Honda CRV Air Conditioner problems

[Jeff]

I have an '02 CRV and last year the a/c quit around 75,000 miles. It was so late in the year I decided to wait until Spring to have it looked at. My local dealership said it "locked up" and the whole unit would have to be replaced. When I told him that many CRV owners were posting online similar issues, he said he did not believe it was a common problem. I'm looking at a $2100 repair bill. I contacted American Honda and they took a claim report. I'm supposed to hear back from someone is 2-3 business days. If Honda doesn't help, there's no way I'm paying $2100. I'll bring it to another shop and pay less, and next time I buy a car I'll make sure it's not a Honda.

[Sandy]

Try contacting the lemon lawyer www.lemonauto.com/;e,pm;aw_florida.htm
I had to replace my Compressor and the entire unit several times. I think these parts are made in China.

Don wrote:

I bought two 2004 CRV's new in 7/2004. Just this month both air conditioner compressors on both vehicles disintegrated. The job cost $3000 per vehicle. I was lucky and bought the extended waranties on both vehicles at time of purchase. The dealer has been great but they would not admit to me that this has been a widespread problem. Honda should be investigated in my opinion. As a sidenote both vehicles had less than 50,000 miles. If Honda does not address the issue I would consider buying my next car from a different company.

[Sandy]

I did some research on Sanden compressors and found that they were made in China. I replaced mine five times and finally wrote the www.lemonauto.com lawyer on the web. There are too many other people with the same issues on other websites reporting the same problem. Honda will not resolve this issue.

[Sandy]

I replaced my A/C from Honda and also from a full service mechanic. I am still having problems and the compressor keeps breaking down. I replaced it 5 times. I finally wrote WWW.LemonAutp.com . I need other people to put a complaint. The research I have found out that the part is being built in China for real cheap and we are paying big bucks for a part that is not meeting specs. I have decided that if it breaks again and I expect it will I will be replacing it with a part from Sanden in the US. I contacted Sanden to get that model number. If I have a problem after this I don't know what I will do. But I read the websites and alot of people are having the same problem. Even if you go to a non-Honda dealership expect to have problems. Please write the lawyer more facts that they know can start a lawsuit.

Jeff wrote:

I have an '02 CRV and last year the a/c quit around 75,000 miles. It was so late in the year I decided to wait until Spring to have it looked at. My local dealership said it "locked up" and the whole unit would have to be replaced. When I told him that many CRV owners were posting online similar issues, he said he did not believe it was a common problem. I'm looking at a $2100 repair bill. I contacted American Honda and they took a claim report. I'm supposed to hear back from someone is 2-3 business days. If Honda doesn't help, there's no way I'm paying $2100. I'll bring it to another shop and pay less, and next time I buy a car I'll make sure it's not a Honda.

[Lahna Young]

Joe,
Same problem, though I am getting the runaraound from American Honda and from Curry Honda here in Atlanta. How and who did you talk to? Where did you take it, etc. The car has been in the shop going on 3 weeks now and they still want me to pay a lot. My car has 62,000 on it.
Lahna

Joe wrote:

The a/c in my 2003 CRV started failing. I could hear a grinding noise, and it stopped cooling. I took it to a Goodyear dealer who said it would be about $3500 to fix. After I picked myself up off the floor, I searched the web and found this website with posts from people with the same problem who had gotten Honda to pay to fix it.
Bottom Line: I took my CRV to the dealer with a copy of some of the posts. Honda paid for the whole thing! The service from the dealer was great, and the best part was that Honda fessed up to the problem.
I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found out about other people with the same problem. Thank you for your posts and this website.

[Mel Mel]

tom george wrote:

sARAH,
My '99 CRV is doing the same (knocking at idle but not otherwise). What did you find the problem to be? Thanks.
tom george

Mine is a automatic 98. I just started knocking mostly at idle and slowly goes away thefirst 3 gears. I am leaking coolant fluid. I was told It may just be the clutch. It does it whe I turn o the a/c and then the recycle air button, and at idle. It almst feels like my car wants to stall or the transmission is slipping. Tha is the best way to describe it. Any ideas as to what it could be?

[Jeff]

My A/C went last Summer and I finally brought it in this month to find out it would cost $2100. Though Honda wouldn't pay the whole bill, they were willing to pay half. My expense is $950. While I don't think I should have to pay anything for a unit that breaks at 75K, I do think Honda did the right thing by helping out.

[Honda CR-V AC Compressor]

Jeff wrote:

My A/C went last Summer and I finally brought it in this month to find out it would cost $2100. Though Honda wouldn't pay the whole bill, they were willing to pay half. My expense is $950. While I don't think I should have to pay anything for a unit that breaks at 75K, I do think Honda did the right thing by helping out.

I have a brand new AC Compressor and clutch set still in the box fits 2002-2006 Honda CR-V's. My car was trashed in a accident. If anyone is interested contact me at [e-mail] it's just setting around collecting dust. I'm willing to sell at a fair price.

[serge]

I have 2002 crv 45k miles . My ac stops giving cool air . So took it the Honda dealer who diagnosed ac compressor failure that contaminates the ac system and quoted me $ 3705 to repair . Such a low mileage of 45k ac failure ! What a shame ! Calling Honda America .

