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)
Honda's paint is not made to last. The clear coat has been peeling for quite some time which significantly devalues the car. In addition, the quality issues I have faced with Honda over the past 15 years have pushed me away from this brand.
- ballinshark, Kendall Park, US
It’s very disappointing - the quality of the Brand. Also 6 months ago, the headliner started to come loose.
- Laurence P., Mary Esther, FL, US
Clear coat issue is over the entire front half of hood and entire roof of car. It is impossible to ignore even if it was a reliable vehicle. Wife is upset by how bad it looks.
- David T., Plainfield, IN, US
click to see larger images
My car always had a strange surface that appeared to scratch very easily. The surface after the first few years was dull. When the car was about 5 years old there was a rough patch on the roof, by the time it was 6 it started peeling in that spot. It was my mechanic that year who pointed out that I had a paint problem and he told me this was lack of clear coat.
I contacted Honda and they asked me to get two reports and quotes, which I did. I was told by both body shops that the issue was lack of clear coat, though their report didn't include their professional opinion, only the work that needed to be done and the cost. I was a bit shocked at the questions Honda had for me, like, was it parked in the sun? Well yes, this is Australia, blazing sun but my 20yo car still has it's paint work in tact?and never been garaged. They offered to pay only one third of the respray cost. Because I declined and they cancelled my complaint. The worst part? this was a once in a lifetime purchase for me. I will never have the means to purchase another car again.
- Jennifer M., Thurgoona, Australia
My son parked his Honda Odyssey in my driveway for a year. When he removed it, he apologized to my neighbor, saying, "I'm getting this eyesore out of here!"
My neighbor said, "that's not the eyesore. The Civic is!"
The poor Civic is an eyesore indeed because of the peeling paint. The Odyssey's paint is intact. I'm ashamed to park the car anywhere. I'm accused of bringing the neighborhood down.
- Rose Marie Z., Seaside, CA, US
Already 3 recalls on this car and they don't stand by their problem. The paint issues started early and I was never notified they might have a fix. I don't usually have work done at a Honda dealership but by a friend, so when I went to a dealer they said the assistance they might have provided was only good for a short duration and I was past that time. POOR POOR POOR
- Gregg H., Paradise, PA, US
clear coat peeling significantly on roof, making white spots
- Chris N., Island Heights, US
I also own a 2003 Honda Pilot and so far the paint is fine, same color midnight black.This Civic had the hood repainted due to crows feet cracks all over it and was a secret warranty a year after we bought it new, so obviously the paint from the factory was bad as the clear coat on the roof is going to a white haze and can be scratched off with finger nails. I have seen many other black Civics doing the same thing. Crappy water based paint no longer will be a Honda family
- Brian H., Penticton, BC, Canada
This is unacceptable. My car is not old. I was told, by multiple sources, "if you cared for your Honda properly, it would last you over 150,000 miles." Rumors are not always true.
- Kelly B., Seminole, US
click to see larger images
The paint has been slowly peeling off the back of my roof and the top of my trunk for the last few years. I have noticed the same peeling paint pattern on several other Honda Civics in the 2007-2010 range! This is definitely a defect and I really think Honda should pay for the fix!!
- Siobhan J., Norwich, VT, US
I don't have the EXACT date this started but it was after our 36 month warranty expired - some time in the 4th year of ownership. At some point Honda put out a quiet recall on it. I didn't bring it up to the dealership as it was out of warranty - but it was in a couple times and they never mentioned it to us. I only found out about it after the extended warranty period expired while looking on line. Dealer said nothing they can do...
- justsomeone, Saginaw, US
Have a 2008 Honda Civic - clear coat is peeling off the roof and the back. Really ugly. Estimate to have it fixed is $1800 and that's no guarantee that the rest of the car paint/clear coat won't peel also. A real lemon, will never buy another Honda.
Update from Aug 27, 2017: Honda of Olympia fixed the problem at their cost.
- Camelia P., Olympia, US
Well, I pointed to some areas of the car where I had concerns with the clear coat last summer when it was covered under warranty.
I pointed them out to the warranty guy and he said "Naw, it's unrelated". One winter later, my clear coat is peeling off my trunk, my doors, and my side panels. I can't justify paying the VALUE OF MY CAR to get COSMETIC fixes. I just don't understand how ever other car can still look nice while mine looks like a POS. I don't see the cool civic anymore, I go straight to the peeling paint when i see it and it breaks m'heart.
- Garrett T., Minneapolis, US
Brought it to the Honda body shop, they fixed er all up! Yay! Don't worry, there's a second report with a much different opinion from my more recent experience with this.
- Garrett T., Minneapolis, US
The clear coat started peeling about 6 months after I purchased the car in 12/2014 and it has gotten worse since! The hood, trunk, fenders and other areas are peeling off and my car looks horrible!
- Margaret R., Myrtle Beach, SC, US
It is just annoying and looks awfull! Need some action from Honda Canada ASAP!
- André L., Laval, QC, Canada
This is the second 2008 Civic that we have own for about a month and it has spots on the spoiler and trunk are losing some of the clear coat. It is mild at this time but knowing what we know about our Civic SI 2008 it is starting to show the same peeling of the clear coat not seen in our other Hondas. We were not told about this recall when we purchased it last month.
- Ashley J., Rockledge, FL, US
This paint problem started really small but has progressed. My car looks like crap. The paint is peeling in multiple spots now, I keep it under a carport. I don't know how it will continue to affect it. I wasn't too concerned at first with the slight discoloration but now it really looks bad. The pin striping is coming off the doors, it's a mess!
- Lynda W., Westlake, LA, US
There are white spots that are slowly appearing and chipping off on the roof, hood and trunk of my car. It's in otherwise great shape. When I asked the dealer what was going on he told me "sometimes it just happens." I've never witnessed it happening on other cars just Honda's.
- Brian W., Middletown, NY, US
I keep the car in great shape. Peeling off roof 3 spots and I'm embarrassed. Had a '06 Civic, with the same problem, and it cost $3000 to repaint.
- Mary O., Edgewood, MD, US