I've had my GS F Sport for about a month, and took it in this past weekend to pick up the permanent plates. The dealer pointed out a 1 inch paint chip in the front driver's side wheel well that I had not noticed. I attach a couple pictures here.

The dealer said this was probably caused by a rock kicked up by the wheel. When I saw it, I also thought of a big pothole I hit a couple weeks ago at good speed, on the driver's side. At the time I was worried about potential damage to the tire or wheel (I have a road hazard warranty that covers any such damage) since it was a very sharp jarring when I hit it, so I took a look at those, but didn't notice this chip at the time. Maybe it wasn't there, maybe it was and I just didn't notice it, it's hard to say.

Given the dealer pointed this out, I'm inclined to think it wasn't there when I picked up the car originally (or presumably the dealer would have noticed then), but I guess even that is a possibility.

So, I have two questions:

1. Is this chip a big problem? That is, could it lead to rust or subsequent paint damage? Cosmetically I probably would never have noticed it, so don't consider it a major appearence problem. I worry that it could be a sign of worse things down the road, though.
2. Is this something worth trying to get the dealer to do something about? My feeling is their explanation (rock kicked up by the wheel that had a bad luck bounce) is probably very likely. There's certainly no evidence this was a defect present when I picked up the car, although that is also a conceivable explanation.

 

"WHOA" that's not a chip,,, that's a gash. wow,,, i reacted and it's not even my car. you have to be pissed,,, i know i would be. "ME" i would have had that fixed day one. i wouldn't drive with that (can't call it a chip) until i got it taken care of. i am **** about my cars and notice everything. if it was me i would have slept in front of the dealer until they opened and had their people take care of it. but,,,,, that's just me. that's going to peel and get worse. WOW.

 

Yeah that's pretty bad.... But can easily be covered up properly with OEM touch up paint...

The plastic liner looks tweaked in two places as well....!!! Are you sure you didn't "bottom out" in that pot hole??

- Joe Z

 

This is no where close to being a chip, Rock hit it? No it was a boulder is something. That peel of a paint looks like it came from the fender liner, someone must of installed it wrong or played with it. Honestly its a brand new car with a brand new paint why would something peel like that? Give us more close up pics and maybe remove the clip and take picture of whats going on inside there.

 

Unless the tire hit the fender liner bulge, causing the paint to tweak on impact...

Joe Z

 

That may be worth an insurance claim. You need a new liner and paint work at a minimum. I'm guessing about $500 assuming no damage to the metal underneath.

 

Ugh.... it may indeed have bottomed out in that pothole, it was quite a jolt. In any case, I'm guessing there's no way to claim the dealer had anything to do with this, it looks just like my own bad misfortune.

 

Damn bro! Get that fixed now! Good luck, I'll do a little prayer your car tonight b4 I sleep.

 

Wow. I saw that and felt it myself (I have a red F-sport, which didn't help). With respect to the plastic liner - mine looks kind of like that too (with the bend/gap). I find it a bit suspicious with where the "chip" is. Is it right under where the liner is attached to the body?

 

I'd say get some touch-up paint from your Lexus parts department and cover it up. I don't think it's that major.

 

I agree. It's time to get a new car. This one is totaled by all means!

 

Damn. Disregarding whatever made it happen, you probably want to fix that soon. Otherwise it might cause more paint around it to flake off over time.

 

I appreciate the perspective. My last car was totaled (hail), and as much as I wish this chip wasn't there, I can live with it cosmetically if I have to. But, I really don't want it to get worse.

 

I would try to quickly get it fixed, I wouldn't want it to flake even more

 

Yeah, that's pretty ugly. If you take it into the shop, make sure you get the alignment, tire, and wheel checked too. If that was caused by a pothole, I'm guessing you're in for an alignment at minimum.