Emily Sortor  |  December 16, 2019

Category: Auto News

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honda civicA Honda class action lawsuit alleges that 2016 to 2018 Honda Civics possess a defective air conditioning system. 

Plaintiff Andre Wong says he owns a 2016 Honda Civic and was not informed of the air conditioning defect at the time of his purchase. Allegedly, he purchased the vehicle new and no defects were disclosed.

Wong states that over the course of three years, he brought his vehicle in for service related to the AC defect. Honda technicians reportedly tried to repair the problem but have not provided an effective repair.

The defect in the 2016 – 2018 Honda Civics allegedly causes the vehicle’s air conditioning system to malfunction and stop working while the it’s in operation. According to Wong, the problem is caused by a defect in the design or manufacture of the air conditioning condenser unit. 

The Honda class action lawsuit states that the air conditioner defect negatively affects the drivers’ use and enjoyment of their vehicles. Additionally, the problem allegedly affects the safety and value of the 2016 – 2018 Class vehicles. 

According to the Honda A/C class action lawsuit, the lack of a functioning air conditioner can cause health problems that expose the driver and occupants of the vehicle to an increased risk of injury or death. Allegedly, these risks are exacerbated by the fact that climate control and defroster controls are affected. 

In his Honda class action lawsuit, Wong claims that Honda actively concealed the fact that the air conditioners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Honda Civic were prone to failure. Allegedly, the company also concealed the health risks associated with the defect.

Wong claims that Honda has long been aware of the defect but makes a practice of refusing to repair air conditioners without charging customers. According to Wong, the company goes so far as to refuse to acknowledge the problem when owners or lessees of the vehicles bring their vehicles in for service related to problems with the defect. 

Wong goes on to say that many drivers have requested that Honda provide a remedy for the A/C problem at no charge, but Honda fails to acknowledge the defect. Allegedly, Honda refuses to acknowledge the defect even when it occurs within the warranty period.

The plaintiff claims that Honda further recommends costly repairs to customers which they are forced to pay for themselves. 

This is not the first time that Honda has faced complaints over alleged air conditioning defects. In 2012, the company settled similar claims of AC/compressor defects in some Honda Odyssey, Honda CR-V and Acura TSX vehicles. Now, customers are claiming that the problem may plague more vehicles.

Have you experienced a problem with your Honda’s air conditioning? Let us know in the comment section below!

Wong is represented by David C. Wright, Richard D. McCune, Steven A. Haskins, and Mark I. Richards of McCune Wright Arevalo LLP; and by Marcus J. Bradley and Kiley L. Grombacher of Bradley/Grombacher LLP.

The Honda Civic Air Conditioning Problem Class Action Lawsuit is Andre Wong v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-10537, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

UPDATE: The Vehicle Safety Defect Investigation is now open! If you own a vehicle that has a safety defect you believe should be covered by the warranty and it’s not, submit your information here.

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1,078 thoughts onHonda Class Action Alleges Civic A/C Defect

  1. Joseph N says:

    I have a 2018 Honda Civic LX. The air conditioning started blowing hot air on the right side, and; semi- cool on the left side. Took it to the dealer. They replaced the condenser for free as per the extended warranty from Honda . One year later, the same problem came back blowing hot air. This time it was a collapsed suction line it was covered because I bought the extended warranty when I bought the car used. The car only has 30,000 miles on it. I just got it fixed two weeks ago and we’ll see. . I have an extended warranty bumper-to-bumper for the next two years. If I did not have the extended warranty, I would’ve had to pay for it 1100 $. Of course I would’ve never taken it to the dealer if it wasn’t under warranty because I could’ve had the job done just as well for a third of that. If it happens again, I’ll have Honda fix it and then I will sell the car. Honda knew about these problems and covered it up.

    1. Suzane K says:

      I am having the same A/C issue with 2016 Honda Civic as reported by Jennifer L. I took it to Honda dealer and they said there is a leak in the evaporator. I had once replaced the condensor in 2019. I am wondering how we can have Honda pay for the A/C system repair or recall the vehicle for defective A/C system. What is the outcome of the 2016 Honda Civic Air Conditioning Problem Class Action Lawsuit filed by Mr. Wong ?

  2. Tiffany S. says:

    I have a 2018 Honda civic that is having AC issues. Despite “fixing it” twice since purchasing it new – Honda is now saying it needs a full replacement that is not covered by the warranty and will be $5000 out of pocket.

