AC system had musty smell through vents since purchased new in 2016 and gradually got worse until AC cooling system failure in April 2020 needing repaired; noticed oil and dirt collecting at pipe connection indicating a leak.

April 2020 at 30,181 miles the AC system diagnosed by local Honda Dealer as bad seals at the firewall pipes to evaporator (dirt collecting to oil), dealer replaced seals and dye added to system. System checked and recharged; Bille was $224.24

Worked for several months until another failure at the same location 1 year later

16 June 2022 returned the vehicle to the same Honda Dealer for AC cooling performance problem (not cooling, blowing warm air), leaking again at the firewall pipes, wet and appearing to be oil and dirt collecting again. AC filter had yellow stains from refrigerant/oil/dye dripping onto the AC filter (suspected refrigerant leak in dash)

- Dealer replaced AC Condenser & Receiver Dryer, vacuumed system and was still leaking

- Dealer Replaced seals, AC pipes and service port valves, vacuumed system and was still leaking

- Dealer utilized sniffer to detect leaks and determined leak could only be coming from the dash (evaporator / TXV expansion valve) requiring evaporator housing removal from the dash for inspection HONDA Regional REP notified by Honda Dealer for problem suspected inside dash (evaporator leaking)

- Dealer advised by Honda REP to remove evaporator from dash for inspection: Inspection Findings: Evaporator was leaking inside dash (refrigerant leak); covered with dye and white corrosion; padding on top of evaporator from the factory had excessive black tar sealant excessively covering the top of the evaporator and into the cooling fins on both sides of the evaporator which would cause corrosion and reduced cooling performance

- Dealer notified me the evaporator was faulty and Honda would cover the evaporator repair and 50% of the AC system being replaced (parts & labor) excluding the AC condenser which had dents from rocks

- MY RESPONSE: Replace the compressor, Stator, clutch and receiver dryer in the new condenser, although receiver dryer already replaced, the system was charged with old parts and no guarantee there is not sludge or debris floating around in the system contaminating the new receiver dryer and the compressor/clutch/stator has unnecessary stress on them from constantly leaking. If the compressor fails, it will require the entire AC system to be replaced again (more costly). "Best course of action at this point is to replace the entire AC system to ensure long term reliability, eliminate potential contamination, start off new and ensure the receiver dryer is replaced "AGAIN" for peace of mind". SERVICE ADVISOR COMMENT: 10/4 we will do it, but Honda will not cover the condenser due to rock dents (OK no problem); Honda will cover 50% parts & labor for remainder of system - OK lets do it and get this fixed!

- I asked the Service advisor for "all the old parts" and "photos of the vehicle with the evaporator removed" to verify the evaporator was being replaced in the vehicle. Service advisor agreed (I have the text messages from the service advisor agreeing to photos and Honda covering 50% of the AC system parts/labor).

- JULY 1, 2021 Service Advisor notified me the evaporator was replaced, pipes replaced, expansion valve replaced, system was checked for leaks and is no longer leaking; AC system was charged with R134a and is now cooling to SPEC. Honda will cover the current repair at no cost to you, however Honda does not want to replace the compressor, stator, and clutch because they are working. if you want to replace these remaining parts, it will be out of pocket cost to you.

MY RESPONSE: Replace the compressor, Stator, Clutch, and Receiver dryer "AGAIN" for peace of mind and I will pay you. I need long term reliability to ensure the AC system won't fail again in 3 years.

- PHOTOS & PARTS: Specifically I asked the service advisor for the old parts upon repair completion, I also asked for photos of the dash with evaporator housing removed. Service Advisor said OK and I can even face time you if you want.

July 5, 2021: Service Advisor called and said the car is done, pick up at 5:45 pm

July 5, 2021 @ 6:00pm arrived to dealer, bill was $2516.12 (cost to me), checked over vehicle and AC seemed to be cooling very well and all AC components were replaced.

- Paid the Honda Dealer the bill and I asked for the parts and photos DEALER RESPONSE:

- We (2 service advisors) cannot give you the parts because Honda wants them for internal reasons

- We cannot provide you photos however, we (dealer) can show you the faulty evaporator (I verified evaporator was corroded, covered in dye and black tar)- faulty evaporator

JULY 5, 2021 Looked over receipt more closely when I got home and noticed R 1-2-3-4-YF Refrigerant Charge on the receipt (not charged, Honda covered the refrigerant) however, "My 2016 Accord Sport requires R134a refrigerant (HFC).

JULY 6, 2021 @ 12;00: Returned to the dealer and asked 2 Service Advisors why R1234YF was on my receipt billed to Honda (70% more expensive) when my vehicle requires R134a and the 2 refrigerants are not compatible.

