TSB To Flush & De-scale Heater Core - The Honda prescribed procedure to dealers to descale & flush heater core allowing engine coolant to flow through core.
Purchase used in May and did not need defroster but did check for heat when I got this vehicle. October with a cool temp near lake, the vehicle fogged up... NO DEFROSTER.
We have been dealing with the heat not working for a couple years now. We flushed the heater core and replaced the heater core motor and that did not work. Not sure what's wrong with it.
Bought a new 2012 CR-V EX-L Nav back in 2012. We have always noticed the Driver side heater/defrost was not nearly as good as the passenger side. Over time it seemed to get worse. Finally, we only get COLD air on the Driver's side. Did some searching on line and this is a very common problem. Honda has a TSB (Tech. Service Bulletin) on this and acknowledges this is a known problem. However, no recall, and it looks like people are expected to pay the dealer a little over $100 for diagnostic fee, and $325-$475 to do a Honda recommended flush (using their flush kit and CLR (the kind you may find under your sink cabinet at home). They claim this solves the issue.
Well, I just went through the Diagnosis and flush process. It did NOTHING! They tried to charge me $578 and I told them no way I would pay that much for a "no-fix". They eventually agreed to reduce my bill to $337... Still not at all happy. In addition, they gave me a written estimate of $1500-$2000 to replace the heater core. Not paying that for an obvious manufacturing problem and/or defective coolant. I am going to try and open a case with Honda and see if they will step up and stand behind this. I have owned nothing but Honda since 1987. Never disappointed until now, but may never buy another Honda, unless they cover this. Stay tuned.
Has anyone else tried to get Honda to help with this? Please let me know, if so.
Here is some info regarding this. There is plenty more to find on the internet...
bought this 2012 honda crv in march of last year. didn't notice a heat problem until this winter. had it to an independent mechanic to fix the heater. told me i need new heater core. im taking it to honda for a next opinion. honda should stand behind this repair. i have owned lots of vehicles and never replaced a heater core.
Heater isn't working satisfactorily. Made a miserable trip to Iowa with my feet almost freezing. Granted it was very cold at the time but should have at least had some heat for my feet. I have circulation problems and thought that my feet were actually frozen. Driver side has no heat from the dash vent also. I previously owned Hondas but this will be my last. I've already sold the car and revealed the problem to the new owner. Looking for a new Toyota now.
- William B.,
Humble, TX, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
From the day that we brought this vehicle home, we noticed that the heat was just about non-existant. We took it back to the dealership and they said that they noticed nothing wrong. We mention it every time that we bring the car in and they tell us that the heat is running fine for them at the shop and that there are no known issues. I see from this site that indeed, others have the same issue.
It’s winter here with below freezing temps. Not being able to heat up your car is a pain in the ass to say the least! I expect better from Honda! I have no idea the cost to repair as to get it diagnosed it cost over $100.
Update from Feb 10, 2018: 2012 CR-V 34,917 miles purchased new in 2012. Driver side vents puts out cold air and passenger vents hot air. It’s freezing cold here to be driving with no heat on drivers side. From what I read here there are a lot of people having this problem and on the driver side. Honda needs to recall this it seems like people are saying is the core heater and the repair cost is anywhere from $1400-$2000 this is ridiculous Honda fix the problem and recall this issue I will not buy another Honda!
I bought this 2012 Honda CR-V new and purchased the Honda Care extended warrantee. The car had 44757 miles on it. When I noticed little heat coming from the driver's side, I brought the vehicle to the dealer. I was told that Honda Care would only cover the problem if I had the heater flushed first at a cost of $368. There was never a prompt or I was never advised when I should change the coolant. This is the 1st car that I've owned that has ever had this issue. I also had to have the battery replaced twice. told it was parasitic draw. Anyone else have these problems?
We are in the grip of a bitter cold spell (highs of -5 and lows of 20-28 below Fahrenheit) left side defroster and vent are blowing cold and I mean damn cold air while the right side blows hot. WTH?
My 2012 Honda CRV has only 22,000 miles but is out of warranty. The heater core is clogged, which seems to be a common problem with these cars. There is little to no warmth coming into the driver's area. The cost to repair is $600. We are life-long Honda owners and usually don't have to fix or replace anything for at least a decade. I am truly ticked.
I bought a brand new 2012 CR-V from the local Honda dealer (I thought the Honda makes good cars) but when I got 15,000 ml. in 2014, I changed my mind... The heater started blowing cold air instead of hot. I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced the heater core. I got lucky with the warranty at that time. The new heater core was working good for couple years and got the same problem again. I brought my car back to the same Honda dealer and they sad I need to pay in full for this repair because my warranty expired. I couldn't afford repair and had to deal with that. I am so pissed by Honda because they made this poor quality part and won't recall this. I wouldn't recommend to buy Honda vehicle to my friend until I can see Honda's care on their vehicles end their customers!!!
