7.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,170
Average Mileage:
63,850 miles
Total Complaints:
86 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. repaint problem area (52 reports)
  2. not sure (33 reports)
  3. cover area with a protectant wax (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Honda dealer.

problem #86

Sep 142019

Civic LX-S 1.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 125,500 miles

Paint on these cars are really bad. I washed the car, applied wax, then a few days later I see chips on my left fender. Here's what you should do - get a touch up paint at a body shop, then after a week, get the car plasti dipped. The car may not look as cool as you want it to but will protect the paint from about 3 years and you can reapply it again. Or maybe go with ceramic coating if plasti dip ain't your thing.

- Augusto E., Marlborough, MA, US

problem #85

May 012020

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Nice to know it's not just me with the same problem. What irks me is a manufacturer who sees there's a problem with something and they don't acknowledge it. Oh well.

- Joe M., Knoxville, TN, US

problem #84

Aug 102016

Civic Coupe 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,360 miles

I'm surprised Honda is not admitting that there is a problem.

- frankqc, Montreal, QC, Canada

problem #83

Jun 012016

Civic DX 4 Door 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,389 miles

My 2009 Honda looks awful! The clear-coat is peeling very badly. I feel there should be a recall from Honda regarding this since I've noticed a lot of Hondas, especially with this color, experiencing the same issue. It's terrible. I 'baby' my vehicles but this looks incredibly bad. Why isn't there a 'recall' on this? If this is not rectified by Honda, I will not be purchasing any more of your vehicles, that's for certain.

- Dwayne T., Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, Canada

problem #82

Jan 012020

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

Body paint shop says $800 to repair!!!

HELP!!!!!!

- Gerry T., Senoia, US

problem #81

May 052017

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

Honda cars appear to have a paint/clear top coat peeling issue. I went to 3 different autobody shops and was told the same thing. You have to repaint the whole car. This means $4500.00 and 10 days to 3 weeks without my car. Not acceptable. Considering this is a frequent complaint with Honda owners, Honda should be doing something about this. This is not my family's first Honda as they are generally good cars that last a long time. However, I would not recommend this car without adding the peeling issue so the buyer is warned.

I hope there is an alternative to clear this up and make the car look better. Now it just looks like a junk car and it only has 51,000 miles on it. I hoped to have it for a much longer time.

- Beth T., East Meadow, US

problem #80

Feb 012017

Civic ES 1.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,934 miles

I'll start by saying, I love my Honda. But, it looks awful!!!! The clear coat on the roof is DISGUSTING to look at. It looks like the car is rotting.

The hood and front fenders have also started to peel really bad and makes my car look so cheap and old. I notice that most Hondas that are made during the same 5 year time span as mine are all having the same problem. its pretty embarrassing. I pray it rains everyday because when the car is wet, it doesn't show. There needs to be a paint recall asap.

- Martiina M., Ottawa, ON, Canada

problem #79

Apr 012015

Civic ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

The clear coat is totally peeling from my car, it started years ago, when I contacted Honda about it, they told me there was a recall but I had missed it by nearly a year. When I told them that I never was notified of the recall, they said I had to contact them to find out about it and there was not recall notice sent out to owners. The workers at my Honda dealership told me that the dark blue civics were mainly affected by the clear coat peeling. It looks so awful, its f*cking embarrassing to be driving my civic with it looking like Brillo was used to rub the clear coat off. Now I drive my car around and tell people this is what to expect when you buy a Honda. I hope Honda enjoys all the free advertising that I am giving them about the quality of Honda paint jobs and how they have "silent" recalls. Who would ever think to call and ask if a recall is out there? Very disappointed with this company.

- nothappywithhonda2, Fairmont, US

problem #78

Jan 032016

Civic CXG

  • Manual transmission
  • 99,419 miles

Hondas are generally great cars, but this has been a game changer. Everything works well, but it looks like garbage and is quickly getting worse. It brings down resale and it's not a car I feel good driving around! I will definitely go Toyota for my next vehicle.

- gillolive, North Bay, ON, Canada

problem #77

Jan 012018

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

I am (or should I say, was) the very proud owner of a red 2009 Honda Civic Sedan. I take exceptional care of my car, keeping it out of the weather whenever possible, washing and waxing regularly, and cleaning the inside weekly. The car has never been in any type of wreck (knock on wood) and I've never had a ticket. I absolutely love my car and thoroughly enjoyed driving it - until the beginning of this year. I noticed that the paint on the roof of my Civic where the body meets the back windshield was dull, beginning to turn white. In just a few short months, the paint has peeled all across the roof of my car and the clear coat has failed badly.

The problem has also begun to appear on the trunk and hood as well. I've called multiple dealerships and asked about getting the vehicle repainted - as this is CLEARLY a defect in the paint - but have had no luck. All that I'm told is that "my car is not eligible for the paint warranty". The car is less than 10 years old and looks like a complete clunker. I've seen a multitude of cars that are 10-15 years older than mine that have better factory paint jobs. This is ridiculous, and I can say with certainty that the next car that I buy will NOT be a Honda.

- Lindsey K., Johnson City, US

problem #76

Mar 012018

Civic SI 2.O

  • Manual transmission
  • 105,633 miles

Definitely unacceptable to have these faded spots on same area of two cars. One a CSX and the other a Civic that's parked in the garage. I am yet to visit a dealer or paint shop because I thought it wiser to visit these forums first to get a feel of how many are experiencing this same issue before proceeding.

