NHTSA Complaint #10235360 — 2001 HONDA CR-V

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA CR-V. AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER. HE THEN HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND NOTICED FUMES RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAD RUPTURED TO THE POINT THAT ONLY HALF REMAINED. HE COLLECTED A FEW PIECES FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $1,631. THE MANUFACTURER ASSIGNED HIM A CASE NUMBER SO THAT ONE OF THEIR ENGINEERS COULD IDENTIFY THE DEFECT. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS, NO ONE CALLED THE CONTACT BACK. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ASSIGNED HIS CASE TO ANOTHER ENGINEER, IN WHICH NOW THEY DO NOT FEEL IT WAS A DEFECT. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR RUPTURING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR TEN DAYS. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,000.