1st Sep 2003, 18:01

I have a 2002 black Elantra with the same problem of spots and small bubbling on the hood, trunk and roof. In addition, the paint is completely peeling off the foot well on the rear passengers door. the rep states that something was spilled and not cleaned up- no spill occurred and the carpet and seat show no sign of stains. has anybody been successful in court?

8th Sep 2003, 16:15

I have a 2002 Elantra GT and I noticed early on a few spots and now the entire hood and roof are covered with them. I have not talk to Hyundai yet, but I will try soon. The color of my car is metallic silver.

10th Sep 2003, 22:42

My wife and I own an 02 Santa Fe, and 03 Tiburon GT. Both vehicles have the problem with paint blistering and pealing. My Tiburon is currently in the body shop being painted under warranty. The car is brand new with the shipping plastic still attached, therefore Hyundai could not accuse me of any negligence. However, I didn't fight the battle with the Santa FE. I've had the Santa Fe 11 months, but the paint problem has been there from day one.

13th Nov 2003, 15:01

I have a 99 Tiburon and am having the same paint problems. My local dealer tried to give me the same story about sap and birds. I finally got a few of the panels repainted, but as more panels failed then they kept putting me off. Telling me I needed to see the manager, but he was not in and then telling me I needed to see factory rep. Well by the time the factory rep looked at my car the 3 year paint warranty was expired. So the paint continues to fail, especially on the fin. I can't believe they are having the same paint problems year after year. The fact that a lot of people seem to be getting the same story and run around from the managers tells me this has been addressed at a corporate level. Wonder if a class action suit is in the works.

13th Dec 2003, 14:41

Hmm these comments are really starting to worry me. should I completely forget about buying an '04 Tib or is there still a chance it won't have the same problems? this is the first bit of bad news about the Tib that I'm taking seriously. someone please help. I'm crying over here...

13th Dec 2003, 20:27

I wouldn't buy a Hyundai or any Other Korean car.. When shopping for a car ask what type of paint they use on the finish of the car.. The best is Lacquer Enamel.. Most other vehicles have this finish.. Including Ford and General Motors..

10th Feb 2004, 08:38

I, too have a Black Hyundai Tiburon (2000 model), and after almost 2 years, a "rep" finally looked at the 4 small blister-like marks on my hood, roof & 1 under the spoiler- was told that it was "Industrial Fall-Out". Looks as though Hyundai gets out of honoring a warranty by calling it environmental! How can you challenge industrial fall-out, bird droppings, and tree sap?! Too many people having the same problem tells me it goes much deeper than the environment- or, maybe Hyundai's are not painted for Earth's environment- maybe- just maybe Hyundai's should only be kept on Planet Hyundai!

15th Feb 2004, 15:52

I own a 2001 Tiburon. Never have I had so much as a dead battery let alone a paint or body issue. Granted I take great care of my car. I wash and most importantly wax it on a regular basis. The paint looks like it did on the day I purchased it, flawless. As far as some making the comment that Hyundai is cheap and uses cheap parts/ paints... you should research things before you make generalized statements like that. I seem to remember some big name U.S. automakers having far worse paint or even safety issues with their vehicles. G.M. had serious issues with a lot of their late 80's models paint just peeling off in foot long strips. Anyway, it sure is not all Hyundai's that have this problem. Good luck resolving these issues.

16th Feb 2004, 00:21

Don't take a chance, stick to Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM, or some car like that. I got rid of my Hyundai only 5-months after I bought it because it was falling apart. Don't loose all your money like I did. Just buy a name brand car the first time and save yourself a ton of problems.

Examples to buy=Accord, Camry, Taurus, Grand prix, mustang, etc. Stay safe.

Don't buy Hyundai, Kia, Neon, etc.

4th Mar 2004, 20:27

I purchased a new Hyundai Tiburon in July of 2001. I have nothing, but great things to say about the service I have received from the dealership, however I have had some minor problems with the car. Mostly nosies and the like, certainly no paint problems. As another posting said the key is washing and WAXING regularly.

Three of my friends own GM products and another owns a Ford, and all of them have had problems with their transmissions. My Father in law has a Grand Prix and has had the trans replaced four times. ALL CARS are now made in the cheapest possible way, by the lowest bidders. It's a fact.

Happy Tiburon Driver.

5th Mar 2004, 05:18

Just bought a used 2003 Black Tib, like a fool I bought it at night with out getting a good look at the paint, it looked dirty because they hadn't washed it yet and the water spots on the hood I took for that. After a good wash and wax I found them to be the spider web cracking of clear coat problem everyone else is having. The next time I went to the dealer I showed it to them and they said the area rep, which works the entire southeast coast of the U.S. would have to decide on it. It's only been a few weeks and I have about ten more spots and I've wash it at least once a week. All of your comments are great; I plan on printing them and taking them to the rep one my first meeting. Love the car, hate the paint.

5th Mar 2004, 16:34

Our family owns a 1999 Sonata (green - 112,000 miles), 2002 Elantra (blue - 43,000 miles) and a 2003 Sonata (white- 8,300 miles). We haven't had any paint problems at all. I wonder if the problem is prevalent in Black?Actually, we have not had any problems at all with any of the cars. We are adding a Tiburon V6 in a few weeks.

6th Mar 2004, 22:51

My girlfriend had just bought a 2001 Tiburon (white) and the paint is mint the only problem is that the O2 sensor went and the check engine light came on. I am purchasing a 1999 Tiburon (red) which the paint looks great, but has a small dent on hood, which is the only problem found on the car.

17th Sep 2004, 12:12

Glad I looked around on the web before I went to the dealer with my problem. I have a 2004 Santa Fe' (yes I said 2004) Its the dark blue color. The paint is coming off just like in the other comments. I want to give the dealer a chance to do the right thing first. But if there is going to be a class action. please let me know.

Thanks M. Wilkerson

Fairfield, Ohio

Shotgun998@aol.com.