Consolidated Super White 040 Paint Issue/Failure Thread - With Toyota Corp. Update

Seems that it’s down to the factory in Mexico affecting 2016-18 3rd gens. I also heard that it had affected a few 2nd gens as well. Now possibly 19’s. Apparently nothing you do can prevent this delaminating from occurring. What exactly happens and goes wrong during the assembly/painting process only Toyota knows for sure. With the large amount of white 3rd gens out there there is only a very small amount of folks affected with this issue. Really sucks either way.

 

Yeah,I know white is the most numerous color out there so maybe it's a numbers game? I have seen paint issues in other colors on here, but nowhere near the amount for white.

This seems to occur about 3 years in, so 2019's are next up. Hopefully by the time it hits the 22's Toyota will have changed their minds on repairs.

 

Mine is a 2017 made in Mexico and its getting really bad, I take great care of my truck and get teased I wash and wax it too often.

 

I went by the dealership today to speak to the service department about the paint issue. Kinda went like I thought it might. First advisor had no clue what I was talking about so I had to educate him on the story. Even after I gave him the TSB nbr, he still couldn’t bring it up and wanted to know where I got the info.
He finally sent me to the service manager, who was “somewhat” familiar with the paint issue, but still couldn’t do much to help me out. I explained that I was aware of the fact that Tacomas were not currently on the list of approved vehicles, but was primarily interested in having them document my concern for future reference. After a confused look, he had to search for a general manager who stated that there was nothing the dealership could do on their level and that I should contact Toyota Customer Care directly.
So, I left and made the call to Toyota and had a discussion with the Care center operator who did take down all my info and concerns, but could offer me nothing much except numerous apologies for the paint issue. Inquired on if I was expected to just accept and live with it, so I was transferred to another higher-up person who offered more apologies and thanked me for calling in. Other than waiting to see if Toyota would eventually add the Tacoma to the approval list, that was about it.
So, the saga is still in limbo, as expected…….

 

Very frustrating. This notification below to dealers is on the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration website for Customer Support Program ZKG informing dealers that Toyota is covering repairs for specific years and models of vehicles experiencing peeling of Super White and Blizzard Pearl. Dealers should be aware of this program. It also says Toyota Certified Colllision Centers are permitted to confirm if the peeling is part of the program. Tacomas are not; but if its the same paint why not? Maybe one of these certified collision centers could submit a claim for you to get it documented in the system.

If you copy and paste this to your browser it will pop up: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10183287-9999.pdf

 

I love this part in the letter

"Although the original factory paint is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above."

If Toyota really cared then this wouldn't be an issue and we would all be taken care of, secondly I find it funny that they are covering 4Runners but not Tacomas. Usually the issue that is brought up is that Tacomas are "Off Road" and that the paint chipping/peeling couldn't be determined as a manufacturer defect or from personal abuse from recreational off roading in which 4Runners do just as much or more than Tacomas. Personally I believe Toyota doesn't want to be on the hook for all the Super White fleet Tacomas.

 

I posted a comment on Toyota USA's Facebook page complaining about the issue. They replied with the obligatory "If you'd like us to review your concerns further please send us a private message with your VIN", which I did. Toyota USA's response was that after further research, you contacted our HQ and were told your Tacoma does not have any warranty programs or recalls currently available for the paint concerns you are experiencing. If anything is ever released we'll notify you via first class mail. They basically gave me the finger.

 

I think everyone experiencing a problem ought to post on their Facebook page.

 

Yes. They won't like seeing multiple posts about this issue on their Facebook page. I saw another complaint on Toyota USA Facebook page posted a few weeks ago.

 

Some have already seen my post, but I've been complaining about this issue on my 2014 for a few years now, I've gotten nowhere. I did receive a notification from Toyota a year or so ago saying that IF there was a recall, my truck is included.

I've been to 2 dealerships, an independent shop, I've spoken to the factory twice, and I've posted everywhere that I can think of, Toyota really doesn't care! I had 2 previous super white Tacomas, my '06 was repainted at my expense, my '13 was traded in before it peeled, and my '14 looks like hell. As of late, they want $4,000 to fix what's peeling on my truck... all 4 doors and the roof. My tops of the fenders and my hood are flat and feel like 320 grit sandpaper, my tailgate is starting to look flat, my bedsides are still pretty good. My paint sucks so bad that if I don't fold in my mirrors, the reflection from the mirror puts flat faded spots on my side doors! At this point I just turned over 42,000 miles and my truck looks shameful.

 

Right now my problem is just isolated to the drivers side rear door around the window trim but getting worse.

Hopefully that's the only place it will happen complete crap.... Noticed it this past April.

What is anyone doing to prevent it from spreading or trying to correct what's their without going to a body shop??

 

Just added my complaint to Toyotas FB page, expecting the same BS excuse others have received. Just adding my voice to the pile.

 

I had some spare black vinyl that I covered it with so it wouldn't spread, from a few feet away i couldnt tell as it blended in with the window trim. though when i removed the vinyl it just peeled more paint off so its not recommended. The only other options are a collision repair place out of pocket or get the truck wrapped.

 

I've been sanding off the areas that are peeling and coating with white enamel paint and a clear coat. It's not pretty, but it prevents the corrosion so far. I also photograph everything for when the time comes to submit a claim. I take it to Toyota dealership for them to photo, I also take my own photos and submit to corporate with a claim #. Sure, they deny it every time, but at least it's documented.

 

I did this after picking up a spray can of 040 touch up at the local parts store. I hosed down the peeling areas and put some pressure on it until it stopped flaking off. I lightly wet sanded the area with 800 grit paper to prevent going through the primer. Once that was complete, I rinsed it and lightly wiped it off with Acetone. I let it dry overnight, then taped off the area and sprayed it. I let that dry for a few days, then wet sanded the edge left from the tape with 1500 grit paper, then 3000, then buffed it out and waxed it. It did not look great, but was ok from 10 feet.

Other areas peeled after the initial repairs. I liked the truck but wanted some of the newer options, so I traded it in for a 2023 in MGM and lost some money on the trade due to the paint condition.

 

call Toyota. FB page does nothing.

 

Not true. Bad PR is the quickest way to a broader solution.

 

Yea but you can't open a case with Toyota on facebook.

The more formal complaints Toyota gets, the bigger chance we all have of them actually doing something about it.

 

Otter: Bluto’s right. Psychotic…but absolutely right. We gotta take these bastards. Now we could do it with conventional weapons, but that could take years and cost millions of lives. No, I think we have to go all out. I think this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part!

Bluto: We’re just the guys to do it.

 

They are not mutually exclusive.