It has been less than freezing here in western MA., and my heat in my car started acting up badly. Basically no heat from my vents at all. After watching my breath, losing feeling in my fingers, and dangerously fogging up the windows for a few days I brought it to my local mechanic.
He flushed the heater core thoroughly and flushed the coolant and refilled fresh.. the heat improved for a couple days, but the problem returned..I brought it back to him and he flushed the system again and checked the water pump (which is fine). The heat slightly improved for a couple days and plugged up again.
I brought it back again and he flushed the system with muriaric acid like solution over a dozen times and blew it out with compressed air.
Before he released my vehicle to me he said he decided to research the issue and see if others have had the issue and why.
Apparently other people are having the issue, Honda is aware of it but will not cover the repair... his research says the problem is most likely caused by the proprietary coolant Honda uses which is basically crystallizing inside the heater core.... He said he can replace the entire heater core but will need to remove the entire dash board to get to it and it will cost roughly $1,400 in the end... But the issue is, as others are experience this problem as early as 25,000 miles that there is no telling how long the repair will last....
Is it worth me perhaps paying $1400 over and over for a heater core in a car I will be paying on for another couple years, I'm considering just putting down several daily prayers so that I make it through the winter without freezing to death or ending up in a horrible car crash because my windows fog up so bad I cant see where I am going... then perhaps just trading it in for another car.
I mean I already have over $500 into this problem as it is...
Whats a working girl have to do to get a reliable car these days? $30,000 is a lot of money to pay for a car thats going to quit at 100,000 miles... I have my car serviced on a monthly basis almost and expect it to last until I finish paying for it at least,
My 2012 CRV with 36,000 miles has an issue with heater not blowing heat on drivers side. Passenger side heat was okay. According to the service tech, the issue is scale build up in the heater core. He told me that they have had several of these and that Honda is aware of the issue and has issued a bulletin to all Honda dealers about the issue.
The solution by Honda is to first flush the coolant system with CLR or similar descaling product. (35 gallons of it). The cost was just under $300. The service tech told me that if that does not resolve the issue then the heater core must be replaced. Replacing the heater core is costly as it involves removing the dashboard. The cost of that would be close to $2000. Fortunately the flush worked; although it was not covered by warranty or by Honda - even though they are aware of the issue.
My concern is how long this "fix" will work for. I will not be happy if I eventually need to have the heater core replaced. May be time to sell. It is a shame because this is the 3rd Honda we have owned - I would have thought they would have stood behind this issue and stepped up.
Waiting to determine if the flush will work. Otherwise I need coil replacement for $1400 estimate!
Update from Jan 28, 2016: Flush treatment worked. Not sure why a flush was needed. The actual mileage was 39,000 at the time. But it worked and I didn't have to have the $1400 replacement. So winning!
Dealer says repair not covered by 3 year/36 month warranty. Vehicle only has 21,413 miles and is 43 months old. With this low mileage this situation should not have occurred. Feel dealer should have shown compassion as this the 4th Honda vehicle we have purchased from them.
2012 HONDA CRV- I paid a lot of money for this car thinking it would be a good retirement car and a new car should not have to be repaired. WRONG. First it was the battery going dead, have had to have three batteries replaced, no reason, but they just fail to work. Seems we are going to have to replace the battery each year. Read on for second complaint.
2012 CRV with 63500km has issue with heater not blowing heat on drivers side. Passenger side heat was okay. Issue is scale build up in the heater core. Solution by Honda Canada is to first flush the coolant system with CLR or similar descaling product. (35 gallons of it). If that does not resolve the issue then the heater core must be replaced. Replacing the heater core is big bucks as it involves removing the dashboard. The cost is close about $2000 I think.
The flush is about $350 and I was lucky it worked and even luckier the dealer covered it under warranty, as I was past the warranty period by 3500km. Good customers get good service, I guess.
This is my 5th Honda and by far the least reliable. The battery kept dying so they first replaced it then had to reprogram the computer. Now, the heat only comes out on the passenger side of the car. I will be calling Honda on Monday but my car is just over warranty and I know what they are going to say. This is obviously an issue with this model and I guarantee they will deny any knowledge of the issue. I will update this post after I speak with the dealer. Stay tuned.
Of course, as soon as the warranty expires things start going wrong. Heat only blows from the passenger side vents. Driver's side vents only blow cold air.
Husband drove car and told me he was cold the whole time, I noticed as well but thought it was just me. Cold air blowing out of driver side passenger side fine. Apparently, according to the tech this is odd and just was reported by a few others. Dealer ended up replacing Radiator, heater core radiator hoses, heater inlet hose, heater outlet hose and coolant flush. Between the battery going dead frequently and the heating problems I am likely done with Hondas. This was our families 7th Honda and the quality just doesn't seem to be there anymore. The dealer while accommodating will not do anything that is not covered under warranty or by Honda, so much for customer service. Toyota?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Purchase used in May and did not need defroster but did check for heat when I got this vehicle. October with a cool temp near lake, the vehicle fogged up... NO DEFROSTER.
- clancyp, Erie, US