7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,820
Average Mileage:
91,250 miles
Total Complaints:
55 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. bad primer from honda. must repaint all over (20 reports)
  2. not sure (17 reports)
  3. repaint (8 reports)
  4. will have to repaint affected areas (8 reports)
  5. factory "extended warranty" (2 reports)
2003 Honda Odyssey body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Honda Odyssey Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #55

Jun 012004

Odyssey EX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

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

Bought the Odyssey new. I showed the rust coming through the paint to Miller Honda Winchester when it was having another problem fixed when relatively new (18 months old) the maintenance manager tried to blow me off saying it was due to stone chips. I used to work in a body shop, the area was far too focal with no evidence of paint chips. Paint has peeled 3" off the tops of the doors all the way down to metal and from the roof line to the top of the rear door seal.

It is too bad to consider selling, its done about 118K miles we recently paid $853 for a genuine Honda timing belt/water pump so we will run it until it quits. We bought a second Odyssey in 2006 what a mistake it shares some of the same problems such as a leaking roof, juddering engine poor fit/finish.

- Richard K., Edinburg, US

problem #54

Jan 312011

Odyssey LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

I thought buying Honda was a safe bet. This was my 4th Honda and I never had this issue with any of the others .Have been trying to get a service department to address this for years (since the car had 73000 miles on it). Just got off the phone with American Honda (1/8/18) which has informed me that I'm out of luck! The car now has 133,140 miles on it and it looks awful! I am embarrassed to drive it. Can't imagine getting any money out of it, even though the engine is good and it will probably drive another 50 thousand miles. I figure it is the best advertisement for not buying Honda. Every other older Odyssey I see on the road has the same paint chipping and peeling problem. It is not like this is the only van with the issue. Come on Honda, address the issue of a horrible paint job on all your 2003ish Odysseys. They stated that a notice went out, yet I never received anything about the paint! Here I am at the beginning of 2018 and no resolution! I believe having a sign on the car stating "This car represents the poor Honda factory paint and their refusal to resolve the issue"

Am very frustrated and will NEVER buy Honda again.

- Patricia C., Gardena, US

problem #53

Jan 012010

Odyssey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

The issue is the same as others have complained. White paint has peeled from hood to roof of van. Feel Honda should issue paint vouchers for those effected by this problem. It's terrible advertisement for them. A paint job would be the right thing to do!

- Jean D., Louisville, US

problem #52

Jul 152012

Odyssey EXL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

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

Very annoying to have paint flaking off on top of sliding doors, roof and inside top of hatch!

- Rich D., Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #51

Nov 152011

Odyssey EX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,800 miles

I didn't notice the paint peeling until just after the extended warranty. It started on the roof so I wasn't aware of it until the roof was in pretty bad shape. Honda knew that there was a problem with the midnight blue pearl paint especially on the 2003 Odyssey. I decided to not have it painted at my expense because I had read so much about how the transmissions were defective in this model. I knew that this van was just money pit. I also wanted to let it show what a low quality product that Honda is producing these days. The paint on my roof is completely gone and is covered with rust. The paint on the rest of the car is peeling everywhere especially on the hood. The other day, I drove past another midnight blue Honda that was missing a great deal of its paint. We both just laughed. It's says a great deal about a product when it becomes a joke. Maybe one day Honda will be synonymous with the Edsel, Corvair, and the Vega.

- Betty G., Springfield, VA, US

problem #50

Mar 012016

Odyssey EX 3.5L V6 Sohc 24v

  • Automatic transmission
  • 182,356 miles

click to see larger images

paint is peeling/chipping all over the body paint is peeling/chipping all over the body paint is peeling/chipping all over the body

I thought buying Honda was a safe bet. Got this at 50K. Now I look at this van which has 190K on it and am embarrassed to drive it. Can't imagine getting any money out of it, even though the engine is good and it will probably drive another thousand miles. I figure it is the best advertisement for not buying Honda. Every other older Odyssey I see on the road has the same paint chipping and peeling problem. It is not like this is the only van with the issue. Come on Honda, Man up and issue a paint recall on all your 2003ish Odysseys. Clean up the environment and become a name people can trust again.

