Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-107
I purchased my 2002 CRV in September 2002. I have taken back to the dealer for regular maintenance every 5K. In July 2006 at 55,000 miles - The A/C compressor needed replaced. Fortunately at purchase I had bought an extended warranty. I left Myrtle Beach August 1st 2009 to come home and guess what - the A/C stopped blowing cool air. Took it to the dealer in Fredericksburg Virginia. The compressor needs replaced as well as things related to the compressor for a total of $2500.00. Service advisor was not aware of CRV's having any AC compressor problems. I'm glad I found this thread. Will update everyone as this progresses.
Kevin in Virginia.
I bought a used, 2002 Honda CR-V in 2004. In 2007, at around 70,000 miles, the air compressor went out as I was driving on the highway, and the car did a couple of weird jerks. I guess it almost stalled out? I was quoted with nearly $2000 to replace air compressor. Did some online research, found out about this common problem with CR-Vs, and contacted Honda of America armed with the information that this was a flaw in the vehicle that was often covered by them (Honda of America). They agreed to pay for about 1/2 of the cost of repairs, (I think they paid for the parts and I had to pay for the labor). The employee at the dealership told me I was lucky.
Well it is now 2009, I'm at about 120,000 miles (I read from the mechanic's post that this seems to happen every 50,000 miles), and my air conditioner is started to not blow as cold any more. I'm HOPING this is not the compressor but rather the need for a freon charge to my A/C system, but still, I don't expect to have to charge my system since I service my car so regularly, only use the A/C for 4 months out of the year, and OWN A HONDA. This makes me really sad because I've tried to convince my husband since owning the car that buying Honda was the way to go in terms of vehicle reliability, but my car is in the shop with expensive repairs quite often. Our 1984 Saab 900 was much more reliable than this Honda CR-V. I've sent my information to the class action lawsuit website, and would love to recoup some of my losses.
Just one more unfortunate consumer here. My wife and I switched from an SR5 Truck and Corolla wagon a few years ago to an Odyssey and CRV. My CRV with 67k miles blew the compressor a few weeks back. A local shop flushed the system, replaced compressor, expansion valve, and accumulator for $1500 (no condenser.) Things are still not right.
I don't know why I didn't Google this before tonight, but it's sad to hear how Honda customers are getting shafted on this. With no reason for optimism, like many of you, I'm going to migrate back to Toyota.
A good friend 2 days ago asked about my car, planning to buy a CRV. At that time I thought my compressor disaster was an unlucky fluke, and was overall positive. I just emailed him to set him straight before his big purchase. Honda may be underestimating the impact of work-of-mouth, especially if this problem recurs every. It will dog them for years to come as repairs threaten to match the value of the car.
2002 CRV bought used 2 years ago. Now it has 78000 miles on it and the AC compressor locked up. I took it apart and it is made of aluminum. The steel bearings look new, but the AL fins broke in half.. Bad design. Should have been made of more durable metal. I replaced myself with 349.00 comp. and 25.00 for the dryer and filter. Bad news is the one I put in is the same design. From what I read I need to trade before the next 50000 miles. Oh well, it is blowing cold air now.
I'm from the Philippines and my compressor failed on 50k (5 years). It was a busted clutch disc on the comp. Indeed a bad design on the A/C design and hopefully they've fixed this in the later models because I really love this car so much. Now, I have to deal with the busted shocks. Oh boy!
./chas.
We replaced our air conditioner on our 2002 CR-V in 2007 the FIRST time and thought it was just a freak occurrence. Having owned Hondas for over 12 years now, and this being our second CR-V, we were sure this was just one of those things... until the air conditioner blew out again in the desert outside Las Vegas in 120 degree heat this past summer. We have just replaced it a second time at a discounted $1000.00 since we have a family member who is a mechanic.
After having read the comments on this site, we are ready to ditch the thing and look around at Toyota or Hyundai. To be fair, I will check with Honda first and see if they stand by this product. However, since I haven't had any information regarding a recall on this car, I get the feeling I shouldn't be too optimistic. After reading all these comments, I'm surprised there hasn't been a class action proposed. Lawyers must not drive CR-Vs!
2002 Honda CRV
When purchased, within 2 weeks the AC compressor/system went out while driving in Arizona in July. The system was replaced under warranty.
On 11/15/08 was driving on the freeway when we heard a noise and noticed no more cool air blowing. Took the car to a Honda dealer and they said "oh yeah, this happens a lot with that model". They wanted 2450.67 to replace the whole system due to compressor failure.
So please add yet another CRV owner to this obvious epidemic...
Bought a cherry 2002 CRV from a woman who took it into the dealer for all the scheduled maintenance. She just had the A/C compressor replaced weeks before I bought the car. I drove it for 7K miles/1 year, and whaddya know, today the compressor exploded and took out the serpentine belt. Luckily I was right by a freeway exit and stopped the car before the engine overheated. It was $300 to replace the belt and diagnose what caused the belt to break. The whole reason I bought a Honda was because of the legendary reliability. Now I am looking at a minimum $1500 repair (that had just been done a year previous). Good times. Should've stuck with Toyota's - never had any problems with them. In fact I had an old-skool Toyota mini-van I drove into the ground. The A/C still worked the day I sold it. F Honda!
I hate to break it to the original reviewer, but Mr. Honda passed away in 1991.
I'm the original owner of a 2002 Honda CR-V with 168,000 KM. I'm also in a forgiving climate in regards to AC (Canada).
I replaced the blower fan 2 weeks ago for just over $250.00.
Now the AC stopped working! Nothing like throwing good money into a bottomless pit!
I'm looking at new brakes (pads and rotors), new suspension (springs and shocks), A timing belt replacement and now a new AC unit.
I promised I'd run this car into the ground before I purchasing a new one, but I think I'm done.
THIS IS RIDICULOUS!! I have a 2004 CRV and the compressor went out. This is Honda's fault, and two years later it hasn't changed. I refuse to pay for anything and will contact an attorney and hopefully win. I thought Honda was a great brand and so efficient, but I have come to realize that there no better than an American car!! I'll stick with my country.
This is unbelievable! I had no idea this was happening. I purchased my brand new 2005 CRV from the dealer. My car has 59000 miles on it and the a/c compressor just went out. I live in Colorado where we don't really use the A/c that much. Bought the car 4 years ago almost to the day.
L Boulder, Colorado.
My 2002 CRV A/C went out. I went to the dealer and was told that the A/C Compressor is bad. They recommended A/C compressor, clutch and coil $1249.23 plus tax. In addition to this the engine light won't go off. I thought it was the the gas cap, but it is the O2 sensor bad that will be $490.00.
I am disgusted. This was my first brand new Honda. I bought it for reliability. Now I see so many others with the same problem.
I'm the original reviewer. I did not realize that the problems I had with the CR-V were so widespread. It's been about 4 years since I traded that car. I now drive a Mercedes and a Toyota FJ Cruiser. I've had no problems out of either of those vehicles. I really think that the 2002 model year was just a bad year for the CR-V. I also want to thank the guy who informed me that Mr. Honda died in 1991. (I was being facetious)
E.M., in Texas.
I drive a 2002 Honda CRV and my air went out on me at about 90,000 miles. Each summer I get a shot of freon in the system and I am good to go for the summer (as long as I put on max air).
I am 161,000 miles and other than normal wear and tear stuff (tires and brakes) I can't complain about my CRV. Original muffler and nearly everything else (except for two belts).