New truck and factory defect rivet

[coldtrailer]

Hey...first post! I bought a new Ram on Thursday and did not notice a small defect on the driver's side door. Took it back to the dealer and was told that it's a defect in the paint because of a rivet being sucked in to far and it feels to me like the paint has a rough spot also. They are offering to fix it of course but this means body work on a brand new door and repainting the door too....the dent doctor won't fix it. If it wasn't for the defect in the paint I would say fixing the dent isn't worth altering the factory paint job. Has anybody heard of this before and suggestions on what to do?

 

[Patsy1099]

Yes there is a thread or two on this. That really sucks. Can they swap the door? That might be what I would ask for vs repairing and painting. That seems like a good compromise instead of asking for a new truck. Keep us posted.

 

[Patsy1099]

Also make sure you check out this rebate:

Do it within 60 days of purchase. Many of us have already received our checks. No strings attached.

The only qualification is that “someone in your household” must have a non-FCA vehicle.

https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/update-250-rebate-on-all-new-rams.5648/

Direct link to form (you DO NOT have to have Allstate insurance):

https://www.allstate.bonusdrive.com/Content/Bonus_Drive_Form_With_Survey_Allstate.pdf

 

[coldtrailer]

Thanks for the help and the tip. Right now, a bondo job and new paint is not cutting it. My thought is either a new door or leave it as is with an extended warranty in case I have any issues with in the future.

 

[silver64]

Thanks for the help and the tip. Right now, a bondo job and new paint is not cutting it. My thought is either a new door or leave it as is with an extended warranty in case I have any issues with in the future.

If you are going to have any paint work done do it now when paint is new and unaffected by fading. Its really not that big of a deal to match most paint these days.

 

[coldtrailer]

If you are going to have any paint work done do it now when paint is new and unaffected by fading. Its really not that big of a deal to match most paint these days.

Thanks.....

 

[RamCares]

Hey...first post! I bought a new Ram on Thursday and did not notice a small defect on the driver's side door. Took it back to the dealer and was told that it's a defect in the paint because of a rivet being sucked in to far and it feels to me like the paint has a rough spot also. They are offering to fix it of course but this means body work on a brand new door and repainting the door too....the dent doctor won't fix it. If it wasn't for the defect in the paint I would say fixing the dent isn't worth altering the factory paint job. Has anybody heard of this before and suggestions on what to do?

Hi coldtrailer,
We regret to hear about this paint concern on your new Ram. If you would like any additional assistance while working with your dealer, please send our team a private message!
Alex
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[ponypride]

Can you post a picture so we can check our vehicles?

 

[ABQ Mike]

Yes there is a thread or two on this. That really sucks. Can they swap the door? That might be what I would ask for vs repairing and painting. That seems like a good compromise instead of asking for a new truck. Keep us posted.

I highly advise against swapping doors... Its almost a guarantee it wont ever close properly or align properly. Plus since they have to paint the door, they will also have to blend the front fender, rear door, lower rocker and roof to match. While eventually you might have perfect rivets, instead you will get to deal with possible wind noise, gaps, mismatched paint, imperfections in the paint, and an issue you wont ever get resolved or be satisfied with.

IF it isnt hurting anything, or visible, id either avoid it, or if its in a low visibility area, try to get them to repair that small section, cover it, and attempt to paint/blend the small area.

 

[1fujifilm]

Thanks for the help and the tip. Right now, a bondo job and new paint is not cutting it. My thought is either a new door or leave it as is with an extended warranty in case I have any issues with in the future.

I agree, DON'T GET THE NEW TRUCK REPAINTED!
I had hundreds of paint chips on my rockers after driving 6,400 miles last winter and they offered to repaint mine too. No freekin way, sold it and moved on to another brand.

Bear

 

[Patsy1099]

I highly advise against swapping doors... Its almost a guarantee it wont ever close properly or align properly.

I’m not sure why that would be. All these doors should be made with tight tolerances and all of them can be adjusted at the hinges. Not reason they shouldn’t close properly. What would happen in a situation where you got in an accident and the door was smashed? You would have to replace it. I just think the other options are worse: live with it, repaint it or try and get Ram to take it back.

 

[whetrick1]

This is freaking crazy. Let them fix it if that's what you want. It won't hurt anything. Every manufacturer has little things that you can nick pick the vehicle apart. No vehicle is perfect. Clear coat base coat doesn't fade unless the clear coat starts peeling or something gets on it to and has a reaction to the clear coat. And about a new door won't fit right or leak. That's why they make the doors able to be adjusted. And chips in the paint job from rock or road debris damage is not the manufacturer fault. That's just something that happens to any vehicle.


