2008 Honda Civic from North America - Comments

The car is only 2 months old and has the Ivory fabric car seat material. The fabric has an outline in a dark color on the seat, lower back area, and left and right side of seat. Auto detailers can't get the dark color out by using their stronger products. Has anyone else had this problem with this light colored fabric? I think it is a warranty defect in the fabric.

I have taken it back to the Honda Dealer and have spoken to their Sales & Service Managers. They say it must be a dye from my dress clothes, but nothing comes out on the white cloths when they try to clean it. I have never sat on the seats with wet clothes; the color from my clothes doesn't come off on my office chair seat fabric or livingroom sofa at home. They said I should wear light colored clothing when I sit on the seats. I told them it shouldn't make any difference what I wear when I get into my car. A car seat fabric should be able to withstand dress clothing when a person is sitting on it. I told them it is ridiculous that I have to now worry about whom rides in my car for fear the color on their clothing might come off onto the fabric. Thoughts or suggestions anyone?

I haven't even taken my car in for its first 3 month checkup. I've been going round and round with Honda over this. I noticed Honda no longer offers the Ivory colored cloth seats in their 2009 model. I would never buy this color again. How can this be solved?

The ride is fine. It's fairly economical on gas. The stereo is fine.

There are a few things you can do. I had the same problem with the charcoal colored fabric in my Nissan Sentra. When I applied stain removers, the spotting was only worse so I do not recommend doing that. If your Civic does not have side-impact airbags, you can put a seat cover on the front seats that matches the interior of the vehicle. If it does have the side airbags do not do this as it could affect this safety feature in the event of a side-impact crash. Also, you could put a matching seat cover over the backseat of the car. One other option would be to read the owner's manual and see what the manufacturer recommends as far as cleaning the fabric is concerned. I understand your concern that the material is so easy to stain that you always worry what will stain it. Good luck in solving the problem.

Seat fabric color should be the worst problem you will have with this car... You will be happy 15 years from now when in retrospect, it was the only problem you've had :)