2015 Viper with Bubbling in Paint

[mjorgensen]

Took the car to the dealership today and the service advisor wouldn't even look at the car, stating that his dealership didn't do body work. I told him that was fine because I didn't want a "body shop" to touch the car. I explained to him that I was told to bring the car to have digital pictures taken by SRT customer service so that a case could be opened. He still refused to do so and reffered me to a different Dodge dealership.

I contacted Prefix and informed them of my day. They offered to do the repair free of charge if I can get the panel to them.

I'm attempting to remove it. There is one screw that is hidden behind the lower part of the door. How are you getting to that one? Also are you removing the four bolts at the top of the side sill to remove the panel in question? Does that black plastic piece come off with the panel?

Thank you in advance.

Open the door about a 1/3 of the way and reach in, the black vent is a separate part that stays there.

[7TH_SIGN]

Thank you sir.

[98intrigue]

What a mess! Glad to hear Prefix is going to take care of it though.

[7TH_SIGN]

I just want to confirm you do not need to remove the side sills to remove this plastic panel do you?

[timberwolf]

I just want to confirm you do not need to remove the side sills to remove this plastic panel do you?

I removed the screws in the wheel arch, 3 under the hood/the rubber hood grommet, 3 of the underside bolts on the skirt and 4 in the door sill area. This loosened enough to free up some space. The screw that's in the depth of the door sill required 4 extensions on my ratchet, then I used a magnet stick to catch the screw at the end. To replace that screw I used some tape to hold it on the socket. The key with that bolt is to keep the door nearly closed. (Careful not to open your door when the screw is halfway out, or you will catch the edge of the door and scratch paint!!) I had the door closed against my torso to have the right angle in. The second one inside the door area near the mirror area can be reached with more ease.

[7TH_SIGN]

Great. Did that plastic black mesh come out with it? Looks like it sits on it and has to come out with it.

[Viper Pit]

I'm curious would a cat back exhaust system reduce some of this heat. I love the idea of the heatshield material that you guys are putting on

[7TH_SIGN]

I'm curious would a cat back exhaust system reduce some of this heat. I love the idea of the heatshield material that you guys are putting on

Eliminating the cats would be the best option. I did it with my 99 ACR and side sill temperatures dropped dramatically. Unfortunately running no cats is illegal in most states. High flow cats are an option.

[timberwolf]

OK so after taking her for a spin. Do not put any tar heat shield on the inner black shield behind the body panel.. Get's too hot and melts the Coolit sheet.

[7TH_SIGN]

OK so after taking her for a spin. Do not put any tar heat shield on the inner black shield behind the body panel.. Get's too hot and melts the Coolit sheet.

Damn. Thanks for the heads up.

[7TH_SIGN]

Guys I have an appointment with a local Dodge dealership this coming Friday. I was told they will be assessing the paint issue and taking digital photos to send to the warranty department. I have no doubt it will be covered however I am worried about the new panels paint matching the rest of the car.

Any advice? Do I have the right to ask for a new panel preprainted by Prefix for them to install? The car has 120 miles on it and the paint gets worse the more I drive it. I really hate the fact I purchased a new car that needs paint work

Thank you.

[darbgnik]

If it were me, I'd drive the wheels off of it, and deal with the paint issue during the winter months.... well, unless you live in one of those places without winter.

On the plus side, black is pretty easy to match, on the downside, it would suck to have the rest of the cars paint look like glass, except for this one with orange peel. Most body shops could make it look like Prefix does.....if...... they devote the time to make it so, most wont.

[Matt Dillon]

My car is 2 years old just crossed over 6k miles and I do not have any paint bubbling.

Good for you, but I'd be willing to bet you're the Norm just like the Biggest Majority of these Newer Vipers 1-2 yrs. old are & NOT having these Issues, it's Most likely a Very LOW Number! HOPEFULLY

[Rapidrezults]

Guys I have an appointment with a local Dodge dealership this coming Friday. I was told they will be assessing the paint issue and taking digital photos to send to the warranty department. I have no doubt it will be covered however I am worried about the new panels paint matching the rest of the car.

