Last Updated on February 25, 2024
If your car’s finish is starting to look a little worse for wear and the paint seems to be peeling off in places, you may be wondering if this is covered under your car warranty. Yes, your car’s paintwork is covered by the manufacturers warranty for peeling paint. This only applies if the problem is caused by a manufacturing defect. However, if the paint damage is proven to be caused by the effects of the environment, general wear and tear, or neglect to maintain the finish, it will not be covered.
But the answer can be a little complicated depending on the type of elements the car has been exposed to. For example, long-term exposure to sunlight and acid rain can damage your car’s paint or make it age quicker. Most car warranties cover the vehicles paint for 3 years or 36,000 miles. But ultimately, it will be up to you to prove that the paint is defective and no external or environmental factors contributed to the paint failure.
Auto manufacturers go to great lengths to provide a finish that will easily outlast the typical car warranty. Because the paint is made from urethane, it is excellent at reflecting UV rays. In fact, the paint on your vehicle should last 10–15 years if it’s properly cared for.
Peeling paint can often lead people to feel frustrated and helpless. Let’s dive into the most common causes of peeling paint and what actions you should take.
What Causes Car Paint To Peel?
The paint on a modern car has a total of 4 layers. Those layers consist of e-coat, the primer, the basecoat, and finally, the clear coat. The clear coat is what protects your car’s finish from the effects of the environment–such as the sun’s UV rays or acid rain. It takes considerable wear or damage for it to peel.
Most often, peeling paint is caused by air bubbles trapped in paint during manufacture or application resulting in tiny bubbles, pinholes, and even crater-like defects in the cured film. This weakens the bond to the surface which leads to peeling and flaking.
How Long is Paint Covered Under Warranty?
Most auto manufacturers paint is covered under the new vehicle warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
What Should I do if I Notice Paint Starting to Peel?
If you notice paint starting to peel from your car finish, first take photos of the damage and then contact your local dealership. The dealership will determine if the peeling is due to an impact to the surface or a manufacturing defect.
What Type of Paint Damage is Not Covered Under Warranty?
The new car warranty does not cover routine wear and tear, which are normal parts of using your car or truck. This includes things like scratches, dings or dents, surface rust due or deterioration of the paint due to exposure to harsh conditions.
Can a Dealer Legally Refuse to Fix Peeling Paint Under Warranty?
Short answer here is yes, the dealer can legally refuse to fix peeling paint under warranty. The burden is on you the vehicle owner to prove the peeling is due to a defect and not damage or neglect.
Do Extended Warranties Cover Paint?
No, extended warranty coverage doesn’t typically cover paint defects. While it’s nice to have warranty coverage for your car, most extended warranties only cover electrical and mechanical parts.
Final Thoughts
If you’re experiencing paint peeling on your car, it’s important to know what the warranty covers. Many people assume that any kind of paint damage is automatically covered by the manufacturer, but this isn’t always the case. In order for the problem to be considered a manufacturing defect, it needs to meet certain criteria. If it doesn’t, then you may have to foot the bill yourself.
We hope this article has been helpful in clarifying some of the details around car paint and warranties. Have you had problems with peeling paint? Let us know in the comments below!
Managing Editor
Christopher is an automotive technical writer. When he’s not at the local autocross event, he can often be found working on one of his cars. Specializes in automotive class action law, industry trends, and automotive maintenance. Email me direct, or learn more about us
Christine
February 15, 2024 at 9:26 amAnyone here to assist on 2015 suburban with scratch/rough fading paint and appears matte on hood, roof, and upper sides of vehicle?
I understand there is class action lawsuit but was has come for it?
Will certain dealers repair the paint defect and and they authorized to do so by GM and lawsuit? TIA!
Christopher Rossen
February 15, 2024 at 10:01 amChristine, my understanding this is still an open class action. However, paint defect lawsuits are very hard to win. My advice is to get the vehicles paint fixed but make sure to keep all receipts.
Christine
August 18, 2023 at 2:14 pmI have a 2018 Hyundai Sonata and have had it a little over a year. When I was washing my car one day the paint on the hood just starting coming off in chunks. Hyundai sent a letter stating that they extended the warranty on the paint and so when I went and got 3 estimates they said that they weren’t going to cover all of it. I think that is Dead wrong considering there was a recall on the pearl white paint. I have no money to put in with them for them to repaint it. I’m lost for words right now.
Emily
June 8, 2023 at 9:28 pm2015 Buick encore , called GM told me to go the the local dealer.GM advised manufacturer problem and the whole car would have to be repainted. GM stated my warranty was over in 2020 and there is nothing they can do. They said get it fix and they would consider giving some options after. The only way I get out of this is by starting a class action lawsuit
Christopher Rossen
June 9, 2023 at 8:25 amEmily, paint defect lawsuits are very difficult to win. My recommendation is work with the dealership or local body shop to have the paint fixed, or trade the vehicle in.
Mark Roach
February 24, 2023 at 1:28 pmMy 2014 silverado 1500 6.2 liter is a lemon paint is bubbling up peeling off. Engine valve springs breaking car sat a dealership for 7 weeks. Seems like something is always going wrong. I feel like I was swindled
Ann
February 7, 2023 at 10:04 amI have a 2011 Nissan Frontier! It is garage kept. It has a left front tire fender panel that has peeling paint. Body shop told me that warranty might cover since Nissan has had peeling paint issues on vehicles! Please comment.
Christopher
February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pmHi Ann. Paint defect cases are difficult. With that said, Nissan’s paint warranty is 3 years or 100,000 miles. Seeing that your vehicle is 12 years old, its unlikely Nissan would cover full or partial costs for the paint work. I would recommend getting pricing from a local body shop. Hope this helps.
Jeanne Landau
January 8, 2023 at 2:26 pmI have a 2013 lexus suv with paint starting to peel on the hood. It’s always garaged and maintained Would it be covered by Lexus?
Christopher
January 9, 2023 at 6:41 amHi Jeanne. Likely not, as it’s a 10 year old car with very little history of paint problems.
Richard Surratt
December 26, 2022 at 12:22 pmmy 2015 GMC Sierra Z71 pickup is loosing the paint on the right front fender the rear doors around the windows and the back of the cab I have 80,000 miles on the pickup other then the miles and the paint the truck is in great shape but its becoming an eye sore How do I get this fixed ? I understand a class action lawsuit has been filed and I would like in on that. I feel they owe me a paint job for a $45,000 pickup. of course the pickup is white and the primer sticks out very nicely.
If you can help with this I appreciate it
Eric
July 10, 2022 at 2:51 amI own a Ford Escape I purchased new. Ford Escapes model years 2017 to 2019 frequently have paint peeling defect. It is definitely a manufacturer defect, on the A- Pillars, & on the roof where it meets the windshield.
I have an entire photographic evidence file with other owner of Escapes afflicted with the identical problem.
Ford is evading responsibility however there is hope. I opened my complaint case with Ford corporate almost a year ago. I am still working on it with them.
Ford has paid a large percentage of the repair if one hounds them. There will likely soon be a class action lawsuit. I created a :60 second video showing the problem here;
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p77AWTcbfEc
Christopher
July 10, 2022 at 7:35 amThanks Eric for adding your voice to this post. The paint problem you are experiencing looks indicative to a materials defect that I seen across other brand vehicles (GM, Honda). Please keep me posted on your situation.
Herman di claudio
July 22, 2022 at 1:17 pmI have a ford escape 2018. 20 thousand miles on it.
Paint around the window is peal off about 10 inches
Ford dealer don’t want to cover it