New Truck Paint Quality Issues

[Ram Drifter]

I've been looking at 2014 Ram trucks and it seems that the paint quality is very poor. My terminology may not be correct but, I would describe the paint as having a mottled or orange peel effect. It seems to be worse on the tailgate but it's also visible on other body panels. I looked at maybe 30 trucks at the same Southern California dealership and every vehicle has this issue to some degree. Typically, the trucks built in Michigan looked better than those built in Mexico.

Is anyone else dissatisfied with paint quality? How has a Dodge been about warranty? If I buy a truck from a Northern state like Minnesota, will I have a better chance of getting one from the Flint, Michigan plant?

I am ready to order a new Ram 1500 EcoDiesel but, I'm reluctant to buy anything sight unseen. I got burned by GM a couple years ago and ended up shelling out several grand to repaint a new Camaro. Bad paint is an unacceptable quality issue that can have a large impact on resale value. Warranty of this type of issue is very subjective to the dealer and rep.

 

[NYCruiser]

I have a Michigan truck painted black with base/clearcoat. Orange peel is very minimal, but is there slightly from some angles. It is what it is. Factory paint jobs today are never going to be of the quality of a custom show truck. I never thought about asking for warrantee coverage over it.

If its going to be an issue for you, the time to make it one is before you buy it/take posession. Inspect them closely and show any issues to the dealer.

 

[Ram Drifter]

I have a Michigan truck painted black with base/clearcoat. Orange peel is very minimal, but is there slightly from some angles. It is what it is. Factory paint jobs today are never going to be of the quality of a custom show truck. I never thought about asking for warrantee coverage over it.

If its going to be an issue for you, the time to make it one is before you buy it/take posession. Inspect them closely and show any issues to the dealer.

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like you have one of the better paint jobs. Do you know which facility manufactured your truck? It should be on he window sticker.

I agree that paint issues should be addresses before accepting the vehicle but, how does that work when you order a truck?

As far as the "is what it is" that is sadly true. New EPA standards have forced manufacturers t use less durable and harder to apply paints. However, I haven't laid out the cash for a new RAM truck yet. I really like the RAM trucks but if Dodge can't figure out paint quality issues then I might buy something else.

 

[NYCruiser]

I think mine was built in Warren Michigan, but I don't have the truck here to check. Even if you order a truck you still have the opportunity to inspect it before you take delivery.

 

[Lhemi]

A guy I work with has a tailgate that's not completely painted at the top. New 2014, I would be sick...

 

[Mr.Asmith9]

Ram Drifter, I ordered my EcoDiesel on the 7th of February. I'm still waiting for the dealership to receive it of course. I'd be more then happy to answer any and all questions you have on ordering it, and how much I ended up paying for mine. I did get a pretty good deal. Just send me a private message and I'd love to help you out.

 

[Ram Drifter]

Ram Drifter, I ordered my EcoDiesel on the 7th of February.

Please let me know how it looks and where it was built. The dealer that I talked to claimed that Mexico was tooled for the EcoDiesel builds. Maybe they didn't know and just came up with that answer or California gets mostly Mexico builds.

You have to wonder who is doing the quality control if units are coming out with partially painted tail gates.

 

[Mr.Asmith9]

Please let me know how it looks and where it was built. The dealer that I talked to claimed that Mexico was tooled for the EcoDiesel builds. Maybe they didn't know and just came up with that answer or California gets mostly Mexico builds

I too was told that the Diesel models were being built in Mexico. I wont be able to confirm that until probably April or May when I fly down to pick up my truck.

 

[Ram Drifter]

Bummer. If these were coming out of Flint I'd feel a lot more comfortable about ordering one. Really don't want to wait months only get a truck that I won't accept.

Anyone else notice the paint quality is worse on the Mexico built units?

 

[NYCruiser]

Just confirming that the final assembly point of my truck was Warren, Michigan. (per the window sticker)

Country of origin data indicates that my engine came from Mexico and my 6-speed tranny from USA.


PARTS CONTENT INFORMATION
FOR VEHICLES IN THIS CARLINE:
U.S./CANADA PARTS CONTENT: 66%
NOTE: PARTS CONTENT DOES NOT INCLUDE FINAL ASSEMBLY,
DISTRIBUTION, OR OTHER NON-PARTS COSTS.
FOR THIS VEHICLE:
FINAL ASSEMBLY POINT:
WARREN, MICHIGAN, U.S.A.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
ENGINE:MX
TRANSMISSION:US

 

[Mr.Asmith9]

Can anyone supply some paint defect pictures. Now I'm getting all worried about picking up my truck and that I wont notice any issues it may have.

 

[TruckTime19]

When I bought my truck I didn't notice it until a week later (I wasn't looking close enough to find it) but while waiting in the show room I was sitting 5 feet from a 2014 Dart that had it. I looked at a few others vehicles in the show room and most had it. My 2010 Kia had the orange peel effect as well.

 

[Pull Ya]

IMHO The quality of the paint jobs has been decreasing over the last few years. The trucks that have no defects(at least reported by the owners) seem to be far and few between. The paint quality control seems to be out to lunch. The painter at the body shop I use can spray a base coat, clear coat paint job that looks better than any factory job I have seen, so I'm not sure it's a problem with the new type of paints. I guess it all boils down to what you can put up with---I doubt that you are going to find a "perfect" paint job coming out of the factory--at least on a Ram. Orange peel is not a paint problem, it's an application problem, at least that is what my painter said. He has 35 years experience and does custom paint jobs as well as regular paint jobs.
Jay

 

[Poleclimber]

I just bought a 2014 2500 crew and the paint job doesn't look any worse than any Chevy I've had. I bought mine in northern Michigan and it came from Mexico. So just because you buy one in or around Michigan doesn't mean your gonna get one from Michigan. Unless the 2500s are only assembled in Mexico???

 

[Mr.Asmith9]

From what I know it largely depends on the features you get. For example some factories may only carry a certain color, interior design, or even engine. That should also apply for dealer lot orders.

 

[Ram Drifter]

From what I know it largely depends on the features you get. For example some factories may only carry a certain color, interior design, or even engine. That should also apply for dealer lot orders.

I didn't think about checking if some colors are better than others.

Maybe they should offer primer as a new color.