AC / heater problem
9.3
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$697.00
Average Mileage:
53,302 miles
Number of complaints:
14 complaints
Most common solutions:
- Honda needs to redesign the exterior front air vent system (6 reports)
- Install a new condenser (6 reports)
- not sure (1 reports)
- replace with new part (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2003 Honda Accord A/C condenser prone to damage by road debris
2008Apr 10
Accord EX 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 78,000 miles
After reading other complaints regarding this same issue, I have to say this is ridiculous. Honda needs to own up to it's mistake and cover these repairs under some sort of warranty or recall action. At $600-$700 to repair, this is not something to be overlooked. Used to be a Honda only person, but after this, my preferences are changing.
2008Apr 04
Accord LX Coupe V6
- Automatic transmission
- 47,000 miles
This is definitely a design flaw. The condenser should be protected by a screen that would allow airflow but prevent debris from damaging the unit. A piece of concrete hit my condenser and punched a hole in it. The unit lost all of its fluid. To replace the condenser, they have to remove the front bumper which is one of the reasons it costs so much to fix.
2008Feb 05
Accord EX 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
2003 Honda Accord- My wife just informed me the other day the the A/C wasn't
working. I checked out the relay and it's just fine so I searched on the internet to
see if others have had the same issue and came across several postings about the
condenser and road debris. Well after looking at the front of the car directly at the
condenser I could see that it was pretty well haggard from rocks and other crap. I
did notice an area to the upper left side that was wet from a leak, more than likely
it is freon. Judging by the mass-open holes in the plastic beneath the bumper, it is
no wonder that is was damaged! Honda has a major design flaw going on here and
we are all suffering the consequences. This is B.S. that we are stuck footing the bill
for a car that is supposed to be the most reliable car on the road. Honda should
take lessons from the guys at Toyota on how to take care of their customers and
maybe on how to design a car!!!!!
2007Dec 01
Accord EX 3L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 69,200 miles
This is the second "rock into the condenser" problem I've had in 3 months. Considering I don't go "off-road" in this family sedan I think this definitely speaks to a design error. I'm also wondering if there is an after-market screen available to protect the condenser since it is so delicate. In this case, the dealer (Honda Cars of Concord, NC) went to bat for me and they are replacing the condenser at no charge. They warn me, however, that if the problem happens again I'm on my own. My only recourse, per them, it to file a Comprehensive claim on my Auto Insurance. If course, with a $500 deductible and considering the repair is between $500 and $600, this is not much of an option. Hopefully Honda will address this at some point.
2007Aug 30
(reported on)Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 29,000 miles
Paid $21K on a certified Honda Accord (what a rip-off) from Honda dealer (Avery Greene of Vallejo). Then in 2 months, A/C condenser stopped working. According to dealer not covered under warranty because it was owner's fault, damage caused by rock hitting condenser.
No way to verify their claim, but car was hardly used in 2 months time. I'm having this fixed somewhere else. They're not getting my business anymore.
2007Mar 14
(reported on)Accord EX 3.0
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Don't buy a Honda, They won't stand behind their product. AC quit working and took it to dealer. They said that a "Pristine" Pebble had destroyed the condensor, and that it was not a mechanical error so it was not covered under the warranty. I believe that the number of complaints reported of similar occurances proves that it is a mechanical error due to poor engineering.
If Honda is so reliable, why won't they admit that they screwed up the condensor placement on the 2003 model and fix it. They did make changes to the 2004 model. Why would I pay over $800 to repair something that a tiny pebble could take out the next time I drive my car?
2006May 31
(reported on)Accord EX
- 50,000 miles
There was a hole in the condenser, so it was replaced. That worked for all of about 3 days. Now it works sometimes and half the time makes a sound that sounds like it's dying while blowing hot air. It is located in a horrible position that allows a small rock to penetrate. Honda needs to redesign the exterior front air vent system
2005Jun 08
(reported on)Accord Es V6
- 60,000 miles
I had the same problem with my condenser. A rock hit the condenser and caused a hole in it. I had to have a new one installed. Looking through the front of the car, it would be extremely easy for a rock to hit the condenser. There are two huge openings that go directly to the condenser. I can't believe that Honda has recognized this as a recall problem.Honda needs to redesign the exterior front air vent system.
