Dreaded paint chip 2019 GS

GSBob

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went for a ride on Sunday and noticed the front fascia to the fender where it meets is chipped right by the head light. guess this is common on C7’s due to a tight fit between the panels. Has anyone had this and what did the dealership do to correct this. I’ve seen on some other site that GM sent a new painted front fascia and some said that they removed the fascia and painted it. Just wondering what to expect when I take it in on Thursday.
1B68C04D-0F47-4F5D-B948-5079AC4F466D.jpeg
 
2019 Corvette ... still under warranty ? It's definitely not a rock impact point as it's on the cockpit side on the nose cover, correct?.
Cruise various Dealerships and find one that will advocate a panel replacement or more likely a removal and refinish.
I am leary of GM Dealership refinishing .. but that is from how they did things in the 1980's..
I found the same spot myself. Less noticeable on mine but I know it’s there ... argh !
This has to be a compromise fabrication spot unless a lot of movement in driving the C7.

nose piece (left) to driver front fender (right).
yes, xpel is on panels

43B8FE52-B5D0-410D-9DE4-4C0B952149DE.jpeg
 
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2019 Corvette ... still under warranty ? It's definitely not a rock impact point as it's on the cockpit side on the nose cover, correct?.
Cruise various Dealerships and find one that will advocate a panel replacement or more likely a removal and refinish.
I am leary of GM Dealership refinishing .. but that is from how they did things in the 1980's..
I found the same spot myself. Less noticeable on mine but I know it’s there ... argh !
This has to be a compromise fabrication spot unless a lot of movement in driving the C7.

nose piece (left) to driver front fender (right).
yes, xpel is on panels

View attachment 42662

If you're weary of dealership paint fixes call them and find out where they farm out the body work to then check up on the reputation of the body shop. Even with a panel replacement it may still go to a body shop for blending. Given it's warranty I would foolhardily expect that the end result would be the same. Perish the thought.
 
If you're weary of dealership paint fixes call them and find out where they farm out the body work to then check up on the reputation of the body shop. Even with a panel replacement it may still go to a body shop for blending. Given it's warranty I would foolhardily expect that the end result would be the same. Perish the thought.
Reason(s) why we pretty much have not done anything with it as it really is not noticeable (on ours) until I photo it with zoom.
and so I just wait along with the unrelated road-running blemishes that we earn .... I skip the dealer paint shop whenever possible
as I know the #1 go-to repair hop here in Calgary where I truly get what I have to pay for.
 
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It’s definitely under warranty.18 months and 7k and a rock couldn’t hit that area. It’s got to be because of a tight fit. I’ve seen pics from the US side and they all seem to be in the same place and same side. We have some dealers on here and was hoping some would chime in on what GM does before I get to the dealership and they tell me what they do.
 
It’s definitely under warranty.18 months and 7k and a rock couldn’t hit that area. It’s got to be because of a tight fit. I’ve seen pics from the US side and they all seem to be in the same place and same side. We have some dealers on here and was hoping some would chime in on what GM does before I get to the dealership and they tell me what they do.
I agree it's not a rock chip condition due to it's location and being on the backside of the joining of the panels (if the same spot as I explained above).
You may try to PM @Andrew Spencer to see if it is something they have experienced before - or something their service will look at for you.
 
This look familiar? Same issue on front edge of passenger side door on my2017 GS we had. Didn't deal with it as it got traded soon after. Yes a very common QC issue I've seen posted many times.

20180810_203821.jpg
 
Well I go to the dealership tomorrow. I’ll keep ya posted on what they tell me.
 
went for a ride on Sunday and noticed the front fascia to the fender where it meets is chipped right by the head light. guess this is common on C7’s due to a tight fit between the panels. Has anyone had this and what did the dealership do to correct this. I’ve seen on some other site that GM sent a new painted front fascia and some said that they removed the fascia and painted it. Just wondering what to expect when I take it in on Thursday. View attachment 42654
the paint flaked off on the rear spoiler bolts. don't really notice it and looks like they can be easily replaced. haven't seen it on the body tho
 
Got the same issue on my white 17GS when it was new, most of other C7s I looked at the time had it too. After a lot of BS I finally got a warranty replaced bumper from GM, painted and replaced at the shop of my choosing on GM's tab, and got it home and Xpel wrapped it right away (this part was at my cost). So far, even though that part of the panel has no gap so I worry that the paint will rub off, everything is still holding up well.
 
I took the Vette in to the dealership today and they looked at the chip and said it was completely covered. There is a TSB issued in 2017 and was updated in 2019 that covers all Corvettes from 2017 to 2019. In case you want to look up the TSB it's 17-NA-355.
The dealer told me the problem is not the panels being too tight to each other but that the supplier didn't prep the fascia in those areas and due to a lack of paint adhesion the paint does not hold. They told me that over time it will keep pealing until it's quite noticeable. They also said that same problem exists on the 2020's. If you read the TSB it says remove fascia and only repair/paint the areas affected and once done they put a piece of 3M Mylar tape where the panels meet before re-assembling.
Before you jump all over me I'm just the messenger writing what I was told but at least it's covered.
 
Well got a call from the dealership (who said it's covered) and they told me that GM rejected the issue telling them it was caused by a stone chip. Now I'm pissed since the only was that area could get a stone chip is if it came from heaven straight down from above. The guy that said no was Dinal Peranume who's title is District Manager Customer care and service district 1. Now I have to figure how to escalate it up the ladder since this guy has to be clueless about the TSB. Even in the pic on the TSB it's exactly the same as what I have plus the same colour. I should have sent him the pic from the TSB and I'm sure he would have said no lol. Now it's not about getting it repaired but more of principal now. Anyone that knows where to go from here let me know.
 
