Honda, Acura Class Action: Defective White Paint Alleged

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims that certain Honda and Acura models have defective white paint that is prone to peeling, delaminating, and flaking.

Consumers Affected: Individuals and entities in the United States who purchased or leased any of the affected Honda or Acura vehicle models.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

American Honda Motor Company, the maker of Honda and Acura vehicles, is facing a class action lawsuit alleging that certain models have defective white paint that is prone to peeling, delaminating, bubbling, and flaking.

Filed by Jim Clemens, Terri Hernandez, and Marie Toussaint in a California federal court, the suit claims that the defect affects various Honda and Acura models manufactured from 2013 to the present, including:

• Acura MDX in White Diamond Pearl paint (Paint Code NH-603P)
• Honda Odyssey in White Diamond Pearl paint or Taffeta White paint (Paint Code NH-578)
• Honda Pilot in Taffeta White paint
• Honda Fit in White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White paint (Paint Code NH-788P)
• Honda HR-V in White Orchid Pearl or Bellanova White paint

The plaintiffs allege that the paint defect stems from a combination of factors, including the use of a three-stage, or "tri-coat," white paint that is more susceptible to peeling and delamination. There may also be issues with the vehicles' e-coat, primer, and clear coat layers.

Honda Accused of Selling Vehicles with Defective White Paint

The suit claims that Honda was aware of the paint defect through internal testing, consumer complaints, and a similar class action lawsuit filed in Canada. Despite this knowledge, the plaintiffs allege that Honda continued to sell the affected vehicles without disclosing the defect to consumers, marketing them as "luxurious, stylish, high-quality, and high-value."

The plaintiffs argue that the paint defect diminishes the value of the affected vehicles and forces owners to either live with the unsightly peeling and flaking paint or pay for costly repairs. They also claim that even repainting the affected areas does not fully resolve the issue, as the remaining parts of the vehicle may still be susceptible to the paint defect.

Honda Faces Other Lawsuits Over Vehicle Defects

This is not the first time Honda has faced legal action over alleged vehicle defects. In recent months, the company has been involved in other lawsuits, including a class action lawsuit filed in September 2024 alleging that certain 2020-2022 Honda Pilot, Passport, and Odyssey models have defective infotainment systems that malfunction and create safety hazards. 

In July 2024, Honda was also hit with a class action alleging it sold vehicles with a defective 9-speed automatic transmission that causes shifting problems and sudden loss of power in various Honda models. 

In the Honda Acura paint defect class action lawsuit, the plaintiffs seek to represent all individuals and entities in the United States who purchased or leased any of the affected Honda or Acura vehicle models. They are seeking various forms of relief, including compensation for the diminished value of the vehicles, reimbursement for the cost of repairs or repainting, and an order requiring Honda to disclose the paint defect to consumers and to provide a permanent solution to the problem.

The plaintiffs also aim to hold Honda accountable for its alleged failure to disclose the paint defect and to provide redress to consumers who purchased or leased the affected vehicles.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Clemmens et. al v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-09728
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Daniel L. Keller (Keller, Fishback & Jackson LLP)
• Stephen J. Fearon, Jr. and Paul V. Sweeny (Squitieri & Fearon LLP)

Do you own a Honda or Acura with white paint? Share your experience with the paint quality in the comments below.