Warranty for paint peeling and trim separating

Jullian is not my name · March 16, 2016

I have a 2014 Sierra in Iridium with 35k miles and was purchased in June ’13. I’m coming up on the end of my warranty, so I took my truck to the dealer with a short list of low priority items that I wanted them to fix before the warranty expires. I want to make it clear that I am very happy with my truck and these are just small complaints, but still, I think they should be taken care of.

Just below the passenger front door in the anti-chip section, there is an area where the paint is peeling off. I showed this to my service rep (who spoke with his service manager) and their response was that a chip probably caused the paint to initially flake, and then water and moisture caused the paint to peal. Since it was a chip that caused the initial problem, it is not a warranty item. My counter argument was that there is no way the paint should be continuing to separate from the primer and that I argue that there’s a problem with the pain adhering to the surface properly. I will say that I scratched the surrounding area with my finger nail, and it doesn’t seem to be coming loose, so may be isolated and I can understand their side of the argument despite disagreeing.

The 2^nd issue I had was that the chrome trim on the driver’s side door was separating and coming un-glued. They inspected it and said that the trim was bent slightly, so it wasn’t a warranty item. I don’t know what bend they’re talking about, but the trim is coming unglued and has bowed out where the foam backed adhesive has puffed out. Seemed like they are trying to say that I must have inadvertently pulled the trim myself.

So, my question is if I should fight them on this, or if they have a legitimate point. Has anyone else had a problem with their paint doing this and been able to get GM to repair it (note that this is not the same issue as PIT5313C that is discussed on the forum, this pealing is in the anti-chip area itself, and I have a Silao crew cab half ton). I think I'm more upset about them not fixing the chrome molding since it wasn't brought on by any outside activity like the paint chip. Is this worth contacting a GM Rep to sort out or will they just tell me to respectfully piss off.

Pictures included.

first picture close up of paint peeling area

second picture of paint peeling

third picture of chrome trim looking straight down on driver's door

muddkatt · March 16, 2016

The dealer should have taken care of this for you. If your dealer wont do it, take it to another one.

buckwuk · March 18, 2016

I am actually getting my front bumper repainted under warranty on Monday. Every time I wash it more comes off. Dealer said they test it by putting clear masking tape on it and if any paint comes with the tape it's an adheasion problem. I have a 100+ little chips on that front bumper.

drg6654 · March 19, 2016

I am actually getting my front bumper repainted under warranty on Monday. Every time I wash it more comes off. Dealer said they test it by putting clear masking tape on it and if any paint comes with the tape it's an adheasion problem. I have a 100+ little chips on that front bumper.

Get a clear bra installed on after the repaint!!

I have a 2014 Sierra in Iridium with 35k miles and was purchased in June 13. Im coming up on the end of my warranty, so I took my truck to the dealer with a short list of low priority items that I wanted them to fix before the warranty expires. I want to make it clear that I am very happy with my truck and these are just small complaints, but still, I think they should be taken care of.

Just below the passenger front door in the anti-chip section, there is an area where the paint is peeling off. I showed this to my service rep (who spoke with his service manager) and their response was that a chip probably caused the paint to initially flake, and then water and moisture caused the paint to peal. Since it was a chip that caused the initial problem, it is not a warranty item. My counter argument was that there is no way the paint should be continuing to separate from the primer and that I argue that theres a problem with the pain adhering to the surface properly. I will say that I scratched the surrounding area with my finger nail, and it doesnt seem to be coming loose, so may be isolated and I can understand their side of the argument despite disagreeing.

The 2^nd issue I had was that the chrome trim on the drivers side door was separating and coming un-glued. They inspected it and said that the trim was bent slightly, so it wasnt a warranty item. I dont know what bend theyre talking about, but the trim is coming unglued and has bowed out where the foam backed adhesive has puffed out. Seemed like they are trying to say that I must have inadvertently pulled the trim myself.

So, my question is if I should fight them on this, or if they have a legitimate point. Has anyone else had a problem with their paint doing this and been able to get GM to repair it (note that this is not the same issue as PIT5313C that is discussed on the forum, this pealing is in the anti-chip area itself, and I have a Silao crew cab half ton). I think I'm more upset about them not fixing the chrome molding since it wasn't brought on by any outside activity like the paint chip. Is this worth contacting a GM Rep to sort out or will they just tell me to respectfully piss off.

Pictures included.

first picture close up of paint peeling area

IMG_1527 (1).JPG

second picture of paint peeling

IMG_1533 (1).JPG

third picture of chrome trim looking straight down on driver's door

IMG_1531.JPG

Create a Case with GM Customer Care!! That's your best bet to get this resolved!!!

