Honda class action overview:
- Who: A group of Honda owners are suing the automaker.
- Why: The plaintiffs claim some Honda vehicles have defective white paint that can peel and flake.
- Where: The class action was filed in a California federal court.
Honda has been hit with a new class action lawsuit alleging certain models of its vehicles from model year 2013 onward suffer from a white paint defect that leads to peeling, bubbling, and flaking.
Plaintiffs Jim Clemmens, Terri Hernandez, and Marie Toussaint filed the class action complaint against American Honda Motor Company Inc. on Nov. 12, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.
The plaintiffs claim that Honda was aware of the issue but failed to disclose it, leaving affected customers with costly repairs or diminished vehicle value.
According to the lawsuit, the defect applies to all model years from 2013 to the present of the following vehicles:
- Acura MDX in White Diamond Pearl paint (NH-603P)
- Honda Odyssey in White Diamond Pearl paint (NH-603P) or Taffeta White paint (NH-578)
- Honda Pilot in Taffeta White paint (Paint Code NH-578)
- Honda Fit in White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White paint (Paint Code NH-788P)
- Honda HR-V in White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White paint (Paint Code NH-788P)
The plaintiffs claim the defect stems from problems in Honda’s manufacturing process, particularly with the application of “three-stage” white paint, which gives cars a pearlescent finish.
The defect allegedly causes the paint to delaminate and fail, reducing the cars’ value and forcing owners to either live with unsightly damage or pay out-of-pocket for repainting.
“The appearance of the surface significantly affects a customer’s perception of product quality,” the lawsuit says, adding that the defect goes beyond aesthetics to impact resale value and protection against rust.
While Honda extended warranties for some models of the vehicles, the plaintiffs say the automaker hasn’t done enough to remedy the problem. They say repainting fails to fully resolve the issue, as the defect remains in other parts of the vehicle.
As a result, the plaintiffs are suing on behalf of anyone in the United States who bought or leased one of the affected vehicles. They are suing Honda for fraudulent concealment, breach of warranty, and violations of consumer protection laws in California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.
Meanwhile, Honda is recalling about 720,000 vehicles over concerns they may have leaky fuel pumps that put drivers at risk of a fire or a crash.
What do you think about the allegations in this Honda class action? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiff is represented by Daniel L. Keller of Keller, Fishback & Jackson LLP and Stephen J. Fearon, Jr. and Paul V. Sweeny of Squitieri & Fearon LLP.
The Honda class action is Jim Clemmens et al. v. American Honda Motor Company Inc., Case No. 2:24-cv-09728 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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242 thoughts onHonda class action alleges some vehicles have paint defect
I have the 2014 Diamond Pearl White Odyssey and paint peeling all over
2016 hrv roof was peeling they sent me to body shoot to fix as I was a couple days still in warranty. They only repainted the roof even thought the whole car used the same paint when for it back the door paint was bubbly. Shop said ot could be chemical reaction. Bubbling went away but now paint is peeling at this exact spot they didn’t want to do anything saying it’s out of warranty even though it was still in the warranty when I stated the first request.
My 2018 is not white but orange and the paint on the roof is peeling all over the place. Can I get in on this or maybe start a new suit.
I have a 2016 Hrv white with peeling paint on top and 2 other spots on the trim and door.
my odyssey 2014 paint starts peeling off. How do I make honda compensate for it
I have a 2019 Honda Hrv with white pearl paint which is peeling off on the top and partly in the hatch area ( so far). I’ve gone to 2 Honda dealers who said they could do nothing. My insurance says nothing they will do. I’ve been to 2 collision/ repair shops who said this should not be happening. Still an over $4000 dollar repaint. Thought about ppf or ceramic coating to prevent more peeling but very expensive. Did call Honda motor company. Said no. Class action lawsuit down the road but who knows how long or how much they would give. Sell car with peeling paint??
2013 Honda Pilot Touring white. In 2018 a large piece of paint above windshield flaked off. I went to dealership and had to argue and provide information that this is a Honda issue. They agreed to repaint the affected area only. Now paint in flaking off on back driver side door and hood. My car has always been garage kept. This is definitely an issue!
I have a 2021 Pilot and the white paint is chipping. I’ve owned 5 Hondas, this being my first white, and have never had this problem with any other colors! I showed the service manager at my last appointment and he acted as if I did something to cause this and suggested I purchase their little paint touch up pens which I did but even applying that it still looks bad and should not be happening?
I have the paint peeling from back, roof and now sides on my 2013 White Honda Odyssey