Just a quick update on my handle-I threaded a piece of string around the broken handle so I could open the door without rolling down the window and using the outside handle (or begging a pedestrian to let me out of my car). My dealer noticed that my car was over 2 years past warranty, but since the handle was replaced already one time, we worked out a deal. Normally I fix things myself, but they said if I paid the service to replace it, they would cover the cost. They estimated it at 1 hour, for a total of $108. Since my armrest was also broken, it seemed like a good deal. When I got there, I had already removed all bolts and electrical connections, so it took them less time-only 1/2 hour for a cost of $54. It gets even better-my former boss happened to be there, so I got to hang out with him for a while. Plus, since I am friendly with the service manager, parts guy (sold me my race car), and mechanics, it is always nice to spend a little time BS'ing with them.

I am lucky to have a good Chevy dealer less than 10 minutes from my house.

 

Dorman 80370 interior doorhandle! approx $60.00 is now available in case this isn't on another thread. Rockauto has them, but they are backordered of course.

 

This whole door handle fiasco sounds alot like the $1200 toilet seats the Pentagon buys. I'm glad I have a diploma in "Ghetto Engineering".

 

For the last time, the toilet seats don't cost $1,200, its the hinges!

 

Your wrong-it's for the Chanel Number Five toilet water because this way their s--t don't stink!

 

Sounds great, except when I checked it was not listed as backordered-just not currently available. They don't say anything about if/when you can buy it.
I wonder if it is made out of metal or the same crappy plastic that keeps breaking. In the other thread, someone wrote that they hardly ever have a passenger yet it broke. And although I am VERY easy on mine, it feels like it is getting ready to break again. Perhaps the weather extremes in NY are partially to blame. It would be interesting to see where the people that have this problem live.

 

I agree, the joke is on us, (the HHR owners who have to pay for the scam price and scam part) What can we do, I still enjoy the vehicle!

 

on another thread that I posted the info for this aftermarket handle, someone else got ahold of the company that is making it (dorman) and they said it isn't available until late february. I found it just moments after it was even given a part # and they didn't even have a picture yet. Rock auto will be selling it soon I hope, and I would guess it is identical to OEM plastic, maybe a little stronger, but probably not, beats 400 for a door panel, though I have seen good deals on ebay for doorpanels for about 100 bucks!

 

But the big picture remains the same-why is GM (Chevy) putting out an inferior product that they know is prone to breaking and not easily replaceable? They should do the right thing, suck it up, and make the handles out of something more durable then have a recall and fix it (they did that with the glove compartment bracket).

 

My driver door interior handle broke yesterday (01/09/2010). After reading these posts and others on the web, I'm going to pull all my door panels and reinforce all of the handles with expoxy and whatever else I can find. Perhaps this will help them withstand the rigors of normal use. Whatcha think??