2006Apr 24
(reported on)Accord EX
- 66,235 miles
Replaced condenser which was damaged by a stick penetrating it. Less than two weeks later I had to replace the condenser again because it was damaged by a small pebble. Honda you have a real problem and unfortunately I am paying for it.
2006Oct 02
(reported on)Accord
- 115,000 miles
Design flaw! The A/C condenser was bowed from road debris. This is not covered under extended warranty, the condenser replacement cost me 700.00. This could happen everytime I get out on the road. I feel this is design flaw.
2004Jun 05
(reported on)Accord LX
- 4,025 miles
I bought a brand new 2003 Honda Accord. After five months the Air Conditioning System quit working. I took the car to get repaired at Checkered Flag Honda in Virginia Beach, VA where the car was purchased. They claimed that they fixed the Air Conditioner problem, but refused to tell me what they found wrong or how they corrected it. I then spoke to the service department manager and he would not provide any information either. My brother was with me and he felt that the dealership was hiding something. At this point, I refused to take the car unless a mechanic looked over the car. The Service Manager sent their best mechanic with me and I instructed him to open the hood. When he opened the hood we noticed a big screwdriver laying on the engine beside a discarded mechanics rag. We also noticed that the refill caps for the Air Conditioning lines were not installed and we located them on the venting for the front windshield. We went back to the Service Manager and then he admitted to adding freon to the system. The dealership also refused to provide any paperwork covering the repairs. Within five months (four of which were during winter) the A/C failed again and the dealer quickly pointed to a leak in the A/C condenser and quoted me $800 to fix the car. The Manager said a small pebble hit the condenser and damaged it. Honda refused to pay for the repairs and I believe they found the leak during my earlier visit. The real problem is that the front venting system does not protect the A/C condenser from the smallest of pebbles or debris that may hit it. Honda knows about the venting system defect and the dealers are given a standard story to avoid any liability. Honda is confronted with an $800 recall problem for newer Honda Accords and they have chosen to cheat their customers rather than fix their product. The INTERNET is full of 2003 Honda Accord condenser failures on low mileage cars. The Automobile Transportation Safety Authority has received numerous complaints regarding 2003 Honda Accord condenser failures so they be able to force Honda to recall the cars, fix the defective air vent design, and pay any customers who have paid the $800 repair bills. This was my first new car and I cannot afford the $800 repair at this time. Maybe a class action suit will get their attention.
2004Apr 27
(reported on)Accord LX
- 23,800 miles
The AC condenser of the 2003 Honda Accord is located in the lower front air duct area which is very prone to be hit by small pebbles when travelling under normal condition in the freeway. The chance of the condenser tubing where the freon passes is very likely because the fins doesn't even protect it from pebbles. The condenser is designes that the tubing is exposed in front of the fins where it is likely to be hit. If you guys look under the front bumper, you will notice a lot of dents on your fins and one of these days a pebble will likely hit your freon tubing causing the freon to leak and you will lose AC cooling. This design has made the Accord's owner to be under a big chance to be changing their AC condenser a lot of times for the life a the car. I had mine hit already and lost my AC cooling and the dealer 's estimate is $726.00 for parts and labor, and they said it not under warranty. They never told me about this big chance of a hit in the condenser when I bought this car. I had owned a lot of cars before but never I had seen my condenser break down because a small pebble hit it. This will cost the consumer a lot of hard earned dollars to repair all the hits in the lifetime of this car. I will never buy or recommend a Honda ever again. Please let me know if you have the same problem as I had.
2003Jul 09
(reported on)Accord EX
- 3,975 miles
Design flaw! My Honda Accord is 6 months old! The A/C condenser was punctured from road damage - a rock must have hit and damaged the fins and caused a leak. Not covered under warranty, the condenser replacement cost me $700.
The location of the cooling system condenser is right behind the front grill and had lots of 'dings' from road damage. There is no protection! The service department said it was a freak accident but I feel it is a design flaw.
The next time you wash your car, look through the front grill. What you are looking at is the condenser. You can almost touch it- so can a rock!
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your AC / heater problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Sep 08
Accord ES 2.4L
Honda should take care of this design problem and fix my car
Larry C.
New Richmond, WI, USA
SEND A COMMENT »