6.8
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $630
- Average Mileage:
- 88,450 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 39 complaints
Most common solutions:
- new paint and clear coat (26 reports)
- not sure (13 reports)
« Read the previous 20 complaints
This has been ongoing on the roof, trunk, and hood, where the sealant is coming off in patches. With recent rains (hence the date), white flakes are appearing all over the car as the patches increase in size and quantity. The car parts store said it won't damage the actual paint, but it looks hideous and deserves a free paint job since the car is only 8 years old!
- Kay K., Pagosa Springs, CO, US
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I own a 2008 Honda Civic DXG, bought it new and took very good care of it. The clear coat is coming off and I wasn't notified by Honda that there was a warranty extension on it. I was talking to someone recently who informed me about this so I went to the dealership in Sydney, NS where this vehicle was purchased and inquired about it and they said yes there was a warranty extension but its too late now to do anything as the extension ended last year.
If Honda Canada or Ramsay's Honda in Sydney, NS had of informed me of the extension I would have taken the vehicle in to be repaired. I am now going to take a big loss when I sell/trade it and the car only has 74,500 kms (46,292 miles) on it. All of my oil changes have been done by the dealer (Ramsey's Honda, Sydney NS) where I purchased the car. I would have thought it would have been good business on their part to inform me of the extension and offer to arrange the repair. Since all oil changes have been done by the dealer, they must of noticed the peeling clear coat while the car was in for one of it's regular services.
This really makes me rethink buying another Honda even though I have taken a liking to the new Civic as well as the HRV all wheel drive. I have been told Toyota and Subaru give much better service to their customers and since I am considering buying an all wheel drive I think Subaru just may get my business since Honda doesn't seem to care about looking after their customers.
- almon, Sydney Mines, NS, Canada
Would like Honda to fix this problem. The paint is getting pitted and the shine is gone.
- kramarik, Deerfield Beach, FL, US
The paint on my car's hood, roof and front fenders started to fade and peel a few years ago. I remembered at the time receiving a recall notice, but wasn't able to find the recall notice and failed to mention the issue to my dealer (they, of course, didn't raise the issue either or recommend a solution ... no surprise there). The paint issue got progressively worse, to the point now that's it's kind of embarrassing. This is partially my fault for not raising the issue earlier with my dealer, and for not responding to the recall notice when I received it. But it's still annoying that this happened ... and it's never happened to me before with any Honda I've ever owned. I'd like to get it fixed, but will most likely not do so because it would probably be expensive.
- Daniel O., South Dartmouth, MA, US
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This is upsetting. Honda rants about building a quality car and you pay more for it. This is terrible looking and very expensive to fix if I take it to a body shop.
- Rebecca S., London, ON, Canada
I received a recall notice from Honda about the paint around Nov - 2014. I immediately took the vehicle to the Honda dealer located in West Caldwell NJ but they confirmed that these are chips and will not be covered under recall. After 5- 6 months I noticed that problem started increasing and the roof of the car has clear indication that clear coat is gone.
In the meantime I shifted to Virginia Beach from New Jersey. I took the vehicle again to the Honda dealer and they confirmed that this is a paint problem but they cannot help me since Honda recall is over by then.
I really like my Honda and suggest everybody to purchase it being reliable and low maintenance vehicle but having trouble with my own car.
Marks on the roof and bumper looks really bad but not sure what to do with them.
- ankitg, Virginia Beach, VA, US
My 2008 grey Civic EX-L looks like a hobo's car simply due to all the clear coat flaking off on just about every surface. The paint underneath is dull and unattractive and simply contrasts with the rest of the car like an amputated finger in the punchbowl. For this car's age this is unacceptable. You can see cars by other makers of this vintage and older with next to no paint problems. What has happened to Honda? Their quality used to set the bar in the medium price range vehicles. I will NEVER EVER EVER buy another Honda due to all the problems I've had with this 2008.
- phineascage, Blacksburg, SC, US
When I was in college I bought used Hondas (1998 Civic, 1990 Accord). The cars were around 8 years old and lasted me until 140,000 miles until they were totaled in accidents. Very happy with their quality! Once I started working I bought BRAND NEW Hondas (2004 Pilot, 2008 Civic). After 7 years, the clear coat on the roof of the Civic started to peel off (Nothing happened to the Pilot). The Civic now looks like crap.... No recalls from Honda, so any fix would have to come from my pocket. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA.
- Javier M., Cupertino, CA, US
I've barely have had 5 yrs. Kept it washed, waxed, tires always with a shine.. I have never had a car 6 yrs with anything like this happening.. Honda screwed up the paint and do not want to do anything. This is what makes Honda look bad. Screw you when you need something fixed you cannot do yourself, which is usually the best road to take. Help, this paint issue is not one case. There are many out there.
- Gary T., Raleigh, NC, US
Clear coat started peeling on roof 7/2015, to date (10/2015) problem has spread to trunk and starting on side panels. I contacted my Honda dealership and was informed that my VIN was not part of the recall...frustrating since mechanically this is a great car, but the exterior makes it look like a junker.
