Can i sue Toyota in small claims?

Ok, so here is my situation. I have a second car, a 2017 Camry SE, it has 3,700 miles, bought new 3 months ago. As of yesterday, i have touched up over 40 places on the bumper, 3 on the hood, and one on the pillar. Would you agree this is excessive? I have owned dozens of cars and never seen paint chip this easily. Even the front plastic grill that's really shiny, it chips just as easily. Add those to it, and we are at 50-60 chips. 3 months, 3,700 miles. Dealer says "normal".......i say "bullshit", told me to call the national customer service, which i did, and a case was opened. I have a feeling the local rep will tell me the same thing.

If i can't get help, can i get an estimate to repaint the front, and take Toyota to small claims, or am i screwed with the arbitration clause bullshit i'm sure they had me sign when i bought it.

Any advice would be appreciated. Please, only those who have had a similar issue, maybe with even another manufacturer.

 

You dont need lawyers in small claims. I have sued a neighbor before so i am pretty versed on the lingo.

 

Just out of curiosity, what kind of roads do you drive to on? 50-60 paint chips seems a little excessive and have got to be caused by something, other than insects, hitting the car.

 

Please, only input from people who have or know someone who have had a similar situation

 

i drive 50/50 city highway, all concrete roads, never tail gate

 

I think the point was more so small claims doesn't care about TW opinions, and a lawyer might be able to structure your case more efficiently and source law for you.

Sounds like a crap situation. Good luck OP

 

Well, i am hoping they will just settle for the cost to repaint and court costs, cheaper than sending someone to answer the case, but, the arbitration thing, that's what i am wondering.

 

Have you been here long??

 

When you touched up you forfeited warranty etc. You just performed Maintenance and need to follow less closely. Good luck sueing Toyota.

 

you would have to prove that the paint was defective somehow in order to win, just going to court saying I don't feel a new car should have this many paint chips wont cut it

 

Godzilla peed on my truck.

TOYOTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

as usual, some good comments, and the usual smart asses

 

He has 68-69. Messages. So.....

 

That's a lot of massages, hopefully some of them...ended well.

 

Or at least with a happy ending.

 

So an internet forum is a better option than a lawyer it seems

 

Yes that many chips in that short time period does seem excessive. It would help to post some pictures before touching up, if you took any. But like others said, it would be nearly impossible to prove the chips are caused by bad paint. You'd spend much your time and money building a small claims case that you may or may not win, and if you do win, you won't get much. I say either get it repainted yourself, or continue with your touch-up as needed, or just sell it and buy a model with better paint.

 

I have a 2017 SE that we bought new, now has 15k miles and we don't have any chips. We drive on mostly on highways.
Ours is white, not sure if that is relevant, but it may be due to a certain paint color having a bad mix that chips more easily.