Class action lawsuit for Honda16-18 Civic AC?

Levimax

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How did they determine the evaporator was leaking? Did they add dye to the system and get you to go back on n a couple of weeks?

My dealer told me my condenser and compressor were leaking just based on a visual. They wanted $2000. I charged the system 3 months ago and so far its held the charge. How can such a small a/c leak be determined based on a visual? It can't! Poor diagnostic. Dealers just throw the parts bin at us and are too lazy to determine the exact cause.
They claimed that the "vacuum machine" detected a leak and would not let them charge the system. My understanding is that a leak that could be detected under vacuum would be "huge" which doesn't make sense as there was still some Freon in the system when I took it in. Since I live in California Honda probably wants to make sure I don't come back twice for the same issue or they are exposed to the "lemon law" which makes then liable to buy back the car.

Having said that I can't really blame the dealer as they did not make the faulty AC system and they are trying their best to save the goodwill of their customers built up over decades and cover for Honda. My car is low miles and fairly new and I plan to keep it for a long time but it is technically out of warrantee and I chose not to buy the extended warrantee. I can't say that $800 for a new condenser, evaporator, and Freon charge is unfair but it is frustrating. I did check prices at other shops in my area and the dealer was cheaper for the AC work which was a surprise to me.

Hopefully some day I will get my money back from Honda from this class action suit. I hope you continue to have good luck with you AC system.
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civicmanic

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Having said that I can't really blame the dealer as they did not make the faulty AC system and they are trying their best to save the goodwill of their customers built up over decades and cover for Honda. My car is low miles and fairly new and I plan to keep it for a long time but it is technically out of warrantee and I chose not to buy the extended warrantee. I can't say that $800 for a new condenser, evaporator, and Freon charge is unfair but it is frustrating. I did check prices at other shops in my area and the dealer was cheaper for the AC work which was a surprise to me.
Keep in mind the condenser and refrigerant fill is covered by manufacturer warranty. $800 was for evaporator only.

Their machine determining that there is a leak does not tell them where there is a leak. Sounds like you got a poor diagnostic too. Hopefully you are not back there again next year with the same issue. If you are, they'll likely blame it on the condenser again, and add in a compressor replacement too!

If you do have the issue again, and you will if you plan to keep the vehicle for a while, try charging it yourself with a can of Honeywell r1234yf. It's cheap and many people are getting 1-2 years out of it then just adding another can again.
 
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fuhongl

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You guys want to hear how I punish the dealer who gave me crap diagnosis:
So after the dealer said I need to replace compressor for $2k, I took my civic to another dealer and they charged YF1234 for free ( I had condenser replaced there before under extended warranty). I had them write down there is no leak to be found. After that, I filed a compliant with BBB with the first dealer, with paperwork evidence from second dealer for no leak. They were forced to pay me back the $170 diagnosis fee they charged me immediately.
 

civicmanic

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You guys want to hear how I punish the dealer who gave me crap diagnosis:
So after the dealer said I need to replace compressor for $2k, I took my civic to another dealer and they charged YF1234 for free ( I had condenser replaced there before under extended warranty). I had them write down there is no leak to be found. After that, I filed a compliant with BBB with the first dealer, with paperwork evidence from second dealer for no leak. They were forced to pay me back the $170 diagnosis fee they charged me immediately.
Awesome! The dealer who diagnosed my leaking compressor, actually sent me a video of what they did. The car was only in their possession for 20 minutes. They literally pointed out "oil spray" that was seen on the frame as proof the compressor was leaking. Guess what? The "oil spray" was actually a rust inhibitor product called Rust Check that I sprayed all in that area myself!

I told them to inject dye in the system and I'll come back later to verify 100% where the leak(s) are coming from before I drop $2000, they wouldn't do it. I told them to just replace the condenser, charge it and send me on my way, they wouldn't do it. So I charged it myself with a can, and it has been 3 months still going strong. So very clearly the leak is extremely slow.

I will never deal with that dealership again. Which unfortunately means I will never purchase a new Honda again, because the next nearest Honda dealership is 3 hours round trip.
 
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Nickboss

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Awesome! The dealer who diagnosed my leaking compressor, actually sent me a video of what they did. The car was only in their possession for 20 minutes. They literally pointed out "oil spray" that was seen on the frame as proof the compressor was leaking. Guess what? The "oil spray" was actually a rust inhibitor product called Rust Check that I sprayed all in that area myself!

I told them to inject dye in the system and I'll come back later to verify 100% where the leak(s) are coming from before I drop $2000, they wouldn't do it. I told them to just replace the condenser, charge it and send me on my way, they wouldn't do it. So I charged it myself with a can, and it has been 3 months still going strong. So very clearly the leak is extremely slow.

I will never deal with that dealership again. Which unfortunately means I will never purchase a new Honda again, because the next nearest Honda dealership is 3 hours round trip.
I just took my 2k16 civic ex l in for the ac.
They told me it was the condenser and compressor. $2300 to fix. I told them not to do anything and I was going to call Honda because I wanted both fixed or at least goodwill. I called Honda and opened a case. Was told to wait 5 days so I called the dealer to pick up my car until I heard back. They tell me they already fixed the condenser for no charge and I could pick it up due to the tech bulletin which I knew about. I didn’t want them to do anything though because I knew once they did the condenser Honda would just tell me I’m beat. It Took two weeks for Honda corporate to call me back and tell me they won’t do anything because of the age of my car. I tried to prepare as much as possible and still got beat because the dealer did the condenser by itself and they would have to do more labor and evac recharge to do the compressor a separate time. Best part Is through after all that my mechanic will do the compressor for $400 total. It’s a joke i don’t know what I could of done different besides just staying at the dealer and taking the carBack before they did
anything.
 


