Air conditioning condenser issue is real

I had the air conditioning condenser fail on a 2017 Civic Si sedan. Dealer replaced the condenser under warranty, even though I brought the car in after 36K miles (problem started before 36K miles, but it only became obvious after the weather warmed up).

So kudos to the dealer, less so to whoever designed the condenser lol.

Long story to short,


I have replaced my condensor on my 2017 civic twice in a year due to chirp sounds and vibration sounds from engine bay. And the same problem happened to me again recently.

I went to dealership to let them figure our what is going on.

Now, what they said, there is a knocking problem from my engine cylinder and they are replacing the short block (which is engine part).

Hopefully, this will get rid of the problem.

#1 I do not believe EPA will not care about the GenX Honda A/C leaks, because the car uses R-1245yf Refrigerant, that does not effect the Ozone (like R-134a)

#2 A lot of recent Honda cars seem to be having the CONDENSER replaced.
WHY ? I assume it is leaking .. but where ?? Is it being damaged by road debris, or is it just built so badly that it deteriorates and leaks so quickly.

There should be a fix/solution to this problem that is not just putting in another sub-standard condenser, and then having to pay for a compete recharge of Refrigerant (R-1234yf)

#3 If there is a minor Refrigerant leak, then (especially under warranty), the Dealer really has to replace the Condenser, and re-charge the system. (EXPENSIVE)
The OWNER could take the "option" (at their own risk) , to just top off his A/C with a $50 8 oz can of R- 1234yf, that will probably give them at least another year of cold air.

The $64,000 question really is, where is the Condenser leaking & WHY. (if indeed the problem really is the condenser !!)

ljw6632 said:

Long story to short,


I have replaced my condensor on my 2017 civic twice in a year due to chirp sounds and vibration sounds from engine bay. And the same problem happened to me again recently.

I went to dealership to let them figure our what is going on.

Now, what they said, there is a knocking problem from my engine cylinder and they are replacing the short block (which is engine part).

Hopefully, this will get rid of the problem.

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If not, "Maybe" the next diagnoses will be that the sound is coming from the Music you are playing on the Entertainment system, so next step will be to replace the Infotainment System, and it's "Chirping" tweeters -- and stop playing music by BIRDY !!

Civic16_Black said:

Same issue with my Civic 2016 at 50,000 miles. Rock took out my AC condenser?? This is a weak component or design flaw. I was told it was like rock hitting windshield. I guess my condenser is made from glass too!! I am not happy with a $700 bill on a 3 year old car. Will probably look into other cars in the future and wonder what to do with this one, now.

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Glass, no.... it's made of paper.
I am trying to figure out a way (after it is fixed) to see if I can add some sort of mesh to protect the condenser, to reduce the chances of damage. The difficult part is that it needs to get fresh air, so I can't just block the intake... but is the mesh holes are 2 big the potential damage protection might be negligible.

GoodBytes said:

Glass, no.... it's made of paper.
I am trying to figure out a way (after it is fixed) to see if I can add some sort of mesh to protect the condenser, to reduce the chances of damage. The difficult part is that it needs to get fresh air, so I can't just block the intake... but is the mesh holes are 2 big the potential damage protection might be negligible.

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I just did this with a piece of black gutter guard from Home Depot. I've been driving around for two weeks now. The temp gauge hasn't changed at all.

btm said:

After a few more visits to the dealership and videotaping the temperature going from 42 to over 90 in about 10 minutes, they are going to replace the condenser. I sure hope this works

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Nope, they did NOT replace condenser, they replaced the relay. The same relay they replaced in 2017 which did nothing. 2 more trips in and now they've replaced a sensor (I think TVX sensor). Every time I've mentioned "condenser" I'm told, no it can't possibly be the condenser. Really getting sick and tired of this. 8 trips to Honda dealership and they're still just guessing.

btm said:

Nope, they did NOT replace condenser, they replaced the relay. The same relay they replaced in 2017 which did nothing. 2 more trips in and now they've replaced a sensor (I think TVX sensor). Every time I've mentioned "condenser" I'm told, no it can't possibly be the condenser. Really getting sick and tired of this. 8 trips to Honda dealership and they're still just guessing.

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Man, you need to change dealership.
Go find another dealership which has pretty good mechanics. The dealership I visit everytime, changed my ac control units (condersor, hose and etc). This time, my 2017 civic has knocking problem as well as ac problem again. So they are replacing my short block( engine). They diagnose it and fix it for me. Just change the dealership. You are dealing with some stupid who doesnt want to fix ur car.

btm said:

Nope, they did NOT replace condenser, they replaced the relay. The same relay they replaced in 2017 which did nothing. 2 more trips in and now they've replaced a sensor (I think TVX sensor). Every time I've mentioned "condenser" I'm told, no it can't possibly be the condenser. Really getting sick and tired of this. 8 trips to Honda dealership and they're still just guessing.

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Well, you can tell them it’s happened to enough Civics to be a ‘known issue’. My Touring’s A/C was lukewarm from the day I took delivery. But I rarely use it. So last summer I decided to test it on a mildly warm day. Nothing but hot air. One condenser later, ice-cold air. I’ll test it again tomorrow, but I’m sure nothing’s changed.