Jullian is not my name · March 30, 2016

This has become such a fight. GM Customer Service has been discussing this with the service manager at the dealer. I've given up on the paint issue, because it is not a far stretch to say that a chip caused the paint to come off and start peeling (even though the paint should not be peeling). But, the dealer is reporting to GM Customer Service that the moulding is coming off because I must have driven through tree branches (as evident by the scratches on my paint), and a branch must have ripped the trim loose. The dealer did see that I have small scratches on my paint from "AZ pinstriping" as we call it here, but he never discussed his theory with me when I had my truck there.

The trim is unattaching on the trailing edge of the moulding... so I would assume they think I was driving in reverse through trees and snagged the moulding on a branch? I really don't see why my dealer is being so stubborn on this. I've only been communicating by voicemail today with the GM customer service rep who's helping me, so I'm not sure what her reaction will be when I ask her to explain the physics of this to me.

Anyway, this has been slow moving and unpleasant experience with GM. Small potatoes in the grand scheme, and I still love my truck, but my dealership's service center is doing their best to drive me away.

waumo1 · March 30, 2016

That was just a bad job in the beginning installing the trim, defective tape, somebody touched it with dirty gloves, etc.

Sounds like your dealer has exceeded his warranty quota for the quarter and isn't want to do anything.

JerryCanada · March 30, 2016

There's a bulletin out for the paint peeling. Had same problem on my 2014 bronze metallic and they fixed it. See thread:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/173537-and-yet-another-truck-with-paint-problems/

The dealer always gave me good service that's what keeps me going there. I'm more loyal to the dealer than the brand they sell. When I lived in another town I actually owned a Ram for awhile because the service I was getting at that local GM dealer.

Jullian is not my name · March 30, 2016

Well, my moulding problem has just been resolved. I persisted and finally got through to the service manager. I told him I'd bring some palo verde branches down there and he could help show me how it could have caused the moulding to separate on the trailing edge. Thankfully he didn't make me go that far, and he said they would take care of it and it wasn't that big of a deal.

As for the paint pealing, I'm fine just cleaning it up myself with touch up paint at this point. Its down low and won't be very visible and at least the primer is still there to protect the metal. Thanks for everyone's comments.

phabejhmoob · March 30, 2016

Well, my moulding problem has just been resolved. I persisted and finally got through to the service manager. I told him I'd bring some palo verde branches down there and he could help show me how it could have caused the moulding to separate on the trailing edge. Thankfully he didn't make me go that far, and he said they would take care of it and it wasn't that big of a deal.

As for the paint pealing, I'm fine just cleaning it up myself with touch up paint at this point. Its down low and won't be very visible and at least the primer is still there to protect the metal. Thanks for everyone's comments.

I do minor paint repairs on my vehicles all the time when I get a chance to. If you can find a local paint company to mix you a few cans of aerosol cans (color match) or order it online http://www.automotivetouchup.com/spray_paint_matched.aspx, you can do the touch up yourself by sanding, a little primer and spray paint. A few coats 6-8 inches away horizontally back and forth; each time you get to the end pull the can away. You then finish it off with a 2k clear coat (i usually buy them from Amazon) and it looks like new. Do a few coat of clear. Once it's cured , you can cut and polish it. Easy DIY.

Edited March 30, 2016 by cs2016lt

Rkaroll953 · March 31, 2016

isint your warranty 5 years 100k miles how is it about to expire?

TJay74 · March 31, 2016

isint your warranty 5 years 100k miles how is it about to expire?

The 5yr / 100k warranty is for the powertrain (engine, transmission, transfer case, and rear end) only. The Bumper to Bumper is only 3yr / 36k.

Rkaroll953 · March 31, 2016

oh gotcha i understand

The 5yr / 100k warranty is for the powertrain (engine, transmission, transfer case, and rear end) only. The Bumper to Bumper is only 3yr / 36k.

royrjs · April 1, 2016

My wife had the front bumper on her Trax repainted 2 times at the dealer because paint started to peel where the bumper meets the fender to what it looked like a poorly aligned hood/fender/bumper installation, and we wouldn't accept it back until they fixed it through their 3rd party vendor on body shop matters; it looked like the guys at the external body shop cared or knew more about the damn car than the guys at the dealership.

All 3 times under warranty; push until you get this fixed.

SULLVERADO · April 4, 2016

i went threw 2 dealers and 2 claims and i cant get them to fix my chips. they all say that they were caused by rocks, 25,000 kms and my truck never leaves the payment. one chip is right through the rock guard..

rcrockett1945 · August 12, 2021

I have a 2014 Tahoe LS 4x2 with 96,000 miles on it. The exterior paint is black. For some reason, the roof has lost it's shine and is becoming a dull flat black. This is also starting to happen on the hood. It's as almost as if the clear coat is wearing off. It is only happening on these areas. The vehicle has been mostly garage kept and not exposed to any environmental causes (chemicals). Has anyone else experienced this? How to fix it? Cause?

Thanks for the help.