. They said that they fixed it after 21 days but I found my floor wet again I looked at it and found out that my weather seal around the drivers side doors were not installed properly. I took 10 min. of my time and fixed it. No more leaks now.

 

Mine's leaking again on the driver's side. I'm going to check out the door seals too. NJHHR, is there any telltale signs? or is it the doublesided tape thing as mentioned above?

George

 

Can someone post a pic of the area you are talking about on the seals?

 

The dealer told me there was a leak at the bottom of the windshield and also the passenger door wasn't aligned properly and it might have been coming in there. They didn't actually show me where it was leaking though. I'm hoping the problem was solved.

 

Update to my water issues and complaint to GM.

The dealer had my car for 9 days. The disassembled the ENTIRE interior down to bare metal. I have pictures of the gutted car and the seats dash, console, steering wheel, what have you...sitting all around it. My car filled 2 and 1/2 bays in the garage. I would post the pictures but I don't know how. Will gladly forward by email. The shop put some silver metal that looks like flashing in 3 spots on the firewall and stuck it down with some kind of gray adhesive. They also put caulk or something along the weld lines in the firewall. Then they put it all back together.

I got the car back Friday evening and drove it Saturday. It rained here all day Sunday and most of Sunday night. Monday morning - 1/4" of water standing on top of the carpet in the passenger side front floor. I have pictures of that as well.

Monday afternoon GM denied my request that they replace the car in respect of the state lemon law. The did offer to continue to repair the car and provide free extended warrranty... I already bought the extended warranty when I purchased the car, so this seems pointless. I told them they would need to do better than to offer to give me something I already paid for.

Contacted the lemon law attorney again who told me to take the car back for additional repair, just make sure to fax them all the paperwork. OK to talk to the dealer, but no more direct contact with GM. So, my husband called the service manager and the car is back in the shop and partially disassembled again. It is sitting in the car-wash bay and evidently they have been running water over it to see if they can find the leak.

If you have a serious and reccurring leak problem, document, document, document!! Photograph everything!! GM turned me down yesterday, but today I'm told by the dealer they are "trying to work something out" in light of this repair job's failure. They told my husband the Daytona Blue wasn't available on an '07 and asked what color I would prefer instead.

 

This sounds promising. I have my fingers crossed for you.

 

Gosh, I'm really sorry that you are experiencing so much trouble. That really stinks.

Appears like you're still going through the necessary mechanisms to resolve your issue, IN YOUR FAVOR.....and I'm glad for that. It's just to bad it is so aggrevating.

Hey....just "focused" on your screen name....you might remind your dealer of that .