Poll for Those with Paint Blistering / Bubbling Defect

[John_Matrix]

It would be useful to add a tab to this poll where owners can indicate if their cars live outside all the time or our garaged

 

[LotusTaylor]

Lotus Hatfield have started the claim process for my door replacement.

Once they have new doors in, they said it will have to go to Slough for replacing, and the car could be with them for up to 4 weeks.

I’m hoping that 4 weeks is just a ‘managing expectations’ strategy rather than than actual time away

My car is also with Lotus Hatfield at the moment, and they have just confirmed the same work to be completed.

They did not specify a lead time, so I have asked.

 

[tankski]

Since my car has been back from the body shop I’ve had a small squeaking noise come from the passenger side. Took a look today after a run and found that a few bits of trim were left loose. The window close/open heights need to be adjusted too since they close/bottom out with a loud thud now. I've attached a video of the loose bits of trim.

When you get your car back, do check that the trim is re-seated properly and the windows are functioning as they should!

 

[Man.v.Cars]

Got mine back on Wednesday, both doors, and everything looked fine when I picked it up but when the sun came out I noticed swirl marks everywhere including the new paintwork.

Dealer bodyshop said they'd need it for another 2 days but I went to a local detailer who does full paint correction for advice. Jeez, under specialist lights he pointed out how bad the paintwork from factory was, ie sanding down but not polishing out enough leaving marks. He then pointed out overspray all over where the car hadn't been masked off and he said the swirl marks were from the car being washed after the painting had been done.

He's going to give me a written quote and I'll try and get Lotus to pay for both the bad paintwork from factory and poor job from dealer workshop. Not holding out much hope as Lotus are now not replying to emails or calling back about other issues.

 

[Orchardbike]

Got mine back on Wednesday, both doors, and everything looked fine when I picked it up but when the sun came out I noticed swirl marks everywhere including the new paintwork.

Dealer bodyshop said they'd need it for another 2 days but I went to a local detailer who does full paint correction for advice. Jeez, under specialist lights he pointed out how bad the paintwork from factory was, ie sanding down but not polishing out enough leaving marks. He then pointed out overspray all over where the car hadn't been masked off and he said the swirl marks were from the car being washed after the painting had been done.

He's going to give me a written quote and I'll try and get Lotus to pay for both the bad paintwork from factory and poor job from dealer workshop. Not holding out much hope as Lotus are now not replying to emails or calling back about other issues.

Yep, I’ve found if you pester them, they just go to ground and stop responding…..as does the MD if you send him a letter!

 

[chris.lear]

Class Action Lawsuit for Lotus Emira Paint Bubbling & Unacceptable Repair Delays

Hi everyone,

I’m new on here and but I can see there has already been plenty written in relation the paintwork bubbling issue on the Lotus Emira.

I don’t know if this has already been discussed but I wanted to reach out to see if other Lotus Emira owners were interested in potentially pursuing a class action lawsuit against Lotus.

I purchased my Lotus Emira V6 First Edition in September 2023, and by September 2024, I reported severe paint bubbling on the driver’s door. Lotus acknowledged the defect as a known issue and agreed to cover the repair under warranty. However, despite six months of waiting, my car has still not been repaired, and I have now been informed that it will be at least May 2025 before the part will be available. That’s a nine-month wait for a £90,000+ car, which is completely unacceptable.

From what I’ve gathered, this paint bubbling issue is widespread, with other owners reporting similar problems on doors, rear quarter panels, and tailgates. The delay in repairs and parts supply seems to be a recurring issue, leaving customers in limbo with expensive cars that are either unusable or severely devalued.

I believe that as affected customers, we should explore legal action against Lotus for failure to provide timely repairs, selling vehicles with known defects, and the significant financial impact on owners. Possible resolutions could include:

1. Financial compensation for the inconvenience and depreciation of our vehicles.
2. Buyback offers for defective cars.
3. Replacements with defect-free vehicles.

If you are experiencing similar issues and are interested in taking legal action, please comment below. If we get enough affected owners, we could look into organising a class action claim.

Let’s hold Lotus accountable and push for a fair resolution

 

[Foxy87]

Well Its not like you cannot drive the car with the tiny bubbles until your replacement doors arrive…

 

[chris.lear]

Well Its not like you cannot drive the car with the tiny bubbles until your replacement doors arrive…

Fair point, but part of the reason I purchased the car was because of the stunning looks. Doesn’t look quite so stunning covered in blisters. For the money paid for the car, surely we should expect better??? Would you have brought the car if it looked like that in the first place? I’m guessing not, so why should customers be expected to wait over 9 months to have the car looking like it should?

