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Interior Door Panels Peeling/Lifting on Newer Dodge Chargers

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117K views 186 replies 65 participants last post by  pattygarcia1348  
#1 · (Edited)
UPDATE:

A Class Action Lawsuit has been initiated by several owners:




Hey everyone,

I've been gathering complaints and images regarding the peeling door panels on Dodge Chargers, specifically, the 2015-present models. While the 2011-2014 models have door panels that are visually identical to the 2015-present models, I have reason to believe they used a better quality glue - hence why less of them are peeling after heat cycles/prolonged time. I have rarely seen a few 2013-2014 models with the issue, but it's not consistent.

Dodge seems to honor the 3/36,000 warranty when the car is brought in for this issue, typically replacing all affected panels at no charge. However, once this warranty period expires, it costs a substantial amount of money to replace all 4 door panels. It seems that they are aware of this issue, due to the supply issue with the door panels themselves. Often, they're on back-order for 6+ months. They simply cannot produce enough of them. How much more noise has to be made until they open a recall? They should either start producing all new cars from this date forward with the better quality glue/adhesive on the door panels, or voluntarily fix all older vehicles with the issue at no cost and repair them using a dealer certified method (perhaps taking the panels apart and applying a new glue formula).

My car was manufactured in November 2019, and as such, there is no peeling yet. But it is kept outside, and I expect to see the issue start within 2-3 years. Perhaps someone here knows an engineer that works at the Brampton Assembly Plant, or someone could find a way to contact one and bring this issue to their attention? Obviously, bringing these issues to the dealership Service Manager or Service Advisors is not making its way to FCA Corporate or their interior design engineers.

Images for your entertainment:

Image


Image
 
#3 ·
Correct me if I'm wrong but a recall is for a safety related issue and I'm not sure how peeling interior trim fits that criteria.
 
#4 ·
I think you're right. This would probably be classified under something else. I've seen manufacturer's call back/cover cars for cosmetic defects. When I worked at Honda dealership, there was a certain new model out (I believe the Honda Passport) with headlights that would prematurely fade/condensate, so we replaced them at no cost to the customer. And they changed the manufacturing process for the headlights due to this issue, since replacing them is only a temporary solution if the design itself has shortcomings.

Assuming Dodge doesn't fix this problem at all, I'd hope they at least solve it for the next generation Dodge Charger. It would be terrible to endure another generation plagued with this issue.
 
#5 ·
The panel on my drivers side 2013 Bee has started to warp every so slightly. It's barely noticeable, but I have noticed it pull away within the past few months.

I'm sure FCA is aware, but doubt anything will be done. They never did anything in regards to the cam/lifter issue that is a known problem, especially among the 5.7s.

The panel thing isn't a safety issue either, so there won't be a recall. At the very least you may be able to work a new panel out of FCA.
 
#7 ·
If you look at the two images at the bottom of my original post, you'll see two different levels of peeling. Look at the top of the door panel near the window, you'll see it warping/lifting.
 
#8 ·
Ford has a way worse problem with this on Explorers than FCA does on Chargers/ Challengers/300's..the difference is that they will fix it if you complain (pneumatic staplers work wonders). I have repaired lots of different cars with my stapler: Fords, Nissans, BMW, etc.

The problem isn't really the glue, but the design: there is a layer of foam on the underside of the vinyl to give it the "soft touch". This foam expands when it gets hot and pops the vinyl out of the thin chanel on the top of the door. See post 13 below:

 
#9 ·
Ford has a way worse problem with this on Explorers than FCA does on Chargers/ Challengers/300's..the difference is that they will fix it if you complain (pneumatic staplers work wonders). I have repaired lots of different cars with my stapler: Fords, Nissans, BMW, etc.

The problem isn't really the glue, but the design: there is a layer of foam on the underside of the vinyl to give it the "soft touch". This foam expands when it gets hot and pops the vinyl out of the thin chanel on the top of the door. See post 13 below:
Don't the staples crack the plastic frame?
 
#11 ·
Drivers side did it while still under warranty. Fixed.
Passenger side did it while out of warranty. Dealer wouldn't even look at it once I said the warranty was up. Called customer care & after about a month or so the dealer fixed it no charge.
Don't have the pics any longer.
 
#12 ·
It's nice that the dealer went ahead and did the repair even if they did it after some shaming.

My Mustang door panel inseet peeled away. The foam backing is what is glued to the door panel and the foam deteriorated causing the panel insert to flop down. I heavily applied some spray-on headliner adhesive and reset it and its stayed put for 4 years. Guess its fixed even if there isnt any foam left to give it that cushy feel.

It doesn't appear the door covering on the Charger is as simple to repair. With the frequency of door panel delamination and warpage I'm surprised FCA hasn't issued a TSB.
 
#14 ·
Here are some better illustrations to show the problem..it can also happen on the center console:
 

Attachments

#16 ·
My factory panels on my ‘18 R/T started to peel so I got a full set of leather panels from a Hellcat I really like the detail and stitching, however after seeing these I believe they will also have a problem at some point down the line.

