5.6

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
53,600 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. paint the car properly (4 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Honda dealer.

problem #9

Jun 012018

Pilot Touring V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 175,000 miles

The paint on this car is peeling. We didn't do anything wrong. Honda refuses to pay for even part of the repair. We were told by the body shops that a proper repair (paint job) would cost thousands of dollars - more than the car is worth.

- Anthony H., Shawnee, KS, US

problem #8

Apr 022016

Pilot LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

My Honda Pilot body paint was chipping (peel off) all over the body of the whole car. I wonder if Honda does anything to help with this problem.

- stevennguyen, St Augustine, US

problem #7

Jul 122017

Pilot Touring 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,455 miles

click to see larger images

paint chipping easily paint chipping easily paint chipping easily paint chipping easily paint chipping easily

Honda has had a long history of paint problems with their vehicles. There was a class action suit brought in years prior due to many civics and accords having paint fade or oxidation (2003-2007). Thinking that this would get Honda's attention, we decided to purchase a 2011 Honda Pilot, pearl white in color. We thought for sure newer Honda vehicles would not have similar problems. WRONG! The paint problems plaguing Honda continues on to this day with multiple models and colors. We went to the dealership and were told they would only cover 50% of repainting the affected panels. After speaking with the body shop that THEY referred us to, we were told that this is not the first time they have seen this problem with this model, year, and color. They also said that based on what they were seeing the ENTIRE car will eventually peel off and would need an entirely new paint job. Because the answer we got at the dealership was unacceptable we contacted customer service at American Honda. They are TERRIBLE! They don't answer their phone and will not speak to you when you call back. It took me a week to get in contact with the person handling our case only to be told the same thing the dealership told us. Bottom line they know they have terrible paint jobs on their cars and they stiff their customers. They don't give a rip. They stick to their standard 3 year 36,000 mile warranty nonsense and say too bad. I will never buy a Honda vehicle again since they clearly don't know how to paint cars nor do they stand behind their product or take care of their customers. There are even reports that they have extended the paint warranty to 7 years on certain models due to this known problem (which includes our model and year), but only for certain panels or fenders. Are you serious!? You know you have a painting problem and you are going to build in ways to get out of the extended warranty you are supposed to be offering people!? This company is awful. Unless you don't mind spending thousands of dollars repainting a car that is less than 10 years old NEVER buy a Honda. Oh and our car was only 6 years old and had only 70,000 miles on it when this problem started happening. Completely unacceptable and unreasonable!

Update from Mar 28, 2018: It is now the end of March and we still have not gotten the car repainted. The best Honda has done is offer 50% of the affected panels only. Meanwhile, the paint continues to peel off easily. Their paint jobs and service are absolutely horrendous.

- jlaw4242, Roseville, US

problem #6

Mar 012016

Pilot Touring V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

The paint is clearly peeling off. The local Honda Dealership says we're not covered because we are 2 months out of warranty. There was a Technical Service Bulletins issued by Honda of America extending the term of coverage on this poor paint job, but they are not helping.

We want this covered and repaired and painted properly.

- Danny G., San Luis Obispo, CA, US

problem #5

Jun 042012

Pilot Touring V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,500 miles

Paint peeled off on front plastic bumper. About the size of a quarter.

- dickn52, Ocala, FL, US

problem #4

Oct 062011

Pilot ES-RES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles

My new honda pilot has been in the shop 3 different times for paint issues. Now I just found another spot that is chipping.

- Kelly S., Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #3

Aug 012011

Pilot Touring V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

I have had 2 2011 Honda Pilots. Both were dark gray (gunmetal or whatever it is called). The paint on both front doors on the trim is chipping off on both. I traded in my EX-L 2WD for the 4WD Touring to better tow my boat and didn't report the paint chipping on my EX-L. I also have someone at work who has the exact same problem on his 2011. When trading in my EX-L for the Touring, I looked at the trim and didn't notice anything. After they did the Simoniz stuff and I got it home, I noticed the paint chips, two on the driver side and one on the passenger side. It is more of an annoyance but still not happy that I have had 2 with the same problem. I noticed that prior to me posting this, there were only 2 other posts. But I know that there are more people having this problem.

- Michael C., Coats, NC, US

problem #2

Jul 012011

Pilot EX-L 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles

After a good wax in May, we noticed hundreds of small chips on the bottom of both back doors in front of the rear tires. We took it to the dealer who had the Honda rep look at it, they are going to repaint, but don't know why it's chipped so badly. Yeah, we had a bad winter but we don't live on gravel roads and I've never had a vehicle look so bad after 1 year. Also, the plastic trim on each side has a chip. Hard for me to believe both are from dings from other vehicle. I'm really concerned about the longevity of the paint and appearance of this vehicle.

- donna11, Carmichaels, PA, US

problem #1

Dec 062010

Pilot LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

We are very unhappy with the finish on this vehicle. The paint is chipping on the side trims, and elsewhere. These are not scratches. If anything touches the vehicle, it is likely to get a paint chip, not just a smudge or scratch, but the paint is actually chipping off. This is not our first Honda. Our previous was a 2000 Odyssey and we never had finish problems like this. Whatever, Honda did to cheapen the finish is pitiful.

- Cheri C., Floyds Knobs, IN, US