Action 9: Honda customers with paint problems could be covered by dealer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — They're some of the most popular vehicles on the road, but owners of some Hondas are having problems with their paint.

Some described the paint as cloudy, chalky or like salt brine.

Adam Oravec bought his 2009 Honda Civic when it was brand new.

Last year, he noticed the paint coming off.

Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke asked Oravec, "It's a Honda. It's fairly new. Did you ever picture this?"

"No, I did not. No. No," Orvavec said.

Oravec worries about rust, resale value and how it looks.

"I'm embarrassed to drive it," he said.

Many Civic owners reported the same problem, spurring web articles like, "What is happening to my Honda paint?" and it's causing Honda to take action.

The company extended the paint warranty but only on certain year Civics, models and even parts of the vehicle.

Regardless of year, the extended warranty lasts only seven years.

So a 2010 is covered until this year, a 2011 until next year, and so forth.

But, if owners meet all the criteria, their local dealer should fix the paint for free.

Which Civics are still covered:

Note: others were covered, but their warranty expired

Model: Honda Civic

Years: 2010-13

Colors:

• Nighthawk Black Pearl
• Fiji Blue Pearl
• Royal Blue Pearl
• Atomic Blue Metallic
• Dyno Blue Pearl
• Galaxy Gray Metallic
• Crystal Black Pearl
• Polished Metal Metallic
• Urban Titanium Metallic
• Dyno Blue Pearl II (2012 model only)

Parts:

• hood
• leading edge of front fenders
• roof
• trunk
• upper portions of quarter panel
• upper portions of doors

But it's not like recalls, where the company has to tell owners.

It's up to them to know about the warranty.

If someone notices a problem, call their local dealer. The dealer should know about problems the company's fixing free.

Honda sent customers letters about the paint, even though it didn't have to, but Oravec said he didn't get one.

"I was not emailed, I was not called, and nothing was sent in the mail," he said.

Either way, he missed the 7-year deadline.

He got an estimate for repainting for $5,800.

Honda offered to cover most of it, but Oravec said he'd still have to pay $900 of it.

"It's a lot of money, and it's not my fault to begin with," he said.

Cox Media Group