NHTSA Complaint #10542256 — 2005 ACURA TSX

IN JUNE OF 2012, I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH ON A STATE HIGHWAY WHEN A LOUD GRINDING NOISE BEGAN COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THE SOUND STOPPED AND HOT AIR BEGAN COMING THROUGH MY VENTS. I TURNED OFF MY AC AND PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED ON A WEEKEND AND I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY. I WAS TOLD THAT MY AC COMPRESSOR HAD DISINTEGRATED ON THE INSIDE AND SENT METAL SHAVINGS AND SHRAPNEL THROUGH THE ENTIRE HVAC SYSTEM. I HAD THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED WITH AN AFTERMARKET COMPRESSOR TO SAVE MONEY, THE DEALER FLUSHED AND DRIED ALL LINES AND COMPONENTS TO REMOVE ANY TRACES OF METAL AND DEBRIS. THE ENTIRE ORDEAL COST NEARLY $1,700. IN AUGUST OF 2013 MY COMPRESSOR ONCE AGAIN DISINTEGRATED SENDING DEBRIS THROUGHOUT MY HVAC SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS OCCURRED ONE MONTH OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY ON THE AFTERMARKET PART. THE SAME PROCESS HAD TO BE REPEATED AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $1,800 IN REPAIRS AND LABOR. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE 2005 TSX WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT WHEN IT USES THE SAME COMPRESSOR AS IT'S PREDECESSOR THE 2004 TSX WHICH WAS INCLUDED IN THE SETTLEMENT. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY INSTANCES OF THIS FAILURE HAPPENING IN THE 2005'S.