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Toyota Corolla Paint Problems

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Comments

  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    Couldn't disagree with you more. The cars of today just don't rust thru like they did years ago. You definitly have yourself a problem, but "common", I don't think so! What gives you reason to think that? Have you heard of other rust problems on the current generation of Corollas?
  • corollausercorollauser Member Posts: 1
    My 2009 corolla front windshield cracked and very soon developed - Sandeep Tara
  • alexespindalexespind Member Posts: 2
    Hi there,

    I have a 09 Corolla S and from the get go, the paint was having problems. I took it to the shop and was told it was natural. I had a Ford Escort GT 1993 and it NEVER had that problem. I just sold it.

    I think Toyota has been cutting corners everywhere and I think there has to be a recall of this model.

    I am mad.
  • alexespindalexespind Member Posts: 2
    Yes, there is. And Toyota has been cutting corners everywhere. I think there should be a recall on the 09 Corolla S paint job.

    Even the paint on my hub cups is bubbling...

    This is my first Toyota and it is paid for and I am very upset.

    Furthermore...I have been checking online and there is INDEED a widespread paint problems with Corollas. It is time for a RECALL
  • mnfmnf Member Posts: 405
    Please explain widespread and where did you read this so i can read them also.

    Thanks

    MNF
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    I'm as interested as MNF is. Please share these "widespread" paint problem reports you've been reading about with others.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    >Please share these "widespread" paint problem reports you've been reading about with others.

    All you have to do is use Google: 131,000 hits for corolla paint problems.

    http://www.google.com/search?q=corolla+paint+problem&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=- UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • louisiana1louisiana1 Member Posts: 6
    Whats up imidazol97? I have a problem with my 98 Buick Lesabre. Last Friday my blower just stop working with no warnings @ all. It was working fine 2hrs prior. I put a brand new blower on it and the new one wouldn't come on. Since my old one was already off, i got it tested @ Autozone. It spent like a champ. I checked all fuses and all of them lit up. I even check the ones on the passenger side and under the hood, they all tested positive. Later, I got a resistor off a used Buick and hooked it up and the blower still wouldnt work. Next, I got an a/c switch off a used Buick and still nothing. The blower still wouldn't blow. I've taken it 2 several mechanics and they're dumbfounded, they can't find out whats the problem. Im just tired of spending money and my problem isnt being fix. I'm in desperate need of help. Can you help me?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    I copied your question here in Buick leSabre heating and cooling:

    http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f16de71/120#MSG120

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,145
    Thanks! Looks like the member found their way over there via your link.

