My rear tail gate is getting buckled each side of the bowtie. I notice the same problem on a number of other HHRs. Is there a fix or is it bad engineering?

 

The dent's are caused by people using it to push the hatch closed. It's more like a cosmetic piece - a "beauty bar - that holds the license plate lighting & the hatch release touch switch. Not intended for nor sturdy enough for use as a push bar. I wish GM would place a notice in the manual to that effect.

 

I even use car to shut mine with the plate and someone still shut mine and dented one side.

I took it to my paintless dent removal guy and he got it out.

Note my dent guy said the HHR and Chrysler minivans all do this as well as some other import models. THis is not just a Chevy thing.

There is no fix just a need to not use the bar like he said.

 

Mine is the same way.....at some point will take the inside cover out and do a little paintless dent removal myself.

 

Use the recess in the lower gate trim panel to pull it down or if that's too awkward,place your hand(s) at the bottom edge of the gate and push down there.

 

I looked at it I can't see how to get to it, Even with trim off

 

Not too easy to get access...

 

The best way is to drill a hole in the side and the tool gets better leverage to the spot.

I had mine off and it is just not in a good place to get to it. My dent guy is the best one I have ever seen but they need good leverage to work it out.

 

I always use the oval handhole that the GM engineers put on the bottom of the gate.

A good pull downward and you don't have to beat up the sheetmetal by pushing on it when the gate is down, but not latched.

As an engineer, I always "think" too much, even when I'm not thinking. Most often it gets me into trouble (the big things), but sometimes it pays off (the little things like closing the hatch on my HHR).

 

I read someone else who posted about this right after I bought mine. I got in the habit of using the grab hole in the bottom of the tailgate panel, then I put a little pressure on the license plate as it closes to keep it moving down until it latches. As long as it has some momentum, it will latch easily without much additional pushing required.