Took my 21 hybrid CR-V to a Honda dealership again today, hoping they'd be able to fix it and was told that this is just the way it is, that Hybrids just make their own decisions as to when to turn off AC and there's nothing to do about it. I've taken it to multiple Honda dealerships. To his benefit this last guy drove it around, let it run, and tried to find a problem with it. He only got it to be randomly lukewarm, so not as hot as it gets, but at least he tried. Even still, this is a brand new car and it doesn't work. Last week, I literally had the car sitting all day at work (in 80-degree weather) and left the AC off as I drove so that when I picked my son up from daycare we'd have AC. 5 minutes after picking him up it was hot air. This is insulting and infuriating. I am still paying off this lemon and wish I could just sell it now. I've owned Hondas my whole life and this is the first hybrid. Based on the last 3 years, I'm never buying one again.

 

One thing seems to be missing from your issue for me - are you implying that not one dealership, out of the multiple ones you visited, ever hooked up a set of actual A/C gauges to your vehicle to determine the condition of the the A/C refrigerant in your system and if it was at the proper amounts?

That's like looking at someone and saying you think their blood pressure is normal without actually putting a blood pressure cuff on them...or saying the car engine is running, therefor the engine oil and coolant levels must be normal?

If no one actually hooked up a set of proper gauges to your A/C system and determined all was normal, there is no way that they can tell you things are normal or that, that is how things are with Hybrid's. If that is, in fact how things are with Honda Hybrids, that's a major issue with Honda Hybrids, that I'm sure we would be hearing more about?? I don't have a Hybrid, but I do know that that the "ECO Mode" on my CR-V will have a somewhat limiting effect on the A/C system - thus why I never drive with my ECO Mode on & still get 35+ mpg.

 

2019 crv no ac.
Can run clutch from relay only. has 90 psi in system.
seems to not have a response to control unit.
Are there codes to read and if so how.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
Thanks Ralph

 

See a mechanic, please!

 

I just had my A\C discharge hose on my 2018 Exl with 30,000 miles replaced for the 2nd time. Still under Honda care warranty.. Its cool again.

 

I own a 2017 CRV EXL with 48,000 miles. I recharged the air conditioning in May 2021 due to weak AC, and my local shop could not find the source of any leaks. In July 2023, I received a letter from Honda about an extended warranty for "AC compression shaft seal leaks." I applied for reimbursement, but they rejected it, saying it's not a "AC compression shaft seal leaks" fix. Last month, the local shop recharged it with dye for $500 and estimated an additional $1200 for leaks in both the hose to the compressor. I called the Honda dealership, and they said they need to do a $150 diagnosis to determine if it's covered under the warranty for "AC compression shaft seal leaks."
Is it possible that the "leak on both the hose to the compressor" is coming from the "AC compression shaft seal leaks"?

 

Was there any resolution to your issue or which direction did you go??

 

I had similar AC issues with my previous car, a 2017 Mazda 3. Everything would run fine during early morning drives, but by mid-afternoon, the AC would randomly start blowing warm air—especially when idling in traffic. I checked refrigerant levels and even replaced the cabin filter, but nothing worked. Turned out the compressor clutch was intermittently failing. After replacing that, everything worked perfectly. Definitely taught me not to ignore small AC changes! That article on https://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2025/07/23/10161727_should-you-repair-or-replace-your-hvac-system.html/ deciding whether to repair or replace your HVAC system is a smart guide. The 50% cost‑rule makes decision‑making clear: if repair costs exceed half the price of a new unit—especially for older systems—it’s often wiser to replace. Helps avoid endless repairs and high bills.