Factory Paint Blemishes: What Should I Ask To Be Done?

[mikerbahn]

Absolutely, not saying that is your case, but just want to point out it's common. Damage after a vehicle leaves the manufacturer, whether during transport to dealerships or at dealerships themselves. Dented or heavily scratched body panels that need a body shop repair/respray, spot repair and PDR. Happens all the time.

Yeah, I can only imagine. Its not like they wrap these things in bubble wrap until the new owner takes delivery.

 

[Ch28]

My truck was at delear for a month waiting on a part. Noticed the attached pic while washing it today. Never noticed that before and pretty sure i would've since i wax my truck 3x a year. Taking it in tomorrow so they can look at it. Cant tell if thats "bubbling" or if they damaged it and globbed paint on it.

 

[derp]

Ask for the factory paint workers to be loaded into a elon rocket and fired into the surface of the sun.

 

[jcarcueva]

Hello mikerbahn,

Please be sure to keep us updated on how your dealer appointment goes. If you are in need of any additional support while working with your dealer, please know that our team would be more than happy to help! We are just a private message away.

Mark
RamCares

I am going through the same process with my 2020 Ram Sport. It has been approved through warranty and I will be dropping off my truck at Coquitlam Chrysler Dodge on Monday, November 25th.

 

[mikerbahn]

I am going through the same process with my 2020 Ram Sport. It has been approved through warranty and I will be dropping off my truck at Coquitlam Chrysler Dodge on Monday, November 25th.

What did they offer? A re-spray, or are they going to wet sand/buff it out?

 

[Ch28]

Mine is also being covered by warranty. I believe they said they would sand it out repaint then clear coat the whole panel to blend it in.

 

[jcarcueva]

What did they offer? A re-spray, or are they going to wet sand/buff it out?

I will find out when I drop it off. It was only the receptionist I was talking to and she didn't know.

 

[RamCares]

I am going through the same process with my 2020 Ram Sport. It has been approved through warranty and I will be dropping off my truck at Coquitlam Chrysler Dodge on Monday, November 25th.

Mine is also being covered by warranty. I believe they said they would sand it out repaint then clear coat the whole panel to blend it in.

Hi jcarcueva & Ch28,

I'm sorry to hear that you both are experiencing paint concerns with your trucks. If you are in need of any additional support while working with your dealers, we are just a PM away and more than happy to help.

Mark
RamCares

 

[mikerbahn]

Well...still have not heard back from FCA. Working with service advisor to have their body shop just take a look at it and make a recommendation. I hate it when things take this long.

 

[Glenn54]

Seems like an excessive amount of time to me. Sorry to hear it's taking this dang long.

Well...still have not heard back from FCA. Working with service advisor to have their body shop just take a look at it and make a recommendation. I hate it when things take this long.

 

[mikerbahn]

Talked to the Service Advisor on 12/23.

He claims his manager stopped/prevented the claim from reaching FCA, as the service manager was under the impression that the truck was purchased from their dealership and he wanted to track down who did the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) prior to performing work on the truck. Why this would take weeks is beyond me. In the end, the dealership is sandbagging the whole process.

We had a discussion regarding this dealership's accountability for the paint issues; I reminded them that this is a warranty claim, just like anything else, and I should not have to make the two hour drive to the dealership that I purchased the truck from. I have a feeling that at some point, I will need to escalate directly to FCA myself, get attorneys involved again (had a 2016 Dodge Charger with issues that led to my attorney getting involved at a totally different dealership), and end up doing all of the leg work myself. @RamCares

We are at the point now that they want me to bring the truck in again so their body shop can provide an estimate. Once that is done, they claim they will submit to FCA. I am not holding my breath.

Trying to remain as patient, yet firm, as I can. At some point though, I will get tired of it and just contact my attorney and have them start yet another legal process against the dealership and FCA. It is really sad when folks cant stand behind their own product.

I will keep updating this thread as we go along.

 

[derp]

Talked to the Service Advisor on 12/23.