293793
 
#19 ·
Sounds like you own FCA stock or work for FCA??

Big P will probably redesign the interior door panels to be held together with studded upholstery tacks. Just wait until one pops out and falls on the seat.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Chrysler was doing great when Daimler (Mercedes) acquired it in the "merger of equals" (not!) Drained it dry, sold it to Venture Capital firm Cerebrus, who drained it drier, and taken over in bankruptcy by Fiat. Chrysler is the cash cow for FCA and will continue to be after the PSA merger. Walter Chrysler is rolling over in his grave...actually mausoleum. I've seen it, you can park an Imperial inside it!
 
#22 ·
I'm assuming this problem occurs sooner on cars kept outside, since they're exposed to more heat inside the interior while parked.

I'm still waiting for the first 2019 to report this issue. If anyone has a 2019 or knows someone with a 2019 that has the issue, let me know - I'm curious. I doubt they changed anything, they're probably just too new to do it.
 
#23 ·
I have a 2017 that MIGHT have seen 20 total nights since new that it wasn't in a garage. Windows were tinted with 3m heat reflective tint 3 days after purchase and it's black so I do my BEST not to park it in sun. Mine just started pulling up this spring.

I just haven't sat still long enough to staple them down or take it to the 'ship and have them replaced.

I'm sure sun exposure doesn't cause it, but I won't say it doesn't accelerate it either.


Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk
 
#24 ·
Hey everyone,

I've been gathering complaints and images regarding the peeling door panels on Dodge Chargers, specifically, the 2015-present models. While the 2011-2014 models have door panels that are visually identical to the 2015-present models, I have reason to believe they used a better quality glue - hence why less of them are peeling after heat cycles/prolonged time. I have rarely seen a few 2013-2014 models with the issue, but it's not consistent.

Dodge seems to honor the 3/36,000 warranty when the car is brought in for this issue, typically replacing all affected panels at no charge. However, once this warranty period expires, it costs a substantial amount of money to replace all 4 door panels. It seems that they are aware of this issue, due to the supply issue with the door panels themselves. Often, they're on back-order for 6+ months. They simply cannot produce enough of them. How much more noise has to be made until they open a recall? They should either start producing all new cars from this date forward with the better quality glue/adhesive on the door panels, or voluntarily fix all older vehicles with the issue at no cost and repair them using a dealer certified method (perhaps taking the panels apart and applying a new glue formula).

My car was manufactured in November 2019, and as such, there is no peeling yet. But it is kept outside, and I expect to see the issue start within 2-3 years. Perhaps someone here knows an engineer that works at the Brampton Assembly Plant, or someone could find a way to contact one and bring this issue to their attention? Obviously, bringing these issues to the dealership Service Manager or Service Advisors is not making its way to FCA Corporate or their interior design engineers.

Images for your entertainment:

Image


Image
 
#25 ·
Anyone recommend the best tint to get to help minimize this as much as possible? Also should I be cracking my windows slightly to let some of the trapped heat out? I got at a minimum 1 year (probably 2yrs) of a brutal Texas summer before moving to cooler Idaho. I really like these leather panels so I gotta try and keep them in tip top shape.
 
#27 ·
Anyone recommend the best tint to get to help minimize this as much as possible? Also should I be cracking my windows slightly to let some of the trapped heat out? I got at a minimum 1 year (probably 2yrs) of a brutal Texas summer before moving to cooler Idaho. I really like these leather panels so I gotta try and keep them in tip top shape.
The tint doesn't stop it, unfortunately.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk
 
#29 ·
I saw this on a 2016 R/T R&T car that I looked at before buying my 2019. The selling dealer said they'd fix the panels, I didn't know about the issue and it worried me that maybe they ripped the panels off messing with the speakers or some weird damage etc. Both driver and passenger were peeling badly.
 
#33 ·
I brought my car in before the 3/36 ran out and the dealership blew me off "normal wear and tear" you gotta wait till its bad enough, all 4 panels were seperating at that point.
I took a video showing the miles and the dealer paperwork in case Dodge finally fixes them for real. I would say if you bought the car new, and brought it to the same dealership and are willing to release your inner KAREN you may get fixed.
 
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#34 ·
My 17’ scat with 44k miles is starting on the passenger side after leaving my windows down in the sun this summer. Definitely the direct sunlight is what made it start. Obviously FCA should of used something more suitable to sustain sun on vehicle parts.
 
#37 · (Edited)
I've driven a few Chrysler 300's at work, usually older trade-ins of various model years. The door panels are almost identical to the Charger, except none of them ever peel. I'm wondering what could possibly be different? Same deal with pre-2015 Chargers. They changed something, and I'd like to know what it is they changed - knowing that will possibly lead to a solution.

I'm also wondering what it would take to get FCA to release a service bulletin - not a recall, but rather a dealer authorized repair to rectify the issue without having to replace the entire door panel (which is a waste, quite frankly).
 
#38 ·