So, I was one of the unfortunate 2004 TSX'ers who suffered the HVAC system failure. Entire thing replaced with the exception of the blower motor.

Guess what? Blower motor began developing problems as well. RELATIVELY inexpensive repair ($360). But, if you start to hear a squeaking noise from the system, beware. This may one more weak spot in the system.

That brings the staggering repair cost for my HVAC system to about $4000 for the year (don't worry - Acura covered the first $3600).

Just to be clear, this is totally unrelated to the kinds of failures reported in other threads. If you blower motor goes, it is a relatively minor repair and will not cause problems with the rest of the system.

 

How many miles did you have when the blower went?

 

It isn't actually fully gone yet. It started to make a high pitched noise in the weeks before the HVAC blew. Then, after the repair the noise was gone. The noise came back a week or two ago, and the dealer kept the car for two days trying to diagnose it. Finally, I went over there and drove around with a tech for about 15 minutes. While we were talking, he took the glove box apart and showed me the blower behind it. he said the thing was dying, and that it was only a matter of time before it went completely. The noise was clearly coming from there too, and intensified as soon as the glove box was off.

So, the bottom line is that it has been going bad for a while - problems probably started at about 60,000 miles.

At least this repair is relatively inexpensive.

 

#3?

79310-SDC-A01 MOTOR ASSY., FAN TSX $160.86

 

That makes sense. The estimate from the dealer was $360 (roughly). That included the part(s), and an hour of labor.

 

Hour of labor for removing 3 screws and 1 plug without removing the dash? Go somewhere else to get it replaced, heck you can do this yourself in 10 minutes.

 

Maybe, but I shouldn't even have to do that. There is no reason that virtually every component of the A/C should fail within a 80,000 miles. That is ridiculous, in fact.

Anyway, it will be up to the next owner to deal with it as I'm going to trade mine in over the next few days. In addition to all these A/C problems, I've also had my brakes warp this year, the dreaded VSA lights that spontaneously go on and off, multiple electric problems (dome light shorted out, had to be rewired, lights in slushbox are now going on and off). Car has become a money pit, and it is time to move on.

 

It's a lesson for all of us 1st model year owners.

 

I totally agree with you. You should see how many issues the new Accord has. Honda isn't as reliable as it used to be.

 

The new accord is built and designed in the good ol' USA. No wonder why.

Also if your blower motor goes, wouldn't your whole heater system not work properly even if the AC is off? There would be no blower to push the air around. That whole thing sucks, still $400 out of your pocket. I have about 90K on my 04, so far no problems but I am nervous this issue will come up at the worst time like mid summer, with no money in my pocket.

 

I will never again own a first year car. Its been ridiculous. Even the ordinary rock solid Honda needs a year to get the bugs out.

shmork53 - I hope that the reliablity of your car so far means you escaped the problems many of us have been having and will continue to have good luck with it.