Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The A/C went kaput on my 2004 Honda crv. Hendrick Honda of charleston told me the entire system was contaminated and needed to be replaced in the ballpark of $3000. My car has 40,000 miles on it and I have learned of a litany of the same problem with other 2001-2004 Honda crvs. I've also learned that the crv air conditioning system has been redesigned for models after '04. I contacted American Honda and received a case number which I shared with my service representative. He said "I wish you hadn't done that because I could have got things going faster." this is neither here nor there, but I did get the sense I did the correct move. Hendrick Honda of charleston says they can fix it no problem, but I don't want to be on the hook for a major repair on a car that isn't that old with few miles. I'm not looking to cause a stink... I just want the car fixed. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-v. While driving 45 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise. She was unable to determine what side of the vehicle the noise originated. Shortly after the noise, the air conditioner in the vehicle stopped working. The following day, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the air compressor and clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the contact discovered numerous complaints for the same failure as her year, make, and model vehicle. Due to the amount of complaints on the vehicle, the contact feels that a recall should have been issued. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 67,000. Updated 10/14/08. The air conditioner compressor exploded and shot shards of metal throughout the system. Updated 10/15/08. 8jb
While driving in warm and very wet weather I heard a loud pop and the air conditioner on the 2004 CR-v stopped blowing cold air. In order to see through the fogged windows we had to run the widow defogger on high, blowing hot air for the remaining 3 hours of our road trip. We were miserable, to say the least. Upon returning to houston I took the car to a mechanic ,who elevated it and showed me the air compressor. The housing of the compressor is shattered. It looks like a hard-boiled egg shell after being cracked. This is a faulty part, which I'm told will cost $700 for just the compressor. The mechanic told me that when he contacted a dealer, the service manager told him they had sold 5 from that dealer alone that month! In October! The car was only 2 years old.
I was driving my 2004 Honda CR-v with the air conditioner on, and I heard a pop and then a rattle. Then, my air conditioner stopped blowing cold air. As I tested the air conditioner, I could tell that the air conditioner was not kicking in. I scheduled an appointment with Honda service, and they told me that the compressor shaft was broken, and that the air compressor, clutch, and coil needed to be replaced. This repair was very costly ($1300) and it was not covered under warranty. I was very disappointed that my air conditioner would fail after only 2 years of use. Honda service told me that it looked like normal wear and tear. My complaint lies in the possibility that this part was defective. If not, then this incident could happen again in another 2 years.
A/C blowing hot air - initially I thought there was just a need for freon - Firestone diagnosed the A/C compressor went out - I picked the car up without repairing because of the cost. I looked on the internet and found site that suggested I call Honda America - I opened up a case (very rude people there) and then took car to local Honda dealership on 10/1/07 - they told me the entire system was contaminated and repair would cost me $535.66 and they would take care of the rest. I complained about the cost to Honda America (I was a stay at home mom) and they said I should be happy with that cost. Difficult pill to swallow when the car was only 3 years old at the time and I was basically paying for their faulty part.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-v. When attempting to turn on the air conditioner, the air began to turn hot. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The dealer stated that the air conditioner compressor failed. The contact was not provided with a repair estimate. He was informed that when the air conditioner compressor fails, it sends metal particles throughout the entire air conditioning system. As a result, any area that the particles affect will have to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that no compensation would be provided due to the excessive mileage on the vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda crv. While driving 2 MPH in reverse, she hear a loud banging noise in the engine. Prior to the noise, the air conditioner functioned as if the heat was on. She turned the vehicle off for four and a half hours. She took the vehicle to a local repair shop in order to have the air conditioner repaired and was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The dealer stated that she needed a compressor and air conditioner. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer who confirmed that the compressor had malfunctioned. The vehicle was repaired for $2,646.23. The failure mileage was 133,612 and the current mileage was 133,652.
Thunk noise from engine on passenger side. Worse with turning, happened intermittently at all speeds. Dealer said "something" was not tightened properly, muttering about engine mount. I was not given a service record for the repair and am in the process of trying to get one after the fact. At the same time hear a grinding noise that was not resolved. CR-v at repair shop now and said it looks as if air compressor, clutch and fans for ac are not right. If not resolved will blow and damage engine. I have searched and found this is an alarmingly common problem. Is there any move to investigate or initiate a recall?
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-v. While driving 40 MPH, the contact heard a popping noise coming from the engine and then the air conditioner shut off without warning. The mechanic noticed that the compressor was leaking oil and stated that there was a hole on the A/C compressor, which was caused by metal pieces from the air compressor housing wall. As of September 25, 2007, the dealer had not inspected or repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 43,000. Updated 01-14-08. Updated 12/12/07.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-v. The contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the air conditioning system. The dealer stated that the air compressor caused the clutch assembly to fail, which contaminated the entire air conditioning system. The manufacturer stated that they would assume liability for 75% of the $3,000 repair cost. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 51,000. Updated 07/29/08 updated 08/05/08.
AC & Heater complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 2004 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 2004 Honda CR-V, 5% of the model year's 501 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda CR-V ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 2004 Honda CR-V, though it has 12 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Honda CR-V ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.