Cracked Door Panels

[mikmar]

Does anyone else have cracks appearing in the upper part of their door panel plastic? Mine started out as a small white spot toward the rear of the door on the passenger side, and it has split open about 3 inches down now. I noticed the other day the driver's side now has a white spot on it similar to the one that cracked. Anyone know of someone who could repair these? I'm not giving GM $500.00+ a piece for new ones. This is the only problem I've experienced so far with my '02 bird.

[nhra-trans-am]

very common problem. I have cracks on both panels.

[mikmar]

Thanks for the info- I'm going to write a letter to Pontiac to see if they'll fix the problem.

[02HawkEye]

Good luck with THAT!

[mikmar]

Thanks, I contacted Pontiac. I was told to take it to a dealer and show the problem to them. Will keep updates as to what happens, but not expecting much!!

[TWO-TONS-OF-FUN]

keep me posted i got this prob on my 99

[PontiacFan]

keep me posted i got this prob on my 99

You & 20,000+ other people.
There are those who have the problem, ..., & those who will soon, ...
Been thru it a couple years ago with my driver's side. Bought a replacement back then.

Watch the panel flex when you put the window down. The last couple inches makes the panel flex in pain. (I won't allow my windows to go all the way down anymore.)

[TWO-TONS-OF-FUN]

i might take off the door panels and see if there is a clip or peg right there that hooks in to the door, if there is why couldnt you eliminate it, hopefully no rattles. this would keep the panel from flexing with the door. ideas??

[Kyle C]

Had both of mine replaced a couple of years ago under warranty (35990 miles). I've been expecting the replacement panels to crack, I'm sure it's just a matter of time but so far so good.

[AtLarge]

Had both of mine replaced a couple of years ago under warranty (35990 miles).

You got lucky considering it was the factory warrenty. I just recently got the crack on the passenger side. Unfortunately, the extended warranty I have doesn't cover the interior. :cuss:

[neophytal]

mine cracked on the inside, but i had a dimple on the outside, i figured someone tried to break in my car since it cracked when i wasnt even inside of it?? :(

[TWO-TONS-OF-FUN]

i looked at the pass side, the driver is the one that is cracked. and there is a dimple in the panel that is right where it cracked on the other side.

[neophytal]

i looked at the pass side, the driver is the one that is cracked. and there is a dimple in the panel that is right where it cracked on the other side.


thats really odd, mines exactly like that on driver side too :(

[neophytal]

i think the passenger side is starting :(

[RamAIR23]

Ultimately they will both crack. And your dash may come next. There were old post on this subject with a few repair methods. Not sure if still here. One of the methods involved removing the clip like TWO TONS mentioned and using a certain plastic repair kit. Just bad design. The old thread said the new ones will eventually crack unless u remove the clip. It seems to be worse in southern HOT clilmate.

[neophytal]

*sigh* :( my 98 camaro z28 never did that :(

[2000pewterv6]

my driver side door panel cracked too, but i found a way to at least keep it from cracking further. if you take the door panel off, at the top there is a metal trim piece that is the rubber thing that comes up and touches the glass. i found that mine had been attached to the door panel in such a way that it stressed the plastic. all i had to do was remove it (it's held on with heavy staples) and then rivet it back on, but lined up correctly. not only did it keep my door panel from cracking any more, but it squeezed the crack closed and it's almost unnoticeable. hope that helps

[mikmar]

Thanks for all the replies about the door panels. I haven't had a chance to make it to a dealer to complain about mine. When I do I'll let you all know what they say.

[tmartinez91084]

My 00 T/A has the same thing on the driver side and I also thought someone tried to break into my car as well. Bitter sweet since I'm glad their not breaking in, but upset it may get bigger...

[GatorSS]

I don't have any kind of crack like you mention on either '00 Camaro.

[nhra-trans-am]

I don't have any kind of crack like you mention on either '00 Camaro.

it's only a firebird or t/a problem

[wein77]

I think that Pontiac should but a recall out there for this problem.

[tmartinez91084]

Passenger Side Now!!!

[wein77]

The dealer fixed my passenger window and now my passenger panel is now cracked. It is going to be hard to prove that they did it.

[dxdenis02]

ebay got 2 panels for 100 bucks..... screw the dealer and his 500 + per side