2017 CR-V - CAM and Windshield Nightmare
Back in 2020, we had our 2017 CR-V windshield replaced at the local Safelite here in Florida. We filed an insurance claim and everything was handled satisfactorily. We did have to take it to their shop so they could properly align the camera system. The camera and related systems operated fine from that point up until recently when my wife reported an odd, one-time, braking behavior going down the highway followed by a square appearing on the dash display with CAM message and two other warning lights related to the lane control system and camera system. No accident, no off roading, no hard contact with a curb or any of that.
I phone my local non-dealer repair shop and take it in. Their tech looked at it and said they could not fix it because they do not have the equipment and software necessary to work on the camera. They don't see this enough to justify the cost blah, blah, blah. They suggested going to the local dealer because they can't recommend and don't know of another non-dealer shop that does this. Very reluctantly, I take the car to the dealer. Not long after I leave, the dealer service guy calls and asks if the windshield had been replaced and I told him it had been approximately 18 months ago. He comes back to me a second time and says it will be nearly $500 to realign the camera and the tech is very confident that will solve the problem. I approve the work.
Next day, I checked on the car and am told the realignment was attempted but failed because it is after market windshield not Honda OEM windshield. No mention of the after market glass being a potential problem to this point. Not when it was originally replaced, not when I dropped it at the dealer nor when the technician suggested realignment would fix. They then recommend a new Honda windshield to resolve the problem. I'm put on a brief hold and a more assertive service person gets on and suggests I contact my insurance on the original claim because otherwise I'll be out $1500+ for a new windshield, install and re calibration labor charges. Way too late to go back on that old insurance claim at this point.
Today I called to get a total due which they provide and that includes the failed re-calibration which I promptly dispute. They should have known prior to putting in the time that it may not work with the after market glass and offer me options, but they did it anyway and now want to be paid. I suggest he push my problem up the chain of command and he comes back and tells me he tried but no success. We went back and forth a bit and he's going to try again tomorrow. I don't hold out much hope to be completely honest.
I am super disappointed with Honda and this dealer. We've owned four different Hondas going back to 90s and had only one other problem with a shady (different) dealer's service department.
After this experience, I'll be hard pressed to look a Honda next time I need a vehicle especially when you can find similar quality and priced vehicles with better warranties and reputations for standing behind what they make.
If you need your windshield replace INSIST it be done with Honda OEM glass otherwise, in 18 months you could be out $2k+ to get it right
I phone my local non-dealer repair shop and take it in. Their tech looked at it and said they could not fix it because they do not have the equipment and software necessary to work on the camera. They don't see this enough to justify the cost blah, blah, blah. They suggested going to the local dealer because they can't recommend and don't know of another non-dealer shop that does this. Very reluctantly, I take the car to the dealer. Not long after I leave, the dealer service guy calls and asks if the windshield had been replaced and I told him it had been approximately 18 months ago. He comes back to me a second time and says it will be nearly $500 to realign the camera and the tech is very confident that will solve the problem. I approve the work.
Next day, I checked on the car and am told the realignment was attempted but failed because it is after market windshield not Honda OEM windshield. No mention of the after market glass being a potential problem to this point. Not when it was originally replaced, not when I dropped it at the dealer nor when the technician suggested realignment would fix. They then recommend a new Honda windshield to resolve the problem. I'm put on a brief hold and a more assertive service person gets on and suggests I contact my insurance on the original claim because otherwise I'll be out $1500+ for a new windshield, install and re calibration labor charges. Way too late to go back on that old insurance claim at this point.
Today I called to get a total due which they provide and that includes the failed re-calibration which I promptly dispute. They should have known prior to putting in the time that it may not work with the after market glass and offer me options, but they did it anyway and now want to be paid. I suggest he push my problem up the chain of command and he comes back and tells me he tried but no success. We went back and forth a bit and he's going to try again tomorrow. I don't hold out much hope to be completely honest.
I am super disappointed with Honda and this dealer. We've owned four different Hondas going back to 90s and had only one other problem with a shady (different) dealer's service department.
After this experience, I'll be hard pressed to look a Honda next time I need a vehicle especially when you can find similar quality and priced vehicles with better warranties and reputations for standing behind what they make.
If you need your windshield replace INSIST it be done with Honda OEM glass otherwise, in 18 months you could be out $2k+ to get it right
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Comments like this are meaningless and unhelpful.
Which begs the question why you didnt and are now complaining?
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Nobody offered the option or told me it was important to use Honda glass for the camera system to work properly. You then have an issue and Honda runs and hides behind their OEM recommendation
I can't understand why, since the windshield camera was re-calibrated in 2020 successfully, it would go out of spec and generate the code 3 years later? (Unless there was an issue with a mounting that worked its way loose)
I would go back to Safelight first, if for nothing more than a second opinion. See if they will confirm.
