Paint Problems 2003 4Runner

Anyone else having issues with paint chipping all the way down to the bare metal? I've got 3 different panels with this problem and the dealership said it's cosmetic and not their problem! And these aren't little chips -- the largest is larger than a pencel eraser -- the others are smaller.

That really stinks. I'm getting ready to buy a 2004 this week!

What color is yours ??

It's white. It's a beautiful vehicle and I love it nonetheless. I bought it used with 8500 miles and it's certified. I'm trying to get Toyota to get the areas repainted professionally because paint is supposedly covered for 3yrs/36,000 miles. Those panels may have been repainted and it was improperly done. Needless to say, Toyota certified the vehicle and the paint is still under warranty. :-) I wouldn't let this deter you. It's a great truck!

Actually, I have paint chip problems. Mine although, were from rocks and a truck. I have found though that Toyota (Lexus) paint does not stay on very well. I had a Lexus before my 4runner and the smallest rock was sure to take off paint. The toyota paint jobs aren't the greatest. But I can't hold that against my 4runner, it's awesome.

I want to get a blue one, hopefully this weekend!

I hope they fix it for you! Let us know what they say!

Was your paint chipped down to the bare metal? I've heard from other people that Toyota does have some paint chipping problems but I hadn't heard about it on the 4Runner and was surprised to hear about it on the Sienna. Toyota also is supposed to treat the panels to prevent the paint chipping all the way to the bare metal. Oh well...I'll know more tomorrow. Otherwise it's a thousand dollars out of my own pocket to get those areas redone -- properly and not with a bottle of touch up paint that traps the oxidation that has already occurred.

Who treats the panels? The factory or the dealer? I know they'll try to sell me paint protection!

As I understand it, the panels are treated during the manufacturing process. They are supposed to literally be dipped into some liquid compound that forms a protective barrier on the sheet metal. And it's that coating that is supposed to help prevent the chips down to bare metal and the corrosion that comes through from the underside of the vehicle. My dealership here sublet out the repair of the paint chips and led me to believe that they would be sanded down, retreated and repainted -- it ended up being a touch-up job done in the parking lot during 30 degree weather. So I guess to answer your question -- the factory treats the panels.l

Thanks oceanocean!

by the way...that blue is beautiful!! This dealership didn't have any on the lot. Good Luck!!

i'm not quite sure whether its to the bare metal. I will check and reply back later. Also, I recommend the silver color myself. She is a beauty.

I have never had a problem or seen a problem with the Toyota paint. Any vehicle wil chip if stones hit it. All the yodas in our club get off-roaded hard and yet their paint looks fine besides any scratched and dings, i have had mine wet sanded 3 times and it still come out beautiful...invest in a paint pen.

Also invest in some 3m clear vinyl protection for the front. The dealer offers it for something like $800. I just ordered some off the web and did it myself. It's just like window tint except A LOT thicker. It does an amazing job at protecting the front end. I have a 03 Sport Edition in white and you can barely tell it's on the truck.


Mo

Good point wntmo. My 4runner also has tape the same color as my paint on the hood and rocker panels, most decal shops can make it for you. Looks a little nicer than the clear stuff.

Well I did it, I bought a Pacific Blue 2004 v6. Boy, compared to my VW Jetta (which I dearly love) this feels like a luxury car! ;-) Doesn't handle like my Jetta, but it'll hold all of my dog stuff! :-)

How about these hood protector/deflectors? Do those really do anything? My dad has one on his van, but I notice a lot of dirt gets trapped down under it.

I have a hood deflector on my 4runner and it definitely helps keep stone chips off my hood, and in the summer time it deflects a lot of the bugs from hitting my windshield. PLus i think they look good.

Thanks C-DUBYA, how do you keep it clean under it ?

I would just like to say -- the dealership stepped up to the plate and had the original three panels repainted, at their cost, plus a fourth panel that had a weird paint defect. It's not the best paint job I've seen but it certainly looks much better. It always helps to call Toyota of California and get the info straight from the horses mouth -- plus California follows up with the dealership and the customer. I'll be looking into some of the previous suggested protection options. thanks!

2002 red toyota, having problems with paint chippin; called paint delamination. Toyota staes it's not a manufacturing problem but insurance company says it is. There is a local news (TV) person interested in making this public. Also it would do some good to report the damage to the Federal Commissio in Washington, DC.

What will reporting this paint chipping problem to the Federal Commision in DC do?

Someone else had emailed me previously and his paint was "crazing" like on an old celedon vases. He was going into arbitration and I haven't heard anything since.

What will reporting this paint chipping problem to the Federal Commision in DC do?

Someone else had emailed me previously and his paint was "crazing" like on an old celedon vases. He was going into arbitration and I haven't heard anything since.

The Federal Trade commission can force a recall, like Ford had with their paint back in the 90's. They had the same problem until some news people got involved. I was told by Toyotas manufacturers rep that the chipping was caused By "environmental problem" (acid rain, aliens etc.) They did pay for 50% of the paint job; should have paid for it all. People need to report these issues to Consumer responce 1-877-382-4357. If we can enact a recall we can all get our money back for solving a problem that belongs to Toyota. Don't believe toyotas' BS. No car that's only a couple of years old should have alot of chipping paint unless you follow the rock quarry trucks around.