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Paint Is Now Peeling On Some New Honda Accord, HR-V, Fit Models, What You Should Do

Honda is having more peeling paint issues on some new 2018 Accords, HR-V, and Fit models. See what you should do if you own one.

Honda has had well-documented paint peeling problems in the past with older Civic, Accord and some Odyssey models. Now there are more problems with the 2018 Honda Accord having similar paint peeling issues. Some owners are reporting the clear coat and paint are not holding up and after three months the paint is peeling.

A recent report from ABC News says Buckly Underwood who owns a 2018 Honda Accord said just three months after buying the new Accord sedan the clear coat and paint started peeling. "It is eating there through the primer. I am scared it is going to eat through the metal, then next thing you know, it is going to start rusting," said Underwood.

2018 Honda Accord2018 Honda Accord

Underwood contacted the dealership he bought it from, and they told him to contact American Honda. A representative looked at the problem but blamed the paint peeling on tree sap, bird droppings, and the rain. Underwood says Honda wouldn't do anything about it. "It's supposed to be under a three-year bumper to bumper warranty, but they tell me this paint is not covered under it."

2018 Honda Accord

Apparently, Underwood’s paint on his 2018 Honda Accord is not an isolated issue. There are numerous complaints on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Honda also just extended the warranty on the paint for an additional seven years for 2015-2018 model year Honda Fit owners and it also covers 2016-2018 HR-V crossover SUVs with the same peeling paint problem. These affected vehicles seem to be cars with white orchid pearl paint.

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Honda HR-VHonda HR-V

What owners should do

Take your Honda Accord to the dealer immediately and report the problem and make sure you get written documentation to what they will or won’t do so you have a record in writing. Contact American Honda Customer Service and report the problem to them. Have them send you documentation in writing also. Take as many pictures as possible and take a video of the paint peeling issues with your iPhone. You should also file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at safercar.gov.

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Photo credit: Honda USA

Comments

Maulesh Patel (not verified)    July 30, 2019 - 6:44AM

In reply to by Denis Flierl

I have 2019 Honda Accord sport 3 moths old and started Paint Peeling on Hood its like ( 3 inch by 3 inch)
Dont know what gonna happen next??
I have appointment with Dealership lets see what they going to say...
i will update u guys soon

Blackdog (not verified)    June 25, 2020 - 11:18AM

In reply to by Maulesh Patel (not verified)

I bought a 2000, and the entire paint peeled off. I just bought a 2020 Accord Sport and now I'm reading this? Damn. Please tell me they've repainting it. Did you apply any coatings or waxes to it when you bought it?

Kris Taylor (not verified)    August 2, 2019 - 2:33PM

In reply to by Denis Flierl

I’m currently fighting with AMERICAN Honda and First Texas Honda to get my paint repaired. I have a 2018 Accord EX-L in black that has paint chipping off of it on the hood, roof, and trunk. They’re claiming it’s not a manufacturing defect. Seems like the clear coat was not applied properly and thus is not protecting the paint from anything. I’ve had this car for 8 months and I’m furious at how Honda has handled this so far. They’ve done nothing to show that they care about their customers that are buying their new cars. I’m not going to stop fighting until they fix this. I’ll update with more info ASAP.

Nancy (not verified)    August 17, 2020 - 1:09PM

In reply to by Kris Taylor (not verified)

I have the 2018 Honda Accord EX-L in Black and the paint is chipping all over. Supposedly a paint specialist from Honda came to look at my car, took pictures, and it was determined that "it was not a warrantable matter" since it was caused by the environment. Nonsense! I've lived in the same house for 37 years and this has never happened to any other car that I owned, including Acuras!

Val (not verified)    October 26, 2020 - 7:22AM

In reply to by Nancy (not verified)

I have the same car... just started chipping a few weeks ago now i afraid to wash it. I live in Canada, taking it to the dealer this weekend to get it documented Most of mine so far is on the hood. I am very particular about my car. So this really makes me mad.

Helen Conwell (not verified)    October 5, 2020 - 2:46PM

In reply to by Kris Taylor (not verified)

I have had this same issue on my 2018 black Honda Accord EXL. The paint is definitely not holding up. Although I have had my car 2.5 years. The issue started soon after I purchased it. I am already planning to get it repainted out of pocket. It should be covered under the warranty

Nancy (not verified)    October 6, 2020 - 6:20PM

In reply to by Helen Conwell (not verified)

Hi Helen. If you think it’s supposed to be covered under the warranty why are you paying out of pocket? I refuse to pay. It’s getting worse by the day. My fear at this point is that Honda will charge me when I turn the car in. I met someone recently who told me as long as I have in writing that it was caused by the environment they can’t charge me because I had no control. My car looks dreadful!

