Paint damage on driver's side door

[TwuckHappens]

Found 3 evenly spaced gouges on the inner part of my driver door. The car is brand new and I've had it for 2 weeks. Two in the paint and one in the vinyl trim on the door. The vinyl is cut from the outside it looks like and the two paint gouges crumbled when I touched them.

Any idea how these could have happened? It couldnt be the seatbelt and if someone was trying to break in it would likely be more irregular and significant damage. If it was closed on something I would have expected a dent in the metal. I messaged the dealer but I suspect that's going to be an uphill battle.

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[Glen Baker LLC]

I just looked at mine for comparison.
Looking at those chips and at the weather stripping to me it looks like somebody tried to break in.

 

[cclark]

I just looked at mine for comparison.
Looking at those chips and at the weather stripping to me it looks like somebody tried to break in.

I'm thinking the same. Looks like the old school wedge and coat hanger way to get into a locked vehicle.

 

[Dignam]

My first thought was someone tried to break in. They may have been probing different spots to see what had more give...but I'm no professional.

 

[MightyMaverick]

I don't know, looks pretty sus. The fact that you've only had it two weeks and haven't noticed it till now. And it's in a weird spot where nothing touches for it to chip like that. I would have to go with the above commenters and say it was a potential break-in.

 

[TwuckHappens]

I only noticed it because I was detailing the car but the spacing is very very even and there's no marks on the interior. A hook to unlock the door would have migrated forward and doesn't really work on mirr new cars because the locks don't pop up. I thought locksmiths use a balloon too.

It's garage ketp and the sketchiest place I've been too is a not so sketchy Walmart.

 

[OB1e]

Not so sketchy at Walmart at night or during the day?

 

[TwuckHappens]

Not so sketchy at Walmart at night or during the day?

Haha mid day and with a Bronco Sport patrolling the parking lot haha.

I'm going to see if the dealer helps me out but if not ... I was going to need a touch up pen sooner or later. Any recs?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I only noticed it because I was detailing the car but the spacing is very very even and there's no marks on the interior. A hook to unlock the door would have migrated forward and doesn't really work on mirr new cars because the locks don't pop up. I thought locksmiths use a balloon too.

It's garage ketp and the sketchiest place I've been too is a not so sketchy Walmart.

Why do you think it was a locksmith?
Bags can be bought at
Home Depot or harbor freight

When I have needed it. I have had good luck with my slim jim.

 

[TwuckHappens]

Why do you think it was a locksmith?
Bags can be bought at
Home Depot or harbor freight

When I have needed it. I have had good luck with my slim jim.

I don't think it's a locksmith I'm just noting that the ease of use of the bag method (and lack of damage it would cause) vs some cost hanger. That spot at the top of the door is where the bag would go. A slim Jim wouldn't be used at all on the top corner of the door.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I don't think it's a locksmith I'm just noting that the ease of use of the bag method (and lack of damage it would cause) vs some cost hanger. That spot at the top of the door is where the bag would go. A slim Jim wouldn't be used at all on the top corner of the door.

Sorry, I wasn't clear.
I didn't say a slim Jim was used, just that they worked for me.
I brought up airbags because you mentioned locksmith in airbags. I was just saying, Anybody can buy small airbags at Home Depot. Not that one was used on your Maverick. I still agree with "C Clarke" It was a wedge or screwdriver and a coat hanger.
I hope you have a hard bed cover.

 

[Fcnrwy]

Well something had to be long to try and reach the door handĺe... it is not the old days, with pull-up bottons...

Jerry

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Well something had to be long to try and reach the door handĺe... it is not the old days, with pull-up bottons...

Jerry

Back in the old days, vent windows and flared pull up lock buttons. Made things a whole lot easier and you didn't mess up the paint.

 

[cclark]

I only noticed it because I was detailing the car but the spacing is very very even and there's no marks on the interior. A hook to unlock the door would have migrated forward and doesn't really work on mirr new cars because the locks don't pop up. I thought locksmiths use a balloon too.

It's garage ketp and the sketchiest place I've been too is a not so sketchy Walmart.

Well something had to be long to try and reach the door handĺe... it is not the old days, with pull-up bottons...

Jerry

I used to repo cars for major banks (hated it but paid the bills). I would use small wooden wedges and had only 4 pre-made coat hangers with 2 sided tape on one bent end. Pop up locks took seconds. Vehicles with the Mav type manual locks or hitting the electric lock/unlock switch took a few more seconds. A slim jim was much harder on newer cars. The scratches for the OP sucks either way.

 

[Bob zimmerman]

I thought I heard that if there is no key present, the unlock button doesn’t work. Gotta check that out.

That is definitely a pry object.

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