Help!

[alandrio]

2025 Ram 1500 Laramie.. So after my first winter with this "brand new" truck, this began to happen around the rear wheel flares.. I went to the dealer immediately.. I keep my truck spotless.. wash it by hand, winter use touchless wash only(high powered sprayers)..and even put a nice coat of wax prior to winter.. The dealer ended up telling me that they've never seen it before.. sent a claim in and it was denied.. blamed it on road conditions, winter weather, etc... This past winter was 2nd winter with this truck.. the pics I'm posting are of the truck now..washed, dried... It now spread all up the flares..and now is beginning to stick to the bottom panel of the truck! This is not normal..I've never seen anything like this before.. I live near Albany, NY.. have had Rams, Fords, Lexus, Toyota... never seen anything like this. I believe it's a paint defect.. no clear coat was used, or improperly painted in production. Anyone out there, agree? disagree? Any way to salvage this? I love this truck..It was a 70,000$ truck (sticker was at least).

A friend works for Ford dealership in their Collision Center..he offered to pop the flares off and pain them for me, at cost..but why should I have to go through all that and pay for it.. Not a happy Ram owner..

 

[Buddy]

Had to have something on it at the factory before the paint hit it? it's not right for sure. A 2025, I would be talking to the dealer, have them work it out with Ram. You should be righted. Easier said than done, but don't back down.

 

[mikeru]

Although yours looks pretty severe for one winter, that's common, especially in front of the rear wheel wells, if you drive in areas where the local road crews put down any kind of gravel or sand for traction. The only way to mitigate it is to first cover that entire area with ppf. Or park the truck for the winter lol. Or you could do what I do and winter in Florida.

Here's what five winters did to our 2020 Limited...

 

[RamDiver]

Dealerships are sometimes helpful, sometimes not, and the specific wording used when submitting a claim can make a huge difference in the outcome. Do you have any other nearby dealerships to try?

You could try your luck by reaching out to @RamCares via PM.
Include the VIN and any details. You can't PM pictures.
They can sometimes facilitate a repair or help with obtaining warranty coverage.

My truck has almost 5 winter seasons of abuse (was new in January '22) and looks relatively clean in comparison, IIRC. It may have a barely noticeable version of that damage, not enough to capture in pics.
Ontario keeps the roads jammed with chemical crap all winter, up here.


And, welcome to Ram Forum.

.

 

[alandrio]

Had to have something on it at the factory before the paint hit it? it's not right for sure. A 2025, I would be talking to the dealer, have them work it out with Ram. You should be righted. Easier said than done, but don't back down.

Exactly.. I bought it in November of 2024.. December, January, February then I noticed it.. crazy.. I'm going to another dealer next week anyways.. Truck has a recall for "trailer light/hook up module".. My dealer where I bought the truck, said sorry but it's going to be a few weeks..we are backed up.. called another local dealer, they said sure we ordered it now, come next week..lol.. My dealer pretty much lost a customer regardless.

 

[Pull Ya]

It may not be your responsibility but I think if you want it repaired properly, I'd suggest you have the flares repainted then wrapped with PPF for added protection. I doubt that fighting with your dealership is going to result in a solution that you will be satisfied with.
Jay

 

[alandrio]

Although yours looks pretty severe for one winter, that's common, especially in front of the rear wheel wells, if you drive in areas where the local road crews put down any kind of gravel or sand for traction. The only way to mitigate it is to first cover that entire area with ppf. Or park the truck for the winter lol. Or you could do what I do and winter in Florida.

Here's what five winters did to our 2020 Limited...
View attachment 581808

Ouch.. I will cover it if I get it fixed. And yes Florida sounds amazing.. soon my friend.. once I retire..

 

[rzr6-4]

My parent's Durango and GMC Colorado both have this bad, it's very common on newer vehicles. If you want a fix it will have to be aftermarket. The only weird thing is the dealer acting like they've never seen it before, could just be a lie to get you to not make an issue about it for them.

 

[RamCares]

Appreciate the mention as always, @RamDiver!

Also yes, we would be more than happy to start a conversation. Please send a private message our way to get started, @alandrio!

Hannah
Ram Cares

 

[alandrio]

Dealerships are sometimes helpful, sometimes not, and the specific wording used when submitting a claim can make a huge difference in the outcome. Do you have any other nearby dealerships to try?

You could try your luck by reaching out to @RamCares via PM.
Include the VIN and any details. You can't PM pictures.
They can sometimes facilitate a repair or help with obtaining warranty coverage.

My truck has almost 5 winter seasons of abuse (was new in January '22) and looks relatively clean in comparison, IIRC. It may have a barely noticeable version of that damage, not enough to capture in pics.
Ontario keeps the roads jammed with chemical crap all winter, up here.


And, welcome to Ram Forum.

.

THANK YOU!!!

 

[RamDiver]

THANK YOU!!!

You're most welcome.

Please keep us posted on this issue, one way or another.

.

 

[alandrio]

I messaged Ram Cares.. we'll see..

 

[js12278]

After it’s fixed, maybe consider a 3M Vinyl clear protective film.

 

[alandrio]

After it’s fixed, maybe consider a 3M Vinyl clear protective film.

Yes.. but they should fix this.. if not I'll be leaving Ram family.

 

[SouthernBornRebel]

2025 Ram 1500 Laramie.. So after my first winter with this "brand new" truck, this began to happen around the rear wheel flares.. I went to the dealer immediately.. I keep my truck spotless.. wash it by hand, winter use touchless wash only(high powered sprayers)..and even put a nice coat of wax prior to winter.. The dealer ended up telling me that they've never seen it before.. sent a claim in and it was denied.. blamed it on road conditions, winter weather, etc... This past winter was 2nd winter with this truck.. the pics I'm posting are of the truck now..washed, dried... It now spread all up the flares..and now is beginning to stick to the bottom panel of the truck! This is not normal..I've never seen anything like this before.. I live near Albany, NY.. have had Rams, Fords, Lexus, Toyota... never seen anything like this. I believe it's a paint defect.. no clear coat was used, or improperly painted in production. Anyone out there, agree? disagree? Any way to salvage this? I love this truck..It was a 70,000$ truck (sticker was at least).

A friend works for Ford dealership in their Collision Center..he offered to pop the flares off and pain them for me, at cost..but why should I have to go through all that and pay for it.. Not a happy Ram owner..

 

[SouthernBornRebel]

Is it actually paint damage or water etc marks on top of the paint? I would try to clay bar it and then ceramic that area for sure, and rest of vehicle.

 

[RamDiver]

Is it actually paint damage or water etc marks on top of the paint? I would try to clay bar it and then ceramic that area for sure, and rest of vehicle.

I have no experience using clay bars.

Would it be similar to using a rubbing compound?

I have had great success removing surface marks with those.

.