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Rich
Dodge Dakota
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6/24/2005
11:39:16
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 Subject: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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Message:
My letter to Chrysler Consumer Complaint.
June 22, 2005
Sir:
I leased a new 1999 Dodge Dakota from Chuck Patterson, 200 East Avenue, Chico, CA 95926. At the conclusion of the lease, I purchased the vehicle. The vehicle now has approximately 57,300 miles on it. It has received maintenance on a regular schedule and is well taken care of.
Approximately one month ago, I noticed a large gray area located in the center of the roof immediately above the windshield. At first I thought this was an area I had missed when I washed the truck. Upon closer inspection, I realized that it wasn't dirt but that the paint is going bad. The gray area is actually paint primer. The area immediately to the left, right and rear of this area is very rough (like sandpaper), no longer has any clearcoat or shine and is in fact, in the process of revealing the paint primer. In plainspoken English, the paint is going bad.
Upon inspecting the rest of the truck, I noticed the paint is also in the process of going bad on the right front fender where the hood meets the fender. This area is checkered showing that the clearcoat is breaking down.
Since the truck is only 6 years old, has relatively low mileage for its age and has been well maintained I contacted the dealership where I purchased the vehicle.
Following is an abbreviated account of my contact with them and with the Chrysler Corporation.
6/8/05
To Chuck Patterson for oil change and to point out bad paint on roof.
Waited on by Service Advisor (895-1771).
Sindi wasn't interested in looking at the paint. She gave me her card with a toll free number for Chrysler. Told me to call them with my complaint.
6/10/05
Called 1-800-992-1997 (Chrysler) and spoke with a service representative. (I didn't record her name as she said that if I called again, someone else would handle my call.)
I explained my problem to her and she said that Sindi should have handled the problem. She said that there is a procedure in place to handle complaints such as mine. She said she would immediately FAX a report to Chuck Patterson advising them as to how to handle my complaint. She gave me a case number of 13656XXX for future reference.
6/15/05
Called Sindi and told her of my conversation with the Chrysler representative. Sindi didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about. I referred her to the FAX that Chuck Patterson was supposed to receive. She said she would research the matter and get back to me.
She called about 30 minutes later and said that she was unable to locate the FAX. Further, that she had discussed my case with her supervisor and he told her to tell me that there was nothing that either Chuck Patterson or Chrysler would do as the truck is out of warranty. She said her supervisor told her to tell me that my only recourse is to sue Chrysler.
6/15/05
I called Chrysler again and spoke with a male service representative. He was absolutely of no assistance and kept repeating that the truck is out of warranty and I have no recourse and that Chrysler isn't responsible for the paint going bad. This person had the attitude that he wasn't going to help me and that he could care less about my complaint. I asked to speak to his supervisor and he told me that wasn't possible. He said he has the authority to make the decision he has made and that there is no higher authority.
6/15/05
I called Chuck Patterson again and asked to speak to the owner of the business regarding a complaint. The operator connected me to a service representative (name not recorded). She listened to my complaint and said she would get back to me in two or three days. As of this writing, (6/22/05) I have not heard from her.
I conducted some research on the Internet (Goggle search - Bad Paint Dodge Dakota) and without too much difficulty, located several sites listing discussion forums wherein other owner's of Chrysler vehicles and specifically, Dodge Dakota trucks were experiencing similar problems with their paint.
I certainly do not expect a paint job to last forever however; I do expect a new vehicle to have paint on it that will last for at least 6 years. I don't think that in this day and age, especially considering the cost of my truck, that my expectations are unrealistic.
I am requesting assistance from the Chrysler Corporation to resolve this problem.
Sincerely,
Rich
(Name & address deleted for purpose of posting on the internet.)
Reply from Chrysler
Dear Richard:
Your email has been received and the concerns you have raised are appreciated.
After thoroughly reviewing your paint request and the files on this matter, we respectfully concur with the decision rendered by our Senior Staff during your phone conversation.
Thank you for taking the time to communicate with DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation. It is regrettable that a more favorable reply can not be provided.
Thank you again for writing.
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Jecht X
Dodge Dakota
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6/25/2005
10:07:31
| RE: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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Message:
dont know what you expect. I know it sucks. but DC will not do anything about your paint. they will say its your fault. and never took proper care of the trucks exterior. they will prob ask yo upark it out side and so on and so on. after all they dont want to pay for anything that they will lose money on. I had the same prob on my 89 mustang. it had fading on the hood and roof. there was a recall on it. but the dealership said my car wasnt covered. hope it works out for you but I doubt DC will rule in your favor.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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6/25/2005
22:19:28
| RE: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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Message:
They always back down just before it goes to court if you file a claim against them. Many people have gotten them to pay at least half of a new paint job. Just harass the $hit out of them until they cave.
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Brian G
Dodge Dakota
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6/25/2005
23:43:50
| RE: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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Abuse the paint...... let it go bad ... then try and make DaimlerChrysler pay for a new paint job ..... no wonder why the trucks cost sooo much .......
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Jecht X
Dodge Dakota
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6/27/2005
20:14:04
| RE: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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Message:
one thing. you said a month ago you noticed the rough area on the roof. I want to know how often you wash your truck? I would figure you would of noticed this spot long time ago when it was small. makes me think beings the truck sits high. you neglected to take the time and wash the roof every time you washed the rest of the vehicle.
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another mark
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2005
01:50:38
| RE: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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Message:
Complaining about a 6 year old paint job? Chrysler will say tought 5hit. I would too. Come on, 6 years old! What is the warranty on paint? It can't be that good. Non-issue.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2005
08:36:00
| RE: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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Message:
Boy, you're an easy pushover. This is a known problem with all makes, and it is a manufacturing defect, not normal wear and tear.
Dupont and PPG concocted the idea of the powdercoat base primer on cars to reduce VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). They told the Big Three that no intermediate primer coat was needed between the powdercoat and the finish coat. Also, the finish coats have been thinned out - mine chipped and measured .0024 inches thick; body shops tell me the standard is supposed to be .0045 inches thick.
The issue is that with the thin finish coat, UV rays go through to the powdercoat and oxidize it, which makes it let go of the finish coat, which peels. In extreme cases, van owners have seen car washes take off sheets of paint, as well as sliding snow on the roof removing paint.
Fight, fight, fight. They'll pay something.
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greenpiece
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2005
11:37:55
| RE: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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Message:
thank you for doing your part to save the earth by not using petroleum based paints.
If you want a good paint job, buy an original 63 chevy, Its original paint is still shiney.
go to my frienly sprawl mart and buy some spray ENAMEL and start spraying
Just kidding - life sucks, thankfully you will die
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blamebush
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2005
11:44:25
| RE: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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by the way.
Blame George Bush
the federal government said car makers can't use petro paints.
So they use a clear coat that oxizes to a white haze.
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Historian
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2005
14:26:30
| RE: Bad Paint on 99 Dakota
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Message:
Goes back to the Reagan era.
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