- Philip F., Columbus, OH, US

problem #49

Oct 042010

Odyssey EX 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

Tried to get Honda to fix problem, but would not do so. Had some areas painted myself. The vehicle's paint is now peeling all over and looks really bad. Embarrassed to drive car due to the looks. Tried to get Honda to do something again and they now say car has too many miles. They say it's due to wear and tear. Not true. Car does have 180000 miles but is in good shape other than the paint problem.

Someone told me they knew of several Honda Odysseys & Honda Accords that have had to be repainted due to bad paint jobs from the manufacturer. They said the cars were not properly primed and paint is not adhering. Most of the ones that came from Alabama manufacturer. Honda doesn't even want to do anything to help get paint job done right.

I was willing to help with paint cost if necessary even though I felt that Honda should make it right because had tried years ago to get it done, but they refused then. Honda does not have a very good customer satisfaction rate as far as I am concerned. Will not purchase another Honda vehicle.

- bryantsc, Anderson, SC, US

problem #48

Jan 012013

Odyssey LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 191,000 miles

Very disappointed that a paint would peel in sheets.

- Gene C., Sammamish, WA, US

problem #47

Aug 122015

Odyssey LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,150 miles

Honda representative not at all helpful, the "extended warranty" for the paint job expired back in 2008 when my paint looked fine back then. I asked why I didn't receive the paperwork about this she couldn't give me any answer at all and I asked about the resale value of my car going down because of the paint problem she retorted back to me "well at least you have a car that still runs". I told her that wasn't the point.

I had an 1986 Accord that never peeled as bad as this car is and my Odyssey is rusting on the parts where the paint has peeled away and that this is unacceptable for the amount of money that I paid for this vehicle. Told me that this was my problem and not Honda's. I told her that I may not buy a Honda next time because of this unacceptable paint job and she said that I would actually not re purchase a car because of that and I said yes, why should I spend my money with a company who can't paint a car correctly.

My paint has peeled away near the hood of the car on the driver's side, on the back left side of the window near the trunk, on parts of the roof, on the trunk, and on the sliding doors in tiny parts. I'd have to spend big money to have to repaint my entire car since it is peeling all over the place. I've spent money on repairing my car for mechanical parts side as the sliding door not closing right or the locks not working right so I don't feel like I should have to pay for an entire paint job. Honda should step up and repaint my vehicle since they knew it was messed up and I see so many other vehicles with the same issue as mine.

- losira13dw, Chesapeake, VA, US

problem #46

Jan 012009

Odyssey

  • 85,000 miles

Honda probably knew about this problem but didn't want to address it. There are so many cars on the road that we see with the same problem. If Honda did put out a recall we were never notified. The car looks terrible and it was not from lack of care on our part. We take care of our cars.

- Gerald W., Rosemead, CA, US

problem #45

Jan 152010

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

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

The paint on my 2003 Taffeta White Honda Odyssey has been peeling, cracking, chipping, etc. for at least 5 years. I am very unhappy with this and Honda refuses to fix the white paint, as it is only considering the blue Honda Odyssey with the real problem. So frustrating. I love my Honda, but for what we paid (bought new), I am very disgusted with this and am considering getting something else because the problem has gotten so bad. Boo on Honda for not honoring their workmanship!!!!

- Sarah S., Weaverville, NC, US

problem #44

Oct 012012

Odyssey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

We have bought several Hondas - and have never had any trouble!

In 2003, we bought a brand new loaded Odyssey (Navy). Loved it and still do! The Odyssey has been hand-washed at least twice a month. It was always kept in our one-car garage until May 2012, when I bought a 2012 Accord and now that car is in the garage. Anyway .... There is no reason that the paint should be flaking off like nail polish on the roof, above and below the windows, on the top rack and on the trunk.

When we first noticed the peeling, we thought we bought a "lemon." Not until recently have we noticed other Navy Odysseys on the road and they are chipping too! We brought it back to the dealership and asked for advice. They suggested that we call Mid America Honda. They said that we were notified via mail that our warranty had been extended. We had actually already bought an extended warranty! And they said they hadn't realized that we had moved and that wasn't their responsibility to find us. They found us when they needed monthly payments! I find this inexcusable and they should be embarrassed that they won't fix their problem!

I work in a TV newsroom and I'm working on getting this problem broadcast on-air! People need to know that Honda will cheat you!