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  • auxxauxx Member Posts: 1
    There is without a doubt something wrong with the paint on the 2009 Toyota Corollas and there is something really bad going on at Toyota. This is the fifth automobile I have owned and none of my other cars, which have been driven under the same conditions, (all U.S. makes) have experienced the problems and issues I am having with my 2009 Corolla. The paint on the Corolla cannot be layered as car paint should because the slightest contact under normal conditions leaves a chip or imperfection. I believe the protective coat found on most autos was most likely not applied to these cars. This once quality auto maker has cut corners on these units with a cheaper quality of paint. Additionally, my 2009 Toyota Corolla even required an engine replacement before my first oil change. The local dealership and Toyota agree that my car came from the factory with little to no oil in the engine. With recent congressional hearing exposure of the "smoking gun memo" directing Toyota management to deny apparent auto problems to save money, I totally believe the nearly two hundred Toyota customer paint problems discussed here are real and legitimate. Know that I am very particular with my car. I never park where I can get door dings and by design always park my cars further away from other cars to avoid door hits. Somehow simple natural road sediment and things that would not be an issue for most cars is an issue for the Toyota Corolla paint. I'm writing the Attorney General's Office here in Maryland and I suggest you do the same. Toyota can't deny this forever, as we eventually learned from the internationally exposed throttle problem Toyota was made to admit. These cars cost way too much to just forget and accept this. It's just not right!
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    I don't doubt that you are having a paint issue, but to generalize that it's a problem with all 2009 Corollas is just a false assumption. It's kinda like the other complaints; if one owner has a problem with steering, brakes, acceleration or even paint, right away they think it's all new Corollas. Lemons are a fact of car ownership, and all manufacturers have their's to deal with.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Just admit there may be more than one Corolla with a thin paint problem and indeed may be many. Every time someone posts about a problem with Corollas, there's an instant post that the poster can't assume that others have the same affliction; however it is true that we can't assume there aren't others with the same problem. And we can't assume that there aren't many with the problem.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • zekeman1zekeman1 Member Posts: 422
    Keith - you're absolutely right...one person has a paint issue, what's to say others don't have the same but are just not reporting it. Today there tends to be complacency on many peoples part...but to shrug it off just isn't right. I'm sure you see that when one individual poo poo's each and every negative comment about a Corolla, you have to wonder just who is in the bag for Corolla/Toyota...over time, the history of postings tend to speak for themselves!
    For the most part, I like mine and haven't experienced a paint issue - yet. I do have the "wandering" steering and have had two recalls. It's probably my last Corolla, although it's my 5th Toyota. As a daily work car, it'll likely be a Civic next.
    Z
  • issilacissilac Member Posts: 1
    I just read about the paint problems with Toyota. I just purchased a 2010 Toyota Corella le three months ago. I have noticed a lot scratches on my car. There are many thin scratch lines that are very noticeable and one scratch imparticular is down to the metal. I am very carefull where I park my car, and when and where I wash my car. I am very particular about caring for this car. I even have a car cover that I use. I am very concerned about the defective paint job on this car. I have owned several vehicles, new of the lot, throughtout the years, and I have never had to deal with paint problems- scatches. I am afriad to put my bicycle rack on the car. I used my bicycle rack on my nissan for years without scratching up the paint. I took my grandchildren to the river the other day, and I would not allow the children near the outside of my car, for fear that one of them might lean against the car and scratch the paint. The paint on my 2010 Toyota Corella le is definitely defective. I am very concerned that in five years when this car is paid off, it will look terrrible. I intended on this being my last car. What can I do? I called the Toyota place in Augusta, Ga where I purchased it, and Mr Nopper, the sales manager, told me to bring the car in and they will apply some really good wax to help prevent further scratches. This is really not a solution. Please take the time to write about paint problems with your toyota Corella 2010. The more people that take the time to address the paint issues with the dealerships the better chance there is of getting Toyota to repair/fix the paint problems. Maybe!
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    From what I can determine after research 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corollas are not experiencing any more paint problems than any car manufactured today.
  • carzcarz Member Posts: 26
    I know I am in the Corolla forum but this paint problem carries across to other models. My daughter bought her first car 3 months ago a loaded 2010 red RAV4 from Leesburg Toyota in Virginia. She called me complaining that there were little chips around the car that looked like white specs mostly in the rear. I guess my daughter complained enough that the dealer put the 3M clear coating on the hood and tried to buff out the back of the car. I finally got to see the car on Mothers Day and did see what the problem was. It looked just as she described it lots of little chips that looked like white spots all over the rear and and on the sides. So this issue is not just on the Corolla.
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    Last Friday I had a 110 lb. garage door spring snap in my closed garage overnight. Inside were my Black Pearl Mica 2001 and my Barcelona Red 2009 Corollas. Unfortunately the newer 2009 Corolla was on the side where the spring snapped and flew wildly. It struck my passenger side rear quarter panel and left a dime size indentation as well as about 6 inches of spring marks down the side of the car. With all of this evidence of a dangerous situation, the paint on the 2009 Red Corolla held up spectacularly. I was able to use a polishing compound to remove the spring marks totally. Nowhere in all of this was there any inkling of a chip or scratch in the paint. Of course I'll have to live with the indentation, but the paint was unmarkable. Moral of this story is two fold; paint problems with the new generation of Toyota Corolla are just as they are with all new vehicles, you'll always have a few that get through the paint shop not as planned and will have some problems, but on a whole the Toyota paint performs as well if not better than other manufacturers. On the other hand, always heed the spring manufacturers warning and use the safety wire that's supposed to run down the center of the garage door springs to prevent airborne springs from car damage as well as a loss of an eye in the event of breakage.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Check with local auto dealers. They have dent and chip repair folks come to their lots to fix things like this on cars they're going to keep to sell. A neighbor had one come repair a couple of small dents in his 95 Monte Carlo and the price was reasonable for 30 minutes work.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    Well, the paint held up great even with the dent. If they pull that dent out though, maybe this is when the paint inside the dent might crack and peel. What do you think?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    That would be a good question for a dent puller who has done others like it on the same kind of car. They would have a feel for the paint's durability.

