HUGE problem with warped rear bumper fascia!!! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

camero · 09-13-2009, 11:34 AM

I have a HUGE problem with my rear bumper being warped!!! (Well actually it's a minor problem that's no big deal and I probably shouldn't have even noticed it.) But when I did I was very shocked and thought that someone had hit me or maybe hated my mudflap so much they kicked it or tried to pull it off or something. Or maybe that putting the mudflaps on or taking the taillight rings off had caused stresses on the plastic that had caused it to warp or something. But I examined old pictures of my car from when I got it a few weeks ago and it has always been like this from the day I picked it up. I can't believe I never noticed it because now it's super obvious to me and I can't look at my car (or even think about it) without seeing it. I'm thinking if anyone sees it they'll think I was in a crash or that GM quality sucks, neither of which I want at all!

It's warped in two ways, mostly on the drivers side but even a little on the passenger side. The leading edge of the bumper right by the tire is warped in and out causing the wheel opening to not appear smooth and round in most views and the bumper is also warped away from the fender itself for 6 or 8 inches behind the wheel flare. Is anyone else's car like this? Does anyone else know why mine is? I don't know if I should try to forget about it, or take it back to the dealer and see if they can un-warp it or if I can un-warp it or if I should have them order me a new bumper or what?

two_wheel_mayhem · 09-13-2009, 11:43 AM

New bumper needed, the car is new so a repaired bumper would never do.

See dealer.

Xmicro_SS · 09-13-2009, 12:24 PM

I wonder if it is just the way it is mounted. The simple act of taking it off and remounting it may be fine. Maybe the bumper is torqued a bit where it mounts and needs to be relaxed.

SSOOCH · 09-13-2009, 12:34 PM

I think you hit something. But didn't feel it.

camero · 09-13-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

I think you hit something. But didn't feel it.

But I looked at the pictures I took of it a half hour after I picked it up and it was that way even then. Of course the dealer or the transport company might have hit it with something. (whoever has the VIN after mine should check and see if your front bumper is warped)

GreyGhost · 09-13-2009, 01:07 PM

Sorry to hear about the warped bumper. If it was mine, I would visit with the dealer and ask them to find and fix the problem. Seems almost like it is pulled up too tight and that dismounting and remounting might allow it to sit the way it was designed. And if not, then it may just be a "bad" bumper fascia and need replacing. Either way, your new car wasn't designed to look like that and shouldn't. No factory is perfect 100% of the time, and this is why you have a warranty.

myold88 · 09-13-2009, 01:31 PM

I think there is or was stress on the rear cover or facia (its not a bumper) maybe from a minor impact. If I were you I would return those tail lamps to stock so the dealer doesn't know you were goofing around back there.

GreendaleSRT4 · 09-13-2009, 01:48 PM

I first noticed this a few weeks ago on mine, and have looked at every Camaro around here (~10) and they all have the same "oddity". The driver-side is worse than the passenger-side. So, it's not just you.

KFH · 09-13-2009, 03:21 PM

Hey, I had the same thing on my car. The problem is that it was not assembled correct. Jack up the car, remove the wheel, then remove the three screws and one bolt in the wheel well. Pull the bumper away from the wheel well far enough to see the tabs. One or two of the tabs are not seated properly, they need to be bent back forward to line up, and then the bumper just pops right into place. I had to fix both sides, left side had one tab bent, the right had two.

mtcwby · 09-13-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KFH

Hey, I had the same thing on my car. The problem is that it was not assembled correct. Jack up the car, remove the wheel, then remove the three screws and one bolt in the wheel well. Pull the bumper away from the wheel well far enough to see the tabs. One or two of the tabs are not seated properly, they need to be bent back forward to line up, and then the bumper just pops right into place. I had to fix both sides, left side had one tab bent, the right had two.

I had the same problem and the above is 100% correct, that is how I fixed mine also.

camero · 09-13-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KFH

Hey, I had the same thing on my car. The problem is that it was not assembled correct. Jack up the car, remove the wheel, then remove the three screws and one bolt in the wheel well. Pull the bumper away from the wheel well far enough to see the tabs. One or two of the tabs are not seated properly, they need to be bent back forward to line up, and then the bumper just pops right into place. I had to fix both sides, left side had one tab bent, the right had two.

