Blemishes on later Model upper door panels

Because of all the complaints about the quality of the door panels, and the shiny spots on the upper perforated dark portion of later model Tacomas, in my case a 2015 DC, I wrote to Toyota corporate Customer Service. In fairness to everyone, I removed contact names and the case number. It is obviously a wide spread issue. Toyota seems generally concerned about the customer, so I'll see what happens?


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Subject
Wide Spread Quality Issue

Discussion Thread
Response Via Email 05/29/2015 11:36 AM
Mr. ,

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We apologize for the ongoing concerns you have experienced with the interior door panels on your 2015 Tacoma.

Toyota wishes to ensure that your case is thoroughly evaluated and have subsequently forwarded your email to a case manager. The case manager assigned to your case will be your point of contact during the review of your specific situation.

We have advised the case manager of the contact information that you provided in your email, and they will follow up with you by the end of business Monday, June 1, 2015. If there is a preferred time of day and telephone number to contact you, please let us know by replying to this email.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file # If we can be of further assistance, please utilize the following link to find a variety of avenues to contact our offices, http://www.toyota.com/support/contact.html.

Sincerely,


Toyota Customer Experience Center
Customer By Web Form ( ) 05/28/2015 09:23 AM
The front top portion of my door panels 2015 Tacoma SR-5 Double cab have blemishes. The back doors do not have this issue. The panels have been replaced once and I ordered a second on my own but sent it back with same or worse issue. This seems to be a common problem. Its unsightly and very poor quality. A picture of the best panel out of 3 new ones is attached. I'm very disappointed! Thank You.

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Thanks Rick!My 2012 when i purchased it brand new that yr didn't have any dull blemishes but did have a few shiny spots around the area's of the door handles inside.Meguiars ultimate interior cleaner removed the shiny spots by simply mist spraying the surface and wiping off with no aggresive rubbing.This is the only product i use on the interior surfaces of my Tacoma!Safely cleans and protects!As far as the dull blemishes that i don't have i feel bad for you and the others who are experiencing this!We TW members appreciate your efforts!

 

I've attempted to remove and or condition the spots with everything under the sun to no avail. The only thing that masks it for a time is the magic eraser I'm actually going to have my upper pieces Upholstered in a perforated matching dark charcoal leather. However, its a problem that should be addressed.

 

I've seen another thread on this and I'm trying to figure out what you're all seeing?

 

One of the better ones. So many are much worse than this one which is considered acceptable.

 

So the shiney areas?

 

Yes and its also usually associated with a different texture as well

 

Final outcome of report to Toyota and after review by the area Representative. NORMAL Condition. The variances are normal for this type of plastic and the mold process. It doesn't have any affect on longevity or structural integrity. Check back in a few months to see if a TSB becomes available.
This was through Toyota Corporate and after they originally acknowledged how bad it looked. Changed that tune fast!

 

I HAD MY DOOR PANEL REPLACED TWICE. THE NEW ONE IN THE BOX WAS ACTUALLY IN WORSE CONDITION THAN THE ONE ON MY TRUCK. I MADE THEM TAKE ONE OFF OF A NEW TRUCK ON THE LOT...PROBLEM SOLVED....

 

I am aware of your fight with them. You sir got Lucky! I'm having my upper panels Upholstered in perforated matching leather. It will be expensive though after the shop discovered the door handle surround is molded into the panel and has to be cut out and then re attached after upholstery is done

 

They set up a meeting after I received that canned note, with a factory representative and the Dealer. That's where they viewed and acknowledged the issue. But that's about where it went south a week later

 

Mine gets shiny spots like that I just wipe them it off.

 

I haven't noticed any shiny spots on mine, and am now afraid to look for them otherwise OCD will start kicking in lol. If I do have them then they clearly aren't anything to the extent of that one photo above!

 

There's another thread with this discussion. Could be the mold is wearing out from the number of cycles run in these late model components. There's nothing to do about it on Toyota's side other than investing in new molds for these panels, the likelihood of that is essentially zero. As a plastics guy that's my guess.

 

As a Plastics guy is that a release agent and if so, can it be removed with Acetone?

 

I'm going to have that part of all 4 of my upper door panels upholstered in that same dark gray color but in perforated leather. I'm currently working out the details with a local custom upholstery shop now. The custom part of this otherwise simple job is the fact that the door handle surround is molded into the door panel.

 

I get it, you all want your new car nice... But there comes a point when you need to realize it's not a BMW. It a truck. I used to keep mine as nice as I could when it was new so I understand but "shinny spots" come on.

 

ITS A FACTORY DEFECT. PROBLEM WITH THE MOLD, NOTHING YOU DO WILL TAKE IT OFF, I ALREADY WENT AROUND WITH THE DEALER ABOUT THIS, THYE HAD AN EXPERT LOOK AT IT AND CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. EVEN A NEW REPLACEMENT HAD THE SAME ISSUES BUT EVEN WORSE.

 

These complaints are getting more and more comical and pathetic.