2002 Honda CR-V EX from North America - Comments

I own a 2002 Honda CR-V. I purchased the vehicle new in March 2002 it currently has 146,000 miles and it's been nothing but a problem for me.

April 2003 it rolled down a slight hill without the keys in the ignition and hit a truck (approx. 29,000 miles). It was in drive when I got to the vehicle. (August 2003 Honda Recall for this problem). A bit too late for me. After the car was fixed I could take the key out of the ignition without the car being in Park. It took 3 or 4 visits to the dealership for them to fix this problem (vehicle was out of PA Lemon Law rules).

Thereafter I've had nothing but problems. I've had 3 or 4 A/C condensers go bad. They told me that this model of CR-V does not have enough protection in front (by grate) and rocks and debris get stuck and put holes in the condensers. Last year my compressor went...I'm waiting for this years A/C problem. I've also had to replace the Catalytic Converter (it was just out of warranty, but Honda replaced it free), Rear Differentials and many other issues.

I would love to get rid of the car, but with 146,000 miles and it's paid off, what can I do other than to never buy a Honda again!

I too have just had this same problem with the A/C. I went to Honda and they too told me that due to me being a great customer, they were only going to charge me 1,200 dollars, and that I should be happy with the charge.

However, after reading all these comments, I called Honda America and they have opened a case for me. I will be picking up my car today with the repair, but I will not be leaving without letting them know that this is an issue that should have been dealt with prior to this happening. Especially since they claim that the compressor is the only thing that has gone bad, then why are they trying to charge me for the condenser, as well as other parts. I should only pay for what it broken; if that causes other parts to be damaged, then it should be covered by Honda.

They say "misery loves company". We have a 2003 CRV purchased in April 2003...in +/- August 2005, approx 32K miles, right as my wife and I, two very young kids and two very large dogs are getting ready to go on vacation, A/C goes out. Now I am the son of a mechanic and understand that mechanical things eventually break. Got it fixed under warranty. Didn't think much of it. Fast forward to this past Monday. Again, wife and I, two slightly older kids and 1 large dog are coming back from Memorial Day weekend jaunt to beach. 15 miles from home, unpleasant sound from under the hood, chronicled by many others here, all of a sudden, A/C blowing warm air. Vehicle has 62K miles...1400 big ones later... new compressor...we were fortunate... no other damage, that we know of...mechanic, not at Honda dealership, said it looked like an explosive went off in the compressor... wife is mad as a wet hen... going to start dogging Honda.

I have a 2002 CRV lost two compressors. I am just wondering why are the compressors failing! Looking at other Honda cars with the same compressor I don't see the failures. Is it liquid slugging, oil issue, or is it the compressor location? Honda really needs to step up, like many of you I most likely will NOT purchase another Honda!

Hot and Sweaty in Houston.

I guess I too can be added to this long list of complainers. I own a 2002 CRV which was bought used in 2004 (this replaced my 1st 2002 CRV that was totaled in car accident after owning for only 8 months). Luckily when I bought this second one I also purchased an extended warranty. The first time (in 2006) the a/c went out on me I was sitting at an intersection and I heard a loud noise and then smoke and then the car just died on me. Since I had purchased the extended warranted the whole cost (over $2000) was covered. Well this weekend while vacationing in FL during over 90 degree temps - I heard this grinding sound - I stopped the car got out and looked underneath to make sure I didn't run over anything - of course there was nothing there - decided to turn off the A/C and the noise stopped. Too scared to turn A/C back on for fear car would die on me and leave me stranded - but luckily I'm back home after driving over three hours in very uncomfortable heat temps and I plan on giving my local dealership a visit in the morning. Also I forgot to mention that the SRS light came on too during this trip and will not go out. Anybody having problems with this as well?

This is the 5th Honda I have owned and I too will not buy another!!!

