Wheel clear coat delamination

Hello folks. I have a 2019 R-Spec with factory black painted wheels having the same clear coat delamination problem. I purchased the car in Dec 2018. Noticed the problem on one wheel 2 weeks later. Dealer replaced it under warranty. I voiced concerns regarding why this happened and wanted assurance I would not have issues with the other 3 wheels. Dealer could not explain, but said not to worry since I had documented the issue.

About 5 months later, had the problem on the remaining 3 original wheels. Took to show dealer then had to wait a month and a half for a response. Dealer eventually responded and said Hyundai refused to replace them. I escalated to Hyundai Consumer Affairs and after back and forth discussions, finally got approval to replace the remaining 3 original wheels.

Last week, I started to see the issue again on the replacement wheel I received shortly after I purchased the vehicle. I immediately contacted Hyundai Consumer Affairs and started a case. Also went back to the dealer. I am again getting negative feedback through dealer indicating Hyundai corporate reluctance to properly address the situation. I am escalating through Hyundai Consumer Affairs.

It is clear to me that Hyundai has a widespread quality issue with the finish of their painted wheels. I am hearing of more folks with this same issue not only on Velosters, but other Hyundai vehicles with black painted wheels (I.e., Sonatas, Tucson’s and Santa Fe’s). I would encourage you to not just work through your dealer. Contact Hyundai Consumer Affairs at 800-633-5151 and open a case. Do this even though the dealer agrees to replace the wheels. This will document the problem at the corporate level to give more visibility to the issue and help if the issue recurs.

RedVN said:

This is simply untrue and supposition on your part. It is not prevalent or widespread on other Hyundais and is sporadic even with the Veloster N. Hyundai doesn't manufacture the wheels, a contractor provides them to Hyundai based upon their specifications. (TMC/JMC/Mobis)

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RedVN ...... do you work for Hyundai?

I believe this is a widespread problem based on my personal experience on my vehicle, observation of black painted wheels on other Hyundai vehicles (2019 Velosters in particular) and what I am reading in Hyundai forums. Many people have the issue and do not even realize it because they don’t look at their wheels closely. I recently saw another Veloster R Spec like mine at a gas station and went to speak to the owner. I looked at his wheels and they were exhibiting the same clear coat flaking that I saw on my vehicle and in the pictures attached to this thread. I pointed it out to the owner ......... he had no idea it was happening.

It is also interesting to note that the delamination seems to initiate at the leading edge of the wheel curved section where the spokes meet the outer rim of the wheel. This is likely the area that sees the most air turbulence when the vehicle is moving forward and the wheel is spinning at a high rate of speed. I also believe that the issue is more prevalent on vehicles that are operated in rainy/damp environments. Moisture may be permeating through the clearcoat and disrupting the bond between the clearcoat and black powder coating below. Just my theory.

I have asked my dealer and Hyundai Consumer Affairs numerous times for an explanation as to why this is happening and I get nothing. They will now be replacing the fifth wheel due to the same issue since I purchased my vehicle new in Dec 2018. You really think this is an isolated issue?

Incidentally, I have never taken my vehicle to a car wash. I always handwash the Veloster and wheels using only Meguiar’s Gold Class car wash shampoo and conditioner.

This is likely the area that sees the most air turbulence when the vehicle is moving forward and the wheel is spinning at a high rate of speed.

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No offense and I apologize but your comment is laughable. What you believe or speculate is not valid. You're simply creating a hypothesis based on what you've read and focused on from forums.

Forums are places to enjoy and air grievances about service, warranties etc. They're not the end all to be all. There postings represent a very small percentage per capita of owners and complaints. So what you're alluding to is nothing more than; hypothetical supposition and not theory.

Painted alloy cast or forged wheels go thru a different process when painted then the body of a car. You should never utilize any caustic cleaner on them. Never wipe them off dry. Never utilize a wheel brush on them. You should always touch up nicks and dings with the matching paint and clear coat required. It can be purchased a the dealership part dept. or thru online Hyundai OEM parts vendors.

