Thousands of Americans are complaining about paint on their cars peeling even after just 10,000 miles. Here’s the big automaker behind the issue (and what to do if happens to you)

Owners unsatisfied by Hyundai's response

Cars of many Hyundai models and colors have experienced peeling paint, but most of the affected cars are white, leading many to believe it's an issue with the white paint itself or the application method.

When Francom tried to file a claim with Hyundai, they denied there was any defect with the paint.

“They came back and said I was out of warranty and that their material wasn’t defective, which is obviously false because there’s thousands of Hyundai’s running around with paint missing,” Francom said.

Channel 2 Atlanta reports that affected car owners in New York have filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court against Hyundai to recover the costs of repairs to fix the peeling paint issue on their cars.

In a statement shared with Channel 2 News, Hyundai wrote:

“A manufacturing issue with the paint on Hyundai vehicles is extremely rare and has only occurred in isolated incidents. Owners experiencing paint issues are advised to visit their local dealership or contact the Hyundai Customer Care Center.”

However, thousands of car owners are sharing their stories on Reddit, Facebook and Twitter, suggesting this is already a widespread issue. And some coating experts think the issue is with the application method, not the paint's formula.

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Things you can do about car paint peeling

While it's not yet clear what is causing the peeling paint, car owners can take steps to reduce the risk. Many car paint issues result from UV damage caused by sunlight, so reduce sunlight exposure by parking your car in the shade or under a carport, and consider investing in a car cover. Using car wax with UV protection can also help prevent car peeling.

Hyundai owners who have experienced peeling white paint are encouraged to reach out to their local dealership for assistance. Hyundai has set up a website where car owners can input their VIN to see if they are eligible for a White Paint Warranty Extension of up to six years.

Francom, at least, was finally able to resolve her issue with the assistance of consumer news reporter Justin Gray. After Gray contacted Hyundai, the company agreed to schedule an inspection of her car. After that inspection, the company finally agreed to cover her new paint job.