    It all depends on how much the dent bothers you...

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • stanthony68stanthony68 Member Posts: 1
    I am glad to know that the paint peeling off of the spoiler is no fault of mine. I was washing my car today at the car wash and along the driver side spoiler, I noticed a scratch that I thought was maybe tar or something as a applied the pressure of the hose, I saw the area becoming black and I realized the paint was in fact peeling off!!
    I am so upset about this and blamed myself, well any advice would be greatly appreciated. I plan on visiting the dealership near my home.
  • inretrospectinretrospect Member Posts: 1
    I purchased a new 2010 Corolla LE in July 2009. I have only 13,000+ miles on a car that is a little more than one year old. I have some minor scratches, but none of them exceed the depth of the painted surface. However, I have many small paint chip circles that have exposed the primer beneath the paint. I've seen more than enough crappy paint jobs in my years but they are usually found on cheap auto refinish services that were applied to an older car. If the primer surface is not clean or has minute amounts of moisture prior to painting, the paint will eventually chip or bubble-up. The paint on my Corolla is chipping off and leaving round pit holes. I even had to pay for the dealer prep cost of paint sealing... which obviously didn't work. I'm taking it in to the dealer next Saturday.
  • mdt_74mdt_74 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2010
    My 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix also has paint peeling off the spoilers/trim below the doors.

    I guess I had a very small indentation (hardly noticeable, and the paint was still intact) on my passenger side spoiler. When I hit it with the pressure washer from the car wash, it instantly blew paint off the spoiler. The area missing paint ended up being about the size of a nickel.

    I decided to just fix the area with Toyota certified touch-up paint. When washing the car again, the same area lost more paint, leaving an area about the size of a pea without paint.

    It happened to me a third time on my driver side spoiler on the area that turns into the wheel well. I was washing the car with a high pressure wand, and when I sprayed it on the spoiler a big line of paint instantly blew off! The gash is two inches long.

    I just took it to my local Toyota dealership, and was told it's not a defect so it wouldn't be a warranty issue. The service manager actually told me they were scratches! He wouldn't believe me when I told him that washing my car peeled the paint off. He said in "all his years" as a service manager he'd never heard of paint peeling off from washing a car.

    The little goon I talked to before the service manager told me it was normal for paint to peel off around the area of a ding or chip. I said, "Oh, so it's okay for me to get a chip and have all the paint in the world peel off around it?" He said it was. I am royally pissed off at stupid Menlove Dodge/Toyota in Utah.

    The service manager said someone from Toyota could look at it next Friday. I plan to go in, and print out post from various threads detailing others that have had the same problem.

    The paint clearly doesn't adhere correctly to the plastic spoiler. If you've had this same problem, please create an account and post your experience. It's the only way to have our voices heard.

    On a side note, I told Carlos (the little goon) that the stationary radar points I drive by always read my speed as three miles an hour slower than what my speedometer says. He told me that radar is unreliable and is often incorrect by as much as five miles an hour; so, no need to check it. Unbelievable!
  • rumer1951rumer1951 Member Posts: 1
    I just returned from the body shop from having may 2010 Corolla repainted.

    About a month ago I saw 3 white spots on the door. When I looked closer I saw the paint was chipping off.

    I took the car back to the dealership to be looked at and was told acid had gotten my paint. The 3 managers found many other chips all over the car. They suggested I call my insurance company.

    My company paid for an entire new paint job. The manager of the body shop said that the second day they had my car their was more damage than the day before.

