Another missing rocker panel story

[frank29]

I drove up to Chicago a week or so ago. The morning after arriving I was walking across a parking lot towards my car and noticed the passenger side rocker panel was gone.

I think that is kind of wierd: the drive to Chicago was very uneventfull...no evasive manueveors, running over curbs, driving through ditches or anything. And I know the panel was in place before leaving my home because I washed the car.

When I got home, I went to the local dealership. The service manager took care of me (he ordered the part) with no problem. In less than a year, I will be past 36K miles and a future occurence will be on my wallet.

I think there is two possible explantations. One, the design is so weak the panel just fell of at 90 mph. Or, two, I compromised the panel by doing something to damage it sometime in the past and it was barely hanging on and at high speeds it just couldn't take it.

[bruno]

As you know, you're not alone. Type in 'rocker panel' in the search feature and read other stories. At least your dealer is taking care of it just before your warranty expires. Others were not so lucky. Being held on by clips make them susceptible to coming off rather easily. I don't think they are this way on the newer models.

bruno

[tylerdeal]

I hope mine don't fall off, i've noticed while cleaing my car that they do feel pretty loose. keep my fingers crossed.

[chasb]

Originally Posted by frank29

I drove up to Chicago a week or so ago. The morning after arriving I was walking across a parking lot towards my car and noticed the passenger side rocker panel was gone.

I think that is kind of wierd: the drive to Chicago was very uneventfull...no evasive manueveors, running over curbs, driving through ditches or anything. And I know the panel was in place before leaving my home because I washed the car.

When I got home, I went to the local dealership. The service manager took care of me (he ordered the part) with no problem. In less than a year, I will be past 36K miles and a future occurence will be on my wallet.

I think there is two possible explantations. One, the design is so weak the panel just fell of at 90 mph. Or, two, I compromised the panel by doing something to damage it sometime in the past and it was barely hanging on and at high speeds it just couldn't take it.

Same issue. The plastic rivets are weak and don't hold them on properly. It's a warranty item, fortunately.

[Rambit]

Jeez, I haven't heard that complaint in a long time. I thought they fixed it long ago.

Rambit

[frank29]

Originally Posted by Rambit

Jeez, I haven't heard that complaint in a long time. I thought they fixed it long ago.

Rambit

I'd loved to hear details on a fix. If I have a new one just snapped on, I'm afraid it will "disappear" at sometime.

[Ella C SRT]

Do you think someone noticed it loose and took it? It's such a large piece that I'm sure it would have made at least a little noise on the way down.

<bitter mode>
I, for one, am questioning the status of the "new" rocker that I got.
For some reason, it looks like an ill- fit... and like someone decided to glob paint on it en-masse.
That, and the Five Star body guy kept my car for two weeks to do it... all while the Service Dept was waiting on it to fix my moonroof. Bah.
</bitter mode>

At least all 8 of the ribit clamps holding your rear bumper down weren't dislodged. That thing was |-| that close to falling off on the way to the dealership and the guy had the audacity to GLANCE at it and tell me nothing was wrong. I lifted it an inch with minimal effort to get an "oh, wow, well get that fixed right away."
Given that it didn't look like anything was up, the thought of it actually falling off is ridiculous. Can you imagine how much damage that could have done to someone else!? jeez...

[chasb]

Originally Posted by Ella C SRT

Do you think someone noticed it loose and took it? It's such a large piece that I'm sure it would have made at least a little noise on the way down.

<bitter mode>
I, for one, am questioning the status of the "new" rocker that I got.
For some reason, it looks like an ill- fit... and like someone decided to glob paint on it en-masse.
That, and the Five Star body guy kept my car for two weeks to do it... all while the Service Dept was waiting on it to fix my moonroof. Bah.
</bitter mode>

At least all 8 of the ribit clamps holding your rear bumper down weren't dislodged. That thing was |-| that close to falling off on the way to the dealership and the guy had the audacity to GLANCE at it and tell me nothing was wrong. I lifted it an inch with minimal effort to get an "oh, wow, well get that fixed right away."
Given that it didn't look like anything was up, the thought of it actually falling off is ridiculous. Can you imagine how much damage that could have done to someone else!? jeez...

Body shop has to paint it and install it. It was pretty straightforward, and of course at no expense to me. Its now on there pretty solid.

[DUBSTER]

I wonder if it's because they are building them so fast, who knows!!

[chasb]

Originally Posted by DUBSTER

I wonder if it's because they are building them so fast, who knows!!

This took a year to happen. I think it's a basic fastener design issue