I just purchased my 2016 civic with 47000 kms last month, I started using the AC and it’s not VERY cold but i can tell a bit difference when switching AC on and off so I know theres some functionality there, It’s colder on passenger side. According to these forums, lack of freeon from factory or damaged condensor leak can cause this... I called up my local honda dealer in Canada and asked if it’s covered under warranty my AC issue and they said to bring it in tuesday and leave it for a day, but they said it won’t be covered if the condenser was hit with a rock... What am I to expect when I bring it there? Will they charge me a diagnostic fee and repair it for some absurd amount considering they have absolutely no protection on the condensor from factory?... Any advice I should get? like have them write on paper that it was hit by a rock and claim it by insurance? or file a claim for warranty and hope the consessionaire I bought it from honours it? It’s my first time dealing with an issue like this from honda and looking online shows Honda trying to screw their customers for their own design flaws...

tonton81 said:

.. Any advice I should get?

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Just from reading about other's experiences...

You probably will be expected to cover a diagnostic fee.

If they diagnose that you have a damaged condenser; get the estimate. But don't go ahead with the repair until you're sure what Honda will or won't do about it. Some folks have received 'goodwill' repairs. Others have paid up front; expecting to have Honda reimburse them later. That didn't happen very often.

Polite but persistent will get better results than threats and outbursts. Honda is well aware of this by now. But you are probably out of warranty. They may step up or wash their hands based on your attitude.

And good luck.

shoegazer said:

Just from reading about other's experiences...

You probably will be expected to cover a diagnostic fee.

If they diagnose that you have a damaged condenser; get the estimate. But don't go ahead with the repair until you're sure what Honda will or won't do about it. Some folks have received 'goodwill' repairs. Others have paid up front; expecting to have Honda reimburse them later. That didn't happen very often.

Polite but persistent will get better results than threats and outbursts. Honda is well aware of this by now. But you are probably out of warranty. They may step up or wash their hands based on your attitude.

And good luck.

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warranty is at 60,000kms, not miles, i am still at actually rolled over to 48,000, i contacted honda canada before im dropping the car off in 1 hr to honda, they said wait till the dealer gets a report and if they will charge anything, THEN contact honda canada so they can “open a case” telling me not to go ahead with any repairs till i get in touch with them first. considering i work day and night the diagnostic will be 1 day they have to keep the car so ill have to take public transport and probably hear bad news afterwards...

i owned an 8th gen civic for 10 years, never had any issues with AC.....

just an update, even though the car is 48,000 kms, it’s past it’s 3 year warranty by THREE MONTHS, so all charges apply according to the dealer, including diagnostic fee of 140$

since thats a failure at this moment, i been looking through the extended warranty of the consessionaire i bought it from, aparently the condensor, compressor, compressor pulleys and clutch, evaporator are supposedly covered, even the intercooler is listed as covered. hope no issues there! 0 deductable, covered for 60 months or 140,000kms, whichever first

Hi everyone,

I'm a newly registered member from Toronto Canada. I'm also here to raise my concerns that I'm having with my pre-owned 2016 civic LX (33248km) which I purchased from Markham Honda last July 23 of 2018 which I drove only 1800km on it, and my A/C has also stopped working within the year. Upon exhausting and frustrating effort, I managed to get a hold of the dealer to have them look into the matter. I explained to them that my a/c has stopped working and that there are hissing noises (where I found on youtube that the sounds are coming from a leaking thermal expansion valve). Well, from their diagnosis they said that the compressor and condenser requires replacing as it's leaking. Now they're refusing and denying my warranty as it's within a year of purchase and considering I only drove so little on it, and have quoted me $2600 for the repair. At this point, I've contacted Honda Canada to hopefully request a copy of the certified pre-owned warranty only to have them dismiss my case by saying that I need to visit their website or talk to my dealer instead. The guy on the phone said that my warrenty expired just this April, which is complete BS, as that's only 9-months of coverage. As their way of "courtesy" they have asked me to send them a copy of the invoice with a detailed list of all the repair and cost and from there they'll decide what to do as a mediator.

I also had to hound them for providing me with their service history records and for the pre-owned mechanical inspection checklist and certificate, and I only got it during this visit. I noticed that the inspection checklist document was dated July 27, 2018, but there's no way in hell they could have done the inspection, especially since I already have the car on the 23rd and did not bring my vehicle in on that fabricated date. The damn sales rep assured me that the inspections were done and I believed him.

Now, I also found this article online where they had previously been served with a class action lawsuit against them (Honda) for faulty A/C and refusing/denying to fix under warranty, and not surprisingly the issues were with defective compressors and condensers. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit...nditioningcompressor-class-action-settlement/

Shouldn't there be a recall by this point from Honda to acknowledge and take responsibility for this ongoing problem, and shouldn't there be another class action lawsuit if there are so many people being wrongfully treated. At this point, I'd like to know whether anyone could perhaps provide me with any useful information as to what my rights are and if anyone would know the details to Honda's warranty agreement, as I'm really frustrated and dissatisfied with my experience with Honda thus far.

KW_1994 said:

Thank you all for posting about this. I was just at the dealership and they are refusing to honor the warranty claiming it was damaged and Honda will not accept the warranty claim. Did your dealer take convincing or did they just honor the warranty without hesitation?

Thanks!

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Hey KW_1994,
I'm having no luck getting them to honour their warranty agreement. They're giving me the runaround and postponing and delaying my dispute, which I assume, it's their tactic to delay my claim beyond the warranty period to make it invalid.