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Comments
Last month a friend's A/C failed in his 1997 Accord for the second time. (The first time was also past the warranty). Still, in a 13-year-old car Honda paid for the parts, about 50% of cost. As far as he's concerned, Honda has a customer for life.
Got a strange noise with my 2002 CR-V emanating from the AC compressor the other day so I brought it to my local Honda dealer where it's serviced. They charged $130 to diagnose the issue and said I needed to replace AC compressor, belt and includes a evac/recharge for a heart stopping $1875!!! I got some other local quotes (non dealer) and the best I can get for the service by anybody reputable and certified mechanic shop is around $1500. I am told the parts alone are around $1000 and a half day labor is involved.
I was such a fan of Honda and this just makes my blood boil with frustration. I bought this Honda new and it has only been dealer serviced and well taken care of since new. I also own a 96 Accord with 135k miles and the AC never had this issue. This does not seem like a part that should be failing at 86k miles on a Honda. Especially considering the part cost and labor time involved.
I believe this is a safely issue because to defog the windows inside quickly, the AC needs to be used. You will be driving blind, especially at night.
I have read posts to join class actions and call Honda corporate. I will try to go to Honda corporate first. If they do not help then I will have no choice but to join a class action and report this to the NHTSA and I will never buy another Honda again! There is no way I am going to pay for this. I was figuring like $5-600 but $1875? Not in this lifetime.
Has anyone had success with getting this issue covered by Honda?
You can buy the parts on-line for $600 for the whole kit. Replace the parts your self, and then pay someone to evacuate and recharge for $60-$100.
Otherwise, I don't see how any business can survive when the skilled labor rate is high.
My A/C died last week. But, I did not hear any loudn noises or anything. Charged the system with leak detector, and went over with a UV light. The condenser sprung a leak because the front cross member, aka bumper support rail, somehow got pushed into the consender. I suspect that someone with a hitch backed into me when parked, because I have never hit anything with the car, nor there is any damage to the bumper.
Bought the condenser and bumper support rail from rock auto for $133 shipped. Will replace this weekend and have an a/c shop evacuate and recharge the system.
www.honda-lawsuit.com
Honda is working with my local Honda dealer to come up with a final price to quote me. I will then make my decision to fix or join the class action. I'll post another update when I get final pricing from the dealer.
I don't think it's an either/or question. Even if you fix it, you should try to join the suit to recover any repair costs.
I wonder if anyone has received a response from the law firm promoting the suit. I filled out the website form in early August and haven't heard anything from them.
If you want it fixed and get a major discount from Honda my advice would be:
- Call Honda America customer service and get a case ID #. (800) 999-1009
- Case manager will call you back within day or two. Be ready with your information and be civil and nice on the phone but stick to the business of getting your costs to fix drastically lowered. Explain that you like Honda and want to stick with them but this repair is really costly, unexpected and all you want is to get a fair resolve. Ask for warranty dealer pricing and at least a 25-30% discount on top of that direct from Honda. Honda does treat every case different in the fact of looking at factors such as if you service the car at the dealer, miles on the car, year and what part of the US you live in as far as extreme heat. But the main thing is seeing if you are loyal to the brand as a customer. They like that and will try to help you if you are.
- If you agree with the initial discount, the dealer will call you with the final pricing the next day and you can then decide to fix or not. I believe they will also give you a few weeks at minimum to think about it.
Good luck. A phone call could save you $1000 like it did for me.
And at the end of all that you may get a coupon . (MSNBC).
We all know the attorneys are the real winners in class actions. $2 million for this latest case. Honda Settles Class-Action Suit Over Brakes
I would still give honda another call and explain your situation and let them know you have been loyal to the brand and a good customer and just want a fair resolution. $3000 sounds nuts to fix this issue. Heck you can have an engine rebuilt for that much.
Feb, 2010 boot cracked on rack & pinion - Honda does not make a replacement boot, had to replace entire rack & pinion system.
My a/c imploded May, 2010 at 52000 miles - $1800. Honda reimbursed 50%
1600 miles later, it went out again - luckily covered under warranty.
500 miles later it stalled out, emission repair light came on.
Not putting another dime into this car.
Got $9,000 trade in on new 2010 Toyota RAV 4 ($21,700), net cost $ 12,700
How many more $1,000 repair bills are you going to pay while your trade in value continually decreases? They won't give you anymore trade in value because you repair the car ! ! ! ! !
There will NEVER be another HONDA product in my garage.
Should have read this forum first. I bought the car used in July 2010. It was in fabulous shape. Took it to an independent mechanic, and he said it looked great. Had 67,000 miles and well maintained. Made my first payment this month. Today, I turned on the car and the air struggled to turn on, then started making a rattling sound. I snapped it off and took it to a mechanic. The compressor is going, and so is the bearing. I can drive it with the AC off, but it'll be a matter of time since when the engine runs, the bearing is going too. Once that blows, my belts will go. I'm looking at a $1500 repair bill on a car which, albeit 6 years old, I've owned for all of 3 months.