The wheels on the R-Spec and the VN are completely different. The R-Specs are painted entirely in one specific color and that's black. You're wheels are a cast alloy. On the VN they are forged. If you nick the paint you expose the unprotected cast alloy to the elements, they'll immediately start to corrode from just the moist air. If you have any corrosive material being utilize on the roads you travel in the winter, it will most certainly cause alloy rust and permeate to more than just the nick. This is just how alloy corrosion works.

If you've not taken the time to sealed your wheels with a ceramic coating, then touch up any nicks that have developed, you'll have corrosion forming. Cast alloy wheels are porous. Your wheels are specifically cast alloy.

This will explain much better. It's technical but well worth the read;

https://www.intechopen.com/books/al...erview-property-space-techniques-and-developm

I would be very grateful they've replace the wheels up until now. They really didn't have to. I would also seriously think about what I've commented to and provide you as factual information, not the speculation which your engaged in presently. It's dangerous, dubious and is simply at best irrelevant. It causes forum members undue stress and concern. Very similar to the old story, "the boy who cried wolf."

The primary reason you haven't received any response from whatever consumer affairs you complained to is; they have no idea and have to rely upon the dealership, manufacture, and the contracted wheel manufacturer for a response.

Hyundai hasn't responded to you personally because they've gone out of their way to accommodate you up to this point. Hyundai offers and offered you a 100K Platinum Warranty which covers everything bumper to bumper except the bumpers when you purchased the Veloster. They also offer a wheel and tire warranty package, which is still available to you for purchase. Talk to your Hyundai Finance Department. Obviously you saw fit for whatever reason to decline them. With these warranties intact, they'll replace the tire and wheels without question.

Personally, I believe you've been treated far better than most Hyundai owners, that opted out of the additional warranty packages. You need to remember and keep in mind, wheels like brakes, clutch linings, etc., are wear and tear items. They're not warranted unless you pay extra to warranty them, as in their Platinum Warranty. You need to read and make yourself aware of what the Hyundai warranty actually includes. If you still have doubts, call Hyundai Assurance and ask. Hyundai Assurance will be more than happy to tell you.

At a glance;

Audio systems — 3 years/36,000 miles (Equus: 5 years/60,000 miles)
Paint — 3 years/36,000 miles
Battery — Up to 3 years/unlimited miles or a lifetime hybrid battery warranty
Air conditioner refrigerant charge — 1 year/unlimited miles
Adjustments to the vehicle — 1 year/12,000 miles
Perforation (rusted body sheet metal)— 7 years/unlimited miles
Roadside assistance — 5 years/unlimited miles
Replacement parts and accessories — 12 months/12,000 miles (Covers repairs or replacements for defective Hyundai Genuine Replacement Parts or Accessories)
Full powertrain — 10 years/100,000 miles (see details more below)
Emissions components — Up to 8 years/80,000 miles (Federal and California emissions)

https://m.hyundaiusa.com/assurance/america-best-warranty.html

[quoteForums are places to enjoy and air grievances about service, warranties etc. They're not the end all to be all. There postings represent a very small percentage per capita of owners and complaints. So what you're alluding to is nothing more than; hypothetical supposition and not theory.][/quote]

RedVN .......... what I am indicating is based on my own personal experience with the clearcoat delamination issue that I have now seen on 5 separate factory OEM wheels installed on my personal Veloster. My experience is consistent with one other Veloster having the same issue which I have personally witnessed. There are several similar accounts of the issue also documented in forums. I am not quite clear on your motivation for trying to shed doubt on the cause of this problem. I am trying to raise awareness for other Veloster owners and sharing my experience to hopefully help the folks deal with what I believe to be a recurring quality issue with these wheels.

RedVN ......... do you actually own a Veloster with black painted wheels? Have you personally seen and analyzed any of the Veloster black painted wheels with the delamination issue in person? Are you working for or in anyway affiliated with Hyundai? Just trying to understand what is driving your responses.

