...evidenced chipping/blistering on any new 2003...

Answer by determined!!
Submitted on 8/21/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Toyota does have paint problems out there and are not backing up their vehicles as they have led people to believe they would. My Camry is a 2003 STratosphere Mica (blue)just over a year old, 16,000 miles. As I approached my car after work 4 weeks ago, I thought there was a dirt spot on it. As I got closer I saw a spot just smaller than a quarter that was flaking and peeling......there are more spots on the hood that have begun and others in the beginning process. My roof has weird looking sporadic chippings in no pattern. When I approached the dealership service men, they were very quick to say it looked like something must have gotten on it. Of course the CUSTOMER SERVICE REP was on vacation, and I decided to get PROFESSIONAL opinions from autobody shops which had nothing to gain by giving me their assessment and everything to lose, as they do business with this dealership. The experience of each individual ranged from 10 to 25 years ALL STATING it was conta! mination and defectiveness of the paint. Also a spot which I pointed out that looked like a rust spot above the gas tank door, Toyota people told me it was from a rock. All four professionals told me the rust was coming from the inside that the spot had never been touched from the outside. The car is having an effect called "crazing" and not one of them had hesitation that Toyota should be held accountable. Well Imagine?? after talking to the Customer Service person at the dealership he said hmmmm in 20 years Toyota has never had a problem with paint (or so Toyota would like everyone to believe)! He next called in the district rep who took one digital picture of the hood of the one spot, forwarded it on and Toyota and without even the use of a magnifier, came to the conclusion by that ONE picture that it was an ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE>>>>>bird crap, tree sap, acid rain, eggs........It seems there are these Birds that one guy was told eat acidic berries and than crap on yo! ur car and the paint gets ruined.....only seem to fly over Toyotas. Too many people are settling for their line and using touch-up paint believing it is just an act of nature. I happened to stop at a mall parking lot and viewed several Toyotas made within the last couple years. One Hood on a black Corolla looked just like mine, the others had more touch up paint than I care to invest in!! and shouldn't have to for this new of a car. In fact Toyota told me the car I was trading in previously a Plymouth Breeze that within two years I would see the paint peel and I would have to have the hood painted. I saw no signs! They insisted it would happen, and that Toyota's paint is SUPERIOR! Don't get me wrong, I can handle an issue of something happening in the painting process and the paint is contaminated and defective, but the problem is when the company throws up their hands and says they do not plan to do anything about it. Initially, I thought a paint job on the car would have been satisfactory with good customer service, but after talking to the four professionals, I was told that a repainted car no matter how good will never be like the factory, as the temperature in the baking process is double and that it will be more susceptible to chipping. I am now in the process of arbitration papers and now the car I once LOVED and the dealership/Toyota name I trusted.......failed miserably. The story the Customer Service Rep at the dealership told me was that "YES TOYOTA DOES BACK THEIR CARS" He said just a while back a gentleman came in with a Van with 80,000 miles had changed the oil very few times, warranty was up at 60,000 and Toyota put a $5,000 new engine in. First I thought what an idiot to tell me that, but then I quickly understood. That was not a Toyota defect or issue only a way to gain incredible advertisement, but if Toyota did the honest thing and came forward and said "YES we take responsibility for the defective paint", the amount of people that realize the Toyota bird never visited their car at all will multiply rather fast! I think Consumer Reports should get a hold of this information so that the reviews could be a little more accurate (of course my opinion). My once Toyota investment has turned into a stock market crash!

