My SS was hit while it sat in a gas station on 04/02/09. I went to the body shop a few days later. Since then I have gotten nothing but excuses as to why they can't find a rear bumper for my car. My local dealer can't find one either. Anybody know of any issues on these?

 

Not sure why could have been on backorder. GM part number is 25858226 and GM shows to have them in plants

#38-SOUTH WEST BULK CENTER, ST. LOUIS, MO
#37-EAST COAST BULK CENTER, MARTINSBURG, WV
#33-WEST COAST BULK CENTER, FONTANA, CA
#86-RENO, NV
#87-YPSILANTI, MI

 

Are they trying to buy a new or a used cover? Used are probably scarce.

 

an 08 should be replaced with a new one, i think most insurance companies buy new unless the car is over 2 years old

 

Since the 2010's are out, technically it is 2 years old.

 

Insurance companies will often try to push used parts even on newer vehicles if they can get away with it.

I suspect you have not owned you 08 2 years and you should demand timely service and force them to get a new one. They are not that expensice if it is only the cover.

 

Okay now, the OP hasn't stated it is a used bumper they are looking for. I asked if it was and he hasn't posted back yet. Let's not argue this point until we know what they can't get.

 

Who is arguing?

I was just stating what my dealer body shop deals with often. The manager there often fights with some companies wanting used parts on new cars.

His wife works for Nationwise and he claims they were one of the biggest offenders as is Progressive.

My only recomendation is to try to fight it if that is the case. It is what I would do and I would hope my Body Shop would do for me.

Note on my 3 day old SS insurance company recomended some parts to be refurbish on their estimate. The shop went ahead and replace them with new. They could have taken the short cut but did not. I was really lucky to have the tech I did have.

I am very picky but he exceeded my expectations. That is rare today since my standards are in the pain in the butt region.

Infact the SS I got back was better than when I picked it up. The dings from the hood hing bolts were repaired and the hood was lined up better than the factory did.

 

I am not aware that they are trying to use used parts. Remeber, the SS came mid year '08, not really 2 years old yet. The body shop guy is just telling me every 3-4 weeks that they can't get one and that they are on national backorder. Given there appears to be some in my back yard (I live in Fontana) I don't see what the issue is. I will use what I learned here to get answers as to the what they may be trying to foist upon me. Either way, over 6 months and my car hasn't been fixed. Good thing I popped it out so it doesn't look as bad.

 

Well just so you know thats all a bunch of bull****. Last Oct. I cracked my front mount. The dealership told me that the front mount was on national backorder and it may take months. Being in the state of rage that I was in for a I had a brand new car I could no longer drive, amoung dealing with idiots at the dealership, I raised a little bit of hell. Miraculously they ended up having the part in and on my car within two weeks. National backorder eh? Bull ****. I got a dent on the rear bumper of my car too. When I go to get that fixed, if I do, I'll let you know how that goes. As long as GM is producing HHR SS's you should have no problem getting that bumper. Just so you know the dealership can "redflag" a part in which GM will pull one off the assembly line for you. Thats how I got my front mount. And if the dealership says they cant, raise hell till they will or go find a dealership who wants your business. ( GM as a company is in no state to say that they cant or wont get that part. They need you as a happy present customer and a future customer. Remember that. )