Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer's paint flys off when driving on gravel. Cypress, California

The car is great if you like the paint to fly off of your brand new car. I bought a black 2008 Lancer GTS. I drove the car for 50 minutes on sanded roads during a recent snow storm. I ended up with Hundreds of rock chips along both sides of the car. Mostly next to the rear wheels. The car looks as if it has been sandblasted.

I went to the dealership and they told me it did not fall under warranty. Instead, they gave me a $1500 dollar estimate to fix the damage. My insurance company would not touch the claim, stating it is a problem with the car's design.

I called Mitsubishi corporate and sent them pictures. They determined it was not their fault and suggested I buy mud guards from them. I advised them that they don't even make a front mud guard for the Lancer! The customer service rep said "oh." I told them the damage comes from the FRONT tire.

I have filed a compliant with the Better Business Bureau, Consumeraffairs.com, and Ripoffreport.com. I hope they can help me. I also requested third party arbitration that Mitsubishi is required to pay for. I doubt the arbitration will get me anywhere. They said they will send me the paperwork.

Think about it. If this car can't be driven on any kind of gravel without extensive paint damage, you would think they would have put a warning in the manual. I want to protect other consumers from buying a 25,000 dollar car and having to repaint it every time they drive on loose gravel.

Jeremy
Eugene, Oregon
U.S.A.