Update: I got no help from Dealer who I pruchased from. Decided to go to another dealer in town and see if they would help. They said they would repair the paint and give me a discount on the running board 10%. I thought this was a help as Taxes in Ontario are 15%. I thought about this and thought I should go back to GM direct and see what they would do for me. They came back with an offer to pay for the paint and installation of boards and one running board.

I guess I could have held out for more but I think all things considered this is a good deal. Let me know what you guys think. Cost of one running board is approx 300 cdn.

If you bought your HHR in Canada call the 1:800 number before you pay for repairs and running boards.

I called the dealer who offered help and he said he had been contacted by GM and made aware of what was to be done.

Kudo's to the dealer who offered help.

 

Took My HHR in fro the paint repair and runningboards today, I am having the mud flaps installed on my nickel.. Get it back Friday..

Tomarrow.... Hello Columbus Ohio..

 

Wow Tom, it seems like your HHR is in the shop more than you drive it. At least it keeps the milage down.

 

I just got my HHR and it also has the "sandblasting". I am on my way to the dealer also to see what can be done about it. You would think they could come up with a better way then to have us keep coming back to repaint it or buy running boards.... I will also let every one know what the dealer has to say.......

 

Just bought it? Get the running boards - it's the only proven way to correct the problem. Tell your dealer that you feel Chevrolet should design their vehicle to prevent unnecessary road debris from damaging the paint. Almost none of their other vehicles have this problem. The consumer should not be made to pay for the designer's incompentencies. Tell them you want the area repainted AND a set of running boards installed....or the car goes back to them.

 

just got back from talking with the area rep, I gave her and and the owner of the Chevy dealership an education on HHRs...so much so when they put the order in for my running boards he also order them for all the HHRs on his lot that didn't have them! and told the saleman that from now on all HHR to be order must have running boards....he took pix of my damage to show any potental buyer just what will happen if they don't want running boards....anyway she, the area rep, approved to paint the area and install the running boards, and I'm sure Capt. Howdy will be gald to know that I will be paying for the boards at the cost of $450....no labor charges....I did get to chat with the body shop manager and we both agreed that painting the damaged "shields" would be not worth the effort, I told him to remove them (HHRs with running boards from the factory do not come with the "shields") and just clean up the small area at the bottom of the doors where the crease is....

 

How can we all get together on this and call Chevrolet on the carpet?

 

I have no problems paying for the boards, at 1st they quoted me that $525 price and I told them I could buy them for $450 on line....I didn't factor in shipping but that might have been free all I wanted was for GM to fix the damage and put boards on at no cost to me...if I knew I would see that type of damage 4 months ago when I bought the HHR, I would have bought the boards so I have no issues paying for them now....

 

Good job man. That's making it happen! If more people will just stand up to the dealers, things will change in this area. I bought running boards originally, so we have no problems - but I feel for those who skipped boards because they didn't want that look. They should not have to suffer from damage because of a poor design.

Personally, I love the running board look and feel it compliments the HHR's retro style - but I also understand that not every owner feels the same way.

Glad you got it handled! :twothumbs

 

Shh Capt your letting my secret out!!!!

It keeps the airport parking costs down also... Home tomarrow.. Drove a silver LS here.. ehhhh 2.2 .. my opinon.. get the 2.4....