Paint blistering issue update

[paulecar]

Does anyone have data on how many cars are impacted - E.g. 80% versus 10% of vehicles?

My thesis: On forums of this ilk, the unfortunate folks with issues make a problem look bigger than it is. Not through malice, of course. But because they have more incentive to post, and need the most help / reassurance / advice, etc. Obviously, I'm being optimistic. I have my fingers crossed (and a few other things) that my car doesn't have this issue.

Best wishes to everyone who needs this issue resolved. It's really unfortunate.

 

[geoffbland]

Does anyone have data on how many cars are impacted - E.g. 80% versus 10% of vehicles?

Well you have a data point from the poll on this thread.

14 affected (32%)
27 not affected - yet (68%)

So roughly 1/3 of cars affected. This ties in quite closely with the other poll about this done on the forum (here). There's obviously some selection bias here.

 

[SimonT]

Hello,

I wanted to get an update on a thread from some time ago regarding the well known paint blistering problem that affects some cars.

My car is ~2.5 years old and coming to the end of its warranty period. So far it has not been affected. Whether it's coincidence or not, it has been stored inside its whole life.

Talking to the local authorised Lotus service centre dealer today they said that this was continuing to be an issue with many cars, although there was no identifiable pattern with age, year etc.

My concern is that as the car comes out of warranty next year, if it is affected, it may end up costing thousands to put right, at my expense. They gave an idea of costs:

• Doors (each) £900 - £1800 total
• Paintwork (each) £2000 - £4000 total
• TOTAL: ~£5800 plus VAT @ 20%

These do seem high, especially the paint, but even if they are a slight overestimate it's a big financial hit. They alluded to the fact that some early cars may be covered for 5 years under the original warranty, but 3 years was now the norm. I am trying to find out what the situation is with my car from Lotus Customer services. There is also currently no official 'extended warranty' available - I am chasing Lotus on this separately.

With these costs it's a big question on the whole ownership proposition going forwards. Would I be prepared to pay for this work, or would I be better to sell the car and move onto something different?

I am keen to hear of other people's experiences. Thank you.

Lotus are working with Car Care Plan on an Emira specific after market warranty for existing owners.

Someone has linked to my thread on Lotus Escalations attempting to bribe me with a 2 yr extension on paint if I signed an NDA. Lotus have little comeback when for nigh on 3 yrs they stated the cars had a 5 yr paint warranty on their website. Under UK consumer law inherent faults are covered for 6 years if you can prove they existed at manufacture date. That Lotus have replaced doors and panels at no expense under warranty proves they know of the fault and that it is widespread.

It may take a claim in the Small Claims Court, or threat of, to force them into applying the 5 yrs warranty for cars purchased before they changed their website.

As for the paint, I've not seen paint on doors blistering anywhere but in the same places, ie top of the door, around the handle and bottom of the door, so I think a repair would make more sense if you were paying yourself. I've had both doors and tailgate replaced with 5 months of warranty left (November 17th 2022 build). The dealer paint shop said they've had no rear wings and only 1 other tailgate to mine replaced, but doors by the truckload.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

So roughly 1/3 of cars affected. This ties in quite closely with the other poll about this done on the forum (here). There's obviously some selection bias here.

Yes, suspect pretty significant selection bias. The poll says 32%, but reality across all cars sold will be much lower.

 

[geoffbland]

Yes, suspect pretty significant selection bias. The poll says 32%, but reality across all cars sold will be much lower.

Not sure if anyone else has asked this of a dealer but a dealer did also tell me it was a significant proportion of cars, I think he said a quarter but this was some time ago and I don't exactly recall what he said.

 

[Beachbum]

If it was a quarter some time ago and Lotus really have got the process sorted for later cars, hopefully the percentage is starting to drop
Unfortunately I am not sure it has, given the feed back on more recent cars

 

[Krxs]

Mines currently in to have new doors, tailgate and a rear quarter replaced. For anyone worried I would just check every inch of the paint. My drivers door bubbled on the inside lip and was only visible if the windows were down. Outside looked completely fine.

 

[Tomwa]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about that. those bubbles are unlikely to migrate around the lip, and its probably just poor paint prep in that area. which..makes some sense.

 

[Krxs]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about that. those bubbles are unlikely to migrate around the lip, and its probably just poor paint prep in that area. which..makes some sense.

True, mainly just because the warranty is coming to an end I was being a bit picky. Other panels were a lot worse off so the car was going in anyway

 

[NJemira85]

It's odd how nothing happens for years, then boom they just appear over night.
Where you have them seems to be the usual location. You'll need to join the waiting list for new doors. Then when they fit them deal with the usual issues of increased wind noise at speed, door card damage and water leaks. It seems most bodyshops just slap the new doors on.
Check your other door carefully. Both of mine bubbled within a week of each other. Which is weird after years..

Really strange. You’d think it would happen progressively. I wonder what the failure mode is that it fails in this way

 

[MiamiBlue]

Yes, suspect pretty significant selection bias. The poll says 32%, but reality across all cars sold will be much lower.

Also bear in mind those who voted No are not necessarily saying their car doesn't have the issue, they're saying it hasn't happened yet! It can take years. For the first 2 years of ownership I would have been voting No -but my car very much did turn out to have the issue (both doors).

 

[MiamiBlue]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about that. those bubbles are unlikely to migrate around the lip, and its probably just poor paint prep in that area. which..makes some sense.

After having my doors replaced I had increased wind noise at high speed, a scratch across the leather on the door card and a new rattle from the door when playing music with the window not fully closed.
For an almost invisible paint bubble I would leave it well alone.

 

[Steve Tillett]

I'm in the same boat. My Emira is coming up to 2.5 years old, no sign of paint bubbling but I am concerned about potential costs out of warranty. Lotus CS have told me that the paint warranty is definitely 3 years not 5, and the the 5 years stated on the website for over two years was a 'mistake'. This is clearly bullshit and cynical backtracking from Lotus to reduce their soaring warranty costs. I suspect the legality of this is going to end up being tested when owners inevitably end up with bubbling after 3 years. Shameful and unbelievably short sighted position for a company which aspires to being a global 'premium' brand. It is certain to further trash their reputation and ensure many owners will never buy a Lotus again.

On another note I recently had a conversation with a Lotus employee which revealed a few interesting snippets of information. Lotus apparently have a rig in the factory where doors are repeatedly soaked to try and replicate the problem, so it sounds like it may not be 100% resolved even now. I also got the impression that the problem is clearly batch related, it is not simply a case of all cars before a certain date have the issue. Some cars on Lotus's own management fleet have had the bubbling within a few weeks of production, other batches are fine. Being stored outdoors is obviously a major factor, but it seems it really is a lottery if your car has the faulty panels, and if you do, how long the bubbling takes to show up.

I'm certain it's nothing to do with water. The company that makes them are trapping air when they compression mould them. The door handle feature is the problem and it stopping the air escaping. That why the bubbles are mainly leading from it or around it.

 

[ADC]

I'm certain it's nothing to do with water. The company that makes them are trapping air when they compression mould them. The door handle feature is the problem and it stopping the air escaping. That why the bubbles are mainly leading from it or around it.

So... any chance you're going to get into the replacement door game, Steve? Show 'em how it's done!

(only half kidding here)

 

[Steve Tillett]

So... any chance you're going to get into the replacement door game, Steve? Show 'em how it's done!

(only half kidding here)

We could make a lovely air free door but we are too busy making air free seats.

 

[virtualmacho]

Just a wild idea, but could some sort of ventilation help? A fan on the inside, or vents to the cabin?