civicmanic

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I just took my 2k16 civic ex l in for the ac.
They told me it was the condenser and compressor. $2300 to fix. I told them not to do anything and I was going to call Honda because I wanted both fixed or at least goodwill. I called Honda and opened a case. Was told to wait 5 days so I called the dealer to pick up my car until I heard back. They tell me they already fixed the condenser for no charge and I could pick it up due to the tech bulletin which I knew about. I didn’t want them to do anything though because I knew once they did the condenser Honda would just tell me I’m beat. It Took two weeks for Honda corporate to call me back and tell me they won’t do anything because of the age of my car. I tried to prepare as much as possible and still got beat because the dealer did the condenser by itself and they would have to do more labor and evac recharge to do the compressor a separate time. Best part Is through after all that my mechanic will do the compressor for $400 total. It’s a joke i don’t know what I could of done different besides just staying at the dealer and taking the carBack before they did
anything.
Just get your mechanic to replace the compressor, but not charge it. Then bring it back to the dealer and get them to charge it. That should be free then considering it is part of the free warranty condenser replacement anyway.
 

blackie X

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My 2017 Honda still hasn't had an issue yet with AC, haven't even had to charge the system yet at 70k miles. I have the extended warranty if for some reason mine shits the bed, plus the warranty for condenser they added.
 

SethNES

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I70 diagnostic fee? What do you live in Cali? I think here they warned me for 120 to look at malfunction trunk that should be covered under warranty. If dealer tries to fuck me then I'll be all over them. They already asked me about my "aftermarket” stock spoiler on my si coupe.
 

SethNES

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So Honda went with some cheap company for ac kind of like how they got screwed for airbags in previous models. You get what you pay for or company they outsource shit to sucks and it harms their reputation more than said shit company. PS fuck takata. Sounds like shit in Spanish.
 

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As per the canned recommendation of Berger Montague, I submitted the form to seek reimbursement from Honda through the following program: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10167735-0001.pdf

BTW I don't have a paid extended warranty. While Honda's warranty extension covers a defective condenser, it doesn't cover the compressor or evaporator YET. Berger Montague had written "You can submit this form even if your problem was with the compressor and even if Honda has previously denied coverage." My problem was with the evaporator. I guess defective evaporators are less common than defective compressors, which in turn are less common than defective condensers.

Honda emailed me promptly denying my request for reimbursement and stating that the evaporator is not covered under the warranty extension for the condenser.

However, this morning American Honda left me a voicemail as follows:

“We opened your case. We will be assigning it to a case manager who will review it for “good will assistance” because the AC evaporator is not covered under the AC condensor warranty extension. Once the case manager is assigned you’ll be contacted in 3-5 days give or take. From there the case will be reviewed and they’ll let you know about the outcome.”
Here's an update: American Honda called me just now to let me know they're awarding good will assistance in the amount of $998.53. So if you get the repair done at Honda, it's definitely worth submitting the form linked above to seek reimbursement from Honda for repair to a compressor OR evaporator. BTW, I had paid the Honda dealer $2,496.34 to repair the evaporator. I'm still hoping that Honda eventually will include the compressor and evaporator under the extended warranties and we'll get the remainder of the funds that we paid Honda refunded.
 
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Nickboss

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That’s good I’m glad they did something for you. My case manager straight up denied me for anything. Wouldn’t be worth it for me unless they did the whole repair for free anyway but still not what I was expecting after reading all the people on here who weren’t denied and got some good will.
 

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Any one knows what is the status of the second Class action lawsuit for 16-18 Civic AC?
There seems to be a lawsuit at end of last year for its faulty air conditioning system.
It seems the first one was rejected.
My 2016 Civic compressor needs replacement and I don't have warranty. Terrible.
I've replaced my compressor once, and I'm about to replace the condenser for the third time. My car is a 2016 coupe touring and it only has 55k miles. I am so disappointed. The last condenser was only replaced 9 months ago and it's already leaking again. They told me a seal was leaking the last time, and they showed me where all of the fluid was leaking out. I'd be interested in joining a class action lawsuit because going through 3 condensers and 1 compressor in under 55k miles is ridiculous.

Honda - Warranty Extension: 2016-21 Civic A/C Condenser
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10194916-0001.pdf

Honda Class Action Alleges Civic A/C Defect
https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit...lem allegedly affects,risk of injury or death.

Warranty Extension: 2016-2021 Honda Civic A/C Condenser
August 4, 2021
https://honda.oemdtc.com/1701/warranty-extension-2016-2021-honda-civic-a-c-condenser

Honda AC Failed? A Condenser Failure May Be Covered Under An Extended Warranty Program
Jul 19 2021
https://www.torquenews.com/1083/hon...ay-be-covered-under-extended-warranty-program
 
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latole

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The compressor never (short answer) needs to be replaced. It's a way for the dealer to make money.
The condenser; I preferred to go to my honest specialist A/C shop and pay to have it replaced once 3 years ago.


You story is too often read here abbot a stealership . You will learn.
 

sLing

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The compressor never (short answer) needs to be replaced. It's a way for the dealer to make money.
The condenser; I preferred to go to my honest specialist A/C shop and pay to have it replaced once 3 years ago.


You story is too often read here abbot a stealership . You will learn.
Why go to a specialist when you can get it done for free at a dealership?
 

latole

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Compressor is free ? First time I read that. Many member pay $1k

Because I dont truss the stealership.
At my A/C small town shop I can talk to the owner
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