CarComplaints.com Notes: Aside from peeling paint, the 2008 Honda Odyssey is a pretty reliable, generally trouble-free minivan.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$930
Average Mileage:
98,950 miles
Total Complaints:
19 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. repaint vehicle (11 reports)
  2. not sure (7 reports)
  3. touch up paint (1 reports)
2008 Honda Odyssey body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2008 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments

problem #19

Jun 042018

Odyssey Touring 302 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 168,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car had started on the roof with a couple bubbles, then the paint started flaking off in major areas. Now the hood has started the same thing. I am not sure if just repainting will be able to fix this, as it seems to be a metal/paint issue like something else needs to occur? Maybe treat or dip in something. The paint is not remaining adhered as why is it bubbling???

As I drive into my drive and my cameras pick up the roof and hood of my vehicle ....IT IS EXTREMELY annoying to see and know rust is occurring underneath!! I have such high standards with Honda and I am hoping they can see how many of these are doing the same thing and extend a RECALL. It is obvious when I see other models the same year they are visibly having the same issue? Something is definitely wrong with the metal or paint?

HONDA PLEASE REVIEW AND HELP!

- tipton92, Hayesville, US

problem #18

Mar 272018

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,000 miles

Paint peeling in large sections in front of the moon roof and by the racks on the roof. Looks awful and is embarrassing to drive. I have seen 2 other Honda minivans in the same condition in the same area. Must be a problem with the paint or the metal. Can someone direct me on how to slow down the peeling and/or fix it!

- Dee W., Unionville, US

problem #17

Mar 222018

Odyssey EX-L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Noted a large size (about 6" x 4 ") of paint peeled off on the roof between the windshield and the moon roof.

- Austin C., Chevy Chase, MD, US

problem #16

Oct 302017

Odyssey LX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I recently bought this white 2008 Honda Odyssey for my disabled husband. There is large portions of paint peeled off on the roof and behind the sliding doors on both sides. When I called to see about the recall on it, I was told that it was only for the dark blue. It's obviously is an issue on white vans, to so it should be covered as well!

- Rachael W., Jefferson City, US

problem #15

Aug 102016

Odyssey LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint bubbling and peeling off paint bubbling and peeling off

Complaining to Honda got me nowhere. This is not the first and only paint complaint with this vehicle. Other than the horrible paint it’s been a reliable vehicle.

Here was Honda’s response:

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity of responding to your message. On behalf of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., we offer our sincere apologies for the circumstances which prompted you to reach us. We assure you of our interest in your feedback and we thank you for bringing your concern to our attention.

Upon further review, we verified there are currently no open campaigns pertaining to this matter. We will note your valuable comments pertaining to the paint. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. strives to produce vehicles which exceed our customer's expectations and your insight assists us in fully understanding consumer perspective.

We welcome you to contact us with any additional comments or questions. Our Customer Service team can also be reached by calling #800-999-1009, option #7, weekdays, 6:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. Pacific Time or on Twitter @HondaCustSvc.

Kind regards,

- flower2017, Finksburg, US

problem #14

Apr 142017

Odyssey Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,624 miles

This is my second Odyssey with this problem. Both of them blue. Fool me once...I should have known better.

- Michelle P., Carlton, US

problem #13

Jan 032017

Odyssey LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,834 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

paint bubbling and peeling off paint bubbling and peeling off paint bubbling and peeling off paint bubbling and peeling off paint bubbling and peeling off

We noticed this 8.5” x 11” stripped area on our roof in the evening of January 2nd. We are guessing the paint stripped off during our drive from Maryland to North Carolina a few days before. You can see that the bare metal below is free of scrapes or dings or dents – the paint just peeled off. When we returned to Maryland I visited 3 different Honda dealers to discuss having it fixed. All of them said they would get back to me – none did even though I called back to find out the status of my claim. One manager even intimated that the problem must’ve started with a little paint chip and I had neglected the problem over a long period of time to create such a large area. When I politely pointed out that 1) the fact that the bare metal was completely shiny and free from any damage and 2) that the paint was actively peeling away from the bare metal suggesting a paint bonding problem, he closed his mouth and had no response.

