|
Toyota paint defective NOT ENVIRONMENTAL
Take some free advice; 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 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 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!
|
Show Printable Version | 
Subscribe to this Thread
08-19-2004, 02:28 AM