DEALER RESPONSE: Service Advisor # 1 said the system was retrofitted with R1234YF as the EPA requires it; Service Advisor # 2 stated R134a and R1234YF cannot be mixed, the connection fittings are different, the R1234YF on the receipt is only for billing and your AC system was actually charged with R134a, however the R1234YF on the receipt was used as a billing code (not a part number) because it pays the dealer more money.

MY RESPONSE: I'm confident the system was charged with R134a because R1234YF would not be blowing that cold. My concern is there are 2 incompatible refrigerants on my receipt and I paid $2500.00 for this repair. I want to R1234YF removed from he receipt because someone could get the wrong idea and think the system was incorrectly converted which is a violation of EPA law, $2500.00 fine. I want the R1234YF removed from my receipt to eliminate confusion. Also if someone (EPA/Honda, etc...) audits your records, you have R1234YF showing as the fluid in a vehicle requiring R134a AC system, both refrigerants are on the receipt. Not good.

DEALER RESPONSE: I cant re-open a closed work order, I can change it on the screen for your record and provide you an updated copy, but it is already in the system. The R1234YF is just a billing code to get more money.

I appreciate Honda helping outside bumper to bumper warranty, it was the right thing to do however, I feel this problem with the evaporator created stress on the other system components and is the reason I had to spend money to replace the other AC components for peace of mind. At least it's under a 2 year warranty now.

I took my updated receipt and departed the dealer. Hoping the AC holds up for a couple years.

I won't be buying another Honda nor will I recommend Honda to anyone at this time due to the problems we had with this vehicle and the dealership experiences we have encountered at more than one dealership. My wife does not trust the car and does not like to drive it.

New AC system recently installed by Honda Dealer ($2500.00) on July 6, 2021 stopped cooling correctly and was blowing slightly cool air and causing the cabin to be uncomfortable. Temperature outside was 108 degrees. There was no condensation on the AC suction line when I opened the hood (abnormal) and the suction line felt cool (not cold) to the touch with the AC turned on. The temperature controls in the cabin would not change the cabin temperature, seemed the AC system was stuck at one temperature which was slightly cool.

Waited until dark several hours later and went for a test drive. No change in AC performance, still the same. Took my UV light and "visually inspected" over the AC components under the hood and at the condenser. Found green dye at the new AC condenser, receiver dryer seal where these 2 parts connect. Found a small spot of green UV dye at the lower left corner of the new AC condenser (not from rock damage) between the fins. Found green AC dye at the new AC suction hose pipe connection from the new compressor to the new evaporator, there was so much dye and oil scattering that it had been dripping onto "ALL the brake lines" and running down the inner fender.

The spreading of dye/oil appeared to have been from the AC suction hose moisture which sweats very badly when the AC is on and drips water constantly from condensation forming. I've never seen an AC suction hose sweat so much in a vehicle. Usually it is the evaporator that condensates heavily. When the sweating stopped, I knew the loss of cooling was suspected to be from loss of refrigerant (leaking again).

Vehicle dropped off at dealer on August 3, 2021, problem reported and photo proof of UV dye detected at AC condenser and suction hose to evaporator provided to dealer.

Update from Aug 22, 2021: Aug 3, 2021 Inspected new AC system with UV light at night, found ac dye at new condenser to receiver dryer connection. Found dye present at new AC suction hose, dye present on brake lines under suction hose. New AC system is leaking.

Took it to dealer on AUG 3, 2021 and informed advisor the suction hose appears to be aftermarket and leaking. The condenser is leaking, AC system stuck at one temperature and won’t get cooler than 77 degrees. Seems to be a mix of warm air coming from center vents. I just spent $2500.00 out of pocket to replace the AC system 3 weeks ago. Honda covered the defective evaporator which was previously leaking.

Almost 3 weeks have passed and still waiting to get my car back. Apparently there’s a problem getting a suction hose however, I have found the Honda suction hose and multiple places online, just not available through the dealer for some reason. Very disappointing to spend all this money to get aftermarket parts at a Honda dealer that failed and right back in the shop again with another long wait

no cooling or heat and foul smell

ac and heating poor performance only works on extreme settings. complain to dealer reply this is normal for accord. Foul smell started 5.27.on entering ,the car smells bad .Dealer said to keep fans on and there is no warranty. I tried spaying Lysol but this does not cure the problem. during driving no smell when ac is on but if I switch ac off for fresh air intake the smell becomes foul. strange no one reported this problem this is a brand new car!!! I will be complaining to America Honda buy the agents are negative and never picks up the phone and keeps you waiting forever when they consult "the Book".