I have seen this problem on a few GM cars. Rust on the lower door seams.
That is exactly why I took the dealer option (scam) of the electronic rust inhibitor. The dealer will fix any rust for free.

 

Yeah, my '99 Lumina has rust on the rear door seam bottoms as well, but I figured that is acceptable since the car is almost 11 years old...

 

does anyone know if the waterbase paint makes the rust bubles more common? i know the car is coated before base coat but could that be a cause

 

found it on my tailgate, same place by the license plate. dealer says it is considered maintenance and not covered by warranty until it completely rusts through which of course it never will until the earranty is past.

 

I did an exceptionally thourough wax job today and I discovered bubbling on 3 of my doors! Its a 3 year old car with 27k on it. My '03 Trailblazer did this at around 85k.

Yet, my old '95 Suburban didn't have a single spot of rust on it while I owned it. My dad has it now and it just finally started rusting last year at around 155k. Go figure. Anyway, I'm calling my dealer on Monday and see what they have to say.

 

With the nice weather finally in NE. I did a full cleaning and to my horror I also found rust bubbles on the Drivers door and passengers door. Will visit my dealer this week and point it out as I need a Inspection sticker. The car is just a year old - very upsetting.

 

Well my dad is out putting rustproofing on my grandpa's truck right now, like he did on my HHR...he sprays it up in the drain holes on the doors. The truck is a 2008 Silverado, and has rust bubbles on the edges of the doors in the same place we have them.

These new of cars should not be doing this! Especially when they are washed fairly often in the winter! I could see if you haven't washed it, but even then. I mean my grandpa washes his truck at least once a week all year long, and so do I. It should not be rusting already!

 

I have a feeling the frequent washing may actually help promote the rusting. Every car Ive seen it on, including mine, are well taken care of and washed frequently. Yet I see cars covered in perma-dirt with no rust at the bottoms of the doors.
It looks to me like moisture sits in the seams and attracts dirt, then rots. This wouldnt happen if the seams were sealed correctly, right?
I guess we are expected to blow out the seams with compressed air after every wash.

 

I noticed your entry regarding rust. I live in CT and although winters are probably not as harsh as up farther north, I have not had any paint problems with my 06. I have running boards and I know that they protect the car a bit, I also have a deflection plate on the rear fenders, it may also help. I do wash the car (top and undercarriage) during the winter months after big storms to minimize salt buildup but so far the paint is holding up well(78Kmiles). I like the idea of treating those exposed surfaces as several members have stated, it cannot hurt! I would check your warranty because I too believe that you are covered for "exposed" rust. Good luck.

 

the warantee will run out...i believe an electronic inhibitor is not a scam but the best thing for the long run , as well as pulling the panels and applying rust converter...the hhr body sure looks nice , but is really taco shell crap.