WOW, you were right! I fixed it! Thanks a Million!!! Someone should tell the guys in Oshawa in a few weeks so they can be more careful when they put on the bumpers. I only had to take the top bolt and the upper star-head screw out though, and I didn't even have to jack up the car or remove the tire either.
While I had it apart I took some pictures in hopes that I could help someone else.

These pictures were all taken from above looking straight down at the two tabs that are supposed to go into the two slots but were kindof behind them instead forcing the side of the bumper outboard. The top one looks like it got a little nicked by being in the wrong position.

Xmicro_SS · 09-14-2009, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xmicro_SS

I wonder if it is just the way it is mounted. The simple act of taking it off and remounting it may be fine. Maybe the bumper is torqued a bit where it mounts and needs to be relaxed.

I had a feeling, Glad to see you got resolve.

Inuyashas_Brother · 05-16-2010, 03:49 PM

Thank you all for the great instructions!!

AlSuwaidi · 05-17-2010, 01:16 AM

ah well hope its fine now!

MRKNJ · 10-08-2010, 02:48 PM

Printed the fix out for my Chevy Dealer they were able to get it back to 95 % original delivery condition. I still have a slight bulge on left rear fender... was told that plastic flexes so there is really nothing they can do abuot it. Also... was in and out of body shop 5 times for this. On two of the occasions they f'ed up my pain where the metal and plastic meet so that had to be repaired as well... f'ing nightmare

HopeRidesAlone · 10-10-2010, 09:43 AM

this is on my passanger side i guess ill be looking into this thanks for the info

2010victoryredss_ron · 10-15-2010, 11:32 AM

mine is bad on driver side... right where the bumper meets the quarter panel...it bulges in a bit

xxlbeerz · 11-21-2010, 06:39 PM

Thanks for this thread! My rear bumper/quarter alignment has been buggin' me since I got the car a couple weeks ago.

KnightRider · 11-26-2010, 02:53 PM

Thank god I found this thread!

I was pulling my hair out trying to reinstall the rear fascia (installing GFX), and I had no idea where those tabs supposed to go. I didn't take the wheels off neither, just jacked the car up to give myself some clearance to work on, pulled the tabs forward and voila, everything fell into place!

midnighter · 11-26-2010, 03:09 PM

Both sides on mine have a warp about them and the pointy bumper cover top ends exceed the fender. I'll have to try the same technique. Thanks.

Michael_Js · 11-26-2010, 04:28 PM

Great writeup for the fix! My two sides are also out a bit and I guess I can attack this when I pull the rear bumper off for the AAC Backup light install...

liquidsmoke · 12-03-2010, 01:05 PM

thanks for the thread, i noticed this a while ago on mine also. Went and checked a bunch of camaros at my dealer and they all had the same issue so i figured it would be hell trying to get them to fix it.

crewxp · 05-28-2011, 08:19 PM

Mine is like this also! Thanks for the fix. Should the dealer be able to do this for me? I have no way to jack it up

Raptor626 · 06-05-2011, 08:27 PM

Awesome

FL1CK · 06-26-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquidsmoke

thanks for the thread, i noticed this a while ago on mine also. Went and checked a bunch of camaros at my dealer and they all had the same issue so i figured it would be hell trying to get them to fix it.