We couldn’t wait to have this problem fixed since Maryland was salting the roads and the bare metal needed to be protected or we would have much more serious problems. Because of the location and the paint bonding problem, the entire roof had to be repainted (a fix confirmed by the Honda dealer). After $2165, my roof is safe from environmental damage again and will hopefully let me keep the mechanically well running van for many years to come.

I have always preferred Hondas since they are mechanically sound for years and years. My husband just bought a Toyota. I don’t really think that Honda dealerships are worse than any other, but the company should accept responsibility for this clearly poor quality paint job. I’d be happy to go in on a class action lawsuit since this seems to be a distinct problem with Hondas.

- amblyglyphidodon, Germantown, MD, US

problem #12

May 012016

Odyssey EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

A big chunk of paint was just missing one day. Front, center, above windshield. Just to the primer, not all the way to the frame. Then, had windshield replaced and paint peeled off with the tape they use after the replacement.

- Kim S., Salt Lake City, UT, US

problem #11

Jun 062016

Odyssey Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

Large area of paint gone from the roof behind the sunroof. More peeling paint on hood, closer to windshield. Peeling paint on door handles and next to tail lights. Called Honda- they won't help. We've been loyal customers for years. I have owned the CR-V, Insight, Pilot, and another Odyssey. Like many others, we buy Hondas for reliability and value. After witnessing my van's disastrous paint job, and experiencing the embarrassment of driving a car that looks like it was coated in correction fluid (white-out), I may never buy Honda again.

- Drew T., Naples, FL, US

problem #10

Jan 012015

Odyssey EXL 3.2lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint bubbling and peeling off paint bubbling and peeling off

Honda should announce a recall on any and all vehicles experiencing the paint peeling/chipping off. There sweeping it under the rug - and, that's unacceptable!

- tkearney609, Churchville, PA, US

problem #9

Dec 152014

Odyssey Touring 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It s nice car paid a fair amount for the vehicle. I have 7 children and added unneeded cost like this shouldn't be passed onto the customer. Apparently Honda knows of the problem just choices to ignore it.

- Ted G., Goshen, OH, US

problem #8

Jan 152015

Odyssey EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

I took my van into the dealership to have it detailed at 89,000 miles and when I picked it up I noticed that the paint on my drivers door started to peel off near the top of the door next to the window (about a dime size peel at this point. Not very big but you can tell it's going to get worse over time.). I asked the dealership service manager why and he said the paint is starting to go bad.

I did some research and noticed there's a lot of complaints about the odyssey's paint peeling but only the civic has a paint recall. The manager said it would cost about $1,000 to $1,500 to repaint the entire door. I asked him to contact Honda corporate and two months (yes two months) later Honda corporate said they would pay $300 towards the repair.

I said no thanks ordered touch up paint online, I took a razor blade and cut off the paint part that was peeling, touched up the paint and it's been fine for 6 months. Cost me $10 for the touch up paint. This sucks for Honda reliability!

I have a 1990 Accord (also white with 280K miles on it) and that paint has held up better than my van that only has 89K miles on it) Considering the power sliding door problems I'm not having with the van (I'll post that problem next) I'm not so sure I'll buy another Honda as it doesn't appear that they stand behind their product and are not making them to last as long as they used to.

My question is though are any car manufacturers making cars to last that long anymore or stand behind their product? Who really knows unless you do a lot of research over many years!

- Bruce M., WILSONVILLE, OR, US

problem #7

May 052015

Odyssey EX-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,162 miles

This is not just a regular Honda Odyssey, but a handicap accessible van. In other words, I paid over $34,000 for a van that now looks like crap. I have to drive it for the next 10 years or so, because I had it customized with thousands of dollars in equipment. I did not want a Chrysler or Dodge, because I trusted Honda to last and to look good for years to come. That is what you have to have when making this kind of investment. Now, the paint is peeling off the top of the van in sheets. I have read that there have been such complaints in some of the darker colors of vehicles, but my van is white--WHITE. The clear coat and paint have peeled all the way to the metal. Yeah. Thanks Honda. My next van will be a Chrysler.