Perhaps try the "dealer route" again to see if it will cover this or split it with you in some fashion, even though GM has denied the claim. I assume it's the dealer who sold you the car and hopefully it would have some PR concerns and be embarrassed by the advice it gave you not being followed by GM.

Is there some sort of "Ontario consumer advocate" you could complain to, with supporting documentation?

If none of that works, GM should have a presence in Ontario with a "head office" but you may have to conduct a corporate search to figure that out or get that info from your dealer or perhaps you know it already since you've mentioned the District Manager's name. I say this since a demand letter from an Ontario lawyer you're in tight with, directly to GM's Ontario head office and cc'd to the "District Manager Customer Care" you've mentioned (if he's at a different location) may do the trick. Send photos, information about similar complaints you find on the Forums, what your dealer told you and the TSB in particular and explain why it's unlikely a rock chip would cause that damage and how you'll readily be able to establish "on a balance of probabilities" the problem lies with GM's QC and not a rock chip. You could also mention you've got other members in Corvette Forums wondering what GM is going to do for you but I know others have said that GM doesn't care about that "PR jab". Get all this ready for your lawyer or even do a draft of the letter for his/her consideration to save time/money. For good measure ask in the letter they refer this issue to their legal department for an opinion. Just a suggestion since I don't know if you'll think doing all of this is worth it, but I usually like to "go for the knock-out punch" when making a claim and pitch to change someone's mind, to best persuade them to come around to my point of view. If that doesn't work, you can always start an action in "Small Claims Court" but that action should also name the dealer who sold you the car in "breach of warranty of fitness" or your Ontario equivalent and I don't know if you want to get your dealer involved at that level. Unfortunately, GM likely thinks it worthwhile to do a denial since most people usually won't bother suing, which is frustrating. Just a few thoughts on your options. Let us know what happens.
 
Well got a call from the dealership (who said it's covered) and they told me that GM rejected the issue telling them it was caused by a stone chip. Now I'm pissed since the only was that area could get a stone chip is if it came from heaven straight down from above. The guy that said no was Dinal Peranume who's title is District Manager Customer care and service district 1. Now I have to figure how to escalate it up the ladder since this guy has to be clueless about the TSB. Even in the pic on the TSB it's exactly the same as what I have plus the same colour. I should have sent him the pic from the TSB and I'm sure he would have said no lol. Now it's not about getting it repaired but more of principal now. Anyone that knows where to go from here let me know.
I would completely “Karen” this, in other words be incessant, the facts are on your side. The US forum has no shortage of threads, share them if need be (I did). This paint defect was so common it’s not even up for an argument. Plus, a stone chip in a recessed area? Cmon. No need to get abusive with them, any rational person would agree with you. If that fails, do it all again with their superior. Everyone has a boss, tell them you don’t accept their decision, so who do they report to? They want you to give in. Don’t.
 
Well today's update.
I agree with what everyone is saying and I really don't care if the front fascia gets repaired or not. It's more a car with a retail price of over 105K that's under 2 years old with 7K on the OD that there is a TSB on the issue and I get shrug off. Well I thought I would take it one step at a time. So today I looked up on the WEB and got the GM customer satisfaction number and called them. You even push one for Corvette and Cadillac so we must be special ya think. Got a girl on the phone with absolutely no personality at all. Gave her all the info and she told me according to my VIN there was no paint issue. I did mention the TSB at the beginning of the call and then near the end when she said there were no issues I mentioned it again. Gave her the TSB number and she said she would call the dealership (don't know why since I didn't buy my car there but they have the best body shop) and talk to her management and call me back. So I am sitting with my phone waiting for the call.
I'm sure she is going to call me back and apologize for the problem and have my Vette fixed immediate. Oh sorry that was my son's Toyota.
 
OK update,
Got a call this morning from GM Customer care Oshawa. The person I talked to said it's covered and I could take it to any GM dealer that I wish to. I told her where I would take it and she said she was going to call the body shop manager there to bring him up to speed. She was absolutely bending over to help with this and told me GM had my back. She even offered to send me a Corvette hat or t-shirt or something of Corvette memorabilia. I explained to her that I want it documented but I'm not sure that at this point in time to just use a paint stick and touch it up and wait to see if it gets worse or get it done now. Was told that there would be a claim on file and I could wait to see if it gets worse over the next few years or go ahead at any time and have it repaired.
So any feedback on what you would do, touch it up and wait or get the TSB done now.
 
OK update,
Got a call this morning from GM Customer care Oshawa. The person I talked to said it's covered and I could take it to any GM dealer that I wish to. I told her where I would take it and she said she was going to call the body shop manager there to bring him up to speed. She was absolutely bending over to help with this and told me GM had my back. She even offered to send me a Corvette hat or t-shirt or something of Corvette memorabilia. I explained to her that I want it documented but I'm not sure that at this point in time to just use a paint stick and touch it up and wait to see if it gets worse or get it done now. Was told that there would be a claim on file and I could wait to see if it gets worse over the next few years or go ahead at any time and have it repaired.
So any feedback on what you would do, touch it up and wait or get the TSB done now.

Pretty impressive for "a girl...with absolutely no personality at all"! Good for you and good on GM for coming through. It sounds like you had to find the right person to bug or perhaps the initial "customer care" person was having an extraordinarily rough day when you spoke with him. As for what to do now, I'd likely try the touch-up first...assuming that won't affect your claim with GM (have that confirmed in writing beforehand)...and if it looks really good stay with it and then if it gets worse get GM to fix it, or perhaps have GM do the actual repair just before you sell the car if that will help the sale. But it's likely best you talk to someone more knowledgeable about paint and whether (for example) it could fade over time and make any future repair all the more difficult to match?
 

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