How serious is the a/c issue for my 2004 CRV?

I have just become aware of what appears to be many people with a/c problems. Is this a real problem? I have a very low mileage 2004 CRV with 27,000 miles that has no problems. I would really appreciate knowing exactly what seems to be failing. For example, is it a bearing in the compressor? thanks, to all,

Please take what I write as not in stone.I have an 06 and this does seem to be a common problem on the Gen 2 so I have tried to follow it.I have read that it is 1)caused by the position of the unit so it does not get enough air flow to cool it or 2)Honda installed cheap compressors.I have tried to follow threads that were posted but most never post the results.I have heard that Honda as good will 1) pay the whole bill but I also read that this is getting expensive for them and now is seldom done 2) go 50/50 3)tell you to take a hike.As far as Honda paying the whole bill the ones who seemed to get that deal had all their serviceing done at the local friendly $onda dealer.If it self destructs it will cost between $1500 to $3000 to fix.I have noticed that the problem seems to come up faster the more you use it (warmer climates).The only suggestion I have for you is as soon as you hear a noise from it SHUT IT OFF because if it imployeds it sends metal shards through the whole unit requireing the $3000 job.Best of luck and sorry for the long post.
PS: Welcome and remember this is only my take on this and could be completely wrong.

I've been doing a lot of research on Gen2 and Gen2.5 CR-V's and I've come across tons of info on the A/C compressor failures, and a couple of reputable sources state that it was a 'bad batch' of compressors that Honda received from their supplier that is causing all the problems. How big a 'bad batch' is, I have no idea, but TcTurner is totally right when he says they detonate when they finally go bad. I've read so many instances of a loud 'bang' under the hood and then the vehicle's engine totally drags. Once a compressor (any automotive A/C compressor) blows like that, you'll have fragments of your compressor going into your expansion valve, your drier/condenser, and the rest of your system. The repair is so costly because they have to blow/clean out all the lines of the entire system, and the expansion valve is never a treat to get to.

From my understanding, if you've got one of the good compressors, it could easily last the lifetime of the vehicle. If you've got one from the 'bad batch', it could be a ticking time-bomb. Several people have written in about the problem on www.carsurvey.org ...you might want to compare model-years/build-dates of the people who have had problems to see if yours was within the build dates.

I will look at your link to check production dates. I have a factory repair manual and i was thinking that, if my crv seems to be at significant risk, I wonder if honda would be willing to sell me the compressor at wholesale and they pay for the installation. It sure beats thousands of dollars if the compressor actually explodes. I was also wondering if anyone thinks it might be the pressure release value malfunctioning. Thanks to all who reply, my wife really loves her crv and with the limited mileage we put on it, I am hopeing it will last a long, long time.

Unfortunately, there are some postings in that site that complain directly about the A/C compressor in the 2004 model year. That site represents only a handful out of I don't know how many tens-of-thousands of vehicles made that year. Plus, one guy said he's had his replaced (and knows of others replaced) multiple times... that seems like more than just a 'bad batch' of compressors. I read somewhere that Honda just doesn't make a robust A/C system, but then that's a generalized statement without much merit.

I highly doubt Honda would be willing to sell a compressor wholesale to you, for they make a lot of their money on parts, and I've read where they are even hesitant to make the repairs on the A/C system when they do fail, let alone trying to catch one before it fails.

Here are some other links on the topic:

http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/honda-cr-v/TU0OKFJGV9V3F3FGL

http://www.edmunds.com/honda/crv/2004/discussion.2.html

http://www.complaints.com/2007/january/24/2003_Honda_crv_a_c_compressor_failure_15467.htm

If I were you, and I was seriously concerned about the A/C compressor system, and I wasn't getting any help from Honda, I would preemptively go and source a good remanufactured A/C compressor and then take it to a specialty A/C shop and ask them to do the replacement and system recharge. You can get a reman'd compressor for ~$280 here: http://www.acpartshouse.com/ShowItem/101123%202002%20-%202006%20Honda%20CR-V.aspx ...and it should be like $300 for install and new refrigerant. You may possibly want to replace the drier/accumulator too, to ensure you get a clean running system.

You have some options, but unfortunately they are either hold out and see what happens with your A/C system, or spend $600 to proactively prevent a failure.

Do you know if it is only the 03 and 04 or is it a time thing.From what I have read or seen posted they seem to fail just after warranty 3 to 4 years.Which would mean the 05s are coming due for trouble.Have you heard of any 06 ,07 or 08 failing?