Hyundai Sonata White Paint Recall: Who Qualifies & What to Do

Spotting paint peeling on your white Sonata’s hood or roof isn’t rare; Hyundai owners from the U.S. to Canada have been seeing the same problem, especially with Quartz White Pearl finishes.

While many refer to it as a “paint recall,” Hyundai officially calls it a warranty extension. That difference matters. Dealers can be vague, and plenty of owners end up going in circles trying to get answers. If you own a 2017 or 2018 Sonata, you’re right in the center of it.

So what’s really on the table? Who’s actually covered? And how can you get repairs done without getting stuck in a dealer runaround? Here’s the straight answer, no drama, no sugarcoating.

Forget the Recall, This Is a Warranty Extension

Think “recall” and you imagine a letter from the automaker, free repair, and no-questions-asked fixes at the dealer. But with Hyundai’s white paint mess, that’s not how it plays out.

Not Your Typical Recall

A real recall, like one slapped with an NHTSA number, means the government says it’s a safety problem. Brake lines, airbags, electrical shorts, stuff that can send you off the road. Those repairs are on the house, and the dealer can’t say no if your VIN is listed.

But peeling paint? Not dangerous, at least not by the rulebook. So Hyundai dodged the recall route and called it something softer: a warranty extension.

What Hyundai’s “Warranty Extension” Actually Means

In Hyundai-speak, a warranty extension is just a longer safety net, but only for the right model, year, and color. If you’re driving a Sonata built in the right Alabama plant, sprayed with Quartz White Pearl in 2017 or 2018, and your VIN checks out, you’re in. If not? Prepare for a polite “sorry.”

The official paperwork calls it TSB 22-BD-010H, but you won’t see “recall” anywhere in the fine print. You get coverage for paint that peels, bubbles, or blisters, nothing else.

Why It Matters for You

There’s no magic VIN search on the government recall site for Sonata paint. All the help comes down to whether your car matches Hyundai’s tight list. If you’re not covered, you’re on your own. That’s why knowing the difference up front saves you wasted trips and angry calls.

So, before you pick up the phone, check if your Sonata even qualifies. Because in Hyundai’s eyes, this is a courtesy, not an obligation.

Do You Actually Qualify for Hyundai’s White Paint Coverage?

The Cars That Make the Cut

Hyundai didn’t throw open the doors to everyone with a peeling Sonata. Their warranty extension, TSB 22-BD-010H, is laser-focused on a specific group.

Only 2017 and 2018 Sonatas painted in Quartz White Pearl (look for paint codes W8 or WW8) and built at Hyundai’s Alabama plant are included. If your VIN starts with 5NP, that’s your signal. The program targets peeling or bubbling on high-visibility spots like the hood, roof, and fenders.

The Timeline, and What’s Actually Promised

Coverage isn’t open-ended. For a 2017 Sonata, you get six years from the day the car first hit the road. For 2018, it’s five years, both with no mileage cap. Bought your car used? The warranty travels with it, so you’re not left out if you’re the second or third owner.

Who Gets Left Out

Hyundai didn’t hold the umbrella for every storm. If your Sonata is any color but Quartz White Pearl, or your VIN doesn’t match that Alabama prefix, you’re not in the club.

Same story for cars that’ve spent time in fleets, as rentals, or have been salvaged. Hyundai also won’t touch damage from rocks, crashes, or anything that doesn’t look like true paint failure from the factory.

How to Get the Dealer on Board

If you think you’re covered, walk in ready. Have your full VIN, proof of the paint issue, sharp, close-up photos, and any paperwork showing you’re still in the coverage window.

The dealer’s job is to log your details in Hyundai’s campaign portal and take their own “STUI” pictures for the record. If you’re green-lit, the dealer will refinish the peeling spots, blend the paint, and bill Hyundai, not you.

If you want to skip phone tag, start with Hyundai’s campaign lookup site. Just have those last eight digits of your VIN handy.