The wheels on the R-Spec and the VN are completely different. The R-Specs are painted entirely in one specific color and that's black. You're wheels are a cast alloy. On the VN they are forged.

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RedVN ........ how do you know that the construction of the wheels is different? Hyundai indicates that the Type R and Vel N 18” wheels are “alloy”. The optional Vel N PP 19” wheels are also described as “alloy”. There is no mention of the forming process used (I.e., cast or forged) in any literature I could find. Please share your source for validation.

If you've not taken the time to sealed your wheels with a ceramic coating, then touch up any nicks that have developed, you'll have corrosion forming. Cast alloy wheels are porous. Your wheels are specifically cast alloy.

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RedVN ....... there are no visible nicks or scratches down to the metal apparent on the wheels I have seen with the clearcoat problem. It is only the clearcoat that looks damaged and flaking off. The powder coating below is smooth and free of any visible defects. I know a thing or two about galvanic corrosion, and this is not a corrosion issue.

My wheels were not ceramic coated and I would think that a respectable company like Hyundai would have the engineering foresight and quality systems in place to ensure their factory wheels were robust enough in construction and finish to withstand the rigors of daily driving without the need for an aftermarket coating. In any case, I don’t know how much benefit a ceramic coating will provide. A member in the New Generation Hyundai Turbo forum had an R Spec with wheels he had ceramic coated and still experienced the delamination problem.

You need to remember and keep in mind, wheels like brakes, clutch linings, etc., are wear and tear items. They're not warranted unless you pay extra to warranty them, as in their Platinum Warranty.

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This is simply not true. Wheels are not considered “Wear items”. Painted/Powder Coated wheels are covered under the 3 year/36,000 mile paint warranty with respect to the finish. If replaced, the replacement wheels are still covered within the original paint warranty period or 12 months/12,000 miles from date of replacement if a finish defect appears again outside the original paint warranty period. This was confirmed by Hyundai Consumer Affairs.

I'm not going to keep going back and forth with you on something you're set in your mind about. Right now, you're crying wolf without any concrete evidence.

You're commenting about other Hyundai models with painted wheels and you have no first hand experience with them. Your speculation is comical, as I've stated prior. You're touting a hand full of issues on other forums and drinking the Kool Aid you're feeding yourself. Forums are not a primary examples for the masses or to be taken as fact. There simply aren't.

In essence, you're attempting to justify your own speculation. I'm not in agreement with what you believe or are attempting to bolster here. You do not own a Veloster N and hence do not have the same wheels the VN is equipped with. I suggest you take it to a veloster forum and see what responses you get there. There has been two members with an issue reported here out of several thousands of forum members. Per capita, less than 1%.

RedVN ......... do you actually own a Veloster

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I own a 2019 Veloster N PP with black painted wheels and there is NO delamination issue I also own a 2019 Hyundai Accent Limited with painted wheels. I've owned a 2017 Genesis G80 Ultimate 5.0 and a 2018 Kona Limited with painted wheels and there were no issue/s with wheel paint delamination.

I don't have a driving purpose. However you do, it's obvious and that's to bolster your own line of speculative thinking. You don't know about others and can only relate to your own experience. You're fixated on your own hypothesis and hoping others will go along with you. I don't really care your having issues with your wheels. It's not my problem or anyone else's here. You own it and have to deal with Hyundai. I don't have any problems with my wheels.

I've told you exactly what I think, you can't or don't want to accept it. It's is on you. Other people are simply not going to agree with you, because you've got the issue on a 2019 Veloster R-Spec. Keeping in mind you own a VN base or PP or the appropriate wheels mounted.

You're obviously concerned about being given additional warranted wheels if the problem persists. It also sounds like you've gotten your limit of replacement wheels thru Hyundai. Suggestion, go purchase some aftermarket wheels of your choice and be happy with what you purchase or not.

I'm simply not going to blow smoke up your arse or pat you on the back no matter what you, believe or comment too because you think your right. You've given nothing to indicate there is a mass problem with any Hyundai wheels, that requires a TSB or recall by Hyundai.