- Jennifer S., High Point, NC, US

problem #6

Jul 102014

Odyssey EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

Apparently Honda thinks some people are worthy of having a known, on going problem addressed, whereas others are not worthy.

- John A., Little Rock, AR, US

problem #5

Mar 012015

Odyssey EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,400 miles

Started as a small spot on middle of roof just above the windshield, Paint just keeps peeling off. Experts say the paint is not adhering to the primer and is coming off clean in sheets. Must repaint entire roof. Honda dealership say this was a problem with blue Odyssey but first they've seen in white. I am afraid it might start on other parts of the van.

- Carol W., Kingsport, TN, US

problem #4

Oct 012014

Odyssey EXL 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Driving vehicle and roof paint started peeling. The paint is faded bad. I called Honda and they are not covering fix, which is not good. They know their paint is not holding up properly. I manage a body shop, I know this is a problem.

- Eric F., Haymarket, VA, US

problem #3

May 012014

Odyssey EX-L 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint bubbling and peeling off paint bubbling and peeling off

Paint on hood started peeling off. Paint on roof just behind windshield is blistering and close to starting to peel. Paint is very dull even though I wax the car. My neighbor has the same van but 2 years older in light metallic blue which has very shiny paint. It's almost as if Honda forgot to apply a clear coat to our van.

Brought van into my dealership this week as I was told by service manager that his district manager would be in so we could let him look at it to see what they could do for us. Got a call back today from my service adviser telling me that the cost of repainting the roof and hood would cost $1,300 and Honda would pay for $400 of it. He said the waiting list is long over 2 months and once the car goes in expect a 2 week turn time!! Two week rental car aprox $630.

I was shocked and in disbelief as I thought they would do the right thing and fix the problem with their shoddy paint job. Searching the internet I see a lot of other Odyssey owners with this same problem. I bought this van under the impression that Honda was the best when it came to mini vans. We plan to buy a new van in the near future but after today Honda and their inaction to our problem have swayed me from ever owning a Honda again. Shame on you Honda!!!

- highflyer, Miami, FL, US

problem #2

May 092014

Odyssey EX-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Noticed a swath of peeled (and still peeling) paint on the roof, perpendicular to the windshield, in the center, almost directly above the rear view mirror. Currently measures approx. 7" long. At the narrowest points, it is approx. 1.5" wide and at the widest points, approx. 2.5" wide. Paint is FULLY removed all the way to the underlying metal roof and there is evidence of more paint "lifting" where it will inevitably continue to peel off completely.. No dent is present and we were confident we hadn't run into anything (such as a low parking garage because we would have KNOWN that.) With no underlying damage, the removed paint was inexplicable!! Decided to do an online search to see if we could find where others have experienced this and sure enough, we found it with other Honda owners. Also, we recently passed another white Honda Odyssey driving in our city and the paint peeled from its roof was SIGNIFICANT----spreading all the way across the top of the roofline above the windshield in huge, wide sections. Our dealership has told us no recalls have been issued for this problem (which is accurate) but we are finding where this problem widely exists and don't understand HOW Honda can ignore it. Honda owners shouldn't be financially responsible for the re-painting of their cars due to an obvious poor original paint job. This is our first Honda to own and we have never before experienced such a problem with other cars/trucks/vans we've owned.

- cahaba, Birmingham, AL, US

problem #1

Oct 252013

Odyssey EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

The paint started coming off the van about two or three weeks after we purchased it. It first started on the hood and then the roof so we called the sale rep and he said to take pictures and forward them to him and he would try to help us with the cost because we had just purchased it. Mr Gary said to go ahead and have it painted and the Honda Dealership would pay $500.00 toward the paint job.

We were just notified by Bobby, who said he was the owner of the dealership, they were not going to pay for anything of it. Mr. Gary said, he talked with Bobby and he approved for us to go ahead so we did and now they don't want to help with the paint job. Since we purchased our van I have seen so many with the same paint problem as my van. This is why I will never buy another Honda because once you drive it off the lot the Honda Dealers don't give a S--T about you. Honda needs to make the dealership stand behind what they sell. Please let me know who I need to contact about this problem.

- Julia H., Thomasville, GA, US

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