09-13-2009, 11:34 AM	#1
camero Drives: IOM V6 RS 38808 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: S.Detroit, Ontario Posts: 772	HUGE problem with warped rear bumper fascia!!! I have a HUGE problem with my rear bumper being warped!!! (Well actually it's a minor problem that's no big deal and I probably shouldn't have even noticed it.) But when I did I was very shocked and thought that someone had hit me or maybe hated my mudflap so much they kicked it or tried to pull it off or something. Or maybe that putting the mudflaps on or taking the taillight rings off had caused stresses on the plastic that had caused it to warp or something. But I examined old pictures of my car from when I got it a few weeks ago and it has always been like this from the day I picked it up. I can't believe I never noticed it because now it's super obvious to me and I can't look at my car (or even think about it) without seeing it. I'm thinking if anyone sees it they'll think I was in a crash or that GM quality sucks, neither of which I want at all! It's warped in two ways, mostly on the drivers side but even a little on the passenger side. The leading edge of the bumper right by the tire is warped in and out causing the wheel opening to not appear smooth and round in most views and the bumper is also warped away from the fender itself for 6 or 8 inches behind the wheel flare. Is anyone else's car like this? Does anyone else know why mine is? I don't know if I should try to forget about it, or take it back to the dealer and see if they can un-warp it or if I can un-warp it or if I should have them order me a new bumper or what? __________________ I've known how to spell Camaro since before you were born.

09-13-2009, 12:24 PM	#3
Xmicro_SS Thank You GM Drives: Sky Redline & Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,895	I wonder if it is just the way it is mounted. The simple act of taking it off and remounting it may be fine. Maybe the bumper is torqued a bit where it mounts and needs to be relaxed. __________________ ITS HERE! : 2010 Camaro 2SS / 6 Speed Manual (No other way) / Silver Ice Metallic / Inferno Orange Interior Accent / RS Package / Polished Wheels / SOLO MACH X CAT BACK

09-13-2009, 12:34 PM	#4
SSOOCH "El Dictator" Drives: 08 HHR SS, 2010 Camaro SS/RS #16429 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 7,366 View My Garage	I think you hit something. But didn't feel it. __________________

09-13-2009, 01:07 PM	#6
GreyGhost Drives: Custom CGM/Pearl White 2010 Camaro Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ft Collins, CO Posts: 361 View My Garage	Sorry to hear about the warped bumper. If it was mine, I would visit with the dealer and ask them to find and fix the problem. Seems almost like it is pulled up too tight and that dismounting and remounting might allow it to sit the way it was designed. And if not, then it may just be a "bad" bumper fascia and need replacing. Either way, your new car wasn't designed to look like that and shouldn't. No factory is perfect 100% of the time, and this is why you have a warranty. __________________ CGM w/ Pearl White and Kandy Kopper FlexPaint wrap, matching bow ties and brake covers, amber halos & fogs" Awesome image by: Hazman

09-13-2009, 03:21 PM	#9
KFH 1LT Victory Red V6 Manual Drives: 2010 1LT 6 speed manual #117 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oakville, ON, Canada Posts: 180	Rear Bumber Bulge Fix Hey, I had the same thing on my car. The problem is that it was not assembled correct. Jack up the car, remove the wheel, then remove the three screws and one bolt in the wheel well. Pull the bumper away from the wheel well far enough to see the tabs. One or two of the tabs are not seated properly, they need to be bent back forward to line up, and then the bumper just pops right into place. I had to fix both sides, left side had one tab bent, the right had two. __________________ 1st Car-77 Type LT Rally Sport, Manual 3 speed, Inline 6, 3rd-94 Red & Black Z28, 6 Speed Manual V8 4th-2010 1LT, Manual V6, Injen CAI, RX Catch Can, Flowmaster American Thunder & Magnaflow Resonated "X"

09-13-2009, 11:43 AM	#2
two_wheel_mayhem Would rather be riding Drives: 2012 SS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,604	New bumper needed, the car is new so a repaired bumper would never do. See dealer.

09-13-2009, 01:31 PM	#7
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ct. Posts: 4,649 View My Garage	I think there is or was stress on the rear cover or facia (its not a bumper) maybe from a minor impact. If I were you I would return those tail lamps to stock so the dealer doesn't know you were goofing around back there.

09-13-2009, 01:48 PM	#8
GreendaleSRT4 Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Greendale, WI Posts: 272 View My Garage	I first noticed this a few weeks ago on mine, and have looked at every Camaro around here (~10) and they all have the same "oddity". The driver-side is worse than the passenger-side. So, it's not just you.