Wow, my CRV is a 2000 but only about 100K miles on it. A/C died and mechanic (non-Honda) says it's the compressor and will cost $1500 to fix. Called Honda America and am taking it to dealer tomorrow -- they will diagnose and then contact Honda America to determine if they will "help" with the repair costs.

Up until now, I had absolutely loved my CRV, but seeing all these stories, I will go with Toyota next time. Honda held the reliability title for a long time, but those days are clearly over.

I bought a Honda 2001 CR-V a week ago. The car was looking OK, and the dealer told me that I will need $200 to repair its wheel alignment and rotors. Well, it took $400 2 days ago..

And today, while running errands on a hot Texas day, the A/C started to make noises, and blow warmer air. I began to use it sparingly, yet checking it from time to time. Then, at one point I turned it on, and "boom!", something exploded in the engine compartment. I immediately pulled over, and saw large pieces of metal under the hood, with greenish liquid all over. I soon discovered that HALF of the compressor was gone! I am suspecting that it damaged some other parts, since that green liquid looked and smelled like coolant.. What else could this be?

I called the dealer, and they tried to hide behind "AS IS" document they had made me sign. I have not even received a new title and plates, so was hoping that being this new, the dealer may still help me. Well, after I talked to them, and the owner, he essentially cursed at me, and I left.

I called Honda. They told me they will assign me a case manager. Still waiting.. So much for the "reliable Honda". At least with my Chevrolet Malibu the A/C just stopped working; it did not explode like Honda CR-V.

And this is clearly a safety issue. My and my brother were taking a look at the engine just five minutes before the compressor EXPLODED! We should all write to Honda. If you are aware of any organized attempt please let me know. I am disgusted that Honda have not have a recall for this problem.

Thanks guys, I feel your exact frustration.

Just wondering, has anyone looked into starting a class action lawsuit against Honda to get this problem out in the open??? Or has one been started already..

I have a 2003 Honda CRV that I purchased May 2003 with only 24 miles on it. I began to notice a moaning sound whenever the AC was on at around 9,000 or so. The Honda dealer said they did not hear any sounds or anything so they could not do anything. I kept hearing it then it just disappeared gradually. I have been bringing my Honda religiously to the dealership and following the maintenance on my vehicle. I have had to replace the tires from my new car at 30,000 miles, replaced the battery at 45,975 miles on the car. I also began to notice a groaning/moaning sound whenever I backed my car up and the dealer said that was the rear differential fluid and I had to replace that per their suggestion at 50,264 and at the same time they said my transmission fluid needed flushing/replacing. So I did. No more problems until after 90,000 mile maintenance. I took my vehicle into the dealer, did the 90,000 recommended maintenance and had to come back a week later because they "forgot" to replace the rear differntial fluid which is part of the service.

Then, recently we were on vacation and all of the sudden my A/C blew warm and while driving I heard a loud noise like I lost something at the bottom of my vehicle. Needless to say, we had no A/C on the long drive home. I took the vehicle to the Honda dealer (92,000 miles now) and they said that my A/C clutch completely broke off and that the A/C locked up and the entire A/C system needed to be replaced. The cost: $3,356.84. I was furious. I could not afford that at the time (6/2008) and took my vehicle to replace the entire A/C system with another mechanic for $1500. He said he has NEVER seen the A/C clutch break off the way it did on my car. Then a few weeks later the check engine light comes on. I took the vehicle to the dealer again and they hooked their machine up and said they had to replace a part; so I did. After leaving the dealership and going shopping, parked the car, came out and started it again and the check engine light comes back on. Of course the dealer was closed so I had to bring it in when I had time that week. Well the check engine light turned off. I called my maintenance guy at Honda and he said the next time it came on to come in. I did and they said the same code came up and now the Oxygen sensor needed to be replaced and that was going to be $500. I have never owned a vehicle that had this many problems. I am not an erradic driver, I have followed ALL the recommended maintenance on the car and to have it have so many problems is outrageous. I am glad I found this website because I feel better I am not the only one having major problems especially the A/C locking up. Someone asked if there is a class action suit I am surprised there isn't one either with all the same complaints. I hope to get this resolved amicably.