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I know that in the early days of the camera systems, aftermarket glass WOULD result in difficulties or failures to calibrate. Folks that asked were always told to specify OEM glass. (Same with body parts, Don't Use Aftermarket Junk!)
Good luck.
I would go back to Safelight first, if for nothing more than a second opinion. See if they will confirm.
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I know that in the early days of the camera systems, aftermarket glass WOULD result in difficulties or failures to calibrate. Folks that asked were always told to specify OEM glass. (Same with body parts, Don't Use Aftermarket Junk!)
Good luck.
Sounds to me like you are getting a runaround. Many people on the Subaru Outback board have replaced windshields w/ non OEM glass and Subaru's Eyesight system is way more complicated and advanced than Honda. I'm w/ Carbuff, if it worked for 3 yrs. w/ no problem than it's likely the camera or something in the system itself. And, yes your generalizations about Honda and all dealers is a little naive. I understand you're upset w/ the car now but to have one incident in a six yr old car and say you'll question buying another Honda is a little over the top. Check w/ another dealer and also a different Safelite location to see if they offer any alternatives. Good luck.
Because the camera/glass was working for sometime after the repair, I would be hesitant to accept Honda's assessment that the problem is with the glass. It maybe the camera. Also the display your wife saw, rectangle with CAM, is usually a camera fault. The camera doesn't know if it's out of calibration until target's are setup and it's placed in calibration mode.
When a tech did the calibration procedure he would get a pass/fail result. Because there were no DTC error codes from the camera indicating a camera fault, he would assume the problem was the non OEM glass. If OEM glass was used he would have assumed the problem was with the camera. There can be issues with the camera where it doesn't throw a DTC code but fails to calibrate.
Regrettably there is no test stands or procedures which allows a tech to test a camera outside of a vehicle to confirm if the camera is functioning 100%.
Point is, you going to be very upset if you pay to replace the glass only to be told later by Honda that the problem was actually with the camera and that will be another $2000 to replace and calibrate.
You might first go back to Safelite, let them see if they can calibrate the camera and if not try to isolate if it's the glass or camera issue.
When a tech did the calibration procedure he would get a pass/fail result. Because there were no DTC error codes from the camera indicating a camera fault, he would assume the problem was the non OEM glass. If OEM glass was used he would have assumed the problem was with the camera. There can be issues with the camera where it doesn't throw a DTC code but fails to calibrate.
Regrettably there is no test stands or procedures which allows a tech to test a camera outside of a vehicle to confirm if the camera is functioning 100%.
Point is, you going to be very upset if you pay to replace the glass only to be told later by Honda that the problem was actually with the camera and that will be another $2000 to replace and calibrate.
You might first go back to Safelite, let them see if they can calibrate the camera and if not try to isolate if it's the glass or camera issue.
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Thanks for sharing and especially the feedback on the camera testing capability and helping me to avoid that worst case scenario
This happens a lot, I'm sure and omission of relevant facts for a company or person that is the subject matter expert is just another rip off.
Safelight should surely know all this? They are the largest and sometimes only game in town. And supposedly the subject matter experts.
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2017 CRV EX-L Turbo with Nav. It seems that your Honda dealership is as much of an issue as the aftermarket windshield. I had used Safelite for glass work several times in other cities so I too had my 2017 CRV windshield replaced by Safelite. My Baytown, TX Safelite dealer also had the necessary recalibration equipment. They assured me that the aftermarket windshield was as good as Honda glass but after installing the aftermarket glass they could not recalibrate the cameras. The Safelite dealership then offered to give a free upgrade to Honda glass. I kept the aftermarket glass without the safety features, because they could not recalibrate the cameras, for about 2 months until the Honda glass was available (nationwide backorder).
In the meantime I took the CRV in for normal dealership service & the Honda service writer offered to try to calibrate the cameras & said that they would Not charge me if they were not able to recalibrate. I declined because Safelite had already promised me a free Honda glass upgrade.
Around 2 months later the Honda glass came in, Safelite took out the aftermarket glass & installed the Honda glass at no additional charge then easily recalibrated the camera successfully. Safelite charged only for the final successful camera recalibration.
Both my Baytown, TX Safelite & Honda dealer were willing to do the right thing so I still seek service from them when there is work to be done & recommend them to others. I like my Honda Sensing safety features but I think it is a safety issue that Honda has designed a Safety system that will often not work with anything except Honda glass. (I have seen accounts of people who say that aftermarket glass worked fine for them & even some who said that no recalibration was necessary after the windshield was replaced but there are those times when the aftermarket glass will not work.) Honda should also develop an inexpensive test for whether the windshield SAFETY features can recalibrated or not with a particular windshield before Honda owners spend hundreds of dollars trying to continue to use the Honda Sensing Safety features. When making repairs it does help to have a Good Honda dealership & Good Safelite dealership to work with.
In the meantime I took the CRV in for normal dealership service & the Honda service writer offered to try to calibrate the cameras & said that they would Not charge me if they were not able to recalibrate. I declined because Safelite had already promised me a free Honda glass upgrade.