05-16-2010, 03:49 PM	#13
Inuyashas_Brother كمارو صفرا ^_^ Drives: '10 Camaro LS - M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 495	Thank you all for the great instructions!!

05-17-2010, 01:16 AM	#14
AlSuwaidi Drives: BLACK LS3 GCC-Spec Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UAE - SHARJAH Posts: 2,878 View My Garage	ah well hope its fine now!

10-08-2010, 02:48 PM	#15
MRKNJ Drives: 45th Anniversary Convertible 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Burlington Twsp, NJ Posts: 14 View My Garage	Printed the fix out for my Chevy Dealer they were able to get it back to 95 % original delivery condition. I still have a slight bulge on left rear fender... was told that plastic flexes so there is really nothing they can do abuot it. Also... was in and out of body shop 5 times for this. On two of the occasions they f'ed up my pain where the metal and plastic meet so that had to be repaired as well... f'ing nightmare

10-10-2010, 09:43 AM	#16
HopeRidesAlone Drives: 2010 Camaro Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 839 View My Garage	this is on my passanger side i guess ill be looking into this thanks for the info

10-15-2010, 11:32 AM	#17
2010victoryredss_ron Born: August 27, 2009 Drives: 10CAMARO SS,12CRUZE RS,07 YAM R6 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Posts: 818 View My Garage	mine is bad on driver side... right where the bumper meets the quarter panel...it bulges in a bit __________________ Victory Red 2SS/RS Vin# A9130145

11-21-2010, 06:39 PM	#18
xxlbeerz Drives: 2010 Black on Black Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 535	Thanks for this thread! My rear bumper/quarter alignment has been buggin' me since I got the car a couple weeks ago.

11-26-2010, 02:53 PM	#19
KnightRider Drives: Black 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 304 View My Garage	Thank god I found this thread! I was pulling my hair out trying to reinstall the rear fascia (installing GFX), and I had no idea where those tabs supposed to go. I didn't take the wheels off neither, just jacked the car up to give myself some clearance to work on, pulled the tabs forward and voila, everything fell into place!

11-26-2010, 03:09 PM	#20
midnighter Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6M Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: CA Posts: 18,402	Both sides on mine have a warp about them and the pointy bumper cover top ends exceed the fender. I'll have to try the same technique. Thanks. __________________

11-26-2010, 04:28 PM	#21
Michael_Js SoCal C5 Family Member Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS - Black w/IOM; 6M Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 5,329 View My Garage	Great writeup for the fix! My two sides are also out a bit and I guess I can attack this when I pull the rear bumper off for the AAC Backup light install... __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2010 Black 2SS/RS; 6M; IOM, GFX, sunroof; ADM Race CAI; Zoomers CB; Viper Alarm; Pdaft F&R sways, Adj Endlinks, Rtrailing arms, Camber kit, strut brace, Front Trailing Arm Bushing; SLP Skip-Shift Elim; Tinted lights/windows; Hurst Short-throw; LoJack; Door & Dash ABL Mods; Subthump; JBA Shorty headers; AACStyle LEDs; Stillen DS rotors, Hawk Ceramic pads; Havoc Blk Chrome wheels: 20x9s; Lingenfelter Blk Al Pedals; RevXtreme Catch Can; Goodridge SS lines; Ported TB; RK Sport hood; Hotchkis chassis brace; KW V3 coilovers;

12-03-2010, 01:05 PM	#22
liquidsmoke Two Miles An Hour Drives: SIM 2LT RS Join Date: May 2010 Location: chicago Posts: 1,217	thanks for the thread, i noticed this a while ago on mine also. Went and checked a bunch of camaros at my dealer and they all had the same issue so i figured it would be hell trying to get them to fix it. __________________ expect nothing, but take everything

05-28-2011, 08:19 PM	#23
crewxp Drives: 2LT RS Summit White Camaro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 278	Mine is like this also! Thanks for the fix. Should the dealer be able to do this for me? I have no way to jack it up

06-05-2011, 08:27 PM	#24
Raptor626 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Summit White Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Astoria, New York Posts: 803	Awesome

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