The Odyssey is actually built in Alabama and not Georgia.


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Maybe it will be better if built in Little Rock.

 

Lets say more like Japan!!

 

We noticed a definite build quality difference as well. The last couple of Hondas I bought were assembled either in Japan or in Ontario, Canada. Our Odyssey has the least consistent panel alignment and panel gaps of any Honda we've ever purchased. Having said that, interior quality was great and the drivetrain seems to be what we expected too.

 

Nope.. My Infiniti that was made in Japan, has had far more quality issues then my American made Acura and Honda's have... My Oddy Touring Elite has no issues at all. The only issue I have is that the Interior of the Touring Elite does not befit a vehicle with a price tag of $43k... It barely meets a $30k vehicle... Case in point, sit in an MDX, sit in a Touring Oddy, same price range.. MDX far nicer/better.

 

I'd hate to say it, but in vehicles I've owned I can totally tell if the vehicle was assembled in the US or someplace else like Japan. I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander which was one of the last years it was assembled in Japan. The newer ones are assembled in the US. You see way more recalls for the newer Highlander than the older ones.

I wonder what the issue is? Is it the fact that in the US the parts are sourced from more US companies that have inferior design than ones sourced overseas? Is it something with the workflow or hours people work? I would hate to think it was simply Americans being lazy..

 

I'd hate to say it, but in vehicles I've owned I can totally tell if the vehicle was assembled in the US or someplace else like Japan. I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander which was one of the last years it was assembled in Japan. The newer ones are assembled in the US. You see way more recalls for the newer Highlander than the older ones. ***snip***

These recalls (steering, power window switches, etc.) may be due to engineering changes rather than assembly problems. Toyota is trying to cut costs by simplifying parts design, and by standardizing parts over many car lines and many geographical markets.

 

Too much burgers @ lunch is making people sleepy. Guess what happens if your lunch is just a cup of ramen noodles...you won't get sleepy = more quality work. LoLz.

 

Haha, that actually makes sense. You should run for president under the platform that you will revitalize the US economy under the "Noodles for lunch" plan.

 

Take the time and write a complaint to the plant manager, and give them all the details of the van so they can actually track down the problem source.

 

Just make sure you put the right address, else it will not get far

Honda - Operations Facilities

These recalls (steering, power window switches, etc.) may be due to engineering changes rather than assembly problems. Toyota is trying to cut costs by simplifying parts design, and by standardizing parts over many car lines and many geographical markets.

Yeah, I also think the NHTSA is getting better at it, and there is more information around. My 1989 Ford Tempo had zero recalls :stupid: but my previous Mazda5 made in Hiroshima Japan had 2 major recalls (one took it out of service for 6 weeks while the part was shipped from Japan, a fire hazard), one defective battery (Panasonic, made in Japan) and a defective liftgate strut (made in Japan) that had me holding the liftgate while loading stuff. Fit and finish were a bit better than the Odyssey though

 

My bad. I stand corrected in the location of the plant. I am just very frustrated with the expence of the vehicle, exclusive to the trim level paint, and poor QA. After a search on the forum I am not alone in the paint issues. Either the vans have debris in the paint, crack/pealing, runs, or insufficient paint applied to cover the panel or bumper cover w/o the under panel showing through. Honda has called me and has offered honda accessories. Well, that would be great however I have already purchased almost all of the catalog of factory add-on's. I have also purchased my extended warranty, which I have noted that some people are offered. I do not want to sound like I dislike the van. Mine and my wife's experience so far is that we love the van, and could not have bought anything as well equiped or rides as nice for the price. I am just disappointed that in my exprerience with 5 GM cars, 2 GM trucks, and 1 chrysler product I have never seen a paint issue. I am pleased that I have not found any body panel gaps like some early 4th gen owners have had issue with.
Back to the Honda rep I am a little disappointed that he said he would contact me today after speaking with his (I think he said) District manager. I am going to ask him if I accept like the transmission cooler, roof rails, ect. and the paint peals am I responsible for the pealing paint?
Again, I am just concerned that the workers in Lincoln Alabama should take pride in the Honda's they build and not allow subpar workmanship leave. This reflects poorly on them and the rest of us here in the USA that are trying to improve our countries image.

 

Corrected the thread title to reflect AL.

Sorry for your woes OP. We have had paint quality issues with Hondas before in both the 2nd gen and the 3rd gen. Not sure why Honda keeps having issues with paint quality.

 

The paint on new Odyssey sucks. I picked up my RED exl today and noticed several places of paint chips.

 

I would think that the paint issue has nothing to do with regular workers, but with quality control people. Isn't painting automated and done by robot arms?

Demerits for the paint inspectors.


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My Touring model has a number of paint isssues as described above, one is a white spec on the hood. A big spot of dirt "bug" painted in on roof near "antenna" Mismatched color from panels to fascia's . Orange peel varies on all panels.Very thin paint/clearcoat on rear hatch jambs, no doubt rust is coming.And I have not checked every panel yet.Very sad that Honda let's this go on as the number of posts indicate. With all the high tech paint techniques you would think dirt would not be present.I think they just want to slam them out asap, worry about the customers after the fact, and probably are hedging their bets that the majority of the customers do not ever wash their van or see these defects.Bad HONDA.

