Anybody Taken Rig For Paint Warranty?

[JThiessen]

Yesterday I finally started my spring waxing and started finding all sorts of rust spots (especially on the lower front corners of the box), several small "spots" on the box that look as though the paint is being pushed out from the inside, and more damn rock chips than I can even begin to count. I bought my rig right in the middle of the big paint scandal of '03, and their test they did showed no problems. But this is the worst paint job I've ever had. Both of my previous Dodge trucks (97 & 99) went 80K and neither had any rust, and very few rock chips. This one is exactly one year old, with 16K on it, and I dont even feel like finishing the wax job. SO I was just curious if anybody had actually attempted to get thiers repainted under warranty yet?

 

[XcumminsX]

BUMP... . Reading this gives me the chills and makes me scared because i havent waxed my truck yet for the spring. .



Nick

 

[DocDetonancour]

Is it possible to get paint warranty?????doc

 

[JThiessen]

Paint Warranty

Yes, your paint is covered to some extent under the corrosion clauses in the warranty. But after last years problems with paint, those of use with vehicles manufactured within that 2 or 3 month window received additional coverage for paint problems.

 

[XcumminsX]

what months were effected?

 

[SSage]

Yeah, what months? My paint looks above average to me. Mexico May 2003 build.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Mine has rust spots on it too, if yours are the same it's caused from brake dust and it's on the outside of the paint. Unless Dodge admits to paint problems, they won't do anything about rust until there is a hole.

 

[dslcummins]

My 03 scratches and chips easily. I am not happy with it at all. I complained to the dealer, they made a note of it on a repair order. I hate to see what it looks like in another couple of years.

 

[JThiessen]

I believe they were manufactured in the Feb, Mar, and maybe April of 2003. They sent out warranty riders for all of us who had trucks manufactured during that time period. Let me tell you, it was a real PIA to find a rig back then that both met my needs and that they would actually sell.



No, these arent brake dust deposits. Like I said - the paint is chipped off just about every lower surface that has a sharp radius to it.



I'm sure that I'll get every denial line possible from the service manager, but I've gotta try.

 

[sag2]

Before you go embarrass yourself, go down to Radio Shack and buy one of their 10X lighted magnifiers. I purchased one a few years ago (to look at the wifes diamonds of course) and I think it was about $10. 00. Take a good look at your spots, and I suspect you will see they are rock chips. Most of the factory guys and many body shops use them when looking at paint problems. It makes it very easy to see the difference between external damage and paint problems. All dealers should have a "paint defect deck" that shows photos of just about every defect and external damage there is.

When I lived in Portland, unless you had mud flaps you could not keep the paint on any vehicle during the winter. I think they sand the roads with 3/4 minus road base!

 

[JThiessen]

Yes, SAG2, the majorityare from rock chips - its very easy to tell that. However, even though they are from rock chips doesnt mean that the primer shouldnt be adhering to the metal better than it is. I've driven several different rigs through the same conditions, for 4 times the miles (80K -vs- 16K), without rust appearing even though there were rock chips in the paint.



And there are three spots I've found that are not rock chips - the paint is pushed/flaked outwards.

 

[Kiohio]

I agree with everyone on the paint. I had a 97 Ford before this truck, it had over 169k on it the paint looked MUCH better. The truck had never been repainted. This truck has 22k on it now and has paint chips EVERYWHERE. Not just the "wear" areas. The paint is absolute junk. It really doesn't make any since to me, the paint is actually soft and brittle all at the same time. It scratches easily, but also chips easily. I think I'll just go have the whole truck Rhino lined.

Very dissappointing for a 40k dollar truck.



KO

 

[JThiessen]

So when I took mine by the service shop at Lynnwood Dodge, I got basically what I expected - nothing. The service manager and the warranty rep didnt know anything about the extended paint warranty. Then when I pressed them on what exactly the paint warranty means, they kinda danced around it saying that it meant if your paint is flaking off completely, or if it rusts from the inside out. So I told them that I expected as much, but I wanted to know what I should do for now (so that if/when enough of us have problems and DC starts fixing them, I have some coverage). They told me to just fix the spots, and go on my way.....

 

[gsbrockman]

Originally posted by XcumminsX

what months were effected?

At least March 2003... . I received the extended paint warranty from DC.

Greg

 

[XcumminsX]

Since this is sort of on the subject... How much is patriot blue touch up paint from the dealer?? anyone know



Nick

 

[JThiessen]

XcX: I think its the same price as the Silver!!!

 

[WStoops]

FWIW, My 03 Pat Blue scratches so easily I can't believe it sometimes. Love the color though. I heard from a dealer today that Patriot Blue has been discontinued for 05. I'm getting an 04 in Pat Bl. Hope the paint is better than on the 03.

 

[GDouglas]

Just for info if you guys are trying to narrow down a date range on the bad paint, mine was built in 6-03 and my silver paint looks fine for the most part for just 30k miles so far. I have a co-worker with a red 2003 Chevy Sonoma with the bad paint like you guys are describing. I don't know his build date at the moment, but it probably is in the ballpark with the rest of you.



Maybe all automakers that make autos and trucks here in the good ole USA have a problem with their paint for certain 2003 models. Probably has something to do with the tree hugging EPA mandating some ridiculous standards for auto paint. Just think, if you have a truck that was built and painted across the border that doesn't have to comply with extreme environmental regulations, then you might have a good paint job on your truck.



No wonder so many companies are running across the border. Our own government is one of the biggest reasons for jobs going abroad.

 

[JHufford]

GDouglas, My 2500 was built and painted in Mexico and has terrible paint; sratches easily, chips and in some places it only has primer. I believe the paint problem belongs to DC.

 

[Bunn]

Are silver and blue the only colors with problems? My truck is white and I've noticed some problems, but I was more prone to blame Michigan and Minnesota salt then DC. Anyone else with a white truck have problems?