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Wnen ANY A/C compressor fails internally, metal fragments can go through thje system. I don't think the entire system would need to be replaced but as a precaution they probably don't want to take the chance.
I remember back when I ran a large shop, it seemed that every time I tried to save a customer money it would backfire and I would end up eating a job.
shops get hardened in that manner. People don'[t remember that the shop tried to save them money. Thye just know the job went bad.
I don't know...I don't know that I would call an A/C compressor that lasted 68,000 miles as being "defective".
Thanks WZLY99 for posting Service Bulletin Link !
If it just loses a bearing or quits pumping this probably won't happen.
I just don't believe the enrire system would need to be replaced.
Let's suppose the AVERAGE A/c compressor is good for 140,000 miles.
Some will fail at 250,000 miles and on the other end, a few may fail at 65,000 miles.
It's just life, luck and the hand we are dealt.
If a person drives 300,000 miles and never replaces a compressor, they don't come here and express their happiness but when it fails before they think it should then it becomes a real problem and a "defective" part.
Hondas aren't unique to this problem. this can happen to any car that has air conditioning.
And, you're right. In the 60's most cars were shot around 80,000 miles but people expected them to be. Now, we expect our cars to last forever!
Don't say that - I just rolled over 141k on my van and the hot weather really isn't here yet.
Some will fail at 250,000 miles and on the other end, a few may fail at 65,000 miles.
It's just life, luck and the hand we are dealt."
In today's ISO world of quality control, that by definition would be a bad design. It is not the 60's and quality should be much more consistent than that. In fact +/- 10% is generally no longer considered anywhere near "acceptable quality" in today's manufacturing world.
The problem is that the amount of use, abuse and driver habits impose +/- 50% or more on wear and tear characteristics. Theoretically, I suppose you could get to +/- 10% in the real world but I don't think most would be willing to pay the price.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
There's absolutely no way owners should accept that the AC compressor designed, built, and installed by Honda is anything less.
That Honda has had a failure rate on these and didn't change the design or engineering, is bad. Charging customers an outrageous cost for parts is also bad, even out of warranty. Honda should be replacing these at a nominal cost to the end customer.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
CR-V compressor failures are not happening at any sort of "normal" rate.. My CR-V gave me 6.5 years and 106K miles of exceptional service.. but, I thought it was time to take my money off the table.. (great resale value was another bonus!).
If you read this forum, and you've already replaced your compressor once... then, I'm not sure why you are holding on to your vehicle... As the affected cars get older and older, Honda will be much less likely to assist in the repair costs, as you can see by reading back a few years (whether that seems fair or not).
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I contend that the failure rates aren't any higher than any other cars they were installed on. W don't hear complaints about Accords and Elements and they use the same compressors.
don't hear complaints about Accords and Elements and they use the same compressors.
These two consecutive statements seem contradictory to me... Or, at least, the second one doesn't support the first one... :confuse:
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From everything I hear, CRV's do not have a higher failure rate than any other Honda. They really don't fail very often.
I agree with you that driver traits and habits can impact the drive train, but A/C - all you do is turn it on or off, so how does driving habits affect this? If Isell is correct and other vehicles using the same unit aren't having problems, then it seems to me that two good engineering departments, Honda and Denso, ought to be able to isolate what differences or modifications are peculiar to the CRV, or its A/C installation and solve it. And I also agree with another post that Honda should lean on its dealers to stop the price gouging on this issue.
I just got back from having our 2003 CRV smog tested and now even I'm nervous about losing my A/C! Not really.
Yes, it passed! The guy who tested it said..." It's a Honda. They always pass!"
As far as costs, I agree. Shop labor rates start at over 100.00/hr. now and the parts are expensive. I was in so. Calif with a buddy last month. His Mercedes needed a headlight bulb replaced...309.00 at the dealer!
It took a Xexon bulb and the labor rate was 160.00/hr.!
I obviously don't have access to the numbers regarding what percentage of '02-'04 CR-Vs have this type of catastrophic A/C failure (I wish I did!!!), and I doubt Honda would be keen to release those data. But I find it difficult to imagine that owners of Accords, Elements and Civics would be any less prone to complaining/discussing $3000+ A/C system replacements online than CR-V owners. I would also venture to guess that there were more Civics and Accords sold during those years than CR-Vs. In a quick Google search for "A/C compressor problems" for any of those other models I don't see a single hit describing this type of failure, i.e., compressor seizes and sends debris throughout entire A/C system necessitating a complete system replacement. At the very least, there are not multiple threads on multiple different auto-related forums with several hundred (or more) posts over the last five years.
Perhaps, as I think others have hypothesized, it is not a design/manufacturing flaw in the compressor itself, but the way it is designed or installed within the CR-V specifically that makes it prone to failure. Whatever the cause is, I find it extremely hard to believe that "...CRV's DO NOT have a higher A/C compressor failure rate than other Hondas..." Or at least, if the overall failure rate is comparable to other Hondas, the type of failure (and associated expense!) for the CR-V appears to be a clear outlier.
If anyone (including Honda) can provide actual data that suggest otherwise, I'll happily eat my words. And perhaps not try to sell my '04 CR-V as soon as possible.
I was just out in the Emerald City and then Portland. Nice area although it gets rather cloudy and wet in winter. I expect you hit the defrost which turns on the A/C more than you realize.
