2002 Honda CR-V A/C: $4000 est.

Take a look at this estimate from Bernardi Honda of Natick, MA, for a completely new air conditioning system for a 2002 Honda CRV: $4000

Estimate for 2002 CRV A/C

“Compressor Damaged Internally” doesn’t sound like normal wear to me. I’m looking for some honesty and flexibility from Honda of America, and I’d better get it. For starters, I’m already out $108 for the estimate.

I also had the dealer check the driver’s seat. It locks into position, but it feels like a rocking chair when stopping and starting. A couple of loose bolts? Nah. Try a whole new base for over $500. I wonder if the seat as is would be safe in a crash?

What happened, Honda?? These sorts of problems didn’t used to happen.

2002 Honda CRV A/C Black Death

Honda of America — 800-999-1009 — had no record of the dealer calling about the diagnosis of the 2002 CRV air conditioner failure, which has been termed “Black Death.” Honda of America now says they want only the customer contacting them. Very strange. Bernardi Honda of Natick, Massachusetts is a Honda dealer, and you’d think they would have a better communication path than me calling the 800 number. Obviously, this is all done to discourage consumers from trying to get satisfaction. Anyway, the case supposedly has been forwarded to a regional manager, who will contact me in the next day or two, to discuss the situation.

I sure hope Honda comes up with a reasonable response, because A/C Black Death is a common complaint with second generation CRV’s. As the good guys say in Star Wars when dealing with the Empire, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” But I should point out that there are FOUR of these CRV’s on our street alone, and I would hope Honda of America is savvy enough to have a database, and check it, before they leave me high and dry.