Answer by justice
Submitted on 8/29/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Toyota does have paint problems out there and are not backing up their vehicles as they have led people to believe they would. My Camry is a 2003 just over a year old, 16,000 miles. As I approached my car after work 4 weeks ago, I thought there was a dirt spot on it. As I got closer I saw a spot just smaller than a quarter that was flaking and peeling......there are more spots on the hood that have begun and others in the beginning process. My roof has weird looking sporadic chippings in no pattern. When I approached the dealership service men, they were very quick to say it looked like something must have gotten on it. Of course the CUSTOMER SERVICE REP was on vacation, and I decided to get PROFESSIONAL opinions from auto body shops which had nothing to gain by giving me their assessment and everything to lose, as they do business with this dealership. The experience of each individual ranged from 10 to 25 years ALL STATING it was contamination and defectiveness of the paint. Also a spot which I pointed out that looked like a rust spot above the gas tank door, Toyota people told me it was from a rock. All four professionals told me the rust was coming from the inside that the spot had never been touched from the outside. The car is having an effect called "crazing" and not one of them had hesitation that Toyota should be held accountable. Well Imagine?? after talking to the Customer Service person at the dealership he said hmmmm in 20 years Toyota has never had a problem with paint (or so Toyota would like everyone to believe)! He next called in the district rep who took one digital picture of the hood of the one spot, forwarded it on and Toyota and without even the use of a magnifier, came to the conclusion by that ONE picture that it was an ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE>>>>>bird crap, tree sap, acid rain, eggs........It seems there are these Birds that one guy was told eat acidic berries and than crap on your car and the paint gets ruined.....only seem to fly over Toyotas. Too many people are settling for their line and using touch-up paint believing it is just an act of nature. I happened to stop at a mall parking lot and viewed several Toyotas made within the last couple years. One Hood on a black Corolla looked just like mine, the others had more touch up paint than I care to invest in!! and shouldn't have to for this new of a car. In fact Toyota told me the car I was trading in previously a Plymouth Breeze that within two years I would see the paint peel and I would have to have the hood painted. I saw no signs! They insisted it would happen, and that Toyota's paint is SUPERIOR! Don't get me wrong, I can handle an issue of something happening in the painting process and the paint is contaminated and defective, but the problem is when the company throws up their hands and says they do not plan to do anything about it. Initially, I thought a paint job on the car would have been satisfactory with good customer service, but after talking to the four professionals, I was told that a repainted car no matter how good will never be like the factory, as the temperature in the baking process is double and that it will be more susceptible to chipping. I am now in the process of arbitration papers and now the car I once LOVED and the dealership/Toyota name I trusted.......failed miserably. The story the Customer Service Rep at the dealership told me was that "YES TOYOTA DOES BACK THEIR CARS" He said just a while back a gentleman came in with a Van with 80,000 miles had changed the oil very few times, warranty was up at 60,000 and Toyota put a $5,000 new engine in. First I thought what an idiot to tell me that, but then I quickly understood. That was not a Toyota defect or issue only a way to gain incredible advertisement, but if Toyota did the honest thing and came forward and said "YES we take responsibility for the defective paint", the amount of people that realize the Toyota bird never visited their car at all will multiply rather fast! I think Consumer Reports should get a hold of this information so that the reviews could be a little more accurate (of course my opinion). My once Toyota investment has turned into a stock market crash! Due to getting many emails regarding the same issue, I am starting to wonder where the cars were painted and if Toyota�s paint problem is something that happened in one location, or if it is a general problem in all plants!!. I am currently doing research to see where the vehicles are being sent (final assembly plant) and will update as soon as I have complete, accurate information.

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Question by Mas
Submitted on 11/16/2003
Related FAQ: Toyota Tundra FAQ
Rating:	Rate this question:
Has anyone evidenced chipping/blistering on any new 2003 Toyota vehicle? Is this evidence of extreme paint fragility or what?

Answer by Brendan
Submitted on 11/29/2003
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have an '03 Tundra that is 6 months old and can't believe how easily the paint chips or scratches.

Answer by Bruce Janes
Submitted on 1/2/2004
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I have a 2003 Camry and the paint is chipping off like crazy. I have the touchup paint out every week. It's a joke. I noted that Toyota ducked on the web.... "Not cover as a warraanty item" I may persue the lemon law and push them to the max.

Answer by carsadness
Submitted on 8/9/2004
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I have a 2003 Camry, 15,000 miles and the hood is starting to peel and the roof is chipping...of course they are stating "Environmental Problem"! There has been no one so far who knows what the word Customer Service means. I am heading towards arbitration prepared to do what it takes to make them own up to defectiveness. I have had three outside body shops tell me it is contamination or defectiveness of paint long before it was even driven the first mile. If any info contact me at smileejb@charter.net

Answer by Lilbear79
Submitted on 3/25/2005
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I have a 2005 Tundra acc-cab in the new spectra blue met. and I first took it to my dealer with only 1400 miles on it , they said I would have to have a factory rep. look at the chips/scratches so I waited. This past 03/23/05 he looked at my truck with now only 3000 miles on and said that I caused all the scratches and if anti-skid from the roads here in my state of Pa. is causing the chips and scratches well thats not our problem meaning ( Toyota ) But I'm not through with them yet.

Answer by Lilbear79
Submitted on 4/5/2005
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I have a 2005 Tundra Acc-Cab with the new spectra blue met. paint and at only 1400 miles I had it back to the dealer for paint chips and scratchs all along the lower part of the doors and bed side. I have never had a vehical chip and scratch as easyly as this Toyota Tundra.

Answer by Pooja
Submitted on 8/4/2005
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I have a 1999 Camry. The paint is chipping of like crazy. Does anyone know if Toyota is doing anything about this problem.

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