the Chrysler Peeling Paint website

Hello,
I have been searching for someone who could help me with my paint problem. I
am planning to take action this week at our local Chrysler dealer.
I own a 91 Plymouth acclaim. It started peeling on the back side of the trunk
about 1995. The spot was small..about the size an egg. It bought some touch
up paint and repaired it the best I could. This past year peeling spots have
shown up all over the car....some are small, some keep growing. I have either
always hand washed my car, or driven it through a touches car wash. I hand
wax it twice a year and always have the carwash spay wax on it when I would
take it through.
I have printed off your suggestions about contacting the service manager and I
will be doing that this week. I will let you know how I do. I did purchase
the car in Norfolk Virginia and now live near Bangor Maine. This is the 3rd
Plymouth I have owned. In fact the 1984 Aries SW has 180,000 miles on
it...and has all it's paint! (well, it is faded some, but runs well.)
Thank you
Mary W. Corwin

Ed Devol

I'm glad you were motivated enough to start the site on peeling paint.
The only thing I would add is what caused this problem in the first place.

My local dealer painted the top and hood of our 94 Grand Voyager for $100.
He told me that to "re-tool" the painting process would cost over 5 billion
dollars. Painting the vehicles of those who know enough to ask will only
cost a fraction of that amount.

Thanks and keep up the crusade.
Ed

Aunt Edna

After 12 months of not giving up or not giving in I am finally getting
my car repainted by Chrysler. It was approved on l2/21/98 and it has
taken me this long for the dealership to make the an appointment with
the body shop. Apparently thought I would give up.and forget about it. I
researched all sights on the web and was not convinced it was the acid
rain causing this. Parts of my car are down to bear metal. and offered
to send pictures and copies of my research. No thank you was the
answer. Being a working widowed Sr. Citizen I simply said that I would
continue to pursue getting the car painted either thru Chrysler, Class
Action Suit, or small claims court. The choice was theirs. Appartently
they think because you are Female you can be easily dismissed as not
knowing what you are talking about. Think again, folks. I haunted
Chrysler, the Owner . of dealership and Service Mgr. on a weekly basis
by phone and visits, speaking very plainly and loudly that I was not
going to go away until I got my car painted. It is now at Knoxville
Collision Center being painted.and should take 5 working days to
repaint. I am driving an old "Beater" with over 200,000 miles on it and
l6 yrs. old. We call it the No Go Renault but it takes me where I need
to go and the paint is still good on it!
I will keep you posted as to how the paint job turns out. Don't give up.
That's what they want you to do. Hang in there, and give 'em Hell!!!!

Aunt Edna

Steve Cosio

I met with a Chrysler rep in July of '97 and the best offer he gave me
to repaint (the hood, roof and fenders ONLY) my '90 Caravan was 50/50.
The offer stood for 30 days and then was void.

We talked for 45 minutes. I presented him a 25-page folder containing
copies of e-mail and messages posted on the newsgroup regarding how
pissed off people are about their paint. He admitted Chrysler had a
paint problem but won't voluntarily step forward to fix the problem.
He did mention the Federal Trade Commission forced GM and Ford to fix
their paint problems but left Chrysler alone.

I asked, when I bring my van to the dealer for servicing, why didn't
the service writer recommend repainting my vehicle. Afterall, the
service writer makes recommendations for other repairs (to the tune of
hundreds.$.$.). Response: We are a "for profit" business. If you
think we're going to see your car and say "hey, it's your lucky
day...we're going to repaint your van," your crazy.

The rep also put the blame on me... "When you bought the vehicle you
were given an owner's manual. On the back of the manual it states if
you have a problem with your vehicle, take it to the dealer. If you
have a problem with the dealer, call Chrysler. Why didn't you do
that?"

I have driven a few Chrysler vehicles over the past couple years --
namely the Intrepid (as a rental car). I kept thinking as I was
zipping along the freeway what a great car it was and then had to
remind myself that I will NEVER purchase another Chrysler vehicle
again.

Steve Cosio

Jim Jordan

After my 93 Dodge Shadow starting peeling and I complained to a friend
she wrote me back....

Hey, we too have a peice of crap 5 yr. old Chrysler that DID have
peeling paint. They painted the hood once for free, the roof once for
free, and then the good fight began. Three months of fighting (started
by me and finished by my husband because I am only a lowly woman in
the eyes of the car world) and we now have a new paint job. If ever
asked if I keep my van in the garage, I can honestly answer yes, at
least half of the time. Oh, and it's never our garage, but it has
logged much time in the garage of various Chrylser dealers.

Pretty depressing isn't it? I know someone with a used van that got
50% covered on painting, but that is all. I could talk for hours about
how I have been taken for a ride by Chrysler dealer....and I don't
mean in my van. They refuse to give me all of my service records, and
a friend I have met thru school owns his own transmission and auto
repair shop looked at what I DO have, and well.....it appears they
have been billing Chry. for all kinds of warranty work that looks
fishy. And dummy me, I was happy as long as I didn't pay and they gave
me a rental car. We did buy the first extended warranty we have ever
bought in our lives. Of course, that was probably their "free ticket"
to bill more to Chrys. Live and learn. They also lured me in with
"free" oil changes. I will NEVER have them touch my car again. I was
told many steps along the way "this is our last and final
offer....60%..." "No, you cannot talk to any supervisors....." etc. He
just kept up the fight with me as his cheerleader,but what a pain.
They have NEVER taken a case to court...have always settled outside of
the courtroom from what we hear. But the expense to the consumer.....well.

May I suggest you take whatever workorders and reciepts that you have
from work done on the car, letters written to Chrysler, etc and
decoupage (sp?) them to the car? That was going to be my next move if
they didn't pay. That would get a LOT of attention around town. And
how much would a little shellac cost? And thik of the rust protection
to the ever peeling paint!

When I see a peeling Chrysler, I always say to my husband "Look,
there's someone that gave up the good fight!" But it is NOT worth the
stress to your health. We will NEVER own another Chrysler.

- Dam'ler'Crapster

Jim Jordan

Daniel Fleming

I have a 1990 Plymouth Voyager the color is dark blue.When I had
     my 3rd child I thought it was the ideal thing to do to invest in
     especially with 3 kids.I have had it four years now and when we
     bought it there was no peeling paint it was in great shape looked
     really sharp.Last year it started to peel on the hood and then as
     time went on it got worse it is on the roof now and it is really
     depressing to look at that it just makes me want to cry.I can't
     even take it to the car wash anymore because it peels even worse
     if I try to wash it the fact of the matter is that it has not been
     washed in over a year.I can't afford to have it painted right now
     like I said I have 3 kids to put food on the table for so why
     should I take food money away from them to pay for a badly needed
     paint job it is Crysler mistake not mine.If I had it to do all
     over again I would definately not buy another Crysler Minivan or
     any Crysler product for that matter.I think Crysler should be
     responsible for their mistake.

Daniel Fleming