  3. Jo Carter says:

    I am experiencing the a/c not cooling. Currently in my 2016 civic

  4. Anthony Alvaro says:

    I have some great news, I had been talking with American Honda corporate and had a case started to see if they would help financially with the $1500+ repair of the leaking compressor. Today they have issued a extended warranty for the compressor leak. If anyone has already paid for this repair I would inquire with the dealership about a refund for the repair. I honestly didn’t think they were going to issue the extended warranty based on how long these issues have been going on, but they did. Here are the campaign code and service bulletin that the case manager gave me in regards to the extended warranty.
    Campaign Code: RE8
    Service Bulletin: 23-039

  5. Guillermo Borda says:

    This is what I wrote to America Honda-on April 14 2023 and they still refusing to take responsibility for the the AC compressor,
    they said its not on the 10 years extended warranty.

    American Honda Customer Care

    I am writing to you to inform you of an issue I have been having with my 2016 Honda Civic On April 15th, 2019, there was an issue with my air conditioner. It was blowing out warm air. I brought it to DCH Academy Honda in Old Bridge, NJ for inspection. The technician diagnosed the problem as a leaky condenser and a leaky compressor. The AC compressor and AC condenser was replaced at that time, per American Honda’s authorization.

    On April 13th 2023, I am now experiencing the same problem with the air conditioner blowing out warm air. The same issue I had 3 years ago. I took the car to DCH Academy Honda and they diagnosed it with a leaky AC condenser and leaky AC compressor.

    In doing some research I discovered that this same failure has happened to numerous other customers, with the A/C compressor failing. While you are willing to cover the A/C condenser under the 10 years warranty (campaign #6C3/service bulletin #19-091), the problem here is the A/C compressor. The the dealership wants to replace the seals on the A/C compressor and charge me $653 dollars. This is a known issue from many articles and customers complaints that I have been seeing.

    What is the most common cause of car A/C compressor failure? Loss of lubrication is unquestionably the most common cause of compressor failure. This can happen when there is a refrigerant leak somewhere in the system that allows refrigerant and oil to escape.

    I am requesting that you cover the cost of this repair since American Honda will not extend the warranty on the entire AC system. In my experience the cause of this issue is the A/C condenser, and according to DCH Academy Honda’s Advisor George P at the Service Center, he said: “the first time the A/C condenser was replaced it was replaced with a defective part”. Based on my research, the defective part also cause the compressor to fail a second time. For this season, I am requesting that American Honda cover the cost of the repair or replacement of the A/C compressor.

    Attached ,DCH Academy Honda Report/Diagnostic

    1. Anthony Alvaro says:

      Hey Guillermo,
      I was talking with them recently too and they are issuing the extended warranty for the compressor today. The case manager gave me these to references in regards to the extended warranty:
      Campaign Code: RE8
      Service Bulletin: 23-039

  6. Cristina Garcia says:

    2016 Honda Civic Touring – no cold air so got it checked out:
    AC diagnostic was completed and they found the AC compressor leaking from shaft and it contaminated and burnt coil

    Also they confirmed leak from the AC evaporator. Honda Dealer Quote to fix $5374!

    I know Honda extended the warranty to 10 years on the condenser so I was hoping it was that but they said it was not.

    “August 9, 2019
    Warranty Extension: A/C Condenser Leaking
    Service Bulletin
    19-091
    Version 1
    AFFECTED VEHICLES
    Year Model Trim
    2016 Civic ALL
    2017 Civic ALL
    2018 Civic ALL
    BACKGROUND
    VIN Range
    Check the iN VIN status for eligibility. Check the iN VIN status for eligibility. Check the iN VIN status for eligibility.
    American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles.
    This warranty only covers vehicles that have a defective A/C condenser from the factory. The A/C condenser was not manufactured to specification. As a result, tiny holes may develop in the condenser tube walls that allows the refrigerant to leak out.
    The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle that has a leaking condenser due to foreign object damage.
    The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for salvage by a financial institution or insurer, or has a branded or similar title under any state’s law.
    CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
    Owners of affected vehicles will be sent a notification of this campaign. Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible.”

  7. Sharon Wildermuth says:

    I have spent $4,353.00 in 1 1/2 years on my 2018 Civic!😢! The AC Evaporator, Compressor, Coil. Clutch, Caps, Valves. Terrible business practices by Honda. They are creating bad causes. Just waiting for the same effect.

  8. Sharon Wildermuth says:

    I have a 2018 Civic. In 18 months I have spent $4,243.00 on AC Evaporator, Coil, Clutch, Compressor, Refrigerant, Re Charge,Valves, Caps! 😢! I have 82,000 Miles on the motor. Can I receive any or all reimbursements?

  9. Andrew Isley says:

    2016 Honda Civic, compressor leaking. Had to pay $1100 to repair

  10. Ryan says:

    At approximately 50k miles, my 2018 civics condenser, compressor, and evaporator have all been replaced. Luckily I bought the extended warranty, but it would be very expensive for someone who does not have one.

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