new honda car paint problem

phareous · 08-10-03, 12:39

I just got a Honda Accord 2003. I wanted a V6 with Nav which are in high demand so I had to order it. I was told the manufacturer date and that it would take 2 weeks after that to get it. So two weeks exactly it came in and I went and picked it up. It had 2 miles on it and straight off the truck. The detailing was pretty bad but that was easy for me to fix. (bits of plastic sheeting and glue left around and smudges on the headliner).

So anyway I get it home and in the garage under the lights and I see a spot on the rear of the trunk where the clearcoat has bubled up...its hard to tell (even under a magnifying glass) but it appears there was a speck of dust on the metal and they painted right over it. I found another spot right in front of the left headlight which consists of about 4 or 5 of these little spots.

So I went to the honda dealer...they did not want to repaint it but told me if I wanted them to they would. They said it would not be original paint anymore. Basically I know what I got...and if I get it repainted then who knows how long it will last or if it is done right...I would have to do that dreaded "find a good body shop" which is a very big undertaking.

I could live with the front spots...the rear one annoys me since at certain lighting it is very obvious...but I suppose I could live with it. My biggest gripe is I don't think Honda (manufacturer not dealer) should get away with this. Not more than 3 weeks ago they painted this so they are probably screwing up other's cars today. I tried calling their customer service line but was met with a clueless individual who told me to talk to the dealer as they might have done it (yeah right...unless they sprayed some clearcoat on it within the few hours it came off the truck and I got it...)

Apparently all the parts come unpainted so I can't even exchange the trunk lid and bumper for factory original paint....

At the very least I am going to get my dealer to notify honda that their painters are a bunch of screwups but it would be nice if they compensated me somehow...but I doubt that is going to happen

Any ideas on what I should do?

Jimmy Buffit · 08-10-03, 12:52

The singular most important thing to the Dealer is the CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index). The Dealerhip lives or dies based on those numbers!

Be certain that the one that you submit is negative. If you have already answered a "simple survey", ask for another.

I would return the car. Forget about the Dealer, speak only with a Honda USA Rep, ...and use every search engine to get your info...

Really, just leave the car in front of the Dealer ... Keep the Keys. Check your machine.

BTW, I have two Hondas, and we love 'em

Jim

coolie1 · 08-10-03, 06:25

what u have is trash in the paint. u can have it repainted but u will still get trash best thing to do is just leave it alone or if u know someone that can wetsand it out my mustang gt had about 10 spots i had 2 sand

DaGonz · 08-10-03, 06:30

Phareous...

Your car was probably damaged in transit. Chains from the car carrier get dropped, cars get dinged by rocks thrown up from the road, bird bombs, hail damge, etc etc.etc. It appears that the dealer did a "quickie fix", thinking that the "new car look and smell" would overpower your senses and keep you distracted from the repair.

I used to do some part time detailing work at a very high end (Rolls/Bentley/MB/BMW/Land Rover) dealership's auto body facility. Every once in a while a brand new vehicle, just off the car carrier would arrive to have the damages repaired.

Deanski · 08-10-03, 06:42

If it was me, I'd contact Honda Customer Service and explain the problem. Once they are notified of the problem and your dissatisfaction in which the dealer is offering, I would request that they locate another one and have it shipped to the dealer.

There is nothing wrong in requesting a new replacement for what may be poor paint. They should send a regional rep to view the paint defect. If it is a true factory defect, they should not hesitate in obtaining a new one again.

Customer service is paramount to both a dealer and mfg.

It's your money, do not except it unless you are satisfiled.

Regards,
Deanski

phareous · 08-10-03, 09:46

Well the thing is I would rather keep the car...I've put in my own accessories for one thing.

I really don't think the dealer made these paint defects. Anything is possible but I mentioned their poor detailing job...well there was glue still on the trunk lid and you could see the line where the plastic was. So I don't think they repainted it at all.

And as I said the dealer told me they would repaint it if I wanted (they just didn't recommend it)...so I don't think its fair to give them a bad survey rating. I didn't even see the spots myself until I got home in different lighting.

So I am back to wondering how I should handle this. Doesn't repainting affect the value since its no longer original?

bet993 · 08-10-03, 11:28

IMHO the dealer is correct in not recommending a new paint job. If returning the vehicle is not an option you want to consider then another option would to be to have the notification of the defects listed on your service record. Then inquire about the possibility of clear coat and/or paint failure in the future and if such a failure happens whether they will then repaint the vehicle. Try to cover all the possiblities. Only you can determine whether the defect is something you can live with or not.

Infamous · 08-10-03, 01:43

I would just not worry about it. The cars I think are painted by machines and sometimes things cant be perfect. Its true its your money and all but remember your the one who wants the car. Im pretty sure I know what your talking about. It looks like extra paint the size of a grass seed and its darker on the paint correct? Sometimes you just have to live with these things.

SP 325i · 08-11-03, 10:01

You must complain !!!!! If needs be send letters to Honda Head office Japan. Is your model manufactured in the US or in Japan ? Quality is a big issue for Japanese manufacturers amke sure they know you are not happy. Also tell them how unhappy you are with the dealer (sending copies to the dealer),.
I used to work for a paint company supplying Honda, Nissan etc, we had to jump through hoops to make sure the quality was up to there standard. If it is dirt under the paint this is a quality problem at the painting stage. After ecoating the body should be inspected and if need be denibbed, the same should be done after the primer is appliedand again after the colour coat. A final inspection should then be done after the last coat is applied, any defects are then repaired.

hope this helps

Steve

phareous · 08-11-03, 10:33

It was made in Marysville OH...American made quality all the way!

zorba · 08-11-03, 11:02

Sorry to hear about your dilemma. Once a new car is sold and registered, it is a used car and it's unlikely the dealer will take it back and give you a new one very easily. They will most likely say that you should have checked the vehicle over before taking delivery. You can and should complain to Honda Customer Service but at the end of the day, the car is yours for better or worse. I have no love for car mfg. or dealers due to the way their charm seems to turn off immediately after they cash your check!

SP 325i · 08-12-03, 09:51

The Japs have transplant teams to ensure that quality in other countries is up to standard. Everything still needs approval in Japan. Complain it is the only thing that gets anything done.
Best of luck, the thing is most people never even notice these things.
A colleague of mine had a Ford Galaxy (a European 7 seater thing), he complained about the colour match between the fenders and bodywork. They had to redo it 3 times. He used to be a paint guy working on the UK Ford line as well.

Steve