Toyota Paint Problems

[Mercury]

I wonder what my dealer would say considering this is our 5th Toyota. I have sent them 4 other sales (Including my sisters Prius 3 months ago).

If they want to lose a new car sale on an average of ever two years, plus referrals, JUST try and brush off my concerns. I have no problem going to Chevy if I have to. I know for a fact the Chevy guy out our way would shit in a tin cup if one of our family members asked since the number of vehicles bought probably ranges 20 or so.

[FirstToy]

Originally Posted by Mercury

I wonder what my dealer would say considering this is our 5th Toyota. I have sent them 4 other sales (Including my sisters Prius 3 months ago).

If they want to lose a new car sale on an average of ever two years, plus referrals, JUST try and brush off my concerns. I have no problem going to Chevy if I have to. I know for a fact the Chevy guy out our way would shit in a tin cup if one of our family members asked since the number of vehicles bought probably ranges 20 or so.

Hell... at this point, I would try anything I could. Pull that crap out of your pocket and use it.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by FriendSite.com

I'd have to disagree Mickey.. I've had numerous black trucks, and whilst I agree about the swirls, no truck I've had has had the amount of scratches and chips that the Tundra has had... I've had a Grand Jeep Cherokee and an BMW X5, both in black, the swirls showed, but there were zero scratches and chips.

On my Tundra, there's wear marks in the door where my wifes clothes or bag has rubbed against the edge, there's scratch marks in the tailgate where my keys knocked ONCE against the paint when locking the hard cover, a plastic garbage bin rolled against the body, lightly for about 2 inches... a huge scratch mark, there's scratches where people have walked inbetween the truck and another car in a car park. This is all within a month... I had the previous trucks for few years each, and NON had the marks on it the Tundra has - I sold the X5 a couple of months ago and after 3 years, it did not have 1 scratch, nor chip, but yes, light swirl marks.. even though I wipe with the 'flow' of the vehicle and don't swirl when putting on wax or clean...

To me the Tundra is a truck, it's meant to be harder and tougher than anything out there (other than diggers and dozers!), and it simply isn't the case..

147 other people seem to think the same as well: Tundra Paint Petition

Some of the things you mention in what happen would've scratch anything. A garbage bin rubbing up against your truck come on now. Depends what was in the purse. As for your keys touching that metal on metal. As far as the parking situation people don't care about your vehicle. How many times you use that lock cover? That's why you never open your doors by key so you don't get scratches. Also having I think it's 157 people now and their reasonings why they're pissed at Toyota. Did you actually read some of those? I put a bedliner in my truck and pulled it out states the guy and wondered why he had scratches in his bed. Those are ridiculous reasons and that was just plain stupidity of that one. The paint isn't made to take an abrasive rub against it. That's on all vehicles. Cardboard boxes will do that too. You have a long uphill battle in your endeavors trying to get Toyota to fix this. If you read all manufacturers follow the similar way that Toyota takes on the paint issues. Also 157 trucks equal to maybe 1 % if that much of trucks out there. Now you see to get toyota to do something you need a lot more to get it settled. I'm sure you filed with NHTSA and ODI for this paint problem. I would if I had this problem try using the state's DA instead of BBB that's a waste of time. I'm not sure if you can use the lemon law on this also being the fact Toyota doesn't recognize your issue. Like I said you have an upward battle. ALso I had something you didn't have which I'm finding out that it was a great deal with Southeast Toyota Group in having paint sealant put on my truck and the wheel wells along with the frame undercoated.

[FirstToy]

Mick... like I said on the other thread, I see a lot of what you are saying, but I have to disagree. If you were having the same issues as I am, then you would be whisting the same tune as I am. Not one car or truck that I have had (or still have) has had these types of problems with paint.

[Mickey]

Just to let you know I bought 2 toyota's at the same time both have that coverage. Both made up north. You said your was made in Texas and so was mystic's. Now we find where all trucks who have this issue were made at. If Texas plant is the culprit then you have leverage on Toyota. Simply ask the other tundra owners and we shall see. Hopefully the pattern is there. It could be when these were made at the same plant as well as within the same month. You see where I'm going? I won't file a complaint until I have a problem. Besides it would be lying as well as taking me out of my charachter. Yes I've been there against GM and Ford. Did the ODI, NHTSA, and BBB and had arbitration. Looked up TSB's and recalls etc. I speak when I have an issue. I listed everytime I went to the dealer to fix something and they replaced my pass mirror, center console, and my broken lug nuts and even replaec the locks for free. I would love for the tailgate to have issues so I can get rid of those scratches caused by Home Depot runaway cart. I'm still pissed at Home Depot so I go to Lowes for now. Unless Lowes don't have it then I send the wife to get it.... I do hope we find a solution to fix the paint issue but it makes me believe that the company that owns Southeast Toyota was looking out for the customers here and I'm appreciative that I got paint sealant put on mine. I'm sure that it helps that I garage my truck also.

[FirstToy]

Originally Posted by Mickey

Just to let you know I bought 2 toyota's at the same time both have that coverage. Both made up north. You said your was made in Texas and so was mystic's. Now we find where all trucks who have this issue were made at. If Texas plant is the culprit then you have leverage on Toyota........