Any advice? Do I have the right to ask for a new panel preprainted by Prefix for them to install? The car has 120 miles on it and the paint gets worse the more I drive it. I really hate the fact I purchased a new car that needs paint work

They will most likely not want to have anything sent to Prefix. I will bet money they don't even know who Prefix is. You will have to educate them and put the work in yourself, meaning, line up the contact at Prefix who will help coordinate the panels being delivered to them. You're going to have to make it easy for them and hand hold them through the process. It sucks, but it is what it is with some of these dealerships.

You have a very good case and a reasonable request considering you only have 120 miles on the car. If it were anything significantly higher than that I would say they have a better argument to force you into a local bodyshop solution.

Don't ACCEPT anything LESS!

[7TH_SIGN]

-2015 SRT Viper
-Purchased New in July 2015 with 25 miles
-Currently has 120 miles

This has become a nightmare and I regret buying the car. I visited the dealership yesterday as told to by SRT and arrived on time. Keep in mind this is the second dealership I take the car to. The individual I was scheduled to meet with so that digital images could be taken was no where to be seen. After waiting for a while with no luck, a service advisor assisted me.

I showed her the paint issues I was having with the car on that particular panel and informed her that Chrysler just needed pictures taken and that Marvin at HQ already stated it would be covered. She then takes a look at the panel and states that it has been repainted and that it could not be covered under warranty at the dealership level? What??? If you don't want to help me just tell me that, but don't feed me BS excuses. Keep in mind this lady has no paint or body work experience. The panel in question has the same color match and finish as the rest of the body, just the blistering and bubbling at the lower edge. I told her that I purchased the car new and was never informed of any paint work or damage by the dealership I purchased it from. She then called their body shop manager who inspected the panel. He also said the panel was repainted and that they couldn't handle the repair.

At this point I am very frustrated and no longer can keep it in. I explain to them both that they cant just look at a panel and state "its been repainted and we cant handle the repair work". They then tell me that they don't have a Viper tech. I told them that they are just trying to get out of helping me. They then tell me they have a white 2016 in the showroom they would sell me if I can get the dealership I purchased mine from to take it back.

I get Marvin of Chrysler America on the phone to talk to the service rep. He explains to her that the damage has to be covered under warranty and that he just needed pictures of it along with an estimate of repair. She finally takes picture but with her personal phone. I take her car and leave.

Im still waiting to hear back from Marvin at Chrysler. I called SRT and shared with them my frustrations of the day. They noted the events in my case file and shared with me that it has been elevated to the highest department in Chrysler.

So since purchasing the car last month:

-Received with cracked rear third brake light (Replaced under warranty)
-Received with paint swirls and scratched by dealership car wash employee (Dealership paid for $1,100 paint correction)

-Now paint blistering and bubbling......

I am crossing my fingers that someone calls me Monday with a game plan on the paint repair. I've already expressed my concern with the repainting of the panel and matching/finish. Also that I wanted Prefix to do the work. Made my first payment on it yesterday and haven't even got to enjoy it. Thanks for allowing me to vent and I'm glad you are enjoying yours.

[mblgjr]

At least corp is trying to stand behind it.

Very annoying but seems you need yet another dealer without the crappy attitude

[FLATOUT]

So is this really not keeping you from enjoying your car? A small paint issue? So the car arrived with a cracked third brake light which was covered under warranty as you said, then you said that the dealer washed your car and that it was swirled up then paid $1,100 to detail it for you. I can tell you as a previous black TA owner that when I purchased my car brand new it had holograms and was swirled up straight from Prefix. I did like most people and detailed it and leveled the clear to my satisfaction. The issue with having to go through digital imaging on the bubbled paint sucks, and now that I fully understand the process and see how difficult it can be to get jobs like that done sometimes I understand your frustration.

The part that you took pictures of you think needs to go back to Prefix for the repair? I have a customer on this forum that is in a much worse spot than you are and needs a new hood that we can't seem to get approved no matter what we try. We have been fighting for the customer for over what seems like 2 months now and still aren't happy with the outcome.

If you want to sell your car let me know I would have a great local painter knock out that panel in a day and I would enjoy the hell out of your car.

Andy

[ACRucrazy]

I was expecting some sort of mechanical or electrical issues keeping the car from being driven. A cracked third brake light and some bubbling paint on a small easily replaceable panel is causing all the commotion?

