As I was washing my car today, I noticed that there is a small (maybe 3-7 mm squared) area of paint which has been chipped away down to the metal near the driver's side tail light housing. The paintless spot is the forward most area of the taillight housing/car body interface. I haven't yet applied touch up paint, but will do so at some point this week.

I thought that my car didn't have this issue.... but I was wrong after looking at that area closely.

Is this issue covered under warranty? If so, is it worth getting that area repaired by the dealer? Or is it easier to just touch up paint it since it is so small? If I touch up that area around the tails, can I still bring it to the dealer at a later point if it gets worse and make them repair it? (since this issue of paint coming off in that area is well known and is certainly not my fault!)

I have read a lot of shocking info about water based paints these days as well as how much care a new car with that paint needs. My biggest concern is that of rust and its potential to spread like cancer......!! I plan to buy a claybar soon and clay the whole car and apply a good wax (right now I am using Turtle wax spray on wax).

This is a well documented issue for 08 accord. I would NOT use touchup paint because it'll look like crap. Take it to the dealer and let them fix it professionally. Good luck.

^What he said.

It's a widespread problem-do a search for it. Bring it up to your dealer and they will fix it under warranty.

This happened to me. Dealership had me scheduled in no problems, all covered by warranty.

I checked mine yesterday; so far no paint chipping yet.

Bleh I'm getting nervous about this happening. For the people who had this issue, how long did you have your car before you noticed it? I checked it the day I read about it in the forums but it was good. Now I'm gonna be checking it like everytime I drive it.

I am just upset with upset w/ honda. So upset.

Root question is, “why does this happen? Paint not adhering to metal or base coat? Was it a faulty paint process? Or was it a manufacturing process defect?” There are several reasons it can happen. When Paint does not bond to undercoat or undercoat to steel, it is a bonding issue. If there was fingerprints, or if there was oil left on metal between processes, paint will not bond. Clearly when paint bond fails it is a manufacturing defect, and responsibility of manufacturer. Honda has an obligation to fix this. You bought new, you deserve new. Write up a claim, present it to Honda Service, requesting that they complete their manufacturing process. This situation may have occurred with other DA members. Regards

Richard

I have this on my front headlight area on the passenger side and the rear tail light passenger area. I figured I might have done the damage myself on the front from removing the bumper numerous times, but I haven't touched the rear.

I hate every single one of you!!!!! I just went outside and saw mine is doing it too. Its not too bad yet but it looks like it will get worst over time. One more thing to think about other than the rattles/creaks.

I am just upset with upset w/ honda. So upset.


How Upsetting! :paranoid:

You have every right to be upset and express your feelings. HONDA are you listening? Regards

Richard

This is a well documented issue for 08 accord. I would NOT use touchup paint because it'll look like crap. Take it to the dealer and let them fix it professionally. Good luck.

yeap this is on the dealers/american honda's dime.

if they wont help, call up the local service rep and get them involved--- dealers will not like that threat and likely will help. if they still dont, call up the local rep and start a claim

all of you with these problems, i'm not saying that this will help or hurt, i'm just curious have you ever waxed your car? like professional detail several step several coat of wax your car?

all of you with these problems, i'm not saying that this will help or hurt, i'm just curious have you ever waxed your car? like professional detail several step several coat of wax your car?

Luckily I don't have this issue but I don't see how waxing will help since the chip happens from misaligned tail light housing rubbing against body panel. I don't think you can get the wax in between.

Luckily I don't have this issue but I don't see how waxing will help since the chip happens from misaligned tail light housing rubbing against body panel. I don't think you can get the wax in between.

That is my theory as well - a fitment and clearance issue between the tailights (sometimes headlights) and the body panels. For the sedan rear trunk, I think it is primarily a vibration issue which causes the lower trunk panel to lose some of its paint at the very ends of each upper/lower trunk panel interface.

My questions for those who have had those issues resolved professionally by the dealer:

1) Will they simply repaint the affected area? If they only do that, I can see the fitment issue causing the problem again in maybe another 10k-20k miles.

