I am writing to dispute the denial of my paint defect warranty claim formally and to demand that Hyundai Motor America reconsider its decision. My 2018 Hyundai Ioniq (Silver, VIN: [XXX] ) is exhibiting significant paint bubbling — the identical defect that Hyundai has already acknowledged and accepted responsibility for in white-painted vehicles across multiple model years. Timeline of Events • I first contacted Hyundai Customer Care by phone, and was directed to visit an authorized dealership. • On May 8, 2025, I visited Tustin Hyundai, where Dealer Coordinator Alex Cervantes documented the paint bubbling by photographing the affected areas and submitted the claim to Hyundai Motor America on my behalf. Dealer Reference #: XXX. • On May 11, 2025, Alex called and mentioned that Hyundai has denied my claim. Basis of My Complaint Hyundai has publicly acknowledged that paint bubbling and delamination affecting certain 2017–2018 model-year vehicles constitute a manufacturing defect, not owner negligence or environmental damage. In response, Hyundai issued Warranty Extension TXXW and subsequently the broader Z05 extension (10 years/unlimited miles), covering affected vehicles with white paint. The paint defect on my silver 2018 Ioniq is identical in nature and presentation to the defect that Hyundai has already accepted responsibility for. The bubbling is occurring on body panels — not due to collision damage, improper maintenance, or environmental factors — and is consistent with the delamination pattern described in Hyundai's own Technical Service Bulletins. Denying my claim solely based on paint color, while acknowledging the same underlying manufacturing defect in other colors, is inconsistent and Hyundai not accepting responsibilty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11737631
- Incident
- May 11, 2023