Anthony Bertrand (not verified)    February 8, 2021 - 1:47PM

In reply to by Kris Taylor (not verified)

I had the same problem with my pearl black 2017 accord coupe, the paint is not peeling it is cracking all over on top, truck hood and now it is terrible and Honda refused to fix it.

Melissa (not verified)    September 30, 2019 - 6:23PM

In reply to by Denis Flierl

I have a 2011 Honda Accord. Paint starting peeling very bad. I made a complaint to my local Honda Dealer in I think it was early 2017. They agreed to do a “goodwill warranty” in which many areas had to be repainted. I still had to pay around $1,300 myself out of pocket. Months ago the area they didn’t paint are now doing the same thing and they refuse to pay anything on it. It’s inexcusable considering they are aware it is a defect. I love my Honda but will not buy another due to this. I’m driving a car I’ve taken very good care of that looks 20 years old

matt (not verified)    January 26, 2021 - 10:54AM

In reply to by April Todd (not verified)

i have a 2014 accord 65xxx miles always garaged diamond white paint peeling around rear window trying to gert honda to fix it they said its out of warranty so they dought they will fix it

john m (not verified)    April 9, 2021 - 10:01PM

In reply to by Denis Flierl

I own a black 2009 Honda Civic. I received letters from Honda several years ago that said it was possible that the paint on my hood, trunk and roof was defective and they were extending their paint warranty to 7 years. In June 2016 I took advantage of the extended warranty and Honda repainted the affected areas for free. Now the clear coat/paint is chipping off of all four doors and the rear fenders. The car looks terrible.

Reynaldo R Esteban (not verified)    July 18, 2023 - 9:15PM

In reply to by Wayne baumback (not verified)

I have a 2017 Honda HR-V and the paint (white orchid pearl) has started pilling off. I tried to cover it with a Honda Touch Up Paint and it did not look good. I did not know if there was a recall about this issue.

Nike (not verified)    July 24, 2019 - 10:26AM

My Honda Accord is just a year old ya it shouldn't do that. My 2011 Accord coupe has some minor paint peeling (a nickel size on hood) but it's 8 years old so I'm not to concerned about it. A year old though ya that's not fair

Wayne (not verified)    July 24, 2019 - 10:26AM

This is the sort of thing that should also be posted on Honda social media pages. As much as I'm a fan of Honda... Right is right, and I can't imagine where the paint on a 3-month old car (or even at 1 year) can't withstand normal things such as occasional bird droppings, tree sap etc. I'm an easy-going type, but I'd be beside myself with disappointment and anger if I'm that owner.

Scott Klein (not verified)    August 1, 2019 - 4:18PM

I just purchased a 2018 Certified Used Accord and it looked great. the dealership did a great job covering up all of the clear coat issues covering small areas all of the vehicle. Currently seeking legal options as well as contacted corporate honda to complain as well as to be shocked they allow cars to be Certified used having clear coat issues throughout the car.

Miki (not verified)    October 3, 2019 - 7:51PM

In reply to by Scott Klein (not verified)

I just bought 2019 Accord 2.0 Sport Black. Same thing here! I have noticed it right away as I am detailer and I ma crazy about paint job! I went to dealership right away and they agree that is not normal but have to let Honda representative to see it and I told them I will wait for that person to see it but I let them know that I want a new car and different color because I traded in my 2018 LX also black and it had same issues but not as nearly as much! I an getting a new car or I will take both keys and leave the car in front of the dealership and not pay for it at all !!! They said they will give me different car right away but until I see it... also I took the car to body shop my dealership uses and they told me that they would have to repaint the entire car and THEY told me that it will not be even half as good as factory paint so that I do mot want on a 2 weeks old car!

Aaron (not verified)    August 5, 2019 - 8:23PM

Long time Honda fan, but no longer. Oil dilution in new 1.5 turbos, paint peeling in 2009 civics and others, cracking of engine block in 2005-2009 Civics. Good luck fighting with Honda. They have become customer no service and no responsibility.

Mike (not verified)    August 10, 2019 - 6:35AM

Yes, this problem is more widespread that what your article indicates. I recently sold my 2013 Honda Pilot in White Orchid Pearl. The paint on the roof started to fail. Thankfully, the TSB was issued just after I had the vehicle painted so American Honda paid me back for my out of pocket expenses. Check out the Honda Paint Defect Action Group on Facebook for hundreds of other stories, pictures, info. There’s a large group of consumers banding together to fight this problem.