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[ABQ Mike]

I’m not sure why that would be. All these doors should be made with tight tolerances and all of them can be adjusted at the hinges. Not reason they shouldn’t close properly. What would happen in a situation where you got in an accident and the door was smashed? You would have to replace it. I just think the other options are worse: live with it, repaint it or try and get Ram to take it back.

Your theories may go against my 20 years of experience, or maybe I am just a lot more picky when it comes to body work, but regardless not every item that comes off the assembly line is identical as components wear, get changed etc. in addition while paint can be matched close, I guarantee I could identify any doors replaced, panels painted, or other body components changed on any vehicle 100% of the time. IN this case, unless the vehicle owner is oblivious to body work flaws and imperfections, which I doubt since he located the Rivet, he would never be satisfied with the work completed, and instead would only have a handful more of issues.

 

[whetrick1]

Your theories may go against my 20 years of experience, or maybe I am just a lot more picky when it comes to body work, but regardless not every item that comes off the assembly line is identical as components wear, get changed etc. in addition while paint can be matched close, I guarantee I could identify any doors replaced, panels painted, or other body components changed on any vehicle 100% of the time. IN this case, unless the vehicle owner is oblivious to body work flaws and imperfections, which I doubt since he located the Rivet, he would never be satisfied with the work completed, and instead would only have a handful more of issues.

Well if your that good then you'll never be happy with any vehicle because they all are going to have imperfections. And I still haven't seen a pic of this imperfection. As for paint unless you know where it's been repainted it would be hard to tell. I've own a bunch of different cars and trucks and they all have imperfections. They're built on a assembly line with robotic machines. Have you seen a pic of this rivet or maybe a spot weld?


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[Patsy1099]

Your theories may go against my 20 years of experience, or maybe I am just a lot more picky when it comes to body work, but regardless not every item that comes off the assembly line is identical as components wear, get changed etc. in addition while paint can be matched close, I guarantee I could identify any doors replaced, panels painted, or other body components changed on any vehicle 100% of the time. IN this case, unless the vehicle owner is oblivious to body work flaws and imperfections, which I doubt since he located the Rivet, he would never be satisfied with the work completed, and instead would only have a handful more of issues.

Some imperfections are easier to see than others and some people have a better eye for certain things and certain things bother some people more than others. I’ve learned over the years that being a perfectionist just leads to disappointment and limits ones enjoyment of things and life in general. That said, I think we are all entitled to have things made right on our new vehicles and also warrantied during the coverage period. I was just trying to offer to the OP what I felt was the lesser of evils so they can get on with a solution and (hopefully) enjoying their vehicle. They will ultimately have to make a decision as to what is/isn’t acceptable and what they can live with.

 

[whetrick1]

Some imperfections are easier to see than others and some people have a better eye for certain things and certain things bother some people more than others. I’ve learned over the years that being a perfectionist just leads to disappointment and limits ones enjoyment of things and life in general. That said, I think we are all entitled to have things made right on our new vehicles and also warrantied during the coverage period. I was just trying to offer to the OP what I felt was the lesser of evils so they can get on with a solution and (hopefully) enjoying their vehicle. They will ultimately have to make a decision as to what is/isn’t acceptable and what they can live with.

I understand that and if they are offering to fix or replace the door I don't see any problem with that. I still would like to see this rivet. I looked on my bighorn and I don't see a rivet. Just saying. Everyone is OCD about certain things but you have to live with it because nothing is perfect. Look at all of your body panels on the truck. When they press these panels out they aren't perfect. They're close but you can still see some deformity in certain places. Because I don't even like being close enough to another that could ding my truck.


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[VectorZ]

Where are the pics?!

 

[coldtrailer]

I have been out on a fishing trip and appreciate all the responses. I doubt this defect will show in a picture but if you look at the door from the right angle it is clearly visible and can be felt as there is a rough spot in the paint. Still undecided what to do with this. Hate repainting it though.

 

[whetrick1]

I have been out on a fishing trip and appreciate all the responses. I doubt this defect will show in a picture but if you look at the door from the right angle it is clearly visible and can be felt as there is a rough spot in the paint. Still undecided what to do with this. Hate repainting it though.

Where's the pic


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