Please, I need your help. I need close-up pictures of the license plate area of a 2009 HHR 1LT (Series) showing the upper right and left indentions of the license plate area which are at a 45 degree angle. I took pictures directly in front of the plate with my cell phone and the indentations do not show up. I should have taken the pictures at an angle.

I have seen two different variations of this area: 1) the area above the license plate is totally flat or 2) slight indentions at a 45 degree angle, like a mitered corner.

I rented a 2009 HHR over the Labor Day weekend and when I returned it, the young girl checking the car in, insisted that I had an accident and bumped into something or someone hit me. They have just told me that the car has been repaired and rented out again.

I can’t believe I’m wrong about those indentations, as both “dents” were exactly at a 45 degree angle, one “dent” was not longer or deeper than the other and no paint was scraped off.

Your help is much appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

Sounds like you might have been pushing on the "beauty bar" when closing the lift gate.

It is a common when closing it in this fashion.

 

Yep it sounds like the usual dents from shutting the lift gate with the boe tie bar.

If you slam it there they are prone to dent in 45 dgree angles on either or both sides .

This is a normal problem on the HHR and many have them. I had several 09 rentals from enterprise with 15,000 miles or less and they had them.

I would fight this if there is no other damage as it is a flaw in the HHR tail gate. A local dealer could also help back this up as I know most have heard of it.

Check this web site and show the rental company that this has been an issue on this web site for a good while and they need to complain to Chevy not you.

Search this here and we have a long thead or threads on this.

 

Thank you, thank you. This information is extremely helpful. I'll be doing more research and supply the info to my insurance company.

 

Go on auto trader and look at used HHRs for sale, many have these dents on the tailgates. There is your evidence.

 

That is an excellent idea. One I hadn't thought of.

 

So... don't shut the gate by pushing on the bowtie. Good thing to know... I have been doing that on mine, I'll grab elsewhere next time.

 

I use the Lic. plate (08 2LT)

 

Does anybody have a picture of these 'dents'? Where do they expect you to put your hands while closing the tail-gate? On the paint?

 

Or you could use the supplied handle built into the bottom of the door.