[ironpeddler]

I can feel for the OP. Sometimes when you buy something that is expensive you expect a certain level of detail, you know, a certain level of perfection. And even the problem being small and not that noticeable doesn't mean that it is any easier to cope with. The littlest things can annoy you and can make you think about nothing else but that little thing that is wrong. Doesn't matter if it is a scratch the whole length of the car or just a little spot bubbling, he paid for something, expected it to be in a certain condition and it wasn't so he is kind of bummed. I would be the same way. I hope you can get it fixed and that Chrysler stands behind the warranty work being done to it and then when it is over you can get that "full" enjoyment out of it that you expected when you bought it.

[ACRucrazy]

I would be bummed too, but get it and drive it. Put more than 95 miles on it in a month or two and you will forget about the two minor issues that will get fixed eventually. If you let the thing sit and stew over it of course you wont be happy. Did you buy it to look at or buy it to drive and enjoy? Drive the damn thing, all will be better

[Patentlaw]

Best of luck to you. Hope you get it worked out to your satisfaction.

[Vipes]

I can relate to 7th. When you drop that kind of coin on a new car you shouldn't have to settle for anything. Those issues are not a big deal but not being handled correctly is a big deal. I personally would be upset also.

[Rapidrezults]

The repaint was my first assumption based on the excessive orange peel in that area. A few questions...

1) How far is the original dealership you purchased it from? Why not take it back to them? If not close, why are they not involved at this point?

2) If I remember correctly, you did the paint correction yourself? If so, you must have a good eye for paint work etc. What is your take? Does it look like the panel has been repainted? On a black car it should be pretty easy to identify with a bright spot light. If not you, what did your detailer say? Surely he would've said something.

If it is confirmed to be a repaint, your only recourse is to take it up with the original dealership and send it up the chain of command. Chrysler technically shouldn't be responsible for a dealership repaint unless the car arrived damaged. If it were me, I would go straight to the owner/CEO of the dealership or ownership group and ask nicely first. If you get resistance, go register www.XYZdealershipsucks.com and tell them that you will make sure it ranks on the 1st page of google and that everyone will know of their unethical business practices. This will get the response you want. I know this may seem extreme, but extreme results require extreme measures. To not disclose a repaint on a brand new car is F'ed up in my book.

Oh, and this could've happened with any car. I've had many high end luxury makes and have had my fair share of battles. I will bet this will get resolved and you will be happy you bought it. Nothing compares to the joy of Viper ownership.

[ViperPete]

Dang man you're still complaining about this?

Well at least you didn't bash the rookie salesman by name like on VCA.

[7TH_SIGN]

FLATOUT, I am interested in selling it. Please shoot me a PM.

Maybe this will help explain why I feel the way I do.

I'm not rich, I saved three years on the side to afford a decent down payment on the Viper. Worked very hard and put in a lot of overtime. Family and my kids comes first, anything left after that is considered my play money.

When I purchased the car new, I expected to get a new car. I realize these are not big problems but the hassles I have to go through in order to address them is and when you pay almost $100k for a car, you expect good service. Should we as customers have to do all this running around and phone calls in order to get things done? I have gotten better service from a $20k Honda Accord. Regardless of how much the car is, good prompt service is, well good prompt service. If only you knew what I have gone through with this car even just to replace that brake light! Also the paint correction, it wasn't until numerous countless phone calls, emails that I was finally able to get in contact with the dealerships assistant manager who made things right. I haven't even shared my entire experience. I blame myself for purchasing the car sight unseen and placing my trust in the sales rep.

The paint gets worse the more I drive the car, it is almost starting to peel. I am hesitant to drive it, however I smile and enjoy every second of it I'm behind the wheel. The repainting is not a big process I know, but the paint matching/finish is, at least to me. If spending this kind of money and accepting these issues is something you are happy and able to do, thats really great for you.

Its just, I own a small business and my customers experience means everything to me. Word of mouth is my best advertisement. If a customer is unhappy regardless of why, when, and how, I have to make things right. Their happiness and ease of transaction is everything.

ViperPete, No, this is a new issue. I dont consider it "bashing" if its true. The dealerships manager made things right once he found out.

Rapidrezults, I don't believe it was repainted. Just an excuse made by dealerships to get out of responsibly.