Hyundai owners worldwide are expressing frustration over significant paint peeling issues, particularly affecting white models. Armando Toossi, from Angus, Ontario, noticed small chips on his 2016 white Hyundai Sonata 2.0T seven years ago. After a touchless car wash three years ago, large sections of paint began peeling off. His mother’s identical 2015 model experienced the same problem. Reports of peeling paint on white Hyundais have emerged in trade publications and news stories across the U.S., South Africa, and Australia. Numerous Facebook groups with thousands of members discuss this issue, and a proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed in Quebec.
Hyundai Canada describes these problems as “extremely rare,” offering a three-year or 60,000-kilometer paint warranty. In contrast, Hyundai USA provides a white paint warranty extension for certain 2017 and 2018 models exhibiting peeling or bubbling paint. Hyundai Canada has aligned with the U.S. program, extending warranties for models sold within a specific production date range. The automaker attributes the issue to an industry-wide problem with paint durability on certain white vehicles and advises owners to contact local dealerships or Hyundai’s customer care center.
Chemical engineer Stephen Gaiski, from Zestar Corp., suggests the peeling results from issues during paint application, noting that a vehicle’s paint job should last 10 to 15 years. Chris Wood of Leons Auto Body in Toronto estimates that a proper refinish could cost between $8,000 and $10,000, as the entire vehicle would need treatment. Emma Nixon in Melbourne, Australia, shares similar frustrations, feeling unprotected as a consumer after her car’s paint began peeling. Jo Ucukalo of Handle My Complaint reports assisting hundreds of Australians with similar issues, describing it as a “catastrophic paint failure.” Philippe Brault of Lambert Avocats in Montreal, representing the proposed class action in Quebec, argues that it’s abnormal for Hyundai vehicles’ paint to deteriorate after only a few years.
Source: Swifteradio.com
