[mrmontebuilder]

I purchased a used 2012 XB about 4 months ago from a used car dealer in NJ about 20 minutes from my house and car looked nice with a few minor blemishes. I noticed one rust spot on the roof about the size of a pencil tip and made a mental note to to touch it up later. I ran it through a few car washes but it sits sometimes for weeks without moving in my driveway. Well I went to detail it today and do a few touchups from parking lot scratches from inconsiderate people and there are now about 35 rust spots like this on my roof. All over it not just one spot and one is almost the size of a dime.

I know I should have been on top of keeping it better but man 28 months since it was sold and paint is pretty well gone on the entire roof. Anyone else experience this?? I am guessing I am on my own as it will be blamed on "environmental issues" or something similar. I have had quite a few new and used vehicles but even my 17 year old GMC work truck which was shown no love at all and paint is still holding up better than roof of the XB is at a little over 2 years. I have almost 5 years of payments on this and at this rate I will have a convertible long before I pay it off.

 

[Slorocket]

Thats inside the factory warranty time. Im sure theyll fight about it. But it should be fixed. Imo. I say put a call into scion themselves.

 

[BrickPig]

I agree with Slorocket go claim it on warrenty.

 

[mrmontebuilder]

Headed to my local dealer now. Took 5 phone calls to even verify it was under warranty still so this should be fun. Not one person I talked to grasped the concept of just taking my VIN and verifying the warranty and calling me back to let me know warranty status. Finally body shop manager at the dealer took it and checked while I was on the phone. A few people I talked to tried to convince the original 3/36 warranty did not apply to anyone but the original owner.

 

[mrmontebuilder]

local dealer took photos to document it and recorded VIN and miles and is going to call me after talking to Toyota.

 

[mrmontebuilder]

Still waiting on news from the dealer. Apparently the rep for the east coast has the final say on what happens with it and it may be two more weeks before he is in the area to see it. When it was looked at by body shop manager he said something about bird droppings damaging the paint but also said it seemed odd to be isolated to JUST the roof and a few of the spots did look like they were bubbling up from under the paint.

 

[Slorocket]

A few people I talked to tried to convince the original 3/36 warranty did not apply to anyone but the original owner.

thats a huge load of bs. So if someone buys a car and returns it the next day it a 'as is'? Mhm yeh ok.

 

[Slorocket]

bubbling up from under the paint.

Gee. birds wont do that. Nor anything else I can think of. If its under the paint, it was a issue BEFORE it got painted.

 

[mrmontebuilder]

Yes slorocket I totally agree however they hold the cards and if they deny the claim I am screwed. I don't have the $1000 or so it will be for roof to be stripped down and repainted the right way and I am sure not going to do a DIY touchup on all those spots as it will look like crap.

 

[Slorocket]

Ugh. I feel for ya for sure. Effin dealers...

tons of luck for ya...

 

[mrmontebuilder]

Thanks Slorocket!!! I hope it all works out and this gets resolved quickly and correctly. I had a leased 2006 Ridgeline that got waxed once in 3 years and saw junkyard trips and trash picking several times a week and had no issues with the paint at all so I am not buying the whole bird droppings answer. If that were true EVERY new one sold would have an issue, I looked at the same new white XB at a local Scion dealer several times over a month or so and never once did it appear it had been washed. Well, fingers crossed!!

 

[5zero4]

Lucky it's not as bad as chevy vans!!!


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[mrmontebuilder]

Finally heard from dealer and regional rep is supposed to be there tomorrow to look at it. Gave it a quick bath just now and going to drop it off there in a few minutes for tomorrow. Hope I get good news.

 

[5zero4]

Good luck!

 

[mrmontebuilder]

That was a total waste of time. Toyota rep blamed it on "outside influences" and said they are not responsible for it and will do nothing for me. This despite the fact there are bubbles forming UNDER the paint all over the roof!!! So I am not going to get a dime out of this if I sell it or trade it and a few local shops estimated about $2k to strip and repaint the roof to fix it with quality on par for a 2012. I don't have that kind of money to spend on a car I am starting to hate. I am now up to voluntary repo and lose the $5k I put down and the $1k in payments I have made thus far. Any suggestions?

 

[5zero4]

Go to another dealer???

 

[5zero4]

I mean the thing is. The body is supposed to be corrosion treated to stop corrosion from outside influences like salt air etc.
Unless you drilled holes in the roof that exposed untreated metal there is nothing outside of normal use to dispute. Especially if its under the paint.

I would maybe ask an attorney to draft a letter to them.

 

[mrmontebuilder]

No holes made in roof. I am still figuring out what to do with this. I just honestly have such a bad taste in my mouth i don't even want the car anymore.

 

[Slorocket]

Unreal. Gotta go with 5zero4. Maybe a lawyer. Craigslist. Other dealers. Trade it in. I dunno. But thats absolute crap.

 

[5zero4]

Or cut it out pit in a huge moon roof!!!!