I bought my 2016 Honda Civic EX-L new in 2016. 2 years later, the driver’s side AC would only blow hot air. I took it to the dealer (only about 16k miles, still under warranty) and the mechanics were very apologetic, said they were seeing this so much it would be a recall soon enough, and they covered the fix for me. The Honda Dealership Mechanic said the compressor is in a bad spot and that any small rock kicked up the wrong way while driving was cracking the compressors. They seemed super annoyed with the AC design decisions by Honda.
Well here we are, 2.5 years since the last AC fix, out of warranty now at 51k miles, and I have the same issue. First it starts with the driver’s side blowing hot, then eventually all of the vents both driver and passenger only blow hot air. This was my fist Honda, and I really loved it until all of this. I called the same mechanic and told him it happened again, and he said Honda only covers that repair one time and it would be about $1,700 this time. No thanks, guess I’ll trade it in while I can and get something that isn’t such a disappointment.
Is anyone else in this spot? I am seeing these complaints around, how can Honda get away with this??
What a load of bullplop! The compressor body is made of thick die cast aluminum, and it would take a lot more than a “small rock kicked up” by another vehicle to penetrate it. Even if the service advisor actually meant “condenser”, which would at least be plausible (it is possible for a small rock to penetrate the condenser coil), once enough refrigerant has leaked out, there would be no cold air coming out of any vent, and the compressor would not run.
I agree, this sounds like a problem with the HVAC control module, or perhaps a blend door/actuator mechanism. This is why I prefer the kind of HVAC control where there is a single blend door which is physically connected to the temperature dial with a steel cable. No computer module or blend door actuator to malfunction.
Yes! Though modern systems give you more options physical connections seemed more reliable, unless the the cable rusted internally. I have had numerous cars with vacuum operated blend doors, always problematic, electrically operated have been better, until the actuator fails.
… or if it was never connected at the factory. The first weekend that I owned my POS '74 Volvo, I couldn’t get the heater to put out any heated air. It took 3 trips to the dealership before they figured out that the rotary heater control knob on the dashboard was not connected to the control mechanism.
Your post is extremely helpful. My son’s 2016 Honda Civic LX has the EXACT SAME ISSUE. My very trustworthy mechanic manually changed the Freon thinking that might do it but, he suggests we take it to a shop that has the newer and expensive contraption that can insert the correct R-1234YF refrigerant that the car requires. We plan on doing this but first, I want to know why this occurs.
As for your comment, “how can Honda get away with this??” - they’re not! Right after writing the above, I did some quick research and it turns out we are not alone. This link will take you to a summary of a class action lawsuit filed in 2019. The bad news is, it still seems to be going on. So I plan to call first thing Monday, the representing law firm. I suggest you and anyone else that has this issue to do the same. Below is the case and attorney info. Good luck to us!
The Honda Civic Air Conditioning Problem Class Action Lawsuit is Andre Wong v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., et al. , Case No. 2:19-cv-10537, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Wong is represented by David C. Wright, Richard D. McCune, Steven A. Haskins, and Mark I. Richards of McCune Wright Arevalo LLP; and by Marcus J. Bradley and Kiley L. Grombacher of Bradley/Grombacher LLP.
Which issue, exactly?
If it is blowing cold air on one side and hot air on the other, then the refrigerant has nothing to do with it.
If it is blowing hot air on both sides, then–yes–the refrigerant could be the problem.
However, Hondas of that era also have a history of compressor failure, due to bad lubrication seals.
I recommend that you take the car to a specialist auto A/C shop for proper diagnosis and repair.