He claims his manager stopped/prevented the claim from reaching FCA, as the service manager was under the impression that the truck was purchased from their dealership and he wanted to track down who did the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) prior to performing work on the truck. Why this would take weeks is beyond me. In the end, the dealership is sandbagging the whole process.

We had a discussion regarding this dealership's accountability for the paint issues; I reminded them that this is a warranty claim, just like anything else, and I should not have to make the two hour drive to the dealership that I purchased the truck from. I have a feeling that at some point, I will need to escalate directly to FCA myself, get attorneys involved again (had a 2016 Dodge Charger with issues that led to my attorney getting involved at a totally different dealership), and end up doing all of the leg work myself. @RamCares

We are at the point now that they want me to bring the truck in again so their body shop can provide an estimate. Once that is done, they claim they will submit to FCA. I am not holding my breath.

Trying to remain as patient, yet firm, as I can. At some point though, I will get tired of it and just contact my attorney and have them start yet another legal process against the dealership and FCA. It is really sad when folks cant stand behind their own product.

I will keep updating this thread as we go along.

Just go ahead and start now. We all know this is where it is going.

 

[mikerbahn]

Just go ahead and start now. We all know this is where it is going.

My gut tells me you are not wrong. I am hoping that having a face-to-face with the service manager next week will yield some results.

 

[derp]

My gut tells me you are not wrong. I am hoping that having a face-to-face with the service manager next week will yield some results.

I just got told on the projected pickup time that the work... had not started yet.

I was free to take my truck back and bring it to them next week though.

 

[mikerbahn]

I just got told on the projected pickup time that the work... had not started yet.

I was free to take my truck back and bring it to them next week though.

Sounds like what I went through with my 2016 Charger. Was told to come pick it up after they supposedly fixed it...only to be told once I got there that they attempted to fix it, only to fail. Instead of offering me a loaner while they continued their efforts, I was asked to take it home and bring it back again the next day. It was glorious.

 

[mikerbahn]

Met with dealership. The took it to their body shop for an estimate. Never gave me the estimate, said to just bring it back on Jan 15th, and that it may take a few days.

Asked them what was going to be done: service advisor didnt know. Left there, went straight to their body shop, asked the manager there. He said they would need to repaint that area of the truck.

He then said that if it was his truck, there is no way he would break factory paint and he would just leave it alone. Shocking, I know.

So... @RamCares ...what now? I am not going to have them repaint this truck. What is my next recourse?

 

[Neurobit]

Met with dealership. The took it to their body shop for an estimate. Never gave me the estimate, said to just bring it back on Jan 15th, and that it may take a few days.

Asked them what was going to be done: service advisor didnt know. Left there, went straight to their body shop, asked the manager there. He said they would need to repaint that area of the truck.

He then said that if it was his truck, there is no way he would break factory paint and he would just leave it alone. Shocking, I know.

So... @RamCares ...what now? I am not going to have them repaint this truck. What is my next recourse?

Of course they would say this. They don't want to fix it.
Keep pressing them. They need to make it right.

Cheers,

 

[mikerbahn]

Of course they would say this. They don't want to fix it.
Keep pressing them. They need to make it right.

Cheers,

Oh no. They are willing to fix it. By repainting it. I dont want it repainted. I asked for alternatives...he said anything else they try will most likely make it worse.

So taking the option off the table of repainting a brand new truck...and if the body shop is saying there is no alternative...I would like @RamCares to weigh in on other compensation.

 

[RamCares]

Oh no. They are willing to fix it. By repainting it. I dont want it repainted. I asked for alternatives...he said anything else they try will most likely make it worse.

So taking the option off the table of repainting a brand new truck...and if the body shop is saying there is no alternative...I would like @RamCares to weigh in on other compensation.

Hi mikerbahn,

I would be more than happy to escalate a case on your behalf to get you connected with a specialist for further assistance on this. Please follow up with me via private message when you can!

Mark
RamCares

 

[JoeyGster]

I thought that the paint quality issues that the 4th Gens were plagued with had not carried onto the 5th Gens.
That is really a shame that with the technology today, that this is still a concern for RAM owners.