- Mary T D., St. Louis, MO, US

problem #43

Jan 012015

Odyssey LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint is peeling/chipping all over the body paint is peeling/chipping all over the body

I had the paint warranty addressed about 5 or 6 years ago, but now the paint is coming off on the back rear door! What are you guys doing about this??! Is there any plan action as a group? Should I call Honda customer relations or is it just a waste of time. This is a 2003 and I'm seeing the problem happen within last few months in this one particular section. If Honda won't fix, is there some other quick solution?!?

- Larry G., Franklin Square, NY, US

problem #42

Jan 012013

Odyssey EX-L 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

My blue Odyssey is becoming more and more white/cream colored by the day. No help from Honda even though they know of the problem. Mine started to chip right after the extension passed.

- Robert C., Carol Stream, IL, US

problem #41

May 052012

Odyssey LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

We have had an issue with the paint for about 2 years. Being that it is a 2003, it is ugly, but figured it was too late. We started noticing every dark blue Honda Odyssey van also had chipped paint. At the store the other day, a lady waited for me to come out so she could give me her info because she was driving a 2004 Honda Odyssey with chipped paint! I contacted Honda and they said the warranty ran out in 2008. I said guess what? I will yell from the roof tops because you all knew there was a problem and didn't fix it. I will continue to rant until I get a satisfactory answer - for Honda to paint my van. And now it's worse - the roof, hood, doors and around the windows are all chipped and some areas are rusting! NOT a happy person at all.

- alglass413, Annapolis, MD, US

problem #40

May 122011

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

The paint is chipping off everywhere! First it was just around the window jambs, but I didn't mind that since it was inconspicuous. Now a fair portion of the hood is chipping along with both rear doors. Body shops have told me that they've seen it plenty on Civics and Accords but not so much on the Odysseys. BULL! I've seen at least three other Odysseys in the area we live that have the same problem, plus I there was one parked right next to me when I left work yesterday.

I've been putting this off but since I've gotten quotes ranging from $930 to $3,000 to repaint, I have decided that it's time to hold Honda accountable. My reasonably nice, reasonably expensive van is now starting to look like a hoopty.

I've read that Honda gave an extended warranty to the owners of vans with certain years and colors but not for my year or color. That doesn't seem right.

Has anyone else with this problem gotten satisfaction?

- Christian S., Mount Wolf, PA, US

problem #39

May 012012

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Just as the others experienced... HUGE areas of paint all over the van peeling off. These areas had never been scratched or even touched-- just spontaneously peeling in large chunks! The Honda service lady initially was sympathetic to my situation and agreed that this would be indeed concerning. Then, after returning to the line a couple minutes later, coldly said that the warranty had expired (only 7 years paint coverage, as if this was a "gift" from Honda... in my mind, the car is still fairly new to those of us who don't lease every two years!) & there was nothing she could do but note my complaint. Honda does KNOW this is a fault of theirs, and isn't standing behind their FORMER reputation of selling cars that LAST. NO CAR should have its paint spontaneously FALL OFF unless the company who sold it is a LEMON.

- digusted, Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #38

Jun 202012

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Every dark blue Honda Odyssey I see on the road has this paint peeling problem. It is ridiculous. The metal body under some of the peeling areas is now beginning to rust and I know that is BAD. It is obvious to me that it is a flaw, not something I did to cause this problem. Honda should fix it.

- Leanne P., University Park, MD, US

problem #37

Mar 112006

Odyssey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Called customer service of Honda and they said my paint warranty extension expired. Told them I never received notification about it, but they said it was mailed to me in 2008. I did not get it and found out on a recent web sight. Honda said it is too late.

- tomford01, Huntingtown, MD, US

problem #36

May 012011

Odyssey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

When we bought this van new we also bought a Bra from honda to protect the paint, it was installed by the dealer. a few months later we checked under the bra and found that the paint was bubbling . the dealer suggested that the bra was the problem and removed it documenting the problem. after a few days the bubbles went down and the paint looked fine...... everything was fine until we noticed the paint chipping and bubbling again in may of 2011, we took it to the dealer and they said there was nothing they could unless we wanted to pay for paint..... we let the Grandkids "hand" paint the vehicle.

- edsjeeps, Charlottesville, VA, US

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