[Ken]

Interesting reading all the postings regarding the CRV AC compressor. Took my 2002 (82k miles) to dealership today for the second time in 9 months complaining about the AC not blowing cold air. Last July they filled the system with refrigerant. This has since leaked out. Now I need a new compressor. Total cost $1,350. Also asked about the Check Engine light being on...needs O2 sensor ($445) and a catalytic converter ($1,797).
Honda should indeed own up to the design flaw. If this is what you get for "Honda Quality", I should have bought a Chevy.

[Honda owner]

The air conditioner in my 2004 CRV, with less than 49,000 miles, stop cooling and began making a noise. I took it the the dealer,an hour later I was told the air conditioner had to be replaced at a cost of $3800 but the dealership would contact Honda for maybe some assistance in the cost. When I called later to find out when my car would be ready, the service rep didn't think they had heard from Honda. I said I had found out on the internet many others had had the same problem (this web site)and I hoped Honda would help a great deal or they and others would hear from me. I was put on hold, when the service rep came back on the line I was told my car would be ready by 5:00 and there would be no cost to me for the repair.

[Sheila-Houston]

I have a 2003 CR-V with 67,000 miles on it. Apparently my compressor "exploded" (dealership term) and threw metal throughout the entire system and also destroyed my radiator. Honda Car of Katy have been great and contacted Honda and they are footing the bill. Making sure that this repair job has a good warranty on it!

[Geraldine-Florid a]

I have a 2004 Honda CRV with 57,000 miles on it. The A/C started rattling and as I accelerated the noise became intense. Then the A/C quit blowing cold air. I took it to Coggin Honda yesterday afternoon and they told me that my compressor locked up and threw debris all over the sytem. I now need to replace compressor, evaporator, etc. and it would cost me $3,000. Tried to call American Honda today and they gave me a case number and told me that someone will get back with me in 2 days.

[rewerb]

i just spent $1100 for new compressor and system rebuild after piece blew out of the side of compressor. have had 4 honda`s and they are going downhill fast. looking at toyotas.

[Penny]

I was office manager for 10 yrs at a radiator garage, mostly AC in summer. I have never, ever heard or seen anyone needing an entire AC system replaced for a compressor failure. There may have been particles in the lines that may have needed to be flushed out and yes if it exploded pieces under the hood, could have damages some other engine parts. But, the condenser is in front of the radiator, so the radiator would have been hit, not the condenser. The evaporator is inside the dash, there is no way it could have been hit. Maybe you misunderstood the service tech or they are pulling your leg. An entire system would run you upwards of $3-4000 to replace all items that you have listed....sorry.

Andrew wrote:

2003 CRV - growling noise minutes before compressor died at 100 Degrees in Vegas heat. Car lost power. Dealership and outside shops want about $2400.00 because compressor imploded and damaged A/C dryer, condenser, all lines and evaporator. Now need whole new A/C system. Honda really dropped the ball on design, if they won't own up, it's Toyota time. Too bad, love the car.

[DEBORAH VASSALLO]

Pat wrote:

My 2003 CRV, with 83,000 miles, air conditioning has stopped blowing cold air. I'm in the middle of a family emer. and had to take it to my local mech.(This was Monday), he called Tues with the cost,$1650. Now I see that this is an on going problem with the CRV. I have contacted the AHM to see if I can receive any type of refund. I have a case# and it will be a couple of days before a case mgr calls me back. I hope to hear some good news then.

I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME AND THAN THE BATTERY WENT DIED AND NOW I CAN PLAY THE RADIO BECAUSE I DONT HAVE THE CODE

[Mike in Midlothian Va]

I am singing the same song as everyone else here. At about 32K miles the air conditioning compressor on our 2003 CRV quite...replaced under warranty...this past Monday, same thing...fortunately we were only about 15 miles from home...$1400 later, we have a new compressor...mechanic said it looked like a grenade went off inside of it...we have contacted the dealer that did the replacement and will be contacting Honda as well

[Bruce]

I have a 02 crv with 75K miles. Feels like I'm driving a ticking bomb. I'm going to the dealer in Hilo HI to feel them out. Thinking of buying a compressor kit on Ebay. Also I've heard of converting to another make compressor. Has anyone else heard of this?

[Ashok-Morgantown -WV]

I have a 2003 CRV-LX. Last week loud grinding noise upon startup, and then the AC starts blowing hot air. Honda dealer says compressor is blown and quotes a repair bill for $1,400. Decided to wait until I checked. So went to Google and found all of your posts--immensely helpful. Called Honda's 800#, and was told that my 1) driving style could have caused this, or 2) rocks blowing up under car, or 3) must have driven over something big to damage AC. When I complained that this is utter 'nonsense' I was then able to log in a case. Waiting to talk to Honda.
Keep updating this site--it is important because Honda is trying to weasel their way out of this predicament. Is there a way that one can write and complain to the FEDS--a recall seems appropriate.
Thanks-all.

[Bruce]

Yes, a recall is way overdue!