NHTSA Complaint #10268606 — 2003 HONDA CIVIC

MY BLUE 2003 HONDA CIVIC LX'S CLEAR COAT IS FADING. THERE IS WHITE BLOTCHES ON 50 PERCENT OF MY ROOF, 20 PERCENT OF MY TRUNK AND IS SPREADING TO MY HOOD. AN INDEPENDENT PAINT SHOP SAID TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A FACTORY PAINT JOB IT WOULD COST AROUND $3,000. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SET UP A MEETING WITH A "REPRESENTATIVE" FOR ME. THE REP LOOKED AT MY CAR AND TOLD ME THAT HER "RULE IS TO LOOK FOR FACTORY DEFECTS ONLY." SHE SAID THAT THE COAT IS FADING BECAUSE OF WEATHER AND HAS FADED FASTER BECAUSE THE DARK BLUE ABSORBS HEAT. I INFORMED HER THAT I HAVE SEEN ATLEAST FIVE OTHER BLUE CIVICS OF THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT. THIS MAKES ME THINK THAT THERE IS A DEFECT EITHER WITH THE CLEAR COAT OR THE APPLICATION. IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT A 5 OR 6 YEAR OLD CAR'S PAINT SHOULD BE FADING EVEN AFTER REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND CARE TO THE EXTERIOR. *TR