- Allison H., Rockledge, FL, US
Other sources say that the 2008 year and the dark blue color are part of a known problem, but the local dealer says that vin # is not part of the recall!
- fgdagleyfd, Grand Junction, US
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I love my Honda and I take very good care of it. I have a carpeted garage and my car is always clean and get regular oil changes and maintenance done. My car is a 2008 Honda I have 79,000.00 miles on it right now and I have had it since it was brand new. However if you view the picture my hood looks like it has been through the wringer. The splotches are hideous and when I contacted the dealership they stated there had been several complaints about the paint jobs and clear coat issues but my Vin was not covered.
I am devastated. I can see if I did not take care of my car but I do. I live in GA so there is no Salt or Snow. I live 7minutes away from work so I am not excessive in my mileage yet if you look at my car you would say its an old junker. I need to have the roof repainted. I am not sure how much that will cost however when I decided to purchase my vehicle I did not anticipate having to repaint my vehicle at this point. I have other friends who have other vehicles the same age and their cars still look good. I purchased a Honda for its good resale value and engine but right now if I was selling this car I am sure the resale would not be to good due to its appearance.
- Bobetta M., Springfield, GA, US
I have paint chipping on the roof and on trunk of car. It is really bad and only continues to get worse. They need to do something about this or make the warranty extension longer then what they said.
- Craig H., Christiansburg, VA, US
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My 2008 Civic has been garage kept for most of the time I've owned it. There is no reason that the clear coat should be bubbling and peeling off. I have had Honda cars in my family for many yeas, but if this is not fixed I'll never buy another one. I currently also only have 43,000 miles on the car, but it looks so bad that I could never sell it. It's unfortunate, because other than this I've had a good experience with all of my Hondas.
- Joseph H., Nottingham, MD, US
Will NEVER buy another Honda. 3 years and 2 months after I bought it brand new, the clear coat peeled off. By the time I traded it, it was six years old and the entire hood, roof, and parts of the trunk had no clear coat left. Honda told me I should have put it in the garage so the clear coat would not peel. PFtt.
Funny how the other NUMEROUS cars I've owned in my lifetime didn't have this issue, and they weren't garage kept either!
- queensonia2001, Murfreesboro, TN, US
CLEAR COAT AND THE PAINT PEELING OFF CAR ROOF. Had a DEER ACCIDENT so the hood was repainted but NOT the roof--car looks like crap now--I WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS OR I AM 100% THRU WITH HONDAS!! I bought this car used.
- ankh, Commerce, GA, US
I bought a Honda because many stated they were the best. I bought it when it was 4 years old. In April of 2014 the engine cracked and I was lucky enough to research and found a bulletin that covered that. When I took it in, the car had some fading. I assumed it was because the car was pitched upwards, which gave me good mileage. My friends began to tell me my car looks like it's 10 years old!! It's annoying and it is not something that should happen for the age. I am a single parent and have never been so disappointed in a car. I love the gas mileage and that is about it. The seats also have begun to peel off!!!!!. After researching I am seeing that this issue is a common complaint for Honda Civic owners!!!!
- texasoup, Corpus Christi, TX, US
Problem started with engine hood. Paint looked like it was getting dull. Turned out to be clear coat peeling away. Apparently there are recalls for other years and models but not 2008 Honda Civic. Problem has now spread to front fender, hood, front qtr. panels, front doors, and side mirrors. Slowly making its' way along the entire car, from front to back.
A quick internet search pulls up countless photo's of the issue but Honda declines to do anything about it. To see this kind of paint damage within 4 years of buying a new car can only be due to inferior products or process used by the manufacturer!! It looks like crap and I should not have to pay $3000-$4000 out of my own pocket to repaint the car.
- Raymond S., Yukon, OK, US
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I'm still paying my car loan for my 2008 Honda Civic that I bought from the BMW of Maryland almost 3 years ago. Over the past year and a half the paint job has been peeling and fading. I heard that some models have a recall but I have looked into it and mine is not covered. I recently got a quote from Macco and they said it would be over $1,250 even for a basic paint job because there is a lot of work that needs to be done since the paint is peeling and cracking, otherwise it is not even worth getting it painted because it will not last.
The reason I'm so upset and disappointed is I'm still making a car payment and I don't have the money to spend on a paint job as well as every time I look at my car I feel sick. It's embarrassing and in my line of work I need a car that looks decent because my clients follow me. I do love my Honda Civic but I'm to the point that I would trade it for anything that has a nice paint job because I hate driving this car around with the paint peeling so bad. It has made me very disappointed in Honda and after this I don't think I will ever purchase another one even if they are reliable. It's awesome to have a reliable car but I would like it to look nice on the outside as well.
This is not normal wear because my parking spots have been shaded and lately I see cars like mine and the paint is doing the same thing. I wouldn't mind if Honda would even consider covering half of what it would cost to have the car repainted and I would front the money. If anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears. I feel like stuck....help.
- Rebecca Z., Bealeton, VA, US