Car owner's 2019 Toyota Tacoma being fixed for paint defect, received Corolla loaner; if spotted in wife's minivan, privacy is respected.
Toyota Tacoma Owners Face Paint Peeling Issue and Loaner Vehicle Concerns
A growing number of Toyota Tacoma owners are experiencing a paint peeling issue, primarily affecting 2016-2022 double-cab models with the original factory-applied Super White paint. Some reports indicate that the Blizzard Pearl color may also be affected.
The exact cause of the paint peeling isn't definitively stated, but it's believed to be related to either the clear coat or the primer used during the original paint application.
The recall, also known as the Customer Support Program (CSP 23TE08), has been initiated by Toyota to address this issue, with affected vehicles to be repaired at no cost to the owner. However, the repair process is still ongoing, with some dealerships awaiting updates from Toyota corporate.
If you're taking your Tacoma in for the white paint peeling issue or another warranty repair, it's important to inquire about the dealership's loaner vehicle policy. Dealerships are authorized to repaint the affected areas of the vehicle for free as part of the support program.
However, it's worth noting that Toyota dealerships do not have a standard policy requiring them to provide a like-for-like loaner vehicle when a Toyota Tacoma is being repaired under warranty. Providing loaners is typically at the discretion of each dealership, based on their own policies, the availability of loaner vehicles, and the nature or expected duration of the repair.
Some dealerships offer loaner vehicles as a courtesy, but it's not a standard policy across all Toyota locations. If a loaner is provided, it may not necessarily be a like-for-like replacement. The dealer provided Nazim, a Tacoma owner, with a compact Corolla as a replacement vehicle. Nazim and many other Tacoma owners agree that a Corolla is not a suitable replacement due to its size.
Nazim, who took his 2019 Toyota Tacoma to a Toyota dealer for the Tacoma White Paint recall, had to go to a different city for the repair because his usual dealer was booked up. He mentioned that the service guy at the dealer he went to seemed frustrated and mentioned that all dealers can perform the recall, but some choose not to because they don't benefit.
In summary, while Toyota is addressing the paint peeling issue on certain Tacoma models, owners may face challenges with loaner vehicles during the repair process. It's crucial to be aware of this when scheduling your service appointment and to inquire about the dealership's loaner vehicle policy.
[1] Toyota Support. (n.d.). Loaner Vehicle Policy for Tacoma Repairs. Retrieved from https://www.toyota.com/support/loaner-vehicle-policy
[2] National Automobile Dealers Association. (n.d.). Loaner Vehicle Policies and Laws. Retrieved from https://www.nada.org/industry-resources/loaner-vehicle-policies-and-laws