Yep... I agree with everything you said here. I am also not sure of who are having real problems and who are just saying they are having problems. I would think if people are having real problems, then they would not have to think about filling out a real complaint. I would think that they couldn't wait to fill one out so that they could be heard. The petition was a good start of getting people together that were having the same problem, but then why do we not have 150 complaint at the IVOQ - File a Complaint and BBB??? I do believe that if people are serious, then they need to file a complaint. They need to see their dealer and file their problems with the dealer rep. If we do not.... nothing will ever be done about it.

[Mickey]

That would be exactly what a dealer and Toyota would want. Yes they need to file like you said.

[torchum]

I was really hoping that by going with the 08 instead of really low miled 07s, I would avoid most of the introductory gremlins. Looks like the paint issue is was not amended and even 08's are plagued to some degree. The dealer told me ifthere was any issues that it would be covered by warranty. Sure wish I had recorded that conversation just in case my dessert tan turns to dust.

[Mickey]

They say warranty but it always something that's not covered.

[Mickey]

Here's something you should read. Found on Tundraheadquartes.com
Tundra Paint Quality PetitionPosted by admin (Jason) in July 25th, 2008 Posted in: Tundra Recalls


















Rick, one of the admins of FriendSite.com (a pretty cool social network, btw) created a paint quality petition. Here’s what it says:

Many people on numerous Toyota Tundra discussion forums have complained about the 2007 and 2008 Toyota Tundra paint quality.

They put forward to Toyota that the failure to apply sufficient layers of paint, coupled with the lack of a clear protective coat on a truck does not provide the quality of product that Toyota usually provides, nor the quality of product we were expecting to purchase. We petition Toyota to look into the matter and to respond to each of the respondants in the petition with a resolution. Once this petition reaches a sufficient amount, I will present this to Toyota for their review and go from there!

Toyota has been known for top quality paint for decades, so Tundra paint problems are out of character for sure. Still, not a month goes by when a Tundra owner doesn’t tell us about a patch of orange peel or a paint irregularity - some sort of “paint problem.”

Now when we say “paint problem,” we’re not talking about paint that scratches “too easily” or paint that is “too thin.” Ask any professional detailer and they’ll tell you that Toyota’s paint is thicker and easier to buff scratches out of than any domestic truck. If you think your paint is scratching too easily or that it’s too thin, you’re doing something wrong. When properly taken care of even the cheapest paint job will look good for years. Just drive down the road and you can see that for yourself.

“Paint problems” are defined as bubbles, orange peel, contaminants in the paint, discolorations or poor color matches, and plastic painted parts not matching the rest of the vehicle.

Scratches are tough to characterize as a paint problem. First of all, most people don’t understand that touching a clean car with an oily finger can cause a scratch in any paint job. Human skin has a knack for picking up little bits of dust and dirt, and while it seems difficult to fathom, it can (and does) scratch paint. Automotive paint is usually just a few microns thick - any thicker and it would cost more, weigh more, and lack the reflective properties we’ve all come to appreciate.

Cotton towels (like the ones in your bathroom), automatic car washes with brushes, and even slightly dirty terry-cloth towels or chamois will all scratch your paint job. Same goes for the snow brushes and gloves you use in the winter time to clear off your vehicle.

In other words, just about anything can scratch your truck.

However, if you wax your paint job regularly, your chances of damaging your finish are dramatically reduced. One good solid coat of wax every 3-6 months (depending on how often you wash your truck) is good enough to prevent most incidental scratches. Anyways…

Unfortunately, we’ve never documented much in the way of paint problems. An occasional photo here, some complaints their. Paint, like a lot of aspects of building a new car, is complicated. A lot can go wrong. Out of 300k new trucks, it stands to reason that some percentage has had paint problems. There are certainly stories of paint with bubbles, paint peeling, etc., but never in any large enough volumes to warrant investigation.

Our friends at Toyota dealerships say the same - none of them have seen a Tundra with a paint problem (or even a complaint). Our sampling is not very scientific, but it’s been a good indicator in the past.

In other words, we’ve never seen anything to indicate the problem with Tundra paint is widespread. It’s more likely a handful of unlucky trucks. To those people who have been unlucky enough to buy one of those trucks, you have our sympathy.

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[Andres]

I have the same exact toyoguard package, so far no issues with my paint. I really did not ask for this option but the truck that dealer found me had it, so I pretty much got it for free. I am actually glad I got this option.

About 2 months and half ago I did get a significant scratch on the paint, but caused by an a**hole. My truck is silver and you can't really see it until you go close and it is next to the rear wheel, really low so it is king of hidding.

And yep, parking at home depot is very scary for different reasons; the carts like you said, and many big commercial vehicles!!!!!! with drivers that don't really care about other's vehicle. I usually park far away...

[Mickey]

I was parked far away. Windy day it was and a new cart too.

[Mickey]

Andres I can't remember the family who runs that and forces Toyota to do these things and yes it will cost something to the consumer. It is worth it I think.