In "problems" forums there is always a dogpile effect. If several people started complaining about compressor failures in Accords I think you would see a lot of "me too" postings.
So, out of fear, you sell your perfectly good CRV. Then what? What would you buy then and how would you not know that that car would show up in a "problems" forum as being besiged by some horrible malady?
Be very glad you bought a CRV. Few cars, if any, have the great resale value they have. Just think if you had bought a domestic or a Korean car instead that you felt compelled to sell out of fear?
I do wish you well...seriously.
Yes, all you do is turn it on or off. But, depending on where you are, you turn it on or off more or less frequently. And even in a given location, some people turn them on and off and on and off a lot more than other people. BTW, I didn't say "driving habits." I said "driver habits." They are not the same.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
There just seems to be a lot of evidence out there to suggest that this failure was not a rare occurrence. I'd love to be wrong here, because we would like to keep the CRV for another 60,000+ miles. If the odds are that this will happen again in that period, then that's information we need to make a rational decision about keeping or selling the car.
Based on what I know, I would say the odds are in your favor.
Taking "meticulous" care of your car is a good thing but in the case of an A/C compressor that wouldn't matter.
I'm afraid that luck does play a part in all of this.
Are you sure the part was not in stock at the dealer, but they could get it for you in a couple of days from the warehouse?
I have an 1983 Honda Magna, and 1988 Honda Prelude, I have never had a problem locating a part from Honda. Most dealers only stock commonly replaced parts, but Honda warehouses are usually within 1-2 days shipping range, and stock all the parts for pretty much all the years.
And, since Hondas are so modular, if a specific part in not available right away, a similar part from a different model, or even make (Acura) is a suitable replacement.
If it is indeed the same A/C system as installed in the Accord or a Civic, then it is under designed, since CR-V has greater volume of air to circulate than either of those sedans.
Read my post #1480 of 1525 Waiting for Honda to do the right thing by compressorx2 Jul 14, 2010 (8:07 pm)
Two compressors at 30,000 miles?
we've had filter changed and deoderant sprayed in but it retruns,
Has anyone had similar problems? Any solutions?
Thanks
Gen 1 CR-V's are not part of this "problem"
Those are very rugged engines that have the old dual overhead cams. If valve adjustments aren't done, they will sometimes burn a valve.
Otherwise, change your timing belt every 100K and keep your oil changed and drive it another 200K.
Put the a/c in fresh air mode 5 minutes before you arrive at your destination.
And make sure you turn the temperature gauge to middle (1/2 hot/cold)
This will dry up the moisture and won't be stinky next time.
Yes it will be less "cold" but this is the only way to "dry up" the inside.
Sometimes rodents will squeeze into the system and die.
It's a miserable job getting them out of there afterwards.
Probably not the case unless the odor is REAL bad!
The issue here seems to be that many people have autos with relatively low mileage have to replace multiple compressors within a short period of time and
Update: Found a LOT of complaints about compressors when googled.
Earlier I posted the link to the service bulletin (updated April 2010) about this problem--11 pages. It clearly says that there is a "defect." I took the bulletin with me to the dealership. After the prognosis, I requested, since there is a defect in the system, a "goodwill" warranty. I didn't request that the warranty cover the entire amount ($3.000). Everyone at the dealership was very nice to me. It cost me nothing to take my car in to determine the problem. I'm waiting to hear what the zone manager says about my goodwill "warranty" request.
My plan is to get the A/C fixed--somehow--and sell it.
No car is immume from an occasional problem and Hondas are far better than most cars.
I showed the diagnosis to another Honda "specialist" shop, they recommended to replace the condenser AND to flush out the ENTIRE a/c system. They also recommended me to bring my CR-V to another dealer's service manager to see what he can do for me.
My plan is the same as yours. Fix the a/c and sell it. Until American Honda owns up to putting defective parts in the a/c system of the CR-V's (I can't say about the other models), I will look elsewhere for a more "reliable" and "dependable" product. :sick:
p.s. I had to replace a bad compressor on my 2001 CR-V at 68K miles. Didn't knew it was a defective part then. Perhaps, it was not. This CR-V has 100+K miles and the a/c is still working (for now!!! knock on wood!). I also own a 2007 Odyssey. And recommended my neighbors to buy Honda! So I am a loyal customer. I expect American Honda to treat customers like me right! That's all!
I called my local Honda service dept., they had the nerve to say that only one CRV has came through this year with a bad AC. I asked them about the reason for the back order on compressors, they replied that it was most likely due to Honda having a glitch in their inventory process.
OK . It's summer, No compressors equals no problem ? Don't think so. Honda is the master of denial. They also have never recognized the vibration felt at idle ( with the AC on) that has occured since day one on our CRV.
http://www.techinfo.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/A09-076.PDF
When I tried the link before posting here, I got a "link deny" message. I don't know what that's about. I hope it works for you.
If you own a Honda, you own a Honda. Period. I don't see what difference it makes if you are the first, second, or third owner. Likewise, if you kept the car up with all services, it shouldn't make any difference who serviced it. And it should also make no difference if you have previously owned a Honda. The logic is--if the dealer treats you right, you will purchase your NEXT Honda from them. I don't fit the likely description of those receiving "good-will," but I will let you know.
Thanks,
jeff
I find it hard to believe that this can be for real. Two months and no compressors in stock??
I'll poke into this and see what I can find out.