PT Cruiser Paint Problems Report Update

[art]

we have recorded over 200 customer reports of PT Cruiser paint problems-chipping, non-resistance to scratching, delamination, etc.
www.ptcuiserlinks.com is listing our petition.
Go to:
http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/paint-problem
to send in your info--

We have picked up
significant support from PT Cruiser clubs and have recently gained another
contact in Chrysler's Paint Engineering Group. They are now analyzing
our data. My regional rep presents our data to Chrysler's Consumer
Advocacy Group as well.


Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Thanks,

art

[Jackie O]

Thanks for all you're doing for all fo us Art!!!!!!

[SillyEagle]

Thanks for the update art! I hope they're willing to do something about the problem

I took a really good look at the PT's front end while washing this week.. for the parade... and there's just NO WAY I can keep up with this. no way }

Me.. and a little bottle of touch-up just isn't going to make it here... it's just awful And I'm no auto body worker to be able to sand, buff, repaint ad nauseum all the time.. and I can't afford to have it done FOR me all the time either!

Thanks for your efforts.. and those of your contacts!

[art]

Reality check:

You know, the money I send to Chrysler Financial every month is not chipped, delaminated, or scratched. It's in perfect condition. I wish my paint job was.
The thing is--what we are doing is just about all we can do. I shudder when I think of what can happen inside a giant global mega-corp when the rubber hits the road--which reminds me of Ford/Firestone. Accepting responsibility for flaws in the production process is not something big companies are in the habit of doing.
As I mentioned previously--we have been approached by lawyers with offers of class-action suits, etc. That is not my idea of "people power"...but I do wonder what will ultimately happen with our reports...
and until then--customers are on their own negotiating with individual dealerships.

Dealers don't like to spend money on something they can blame on customers...

I have heard from just a couple of people who have been offered total re-paints. The rest are being offered "panel refinishing" or just touch-ups.

At some point--we could use some actionable ideas about how else we can exercise customer power to get the attention of DCX decisionmakers regarding this situation that's now being studied by their internal Groups.

Does this have anything to do with the fact the paint seems to be super thin on the PTs?

I believe an internet upheavaly would do much better than any class action attorney could do. I've been there. Done that.

The Cruiser has gotten so much good publicity that any bad pub would be welcomed by the media. And thrown in a couple of PT rallys in front of the Chrysler building, and you would get new paint jobs for everyone!

[pt diver]

Do you think I should report this? Its where the Alarm switch touches the underside of the hood. It wore through to the primer.

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[Kathryn]

Art - Thank you so much for sticking with this and accumulating all the data. I recently received quite a dent + chips while parked in front of my office, no one admits to it though, and after having the dent removed, I am faced again with the touch-up paint problem. I have so many chips that this one (the biggest) is probably only noticeable to me. And other Cruiser owners, of course.
Considering the problems the body shop had matching the paint on the rear bumper panel, after being rear-ended by a semi in Jan, I am certainly not about to have a front fender panel painted.
Like ptdiver, I've put felt patches with adhesive backing over all the contact points under the hood where the paint has been worn away.
I also have dozens of little chips in my windshield, which is so annoying. Honest, I'm not driving on dirt roads or behind dump trucks!!! Certainly a design flaw.
Thanks so much, Art. I'm hoping that reports continue to come in to you, and that someone at DC is listening.

[PTCruisingPA]

That was easy... hope it helps the cause.

[coolZero]

Mine is in the shop right now (second time) because the clear coat keeps pealing around the head lights and seam where the front facia meets the side panels.

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[art]

ok..I have a service director who is almost embarrased about how bad my paint is...problem is there is a higher up at the dealership who is one of those blame-the-customer-for-driving-too-close-to-gravel-trucks people (this comment offends me because I drive 5 car lengths back from everyone always)..so until the giant global mega-corp DCX takes responsibility for their production problem (hopefully moved to action by our reports) my own dealer is offering "panel refinishing" rather than an entire repaint.
I have had them touching up panels and recording the locations of the chips for the upcoming panel refinishing. IMO they will eventually find a chip on every panel -- does that mean an entire repaint by default?
Anyway, I am offering this account of my own experience so you can be doing something similar on your own (until DCX takes some action).
So working with my dealer, I have a record of all chips touched up--all panels affected. Next thing is to take it in for panel refinishing.
After that -- when the rest of the panels that weren't repainted continue to chip -- I will continue to take it back and have them continue keeping records of the damage. I'll be doing this for the entire length of my warranty if nothing comes of all our very hard work in collectring and submitting all of our customer reports or until I just decide to bag it and pay for a new ( custom ) paint job on my own.
I'd advise you do the same or similar. We have heard of only 2 dealers who offered their paint-problem-reporting customers total re-paints (even they have to haggle over weather it is sanded down to the primer or not). The point is: you are on your own working with your dealer. Every dealer is free to take whatever position they want on issues like this.
Thanks for your continued interest in this topic.