 

A large portion of the Odyssey exterior is plastic and not metal. Notably the bumpers, but also the body panels where the side door slides are located, etc. The paint is different between the two. It was most noticable on the Touring with the White Diamond Pearl color from what we saw on the lot where the color difference really stood out. On our white tafetta EX-L it's more feel of the paint rather than color.

We did have some rail dust embedded in the paint. That's a function of Honda not covering the cars during transport.

 

Besides the paint issues, apparently they don't know how to install air-bags at that plant either.

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2013/163_news130122_honda_pilot_airbag_recall/index.html

 

^^ thread here:

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/54-2011-odyssey/157652-huge-recall-2011-odysseys.html

 

I have a metallic grey 2012 Odyssey Touring. I washed my vehicle the other day and now that its all shiny again, I noticed many tiny grey 'dots' all over. These are like dust specks embedded in the paint but look like actual paint blobs. Also the hood had paint chipping off in a few areas exposing the white under coating. After the sliding door alignment issue (which is not fixed to my satisfaction yet, check the other post under my user id) now this paint issue. I'm wondering if a particular batch has Quality issues or it's across the entire line. Will take the vehicle in to the dealer and see what they have to say. Wonder how many such dealer visits I will need to make in the future. I'll post a photo of the paint issue when I get a chance.

 

I have a feeling, from all the other treads, this has been a problem for many years/generations of Odyssey's. It doesn't seem to strike just light or dark colored vehicles, but I have noticed that other model honda's (crv forum doesn't seem to have the treads about poor paint as Odyclub does) do not seem to be as affected. Which again leads me to believe it is a AL assembly plant issue.
I was told by the Honda Rep Thursday he would call me Friday. Friday came and past, Monday was a holiday, and now Tuesday, and finally Wednesday and no contact from this guy. It would seem i will have to call him tomorrow. This is not encouraging. Again, if he offers me anything for my troubles I am curioius if that means if the paint peals off the door would it be my problem? Not sure that is alright with me. I feel being reimbursed for a substandard paint job and already being inconvienenced with one repair would be what I am being compensated for right now. Anyway, will keep you posted.

 

***snip*** Again, if he offers me anything for my troubles I am curioius if that means if the paint peals off the door would it be my problem?

Honda has to fix paint defects for the duration of the warranty on your van, even if it takes more than one trip to the body shop. Any compensation would only be to offset your inconvenience, not to buy out their obligation.

Too bad the Honda rep didn't contact you as promised. In any case, give him the benefit of the doubt for the moment.

 

I see your future mods include replacing your EX-L side mirrors with the Touring side mirrors with turn signals. Can that be done? I just bought a 2013 EX-L and wanted to do that but when I asked the Parts Dept guy at the dealership, he said that it couldn't be done because the turn signal wiring was not part of the EX-L. I was hoping it was all in a harness that I could just plug in the Touring Side mirror and everything would work...it would be great if he was wrong...thanks

 

The paint work on the bumper are not refine. Once you look under, you will see they didn't paint entire side of the bumper and leave some in plastic color (black) facing the ground. Also only wish with Touring/Elite, Honda will have the same fit quality as Acura...a great example is that coin holder on the left of the dash, it can't hold coins well. I guess Honda uses 2nd rated designers compare to Acura. You will think with this kind of production volume, Honda will put more attention to detail but actually cutting corners to make more $$$. One more example is driver side under dash is naked, you can see all kind of wires and steering mechanics...not like we go down to look all the time but that's how Honda cut corners.

 

Also only wish with Touring/Elite, Honda will have the same fit quality as Acura...a great example is that coin holder on the left of the dash, it can't hold coins well. I guess Honda uses 2nd rated designers compare to Acura.

The Touring Elite has more features, but is still a Honda, not sure why they would pay more attention to only one trim, not like you are going to get better service and coffee at the Honda Service shop either . There was a thread in the early days talking about an Acura ODX van or something, that would make more sense.

 

Well, the honda rep and I played phone tag yesterday. To the earlier post, I did have to take a breath and relax. I appreciate his time and trying to smooth over this issue. I called him today, and asked him if he had any good news for me? He said yes, and since I already have most of the accessories (the ones I wanted) on my van, they are very willing to have the transmission cooler installed for me at my dealership. I inquired about future paint problems (peeling or problems arise at that spot) and he said honda will continue to stand behind the paint, and no waiver for me to sign.
My Wife and Daughter love the van. She finds any excuse to get in it and go. I can find no other issues with the van and look forward to many years of service with it.

 

O.k. We have our Odyssey TE back from the Russell Honda and they did a great job installing the transmission cooler, even washed it up for me to pick up. It is a real nice design and even though not towing with it, I am glad to know that on our vacations out west (mountains, and deserts) the transmission will have extra cooling. My experience in this matter has been a positive one with my dealership and Honda America.