- bkurtz, Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #75

Mar 012018

Civic LX

  • Manual transmission
  • 91,342 miles

There are several Honda Civics that have the same problem in my family. We have Civic's all doing the same thing. Frustrating.

- Tracy P., Ottawa, NS, Canada

problem #74

May 012015

Civic LX 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I have noticed this problem on similar vehicles. Recalls were made, however I was never notified. It is becoming worse as time goes on.

- Dennis C., Midland Park, US

problem #73

Mar 202011

Civic GX

  • Manual transmission
  • 57,788 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat peeling clear coat peeling clear coat peeling clear coat peeling

The dealers (2 different ones) said it was environmental and normal. The car was garage kept for most of its life. An auto paint technician says it is definitely a paint defect. The Honda Customer Support says its not their problem. I have a 2004 vehicle that is five years older and it has no issues with the paint. The car looks horrible and because of that does not have the book value that it should for a 2009. I would repaint it myself but it's not worth it.

I have been walking around parking lots in my area taking pictures of other Hondas with the exact same pattern of paint removal. I think a class action for damages should be launched.

- Carrie S., Kitchener, ON, Canada

problem #72

Jan 012017

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

Bought the 2009 Civic new, then about a year to year and a half ago noted what looked to be tree sap damage on the roof of the car. It was relatively small blotches, but over time grew to what is seen in the photo. Well a couple of months ago my wife decides to take the car to a local body shop to get it fixed. That where she learned it was the clear coat that was failing and Honda did have a "Technical Service Bulletin" and had extended the paint warranty to 7 years. Great didn't do us any good since we just found about it a year after the extended warranty period had ended. Honda certainly didn't want that news out there.

Called Honda America and the "Customer Service" agent was rather rude and kept repeating the script, that the extended warranty had ended, basically the message was Honda was not going to stand behind their workmanship, sorry for your luck buying a Honda.

Next we went to the local dealer and spoke with the Service Manager, explained that we were unaware that our paint problem was a factory defect until recently and what can he do. He at least listened and sent it up to his District Manager. Well, they sent us to a Honda Certified Body Shop for an estimate, which came to $5,900 to correct all the problem areas. The roof was the worst, but other areas were starting to show the problem, although they were not so noticeable yet.

A week later, we got a call from the Service Manager letting us know that Honda would cover 25% of the $5,900. Are you kidding this is a problem which Honda is fully aware is their fault and they want us to bear most of the cost??

Well we went back to the first body shop to talk with them about fixing at least the roof and they did the job for $800 cash. It looks great and they stand behind their repair for life, unlike Honda.

- Tim M., West Linn, OR, US

problem #71

Feb 012016

Civic EX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

I bought a Honda Civic EX used in 2014 with 37,700 miles. No peeling or informed that this may be a problem. Surprise, surprise!

I am retired and 73 years old and wanted a car that would last. Honda is not the car I should have chosen.

I had peeling of paint in 2015 and under the warranty Honda repainted 2 front fenders, hood and trunk. This was only where the peeling was present.

Now late 2016/2017 my Honda Civic is peeling all over the entire car. I hate driving it for I had always taken care of my cars. This is a reflection of Honda's bad paint/top coat job. Honda refuses to repaint the car. I am stuck with a car that looks like it belongs in a junk yard. I am not able to pay for repainting this vehicle and nor should I be expected to do so.

Honda could care less about fixing their mistakes. Stay away from HONDA. I wish I had!!

- Marlane J., Greensburg, US

problem #70

Aug 012016

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

My car runs great, but looks like a piece of crap! I took it to Honda to find they want to cover 25% of the cost to repair this issue. I was told by the body shop manager that he sees this issue all the time.

- beckajane, Groton, US

problem #69

Sep 012016

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

The paint on the roof has failed in the front and back, the trunk is beginning to fail.

The paint warranty was extended to seven years and we were just past that when this occurred. I contacted American Honda and they politely declined to assist in the repair.

This is not something that should happen and reflects poorly on the overall quality of the Honda product. I have purchased three Civics and two Accords since 2007. I purchased two pilots prior to that.

We were a Honda family but this really put a bad taste in my mouth.

Sincerely...Mr Former Honda Dad.

- indyc, Zionsville, US

problem #68

Jan 042016

Civic SI 4

  • Manual transmission
  • 80,000 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat peeling

The roof of my 2009 Honda Civic Si has the clear coat peeling off and it would need to be repainted. If this is a common issue as I'm just discovering, why hasn't Honda issued a recall? I take good care of this car, it has been parked in a garage nearly every night but it has had its share of no cover in the Texas heat. I will have a hard time reselling this vehicle and it will need to be repainted. Honda should pay for it, not me.

- Cindee P., McKinney, TX, US

problem #67

Apr 122013

Civic EX 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

I had bought my 2009 Honda Civic brand new and just two and a half years later the clear coat had started to crack on multiple panels. Luckily I had caught the problem early before any major damage could be done to the paint. I was still under warranty so Honda was able to take it to a local shop and get the entire car repainted free of charge to me. I was extremely happy when the car came back looking brand new again but that didn't make the problem any less annoying to deal with.

A two year old car should not be having paint issues! Especially one that was garage kept and babied like mine!

- Nicole H., Livermore, CA, US

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