I bought a used 2002 Honda CR-V with 154,000 miles in 2017. The service records showed a $900 repair on the AC system, so I bought it knowing that this model suffered from a weak AC system. A year down when I used my CR-V with the AC the economy fell to 15-16 mpg. Given mine is a stick shift, this was terrible. I continued to use it when the AC died with the clutch making a big noise. The AC would engage but will not give any cold air.

I first replaced the clutch; then the fuse kept blowing every time I turned the AC on. Then it came down to replacing the compressor. That took a lot of money as I had to give it to a mechanic. Finally, after spending $400 on labor and $250 on the compressor, it failed again. This time we checked the filter in the condenser, which showed the real reason for the failure. The dirty filter was filled with metal filings. The complete AC system is contaminated with small metal filings. The only solution for this issue is to replace the entire AC system which will cost a fortune. The AC works now but it is only a matter of time that the AC system will fail again.

Long answer short, don't waste your money and time on 2002-2004 Honda CR-Vs AC system until and unless this vehicle is very special and willing to spend $1800 on it's AC system.

The A/C - heater fuse gave out years ago. With about 200,000 miles on the vehicle, it might be expected for something like this to go out.

Update from Aug 19, 2018: Entire a/c system blown again. Happened about 228,000 miles. Will cost $1300 to repair. Last entire system replaced only about 2 years ago and about 28,000 miles.

From what I've read on this site, this is a very common problem. Do I want to replace an entire a/c system every two years during the hottest days of summer?

I no longer have this car but I LOVED it- outside of this issue. Purchased in 2005. The A/C problems started around the 100000 mile mark, year 2008 but my dates/miles may be off by a bit. I got if fixed for around 800.00 (from what I was told it was a very LABOR intensive fix due to position). It then stopped working again in 2014. I went on the last couple of years without it because I didn't see the value in getting it done again. Good thing that I didn't because the car has now gone to car heaven (aka junkyard) due to an accident. I had 13 years with this car and would recommend it again.

I bought a 2002 Honda CRV in 2004 with 40,000 miles on it. Within a year, the air conditioning quit blowing cold air. I took it back to Honda and it was covered under my warranty. In 2015, the ac started blowing out hot air after I head a loud noise like I had run over something. I looked on the internet to see if any similar problems since this was the 2nd repair for the ac. It appears that there was a design problem that caused the ac compressor to overheat and need to replaced. Now the 3rd time. Today I was driving home and heard a noise that sounded like I had run over something, and then my ac began to blow out hot air. Now I am dealing with the 3rd repair since I have owned this car. Honda knows this was a design problem that caused the compressor to overheat and yet owners continue to have to pay over and over to get the ac compressor replaced. Shame on them. There are so many of these CRV's on the road and I'm sure they are experiencing the same problems as the previous comments show. My next car whatever it is, I will thoroughly research to make sure I am not up against a continuous repair problem at the fault of the design of the car.

I haven't had air conditioning for years in my CRV - I am upset that this isn't just a random problem, but seems to be a design issue by Honda - and you aren't fixing it. We have been a faithful Honda owner for many years - this is the fifth Honda we have purchased. We won't buy another because of this... that is a problem for Honda, don't you think?

I think Honda should be fixing all the air conditioner problems - since you obviously didn't design this right. We have never had a vehicle with a AC problem like this - (and we have owned other cars) - Honda should FIX this. They screwed up.

Bought certified used 2002 Honda CR-V in 2004 with about 18000 miles on it. Now has 149000 miles and AC just died on a hot day and started blowing hot air. Honda said compressor seized up and blew debris throughout system. Whole system MUST be replaced and can't be flushed. Will cost $4500!!

I was told if I turn on the AC or defrost, the compressor clutch may engage and put tension on the serpentine belt and beak the serpentine belt and cause additional problems. I've taped plastic covers over all dials to prevent people from touching the buttons, but can't afford this fix! I planned to drive this car till it was past 300000 miles, and now the fix costs more than the car probably does! Honda is criminal for knowing these compressors are faulty and not fixing them for free. Absolutely criminal. This was my second and now LAST Honda.

This summer I had to replace the compressor for the 5th time. That is why it was 6,000. + all together. I am so upset. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about it. The last compressor was accompanied by an electrical check (250.00 more) The tech found a loose wire that ran to the fan. Now I am even more upset because the almost 2,000. more should have put me on the road, however my tensioner belt is now loose. The quote is 450.00. My frustration is causing me to want to tell everyone not to but a CRV no matter what year. I am a loyal Honda owner who is about to give up.

Honda of America covered $1,000 of the repair, but the fix was still $2,000 out of pocket. There are apparently 3 different repair kits for this issue from Honda depending on the severity of the problem, but from what I've read online the fact that the A/C is a closed system always results in a total replacement of the entire system, kit C, when the compressor implodes. You will hear a sound that makes you think you've run something over then warm air will blow instead of conditioned air. This is when you know you're F-ed.

This is a known Honda problem for which Honda has issued service bulletin 09-076. Bottom line - the Keihin copressors are junk and should NOT be tolerated. . .but Keihin is a Honda company. Honda should be ASHAMED of itself!

By the time we realized the compressor was failing, the vanes had ground themselves into fragments that circulated throughout the entire system, requiring replacement of the entire AC system - compressor, condenser/dryer, suction and discharge hoses, expansion valve and evaporator. This is a $2000.00+ repair at a Honda dealer, so save yourself a lot of money and angst by purchasing a complete aftermarket repair kit on ebay and finding a local mechanic to install it. We purchased our kit for 499.00 with free shipping from A/C Compressors (http://stores.ebay.com/A-C-Compressors?_trksid=p2047675.l2563) and paid 210 for labor.

Honda dealers bear a large part of responsibility for this debacle as well. Many charge $4000, $5000 or more for the repair. According to the Honda SB, labor is 5.8 hours and the parts are less that $2000 retail; a ridiculous price for a known defect but a far cry from $5000! There is plenty of shame to go around for this mess but it's the loyal Honda customer who pays the price.

I too was stupid enough to buy a 2002 CRV. The AC has a defect in it which when it goes out it explodes and metals flies everywhere destroying the entire ac unit. I took to my dealer for an estimate and they quoted me $4,000 to fix. They contact American Honda for some "good will money" but I was declined because I had 125,000 miles on my car. This isn't a simply a/c unit going .......the damn thing exploded!!!! I'm in the process of buying another car.....oh by the way there is a class action suit against Honda for this problem. Don't know if it would be worth your time, but I know they did just settle a class action suit on their bad brakes. If you could get any of your money back that would be worth. More so than that, they would have to stand accountable for this defect which after all these complaints, they must know it is a defect!!! After 7 Hondas this little gal will never buy another one. If I have stopped one person from making the same mistake, it will make my day. Therefore, if I have changed your mind, please let me know...that would bring me some satisfaction!