Is that bad ???? (MGM paint faded 2018)

Update: I opened a claim with Toyota. They said it's not covered (surprise) so my next step is to go to a Toyota collision center and get a second quote. I'll ask if they can measure the paint and clear coat thickness and see if I can get them to document some kind of factory failure. Any other questions I should ask?

It's not that bad yet but it just popped up over the last 3 months so I'm afraid it's accelerating quickly.

Made in Mexico FWIW

 

I have not had that yet on my MGM '19. Though my OEM tonneau cover has faded like crazy in 2 years

 

I'm dealing with similar on my 2018 quiksand Taco. So far pics and thickness measured have happened. Just waiting to see what they say. I have a wash and wax regime but the roof had started fading and the hood looks like someone used 120 grit to buff it.

 

@DDion - Keep me posted! Thanks.

 

Will do man.

Derek

 

Toyota is pretty useless when it comes to paint issues. My 18 paint was chipping off above the headlights when it was less than 2 years old. They said I was SOL. I sanded down and repainted it myself. Better than original now.

Not really a Mexico issue since my Texas truck also has issues. Few etch spots on the flat surfaces. It’s Toyota cutting corners. Being made in Mexico is just a byproduct of that. Lexus has some of the better paints in the industry. You don’t see them making lexuses in Mexico.

 

On Monday, I took it into a Toyota Certified Collision Center and they refused to inspect it without authorization from Toyota. So, I called Toyota back and they upgraded it to Tier 2 for "courtesy" assistance since it's out of warranty but wouldn't authorize an inspection.

Today I took it to the dealer for the stop lamp recall and asked if they could inspect it and measure the paint thickness to determine if it's a factory defect or normal wear and tear. They said they couldn't inspect it without authorization from Toyota. So, I called Toyota again, and again they refused to authorize an inspection and said there was nothing they could do outside of the 36-month paint warranty. They will have a supervisor call me back tomorrow (to tell me the same thing, probably).

My next step is to go to a non-Toyota collision center to see if they can measure the thickness of the paint.

If there is a magic word to get help from Toyota, please whisper it to me!

 

go on the Toyota official Facebook page or Toyotas official IG page and post up pics with story hashhhh tag them to hell ######

 

What a pain! Here's my suggestion at this point:

1. You can buy a paint thickness gauge reader online or find a professional detailer nearby or possibly a body shop too that might have one you can use. Obviously Toyota's trying to weasel out of it with any excuse they can and the certified shop doesn't want to be blamed for admitting Toyota's fault. Have you talked to your insurance company to see if it might be covered under your comprehensive coverage?

$22 Paint Thickness Gauge | Digital Meter for Automotive Coating Thickness Gauge Tester | High Contrast Backlight LCD | Resolution 2mils | Auto Power Off | Auto Digital Calibration Data Hold Mini Size

https://www.amazon.com/Thickness-Au...t=&hvlocphy=9061147&hvtargid=pla-967031233674

2. You might try asking the service manger at the Toyota dealer for their regional service manager's contact information given the circles Toyota corp and the dealer are giving you. You should be able to contact them, setup an appointment to meet them at the dealer with your truck and the service manager/ technician to explain your case and what you would like out of it. They should give you a case number and it will most likely go back to corporate again. Anything could happen from reimbursement to SOL. You might even get a quote or two to have on hand when you're there at the dealer with the regional manager. (Bring your paint gauge too).

If it were me I'd try step one with my insurance company or just pay out of pocket for a body shop to fix it and be done with it. Years ago I went through a similar out of warranty waste of time with chevy corporate about work that was done incorrectly on a differential rebuild. I got the circles game for months and corporate left me high and dry after telling me to take it to another dealer for inspection and claiming they would cover it if fault was found. Fault was found and proven, but I paid over $2k out of pocket to fix the issue and was stiffed an additional $2k from the first incompetent dealer. I could have replaced the entire axle twice for that.

I'll never buy another chevy nor take a free one and shitrolet corporate knows it.

 

Thanks for this. I didn't know measuring the paint thickness myself was so easy.

Anyway, I actually got some good news - I think. The supervisor approved an inspection for potential "out of warranty assistance." I got in touch with somebody else at the collision center at my dealership who was actually helpful. She said she had seen it on other Tacomas and even showed me pictures of a 2018 that they repainted and Toyota paid for. They are putting together a report and estimate.

 

Oh dang wonder if that pic was mine. Yeah same steps. Just keep pushing then they will cave one day .

 

Are you in So. Cal? This was the dealership in Anaheim.

 

So, I finally got the estimate from the Toyota Collision Center. The total for the repaint is $2400. Toyota got back to me and they are willing as a "courtesy", since I'm a loyal customer, to give me $1000. I refused. The supervisor is supposed to call me back tomorrow.

Here are some photos from the official report:

 

$2400 just to prep and paint the roof??!! I would have guessed $1200ish as there's not that much work involved. I would take Toyota's offer while it's on the table. Heck, put it towards your comprehensive insurance deductible or see if you can negotiate with your insurance company for a better price.

 

Excellent to hear. I'm waiting on Toyota after they took their thickness measurements and pics on my 2018.

Derek

 

The supervisor called me back today. $1000 is all they will offer and I have to get the work done at the dealer or I get squat. So, that's $1400 out of pocket and I'm not sure that includes a loaner car.

I told him this is my 3rd Tacoma, my wife drives a Sienna and we keep purchasing Toyotas because of the excellent quality of the vehicles. I've now lost faith in Toyota quality.

 

Well that's crap. I mean $1000 is better than nothing, but still. Will the dealer let you use your comprehensive insurance coverage to make up the other $1400?

 

2017 42k miles, washed once or twice a month (yes dirty now) and waxed 3 times a year. I called Toyota and opened a case. Headed to the dealer next week for the "Stop Lamp Remedy Notice". Will be inquireing about this. Unreal. It's mainly concentrated in this one spot but it's starting to happen in other spots on the roof as well. I wonder if this can be fixed before it gets worse.

 

I opened a claim with my insurance but comprehensive only covers "loss caused by theft or for loss caused by direct and accidental damage to the owned automobile other than damage caused by collision."

Paint failure falls under the wear and tear exclusion even if it's a manufacturer defect outside of warranty.

I think I'm out of options. I'm going to look into a vinyl wrap for the roof. A matte black roof might look badass on the MGM and probably a fraction of $1400.

 

Let us know how it goes. Looks like the same issue, which means it needs a repaint. Ask for "out of warranty assistance". I hope Toyota hears about every single one of these issues in trucks under 8 years old.