Around 2 months later the Honda glass came in, Safelite took out the aftermarket glass & installed the Honda glass at no additional charge then easily recalibrated the camera successfully. Safelite charged only for the final successful camera recalibration.
Both my Baytown, TX Safelite & Honda dealer were willing to do the right thing so I still seek service from them when there is work to be done & recommend them to others. I like my Honda Sensing safety features but I think it is a safety issue that Honda has designed a Safety system that will often not work with anything except Honda glass. (I have seen accounts of people who say that aftermarket glass worked fine for them & even some who said that no recalibration was necessary after the windshield was replaced but there are those times when the aftermarket glass will not work.) Honda should also develop an inexpensive test for whether the windshield SAFETY features can recalibrated or not with a particular windshield before Honda owners spend hundreds of dollars trying to continue to use the Honda Sensing Safety features. When making repairs it does help to have a Good Honda dealership & Good Safelite dealership to work with.
It does not absolutely have to be a genuine Honda windshield. Some here have had normal success using an aftermarket brand. I do not know the specifics beyond this.
I'd RAISE HELL at the place that installed the windshield.
We had a cracked windshield on our 2018 Touring.
Called the Honda dealer that we got the CRV from and they informed me that ALL windshield replacement is done by the local Safelite dealer.
So much for demanding Honda OEM.
That your system worked for 18 months indicates it was not a problem with the Safelite replacement or install.
Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk
Called the Honda dealer that we got the CRV from and they informed me that ALL windshield replacement is done by the local Safelite dealer.
So much for demanding Honda OEM.
That your system worked for 18 months indicates it was not a problem with the Safelite replacement or install.
Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk
It shouldn't be an issue using reputable non Honda branded windshields - only a few companies make them and some get the Honda logo and others do not. Our 2018 CRV is on it's 3rd windshield (all replacements done successfully by Safelite. But the windshields themselves clearly aren't as durable as other car windshields I've owned over the decades.
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CAM with square on dash on-going
nice! can't say the same for my local dealer
If they are suffering from OEM glass shortages then you can't blame them.
Many dealers farm that type of work out (glass specialists).
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Anybody care to post a picture of the Honda brand, VS the Safelite glass markings?
Our Gen2, J-VIN glass is marked "HONDA Temperlite" on the lower left.
For sure.
Anyways, here is where I found the picture... if this even helps a little...it might...
www.ridgelineownersclub.com
Anyways, here is where I found the picture... if this even helps a little...it might...
Need windshield pics please
I'm having an issue getting a windshield replaced with the correct version. I have a 2020 Black Edition and I think the glass shop has put in a 2019 windshield. Would someone that still has factory glass in their 2019 RTL-E or BE please take a picture of the set of numbers and letters (the...
www.ridgelineownersclub.com
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If you can, go with a locally owned and operated auto glass installer and if possible a Honda Certified Shop, do it. I used to be a loyal customer of Safelite. The problems I had with them are too numerous to recount in an email. Suffice to say I am disgusted with them.
After going round and round with Safelite regarding them installing an inadequate aftermarket gasket along the top of my new oem Honda windshield, leaving a large deep ugly gap at the top of the windshield, I finally gave up and paid for a new oem windshield and oem gasket myself. The gap created wind noise and collected tree pollen and debris.
Part of the problem with Safelite is/was poor communication. They no longer allow the customer to speak directly with a store manager on the phone, just with a national call center. I finally corrected the gasket problem by buying a new windshield (Honda) and having it installed by a locally owned and operated glass company recommended by my local Honda Dealer who is also a Honda Certified Installer. This Honda certified shop also corrected the lower cowling I was unaware of that snaps onto the bottom edge of the windshield which Safelite had failed to install correctly. I was treated very well and yes, when I call them on the phone I get to talk to the owner.
After going round and round with Safelite regarding them installing an inadequate aftermarket gasket along the top of my new oem Honda windshield, leaving a large deep ugly gap at the top of the windshield, I finally gave up and paid for a new oem windshield and oem gasket myself. The gap created wind noise and collected tree pollen and debris.
Part of the problem with Safelite is/was poor communication. They no longer allow the customer to speak directly with a store manager on the phone, just with a national call center. I finally corrected the gasket problem by buying a new windshield (Honda) and having it installed by a locally owned and operated glass company recommended by my local Honda Dealer who is also a Honda Certified Installer. This Honda certified shop also corrected the lower cowling I was unaware of that snaps onto the bottom edge of the windshield which Safelite had failed to install correctly. I was treated very well and yes, when I call them on the phone I get to talk to the owner.
And let's please note, the most common front OEM glass installed in gen5 CRVS.... is... Pilkington. And I am positive the OEM and non-OEM labeled glass comes off the same production lines. The only difference is if it has the Honda logo on it or not (OEM), and you pay more for that logo... a lot more.
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