Corolla owner revs up Toyota class action over peeling paint

A driver is taking on a giant after the carmaker admitted to a defect – but refuses fix it.

The paint peeling off the roof of Tonami Deed’s Toyota Corolla. Picture: Contributed

A furious Toyota Corolla owner, locked in a year-long battle with the Japanese auto giant over peeling paint, is vowing to keep fighting to help thousands more in a major class action after the company admitted the fault but refused his claim.

Tonami Deed, 24, purchased a second-hand 2011 Toyota Corolla Ascent in March 2023 for $6800.

What began as a blemish the size of a peanut has resulted in nearly half of his car’s roof peeling away back to bare metal.

Furious: Toyota Corolla owner Tonami Deed has joined a class action. Picture: Contributed

By the end of 2023, he noticed the paint was starting to peel away from the boot and roof with rust now starting to show and new panels beginning to peel.

“When it is windy, the paint lifts off the roof and curls around like a pretzel,” he said.

“It is professionally embarrassing to drive a visibly deteriorating vehicle to work each day.

“Every time I try to wash it, more flakes chip off.”

After extensive research online, he discovered publicity about a widespread problem affecting white Corolla models with paint code “040”, and a 2022 Toyota Australia media statement confirming the defect was linked to UV exposure.

What followed, he said, has been a protracted and frustrating battle with Toyota’s national warranty department.

Over the course of three separate out-of-warranty claims, between January and November 2024, he received vague, inconsistent, and contradictory explanations, including that the damage was due to “stone chips” and “reasonable durability”.

A rust spot and the peeling paint on Tonami Deed’s Toyota Corolla. Picture: Contributed

“On the first occasion, Toyota stated that the paint peeling on the roof and boot was caused by external factors such as stone chips,” he said.

“For the average person, that does not make any logical sense – to get stone chips on the roof.”

He appealed that decision and in response he was told the vehicle had shown “reasonable durability” because of its age, with the car company also misquoting the purchase price.

He also received a document from the company stating the cause of the paint peeling was “poor paint preparation”.

As the paint continued to deteriorate, Mr Deed lodged a third claim in late 2024.

“In its third rejection, Toyota continued to abandon its argument and introduced the vehicle’s age and mileage, which had not been cited previously,” Mr Deed said.

“I requested an official rejection letter.”

Mr Deed said he is now awaiting an independent expert report on the cause and condition of the paint peeling.

Oh what a peeling: paint peels off Tonami Deed’s 2011 Toyota Corolla. Picture: Contributed

“I can’t explain Toyota’s shifting justifications,” he said.

“Maybe they hoped I’d give up like so many others juggling the priorities of everyday life — but I have everything on file, and I am not going away.

“I want to reiterate that my local dealership has been responsive and receptive to my concerns and I cannot fault their service.

“But I cannot speak with the same level of respect for the communication and decisions coming from Toyota HQ.

“I have engaged a national engineering firm with substantial technical and legal experience in this matter, and I look forward to receiving their report,” he said.

“All I want is for Toyota to repaint my vehicle, compensate me for damages incurred, and provide me with a written apology,” he said.

“It is time they live up to their reputation as a quality brand and take responsibility so that I can go about my business.

“I will continue to pursue this matter and share my experience to support other Corolla owners who are navigating the same broken process,” he said.

Toyota’s 2022 media statement about the paint.

Mr Deed joined a class action led by William Roberts Lawyers and funded by Omni Bridgeway, which alleges Toyota knew about the defective paint.

Toyota Australia said it had been served with a statement of claim for a paint peeling class action in relation to certain 2010 to 2014 Corolla vehicles.

“We intend to defend the claims,” a spokesman said.

“As this matter is before the courts, we have no further comment.”

■ Toyota has encouraged anyone with questions about their vehicle to contact their preferred Toyota dealer or its Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 869 682.

Originally published as Corolla owner revs up Toyota class action over peeling paint