Toyota Super White Paint Problem (Explained)

Toyota’s super white paint looks incredible. It can match any interior color and looks great on all cars ranging from SUVs to saloons.

Despite having so many positive attributes, Toyota’s super white paint does have its fair share of complaints. On various threads, there have been numerous complaints about this paint.

If you plan to buy a Toyota in super white, you need to find out whether these allegations are true or false. And that will be our topic of discussion in this article.

Toyota super white paint problems
Maryland Pride, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Flaking/Peeling Too Early – Toyota’s Super White Biggest Problem

The biggest concern with Toyota’s super white paint is that it peels too early. Over the years, there have been many reports about this paint flaking or peeling within a year after the vehicle was purchased.

Even though various factors cause the peeling of car paint, it doesn’t make sense for a brand-new car to experience such an issue a year after manufacture.

This problem was mostly reported in Toyota cars made in 2017. Before that, there weren’t very many reports. But in 2017, it was an issue that was so rampant that Toyota was forced to take action.

Super White is a very popular color, especially amongst Toyotas. It’s surprising why Toyota would make such an error.

Toyota never defended itself or explained why this was happening. But for the hundreds of car owners who experienced the peeling, it was not a pleasant experience.

Funny enough, the peeling issue with Toyota super white did not affect everyone. There are plenty of cars bought during 2017 in super white, and they held up pretty well. This begs the question – was this issue caused by other factors? Or is Toyota to blame?

Not unless you were a victim. It can be difficult to determine who is to blame. Because from what we can gather, the peeling occurred within a short while of less than a year. The issue affected models made in 2016 and 2018 as well.

It is too early for cars manufactured in 2020 and 2021 to determine whether this super white paint problem will persist. We will have to pay keen attention to Toyota vehicles that have this paint job.

The cause of peeling in the Toyota super white paint can best be associated with a paint that degrades quicker than expected. You should also know that the flaking issue doesn’t only affect super white.

Toyota’s that have the blizzard pearl paint may also experience this issue. As you shop for a Toyota car, you may want to cautiously approach these two types of paint.

Which Toyota Models Are Vulnerable to Peeling of the Super White Paint?

Another thing you need to know about Toyota’s super white paint because it affects certain vehicles more than others. The following models have been in the spotlight because of this problem;

Camry

Lexus GX

Corolla

4Runner

Avalon

Tacoma

What Has Toyota Done about this Super White Paint Problem?

Toyota is a reputable brand, and unlike its counterparts who deny being the cause of any issues, it made a bold move.

Toyota launched a new customer support program whereby Toyota notified car owners who have vehicles in either super white or blizzard pearl paint. In this notification, they explain the issue that such vehicles are experiencing.

Phase two of this program entails repairs catered for by your local dealer. If you run into the flaking of paint problem, you have to find a Toyota dealer near you and get the car fixed at no cost.

Please note that all authorized Toyota dealers facilitate this program. So you don’t have to take your car to the dealer you bought the vehicle from. Relevant documentation will be needed. Make sure you have that with you.

Is the Peeling of Toyota Super White Paint a Manufacturing Defect?

This is exactly what Toyota referred to when they addressed this issue. Paint, especially that which comes straight from the manufacturer, holds up well.

No matter the environment it is exposed to, super white paint should show signs of wear after around three or four years.

When your Toyota super white paint starts to peel within a year or two, that should raise some concerns.

When you visit your dealer and file a complaint. They will let you know about this program, and they should repair the peeling at no extra cost.

You should know that the only issue that will be fixed is the peeling. If there are dents and scratches on your car’s body, you will be billed for these repairs.

Even though Toyota made a manufacturing defect with the super white paint, this brand still retains an excellent reputation.

Toyota has been around for years, and they are known to make reliable and economical cars. There have been no other reports regarding this paint other than the flaking issue.

Do Latest Toyota’s have the Above Super White Paint Problem?

As mentioned earlier, this issue was rampant in models made from 2016 to 2018. It wasn’t an issue with all cars painted super white during that duration. Some experienced the flaking others were lucky enough not to.

Toyota has manufactured cars in recent years that have not had any reported issues. It’s safe to say that Toyota addressed and dealt with this issue.

At the same time, only time can tell because a car bought in 2021 or 2022 is still fairly new, and the peeling may not be visible right away.

Will the Warranty cover this Toyota Super White Paint Problem?

If your super white paint starts to peel, you should visit your dealer and see if it’s covered by the warranty. If Toyota were genuine about accepting this mistake, they should have included it in the contract.

For Toyotas that contain special paint protection, the warranty should cover you in case your car paint starts to peel on its own.

Should Car Owners Expect a Recall for Peeling Super White Paint?

Unfortunately, if you own a Toyota with super white paint and it starts to peel off, forget about a recall. Paint isn’t an issue that most car manufacturers consider serious.

To you, the car owner, having to spend hundreds of dollars on the repairs will be expensive.

But for big corporations such as Toyota, the much they can do is instruct dealers to fix this issue for car owners at no cost. But a recall is definitely out of the picture.

This is very unfair, especially when you consider how much money you paid for that vehicle only to end up with a poor-quality paint job that peels or flakes after a year.

Hopefully, Toyota learned its lesson, and this issue won’t happen again in the future. Cause if it were, many people would lose a lot of money fixing paint repairs.

What Causes Peeling of Car Paint?

Let’s put the Toyota super white paint aside and look at the general causes of peeling to understand best who is to blame here. Peeling is caused by excessive sun exposure, damage to the clear coat, and finally, a poor paint job.

For a car that is a year old and is sheltered from the sun and driven carefully, why would the paint peel on its own? That only leaves behind one culprit – a poor paint job.

It appears that Toyota, during manufacture, made an error when painting certain cars.

Should I Look into Other Toyota Paint Colors?

Assuming you are interested in buying a Toyota in super white. Let’s also add that you prefer the Tacoma, Avalon, or Camry.

After reading this, you may be skeptical about getting this particular paint because it is vulnerable to flaking and peeling.

We all have our preferences when it comes to cars. Some love red and black, and others prefer super white. If you want to buy a Toyota any time from now, you can go ahead and buy the super white. What about the flakiness?

This issue was reported mostly in Toyota models up to 2018. At the time of these complaints, the issue of flakiness was so heated up that it drew Toyota’s attention.

They even created a program to have cars with this issue repaired by authorized dealers at their cost. This means that Toyota heard the cries of its clients and worked on the manufacturing defect.

That is why the 2019, 2020, and 2021 models haven’t experienced peeling problems. The other reason you shouldn’t look into other paint colors is that besides the flakiness, this paint job has no other drawbacks.

If this is a color you would love to have on your car, you can buy your Toyota in super white. Make sure that you let the dealer know you are aware of the super white peeling problem. If possible, ask if they will handle any repairs should you fall victim.

Also, as much as Toyota was at fault for this issue. Car owners need to take proper care of their paint jobs.

Too much exposure to the sun can cause your Toyota super white paint to peel. Always park your car in the shade and, if possible, in a garage. The more you care for your Toyota super white paint, the longer it will last.

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