 

[Foxy87]

Yeah well it shouldnt look like this, but they take care of it, even if it takes a bit longer. The problem sucks, I agree, but this is life, other brands have other problems…

 

[911toEmira]

Yeah well it shouldnt look like this, but they take care of it, even if it takes a bit longer. The problem sucks, I agree, but this is life, other brands have other problems…

It needs action, it’s a known problem and customers have been short changed when changes to paint warranty. Owners deserve to know that it will need looked after for a reasonable period beyond 3 years to protect resale and outlay.

 

[Foxy87]

I agree regarding the change from 5 to 3 years

 

[seriously]

I’m interested to see where this goes

 

[chris.lear]

Yeah well it shouldnt look like this, but they take care of it, even if it takes a bit longer. The problem sucks, I agree, but this is life, other brands have other problems…

The problem is they aren't taking care of it are they (certainly not in a timely manner). I usually only keep my cars for a max or 2 to 3 years. Hence, 9 months is probably a 1/3 of my typical ownership time, where I have been left with a car that's in my opinion looks a mess and therefore I don't want to use as much.. Other brands do have problems, I have had issues with Porsche and Audi in the past, the difference is they are dealt with in a timely manner.

My 2 biggest issues are the time it has taken and the potential negative effect on residual values this problem is creating.

 

[Jarrad]

2y of trouble free motoring so far but got the bubbling on the doors yesterday. 12 people ahead of me in the queue at my dealership for doors on back order!!

 

[Nick in Sydney]

2y of trouble free motoring so far but got the bubbling on the doors yesterday. 12 people ahead of me in the queue at my dealership for doors on back order!!

In some ways it's good news--- you got your blisters while you're still covered by the warranty!

 

[Elise111s]

In some ways it's good news--- you got your blisters while you're still covered by the warranty!

Agreed. I’d be a bit reluctant to buy a 2023 car where the blisters hadn’t materialised yet with the warranty running out. Better to find a car that’s already been fixed or get a price reduction on one that has blisters evident.

Otherwise, it’s a waiting game with an uncertain outcome.

 

[Jarrad]

In some ways it's good news--- you got your blisters while you're still covered by the warranty!

Yeah and I have a year to get it sorted

 

[Beachbum]

Any car pre mid-2024 will have a 5yr warranty, no matter what Lotus are telling people
Yes there will almost certainly be a legal battle for someone/a few, but the way the Warranty was advertised and cars were sold pre that date, Lotus do not have a leg to stand on.
They understandably want to mitigate their risk, but the legal aspects of all of this, is that their mitigation came into effect on the date they changed the wording on their warranty site. They cannot legally back date it.

 

[Biggles of Norwich]

Class Action Lawsuit for Lotus Emira Paint Bubbling & Unacceptable Repair Delays

Hi everyone,

I’m new on here and but I can see there has already been plenty written in relation the paintwork bubbling issue on the Lotus Emira.

I don’t know if this has already been discussed but I wanted to reach out to see if other Lotus Emira owners were interested in potentially pursuing a class action lawsuit against Lotus.

I purchased my Lotus Emira V6 First Edition in September 2023, and by September 2024, I reported severe paint bubbling on the driver’s door. Lotus acknowledged the defect as a known issue and agreed to cover the repair under warranty. However, despite six months of waiting, my car has still not been repaired, and I have now been informed that it will be at least May 2025 before the part will be available. That’s a nine-month wait for a £90,000+ car, which is completely unacceptable.

From what I’ve gathered, this paint bubbling issue is widespread, with other owners reporting similar problems on doors, rear quarter panels, and tailgates. The delay in repairs and parts supply seems to be a recurring issue, leaving customers in limbo with expensive cars that are either unusable or severely devalued.

I believe that as affected customers, we should explore legal action against Lotus for failure to provide timely repairs, selling vehicles with known defects, and the significant financial impact on owners. Possible resolutions could include:

1. Financial compensation for the inconvenience and depreciation of our vehicles.
2. Buyback offers for defective cars.
3. Replacements with defect-free vehicles.

If you are experiencing similar issues and are interested in taking legal action, please comment below. If we get enough affected owners, we could look into organising a class action claim.

Let’s hold Lotus accountable and push for a fair resolution

Strange - my Emira was assessed when in for a service in Sep 2024, door(s) ordered. Dealer contacted me in Dec, as doors had been received, to arrange replacement. They had two months lead time on the body shop (seems to be their standard lead time for everything), and it is in now having both doors replaced. 3 month wait for doors, 5 months total. I can only wonder if part of your wait might be down to your dealer?

 

[SweptVolume]

Yeah and I have a year to get it sorted

Does your car live outside or in a garage ?