Why Even a “Covered” Sonata Can Get the Runaround

Denials, Misinformation, and the Great Shrug

So you check your VIN, line up the paperwork, and march into the dealership. Should be smooth, right? Not always. Owners have been told, “That warranty doesn’t exist,” or worse, brushed off like they’re trying to pull a fast one.

In Canada, Hyundai’s early response was that peeling paint was “extremely rare,” even as online photos and forums proved otherwise. Some dealership staff even called the program a “scam” or closed cases if owners didn’t chase updates within a few weeks.

It’s not always bad faith; sometimes it’s just confusion and poor communication inside Hyundai’s own customer care system.

Stories From the Real World

Take a 2017 Sonata owner who lined up every document, only to be denied until they cited the exact technical service bulletin and pressed for “STUI” photos. Or Armando Toossi, whose 2016 Sonata’s paint failed early, he only got a fix after media attention and relentless follow-up.

Carrie Francom, with a newer model, landed coverage only after a local TV reporter stepped in. Even folks with other Hyundai models, like the Kona, had to go through state attorneys general or consumer advocates just to get Hyundai to honor the defect.

The Cost for Owners Left Out

If you don’t check every box in Hyundai’s rulebook, prepare for sticker shock. A proper, all-panel refinish can run eight to ten grand, enough to make some owners question whether to keep the car at all.

Hyundai has offered partial “goodwill” deals in a few cases, sometimes putting $700 toward a $1,500 repair, but the owner still eats the rest.

Fighting Back Together

Fed up, thousands of owners have rallied in Facebook groups and online forums, swapping strategies and documenting their paint disasters. Some are pushing class-action lawsuits in places like Quebec and New York, arguing it’s a manufacturing flaw, not regular wear.

Consumer advocates in Australia have gone so far as to call it a “catastrophic paint failure.” The bottom line? When enough people shout at once, even a giant like Hyundai has to listen.

What to Do if Your Sonata’s Paint Is Peeling

Confirm Your Spot in the Program

First thing, don’t guess. Grab your 17-digit VIN and head to Hyundai’s official campaign lookup. If your car’s covered, you’ll see it there.

If you’re eligible, document everything: snap clear, close-up photos of any peeling or bubbling and jot down exactly where and when you spotted the problem. Bring these with you to the dealer; they’ll want proof, and you’ll want a paper trail.

Pushing Past a “No”

If the dealer tells you you’re not covered or says the warranty extension doesn’t exist, don’t just walk away. Ask for a written denial and speak with the service manager.

Quote the technical bulletin, TSB 22-BD-010H, and insist they check Hyundai’s portal for your VIN. If you’re still getting stonewalled, take it to Hyundai Customer Care.

Use the main numbers, 1 (855) 371-9460 or 1 (800) 633-5151, armed with your case notes, photos, and the TSB number. Some owners, technically outside the program, have still scored “goodwill” coverage by showing the issue is identical.

When the Usual Channels Don’t Work

If you keep hitting dead ends, it’s time to get backup. Join the big Hyundai paint Facebook groups; these aren’t just places to vent; they’re goldmines for real-world advice, escalation strategies, and tracking broader action.

If you’re in Canada or the U.S., see if there’s a class-action suit you can join; sometimes that’s the fastest path to getting costs covered.

And don’t underestimate the power of local media or consumer advocates; a TV spot or AG complaint has turned denials into full repaints more than once.

Don’t Wait, Take Charge Before the Paint Is Gone

Hyundai’s white paint debacle isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a headache that can empty your wallet if you’re not proactive. If you’re in the sweet spot for coverage, don’t wait for someone to call you.

Look up your VIN, get your evidence, and press the dealer for repairs. If you’re shut out by the fine print, you still have options. Persistence, clear documentation, and joining forces with other owners can tip the scales in your favor.

The longer you let peeling paint slide, the harder it is to get help, so take the first step now, before your Sonata sheds any more of its skin.

Adam Faris

Adam Faris is the founder and lead editor at Recall Brief, where he covers confirmed recalls, service bulletins, and widespread vehicle issues that often slip past official channels. He focuses on clear, fact-based reporting and breaks down complex problems into plain language so readers know what matters and what to do next.