    I am afraid it will happen again. I bought my 1st Toyota in 1972 and have driven Toyota s ever since. I never had a problem.
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    You obviously didn't pick-up some acid on your "72" like you did with the "09". I guess it's safe to assume that since three technicians in addition to your insurance agent agreed that it was something you pick-ed up while driving, you really can't fault Toyota. It could've happened to a Chevy, if you had one.
  • 09matrix09matrix Member Posts: 3
    I have a similar problem with the paint on my 2009 Matrix. I called the dealership and there is a recall. Toyota should fix the problem for you. The recall number that I was given is 90H90L.
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    I don't believe it's a recall, if anything it might be a TSB and I couldn't even find it in the up to date TSB list for 2009 Matrix. But hey, if their going to fix it for nothing, go ahead!
  • caw2caw2 Member Posts: 1
    I bought my new 2010 Toyota Corolla S in October of 2010..In January 2011 we had 4 days of really bad ice and snow storms. The ice that accumulated on my car caused scratches on the paint. My car is black and the scratches show a white primer. At the time my car had less than 5000 miles on it and has since received scratches near the door handles, just from fingernails barely touching the paint. I've never had any other that did this. I contacted the manufacture and the only response that I got was that they were sorry that I wasn't happy with the paint. I also have the manufactures paint protection shield on my vehicles hood and it is starting to peel up. It is a good running car but I wish I hadn't spent the money on a vehicle that the paint wouldn't even hold up for 3 months. After the expierence with Toyota, even though it's only a paint issue, I will never buy another Toyota again. I will never be able to get a decent trade in on it when I am able to trade it in. I feel that the manufacture needs to make things right...
  • sjareasjarea Member Posts: 49
    edited June 2011
    So, after over a year of garaged ownership and only 7K miles (I bike commute when I can) I am also noticing the paint quality is sub-standard.

    I understand the need to reduce VOC's, but if the paint is going to chip so easily then why even paint it?

    Also, I would recommend that when you wash & wax your corolla that you consider using an acrylic coat such as Klasse instead wax for durability. YOu can always apply a coat of wax over the acrylic if you want the 'wet' look. You can NOT apply acrylic on top of wax so be aware!

    After 25 yrs of driving toyota's I am so turned off by this current generation that when it's time to replace it Toyota will not even be on my list of considerations.
  • deslot27deslot27 Member Posts: 2
    Has anyone encountered a paint job that is totally pealing off its clear coat. My 2003 is almost 50% void of clear coat, and soon will get to the base coat. Started on roof, which is almost void of clear coat, now gong onto trunk and hood and doors. Really looks bad, and I have been quoted $1000-$1800 for a good replacement paint job. Was wondwering if anyone would know if Toyota would help on this mess? THANKS
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    What are you using to care for your cars finish? There are some products out there that are very harsh on the clearcoat and could actually eat it away after time. Most of these are the polishes that are polyurethanes like Nufinish and 2000.
  • deslot27deslot27 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the quick response. I just use regular self serv spray washes, and never had an rubbing style wax put on. It looks like a I was bombed with an acid rain balloon. Just on the roof and now moving to hood and trunk.
  • kimj1969kimj1969 Member Posts: 1
    I think is crap that Toyota hasn't offered to repaint these cars, I know there has to more folks with this paint issue that haven't come forward.

    I also have a 2001 Corolla that the clearcoat is peeling off the roof and rear left door. I am the second owner of his car, purchase in So Cal. and have waxed it tried to keep out of the sun....

    Now that I live in Vegas, the heat is doing a number on the anything glued down, trim inside the door frames have peeled off.

    I love this car even it looks like I dont...This car has less than 89000 miles on it
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    It's eleven years old, you can't even expect a Toyota to last forever? Mileage really doesn't factor into the equasion as it's still exposed to the elements, even if it's not being driven.
  • scrawnscrawn Member Posts: 1
    I have an 07 Corolla with paint that is chipping. When I asked the dealer, I was told that paint had a 3 year warrantee... end of conversation. It is crap. I just saw a news report on thin paint and that the car makers aren't standing behind their work. I sure can't afford to paint my car!
  • quality_checkquality_check Member Posts: 1
    I have 2 GM cars. 13 years old, 10 years old. I have a toyota 7 years old. Ever since I bought the corolla the paint on the back bumper has been atrocious. Any slight scratch causes the paint to begin peeling off. I have been patch painting the car for years. The last straw came last night when I removed painters tape around an area i was touching up and the paint all came off on the the tape. This is the first and only car that has done this. Quality of Toyota has gone done hill and I can't understand why they would use such poor quality manufacturing. Just be aware that Toyota does not have quality control like other auto manufacturers. And to think I paid more for a toyota thinking I was paying for quality. I was taken!!!! No more toyotas!
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    You do realize 10 and 13 years ago GM was allowed to use better paint then they would be allowed to use today right? Toyota, Ford, G.M.,etc., etc. are now required to use less volatile and only environmental safe paints these days. Along with this requirement came a much less durable paint on ALL newer cars.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    edited September 2011
    >The last straw came last night when I removed painters tape around an area i was touching up and the paint all came off on the the tape.