I don't have many options here. I didn't buy my car new, and therefore have no relationship with Honda. The dealer where I bought it offers a powertrain warranty that doesn't cover the AC. No amount of pampering the car would have helped. I need to somehow find the money - not quite sure how, but I also have an auto loan on the car now and have quite a bit to go until it's mine. Can't exactly trade it in.
It could be a coincidence, but now I've had two Hondas, different models, different generations, same problem. Seeing as how I live in Florida, I can guarantee my next car won't be a Honda - not with the strain this weather puts on that construction.
Side bar note: I know the two vehicles mentioned below really are not compared to each other but my 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe has only been in the shop once for dealer warranty work, and I bought this brand new almost 10 years ago. My 2006 CRV has been in 4 times for items that should last the lifetime of the vehicle.
Certainly not considering Honda the next time.
MJGirard
Disappointed with Honda.
Remind the dealer that you have had AC problems during your warranty and that THEY were not able to find or repair them. Now the symptoms are getting worse. Ask them straight up if they are going to cover an AC repair since the AC has been reported twice under warranty. If the AC whistle has been accompanied by any other strange noise, be sure to mention that.. When your AC fails, you will be able to show that the problem started during your warranty period and progressively worsened before the failure.
Good luck..
Thanks!
Kim
Not expensive I don't think if that is the problem.
Thanks!
Kim
Thanks!
What puzzles me is whether the 07 CRV and newer failures are actually design failures or just very infrequent one-offs. The failure rate tho, of 03's 04's etc and to a lessor degree 05's and 06's, are so high in number that it is an obvious design flaw, because so many have failed long before wty miles expire even. Customers who lose out are the ones who don't drive as much and run out of wty time, before wty miles. IMO Honda should honour those customers claims as readily as the ones who claimed wty in time.
It is generally acknowledged that some cars didn't fail until over 100k miles (altho not very far past) but the VAST majority have had failures around 45 to 50k miles and some as soon as only 40k miles. When many other mfrgs compressors last well over 200 to 250k miles without failure, it certainly does point a finger with conviction to Honda. I have read this entire thread, (and others too) every word and i do believe that because some cases were handled so poorly (i.e. once loyal customers getting 'some $ help', ranging to completely getting ripped off) it has cost them customers. Many have vowed to never dark any Honda sales floor again. And who can blame them?
The general message here is: Honda better not keep sitting so self-righteously comfortable on their laurels just because...for now anyway..some of the negative attention has been on Toyota. Mazdas were rusting prematurely in the early 2000's and that cost them customers. Ford and Chrysler have lost many due to bad autos and head and exhaust manifold issues, and do i even need to mention some of the cr&p GM has been trying to sell us thru the 2000's?
My message to Honda would be to not get too comfy. And follow their conscience and do the right thing without making people have to be aggressive or threatening in order to get them to do the right thing. Knowing what, and doing the right thing is not complicated.
I won't buy another Honda.
Unfortunately for Honda Owners a new lawsuit has been filed for defects in the Honda Civic. If you own a 2006 or 2007 Civic please read the information below and go to www.honda-lawsuit.com to register for the settlement.
Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman, LLC, The Law Office of Robert L. Starr, and
Strategic Legal Practices, APC, have filed a proposed class action lawsuit
against Honda relating to reported design defects in 2006 and 2007 Honda Civic vehicles. A copy of the Complaint can be found here: Honda Civic Premature Tire Wear Complaint Due to the reported defects in these vehicles the rear tires on these vehicles can suffer from "cupping" and premature tire wear. Our investigation reveals that Honda sometimes denies warranty coverage for repairs caused by these defects.
Please pass this information along to all your friends and family who own a
Honda. We all work to hard for our money to be ripped off by this major world auto maker.
My CVR was the first Honda product I purchased and it will be the last! The air conditioner cost nearly $2000 to repair, I am now on my 3rd set of tires in less than 70,000 miles (it eats them up), and the interior is falling apart.
If you are thinking about buying a Honda, think twice they are NOT the cars they use to be and Honda Motor Company has no integrity.
I forget how many thousand it cost the first time. However, the second time, a friend took me to a small shop on the other side of Houston. There they fixed it for under a grand ($). The third time - amazingly - I found a small shop just a few blocks from my house. They fixed it for under $800.
Shop around. Make sure the repair shop will give you a warranty, good for at least three months and 3000 miles. Ask some friends to recommend repair shops. If you go to a dealer or a fancy place, you'll pay a fancy price.
You also have to remember dealers showed their true colors when they played dumb and scammed customers on the air conditioning repairs. Honda USA has demostrated total lack of responsibility for major service issues. Unfortunately for Civic owners another class action has been filed due to the tire configuration. If I remember correctly the CRV is also built on the Civic frame. Personally I will never purchase another Honda vehicle due to the poor quality, service issues, and most of all Honda USA poor customer relations. There are too many other vehicles out there to consider, for a CRV isn't in the running.