I have a 2002 CRV with 2 compressors already gone and towards the 3rd one, thanks to this website I'll try to contact Corporate Honda on the next Monday and see what kind of solution they have with us "the victims", I suppose they have to be positive regarding this serious problem if not...let's get together let's buy a Toyota and suit them. Daniel, Hartsdale NY.

I have a 2003 HONDA CR-V with just over 60K miles. I recently got the 60K maintenance done. My engine is getting too hot and I can't drive it anymore. Had to tow the vehicle to the dealer.

During the service, the dealer said that the coolant was brown, he didn't tell me why? But he replaced coolant anyway.

Does this seem like mistake by mechanic. I am going fight for the dealer/HONDA to pay-up for everything.

Guru.

I have a 2002 Honda CRV EX, which I bought new. I kept the car very well maintained with the dealer where I purchased the car. The extended warranty ended in January. It has 76k miles on it. It has been a great car up until last week.

Same problem as most of you, the air compressor blew and contaminated the entire air conditioning system with metal fragments. Luckily, before I took it to the dealer, I searched on-line and found lots of reports like these about this problem. So, at least I had a heads-up of what to expect, and sure enough, $2750 for repairs. I asked the dealer to contact Honda America, which they did. They got Honda America to agree to pay all but $1000 of the bill. I haven't had the repair made yet, they needed to order parts. I plan to contact Honda America to try and get them to cover the remaining $1000.

My dealer said the parts and labor for the repair would carry a 3-year/36k mile warranty. I will probably replace the car prior to that, and not with another Honda. I no longer have the high regard for Honda after this.

I'll keep searching on-line to see if I can find any info on a class action suit...

Add me to the list. Our 2002 CRV lost the first compressor (literally fell out along a major interstate) about 3 years ago. Honda dealership replaced because we had an extended warranty. The 2nd A/C "blew" up and shredded metal throughout in May 2008. I was offered 25% coverage by Honda America on a $2500 repair bill. I have not had the work done because I think they should pay for all of it - as they are selectively doing with some customers. Needless to say, my children & I are very limited on our summer driving because we live in Texas and are having record smashing heat wave this summer. Honda keeps saying they will call me, but no luck yet. I have heard rumblings of a class action...

What else can I say... AC compressor problems @ 70,000 miles. It stopped working in Sacramento @ 100 degrees F. I had to drive 2 hours to get back home. This is unfair!!! I feel that something needs to be done to solve these multiple AC and other manufacture defects.

In addition, I had visited the dealer regarding a noise in my brakes and they keep denying the problem - -for some reason they can't hear or identify what the problem is. I was told that they couldn't hear the NOISE I heard. I'm simply tired of going to the dealer and nothing is done.

I'm not playing games here, nor have the time to visiting the dealership every week. Like most of us, I need my car to work, pay my bills, and be productive. It is a necessity not a luxury. I'd like to drive a car that is safe -- safety of my family and others.

I have a 2004 CRV. 55,000 miles on it, no warranty, and A/C just died. Took it to three shops and quoted anywhere from $1300 to $2200 to replace the compressor and condenser. Finally, I called a Honda dealer service shop and he worked in having Honda pay for the repair of not just the A/C system but also inspecting and cleaning any other components that could have been affected by the metal shavings and bits from the compressor blowing up. They are paying 100% of all these! I wish they would pay for my pain and suffering of enduring hot South FL weather for over a week and missing work trying to get the A/C checked and repair estimates. But that's probably pushing too far. So, for those of you who had you're a/C repaired by shops other than Honda, you may want to get Honda to reimburse you for the cost of repair. Also, evidently, this is a known problem for 2003-2005 Honda (certain models) and Acura.