2) Will they try to correct the fitment of the taillights and/or headlights into their housing? If they do that (along with fixing the paint chip), I can see the problem potentially not coming back for a long time....

3) for the paint chipping around the interface between the upper and lower trunk panels, I have read that some members have gotten whole new lower or upper panels under warranty. That is good, but will seemingly only fix the issue for maybe 15k-20k miles by my estimates. If it really is a vibration issue between those two panels, what else did (or will) the dealer need to do to fix it for the long term??

3a) As it stands now, I have used touch up paint on the small paint chip on the lower trunk panel (about half a dime's area). Can i still have the dealer do whatever fix they will do for that now that I have more time to bring my car back and forth to them?

The dealer kind of made mine look worse. I left my car there in the morning and they called me less than 3 hours later telling me it was ready. I already knew that wasnt enough time for it to dry. They replaced the light housing when it was wet, letting the paint transfer onto the housing. I could've done it myself, but I wanted it documented that I complained about the scratch. I dont think this will be the last panel that gets scratches from misalignment of parts. I also wouldn't have agreed with a refinish because I doubt it would have matched with the other panels.

This is a well documented issue for 08 accord. I would NOT use touchup paint because it'll look like crap. Take it to the dealer and let them fix it professionally. Good luck.

Well, I just looked at my '09 coupe and find the same exact thing happening that all you '08 owners are complaining about.

It may be a 'well-documented' problem with the 2008's, but it is rather obvious the powers-that-be at Honda, didn't take it seriously enough to takes steps to correct it for '09......and it wouldn't surprise me if it hasn't been corrected on the 2010 models either.

If I just didnt love the look of my car!!!! There is so much going on with these cars, but hey it is what it is. Even after all that I still love my car.

luckily i haven't had this problem, I wonder if its beacuse i have (and have had since the car was 1 week old) aftermarket LED tails.

If I just didnt love the look of my car!!!! There is so much going on with these cars, but hey it is what it is. Even after all that I still love my car.

That is true faith buddy!

I have also cooled down a lot regarding some of the issues I was so upset with earlier.... mainly b/c I realize it could be A LOT worse....

I still love my car as well and it does hurt me inside to see it having the issues it is having or will have....

Anyone know what's the limit to ask the dealer to fix this? I'm at 16mths/16k miles and I'm noticing some slight chipping now

Anyone know what's the limit to ask the dealer to fix this? I'm at 16mths/16k miles and I'm noticing some slight chipping now

You have the standard 3 year warranty; go get it fixed.

That is true faith buddy!

I have also cooled down a lot regarding some of the issues I was so upset with earlier.... mainly b/c I realize it could be A LOT worse....

I still love my car as well and it does hurt me inside to see it having the issues it is having or will have....

Expectations are UBER high just because they are Hondas......At the end of the day its still a car with thousands of static and moving parts, electrical components and computerized logic circuits operating in severe temperature changes, wet and dry weather and anything but smooth roads and in some case salt laden.....many living outside in the elements.

Yet people will spend 25% of the purchase price or MORE for laptop warranties which are more coddled than a new born and TVs which never move an inch after they are mounted !! LOL

I'll bet even Bentley owners have some fit an fish issues and Ferraris can't go around the block without needing a tune up.

I am sure even though there are a few issues....Chevy has a ton more aggravating issues....My HHR before 12K (I bought it used at 11K miles for $100 less than sticker 12 months old!!) )

-. New steering column knocks and rattles....
- Shifter assembly replaced because ignition key was stuck TWICE...
- Moon roof leaked water into interior passenger floor because drainage tubes were pinched in manufacturing
- warped rotors at 5000 miles
- fuses popping loose in fuse box causing all kinds of issues
- handle to lower hatch came off in my hand just USING it.
- Moon roof "pop up" wind deflector popped OFF on one side.....
- Radio popped loudly upon starting car with radio on..
All before 12k miles.....between 12k and warranty end there was more..I sold at the end of the 36 month warranty.....

I could go on.....sold the car with $26k miles......
ALL these issues were and are TSBs!!!!!!!

I will GLADLY replace my rear brakes at 15K if thats all I need to worry about with this car............