    This is not the mark of a quality paint job. Haven't there been postings about problems with Corolla paint for years?

    The other poster claims it's _all_ companies having paint problems now. Is that true?

    Read the Lexus forums? Any postings about problems with poor paint and poor adhesion in the Toyota Lexus models? Or is the cheap paint process on the Corolla? Also read the Camry/Avalon postings.

    My GM cars have never, never had paint flake away from a scratch. My Cobalt has had a couple--2008. No flaking. No problems.

    Good luck in finding a resolution for the paint quality problem. :)

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,145
    Yes, we've seen this complaint on a multitude of makes/models. It's not Toyota-specific.

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  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    >multitude of makes/models

    Is it on the lower line models? Or broadly based through the various price levels.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,145
    It's pretty broadly-based. I've seen it on Lexus models, Hyundai models, etc. Not all models have complaints, but... I'm guessing that's just because there are no posts about it, not because it's not happening. The newer paint just seems to be less durable.

    Additionally, these often come in conjunction with complaints about "flimsier" body metal. The use of lighter, thinner metal is pervasive in an attempt to meet consumer demands for increasingly more fuel-efficient vehicles. Obviously, making a vehicle lighter in weight helps.

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  • xluxlu Member Posts: 457
    Dear host,

    I recently noticed that a lot of 5 to 10 years old Honda cars have very bad paint problems (peeling off) on the roof and hood. I'd like to open a new discussion on that but could not find any link or button. Can you help?

    Thanks
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    By clicking on "sedans" in the tracer at top (Forums > Sedans > etc

    About halfway down the page there is a list of topics and there's a link "add discussion."

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • collo7733collo7733 Member Posts: 1
    That happened to my car. I've had my red corolla for 2 years now. When I bought the car used, everything looked fine with the exception of a little dent in the rear bumper. 6 months later the roof peeled like you said. Soon it spread to hood and the trunk. It also seems to be fading on the sides. If It rains you can tell the color is a little off. I was quoted 4k for a paint job. Another girl I work with has a red 2005 corolla and is fading as bad as mine.

    On top of that, the speaker covers in the back cracked. I saw a bunch of 2003 Camry owners with the same problem. This is very frustrating.
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    Wow. I know several people with 2004-2006 Corollas, and they have zero problems with paint. I also have a neighbor with a 2009 - zero paint problems - maybe the color red is a problem, or ??? Check out other websites to see if it really is a widespread problem.
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    Wow, sounds like you really got a lemon there! I currently have three Corollas(92,01 and 09) and all have "like new" paint on all three. After I apply my yearly application of "NU-Finish" I'm beading and shining for another year. First I heard of the cracked speaker problem. Good luck with all of your difficiencies.
  • orca6orca6 Member Posts: 9
    I have a 2006 Toyota Corolla. I have paint chipping on the roof of my car, and the roof of my car is rusting as well. This does not seem right, my car is only 5 years old and already my car roof is chipping and rusting. I know of cars that are 10 years old and their paint job is still in tact. The top of my doors are also starting to fade as well. I also have a neighbor down the street that has the same issue. If we get enough customers with the same issue of paint chipping and fading, we can try to start a class action to resolve our issues.
  • orca6orca6 Member Posts: 9
    Does anyone know of any Toyota 2006 paint chipping recalls? If you do, if you can please let me know, I would really appreciate that...
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    edited October 2011
    Are you the first owner of your Corolla? Could you or a previous owner have used an abrasive compound that might have removed the clear coat finish? I know polymer compounds such as "2001" and "NU Finish" (and I'm sure there are others) have been mentioned to remove clear coat if not used as directed. I mean I myself use NU Finish and just love the once a year protection it provides but you really can not over use this or compounds like it.
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