My 2001 Hyundai Tiburon--black is experiencing the same paint problems. After getting the run around for 9 months, I FINALLY met with a Hyundai Rep that said that the paint problems were caused by Bird Stuff or tree sap and or insects. Hyundai Rep refused to accept responsibility under warranty. I am going to have my car completely repainted by a body shop out of my own pocket. Then I will see about getting my money back through the courts. Is there anyone out there who is having the same problem and getting the same lame excuses? Do I need to go to small claims court, or are there enough people out there that this could become a class action lawsuit like the one Chrysler had to pay up for because of the same paint problems? The problem starts as what looks like a small water spot, then blisters into a bigger spot and delaminates. It happens all over my car. Is this what happens with water based automotive paint? If you are having this same problem please respond to this comment with your experience with Hyundai paint. Lets get together and fight for the warranty that was given to us with the purchase if this car.
I would NEVER consider buying another Hyundai of any model, or any car painted with a water based paint. I have a 1996 Ford Contour painted with lacquer enamel and it looks as good as the day I bought it.
I myself have a black 2001 Tiburon and am having the same exact problem. I went to the dealer and they told me the same thing that I also did not wash my car enough, so therefore it was my fault. I really think the paint might be defective.
It must be a Hyundai paint problem!
I just got an 03 Santa Fe (green) and I am having the same paint problems that you describe on your post. The Hyundai rep gave me the same line of bull that the gave you too. when I took it to a paint shop to ask there opinion, I was told no one uses water base paint anymore. It will not stick to the car and that who ever told me it was water base must have been mistaken.
We all need to unite on this one!
John.
I bought a 2003 Tiburon and the paint is coming off all over the hood and tail. 8 months old and this problem is terrible. The Rep from Hyundai also stated that they would not cover it because it was bird crap and tree sap. I wash the car every week or two.
Very poor paint job. seems like no clear coat is used either. very, very thin.. another way to save a few bucks and keep the price competitive with the higher quality jap cars.
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?
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.
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.
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.
I have a 2003 Blue Tiburon. I recently found two small spots on my hood and a cluster on my drivers side back panel. They look like spider web patterns/cracking under the clear coat, but you can start to feel it on the clear coat. I have taken it to the Hyundai body shop and was told by the shop that an outside source caused it and something was splattered onto my paint and caused it to crack. They are trying very hard not to take care of it. I am refusing to accept no for an answer.
There is no splatter marks and the spots are isolated. The small clusters are beginning on the back. Now I don't want to jump to conclusions so I have taken the car to a reputable paint shop (not Hyundai) and they insist it is contamination under the paint. Other people familiar with paint have said the same thing. Only Hyundai says different.
I am taking my problem as high as I can and I am printing your comments to help my fight. Any info on help anyone has received is greatly appreciated.
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...
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..
OK OK so they have bad paint... that's not covered under warranty though, remember it mostly covers drivetrain and some parts of the enjine... when you buy a car you gotta also remember, like all things in life, that you do get what you pay for... it's a hyundai.. why is it soo cheap BECAUSE THEY USE CHEAP MATERIALS!!!
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!
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.
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.