Also you might want to go on line to Topix and read what other CRV owners have said about their vehicles and Honda, it's not pretty.
I do in fact rotate my tires and keep them properly inflated. There are a number of other CRV owners who will also tell you it does not matter what you do, tires do not last on a CRV no matter how well you maintain them. It's a known problem which I suspect has now carried over into the Civic resulting in the most recent class action against Honda.
My CRV is a 2003 which I purchased new from the dealer after the 2004's came out. The AC went out at approximately 68,000 miles. I previously had low mileage failures with the electric window switches, brakes, tires, and the interior started falling apart several years ago. The finish on the steering wheel is coming off and the fabric is falling apart as well. I am not hard on cars nor do I use my CRV for anything other than driving around town or going to the airport. I have all maintenance and inspections performed according to Honda's recommendations.
I do intend on purchasing a new vehicle but after the serious lack of intergrity demostrated by both the dealer and Honda USA in regards to the known AC problems, you can rest assured my next purchase won't be a Honda product. I am not going to put another dime into my CRV as it is basically worthless now.
I have a 1992 Mercedes 190E I purchased used with over 70,000 miles on it at an auction years ago. Other than a few minor issues I have had no problem with the vehicle.
A Honda NEVER AGAIN IN MY HOUSE HOLD!
Mac in Palm Springs
And while I do not agree that Honda (like most any other mfgr) shirks its responsibility with legitimate claims, the fact is, every single brand out there ALL try to pull stuff from time to time. Grass is NEVER greener. It is only a different shade until it turns just as brown in patches as any other.
It is interesting that if tire psi and alignment are all adhered to, that one model would be harder on tires than another. Now, it has happened, but usually only on one end (usually the front) and Ford's Twin I Beam fr end comes to mind on their 4x4 p/u trucks. But very unusual for a specific car to wear all 4 tires evenly at a fast rate. If the car is loaded with people all the time, or if you brake, corner, or accelerate aggressively, those all will cause premature wear.
On the chance you want to retort without considering some of the caveats I have posted here, I have put them in bold for you.
I decided not to buy another Honda not only because of my service issues but also because of the terrible way both their corporate office and the dealer handled the matter. Had they not been so dishonest and played dumb I would most likely be driving a new Honda Pilot. The week before my AC blew I had been to the dealer to look at Pilots. After my AC experience with the same dealer and Honda USA, there will be no Honda in my future.
Have a good one! Mac in Palm Springs
I think it is wrong that in order to 'urge' them to do the right thing, it usually happens after they have stressed you right out with calls and letters (and literal sweat) and raised blood pressure etc etc. Some handle these negotiations a lot better than others. Usually though the corporate intension is clear. Not unlike your cell phone or internet or utility provider, they stone wall you for so long they intend for you to give up. And most do. THAT is why they get away with it and continue that strategy. They really should take some personalities more seriously. If EVERYONE boycotted and stood firm with their convictions, the mfgrs wouldn't keep trying to pull this cr&p.
it started roaring bad, the rear differential oil need to be changed, who ever heard of such a crock, well at 82,000 ac blew up. House of Honda in Tupelo MS, only wants 2,780 to fix it. thats taking off off 200 as a complimentary offer for being a Honda customer. I contacted US product safety about this issue but never got a reply, maybe if more people did they would do something, when my AC locked up the front plate came off went across the interstate bouncing. Luckily no on coming traffic was there.
but I guess someone needs to die or get injured first. But any ways. No more Honda's for me this done it.
I hear there's a new car factory up the road in Blue Springs. :shades:
Don't suppose you were around when Dudie's Diner was running?
For a while there last month I thought this issue was fading away a bit. Anyone else?
In other words, I really don't care.
Funny how our Service Dept had never heard of excessive A/C problems with CRV's. No greater failure than any other model.
We currently own two CRV's. A 2003 EX 4WD that we bought new and a 2011 SE 4WD.
The 2003 only has 54,000 miles and it has been flawless. Not one repair other than routine maintenance. Original tires still had good tread at 49,000 miles but I cut one on a piece of metal in the road and decided to just replace them all.
Rarely bother rotate them and as a hiker I take it on some rough roads. Never a wheel alignment and they wear even.
Original break pads with over 50% left. Checked last week and we have lots of traffic and hills here!
Yes, I did change my rear differential fluid at 30,000. A good thing to do.
No clunks, chirps, squeaks and the interior looks like new...well, it will once I vacuum it out again.
But, hey, if I was unhappy I woldn't buy another Honda either.
So, then what? Take a chance on something else, I suppose!
I have an '04 for 65K, my wife has an '05 with 52K and my sister-in-law has an '03 with 85K and no issues at all.
I do know a mechanic at a local Honda Dealership and he sees CRV's with the AC issue. So something's going on, but I don't think it's as widespread as it seems to be on this site..