Suddenly started to blow air as hot as in the engine compartment. Dropped it off at the dealer Wed p.m. and they still don't know what the problem is. Was told yesterday they are waiting to hear from their Acura tech line people. Anyone else ever experience this with their '05 RL?

 

Meant to say Tues. p.m. (not Wed).

 

Haven't had any problems with my A/C. You don't need an A/C in Florida do you? You're probably like me, when growing up we didn't even know cars had A/Cs, but now we can't live without them.

I like you signature about the '28 Mother-in-law. I have a '20 model.

 

Nah, just when it's hot...

Exactly! Lived in Fla allmy life and can't imagine how it was when we didn't have a/c anywhere...school, home, stores...never mind the cars.

 

Both my friend and I had problems with the our '05 RL's A/C failing. On my friend's car, the problem was the compressor. On my car, the first fix(?) done by the service dept. resulted in only a slight improvement in A/C performance. On my second visit, they evacuated and refilled the Freon, in addition to disconnecting the battery to reset the system. I don't think they know exactly what was wrong with my A/C, but it has been working OK for the past month.

 

Well, they did find that the problem was with the compressor -- or at least one of its parts, the one that is on a "national backorder" (I guess because it's happening to many '05 RL's). Don't know when they will receive the part.

 

Of course they loaned you a "COOL" car, didn't they?

 

Refreshingly so...

 

OK..It happened to me yesterday! Couldn't figure it out...It continuously blew hot air. I cut off the engine and restarted it hoping that somehow a restart would fix it...no such luck. Finally, I pulled into an Advance Auto parts store to check my fuses. I pulled them and inspected them (fuses under the hood, the driver and passenger compartment sides) they all appeard to be OK. However, lo and behold, when I restarted the engine the A/C began to once again blow "cold" air...Could the pulling and reinsertion of the fuses have fixed the problem? I'll keep you posted...

 

Well. the dealer said it took them a couple of days just to figure out what was wrong, until they could get thru on their phone line to the Acura tech people and found out it was a compressor part. Then it took nearly 2 weeks to get the replacement part. Hopefully yours was not the same problem...

 

Well, it happened again yesterday. I drove it to the dealership while it was blowing "hot" so they could see the problem for themselves. Since the part was on "national backorder" I was given an 06' TL loaner to keep until my ride was fixed. Gotta give credit to the Jerry Damson Acura of Huntsville Dealership...Their service department is first class!

 

I had the same intermittent A/C problem on my 05 RL. the A/C would come on first time I started the car. If I stopped mometarily and shut the engine off, it would not come back on. Finally stopped working all together. Dealer could not find the problem for a couple of days. Now he says the clutch and the stator need to be replaced. This is the part that engages the the compressor to the engine. The part has been back ordered for over a week. I think this must be a big problem for Acura. I do have a Lexus IS250 loaner. Only because I bought the car six months old from a Lexus dealer.

 

Service department called today and indicated all parts had arrived this afternoon but it wouldn't be until Monday or Tuesday before its fixed. Again, to their credit (Jerry Damson Acura of Huntsville) told me to keep the 06' TL loaner until my ride is fixed and added icing to the cake by not charging me for a full interior/exterior "detail job" I had ordered...a $200.00 value - Nothing to sneeze at. Had they not given me a loaner for 1.5 weeks I would have been majorly "pissed" and like I mentioned earlier the free "full detail job" was/is an extremely nice dealership gesture.

I too belive that the same intermittent A/C problem on the 05 RL's resulting in complete failure is a significant problem for Acura - one that warrants watching by all RL owners. I just hope the backordered replacement parts permanently fix the problem. Interestingly enough, I was informed that the A/C equipment in the 06' RL is different from that found in the 05's.

 

Hello All,

Wow... It seems that I am not the only one here having issues with the air conditioning.

I too am having the same exact issue in my 2005 RL. I just bought this car from a dealer in Orlando, Florida and drove it out here to California, nearly 3,000mi drive. The A/C was working *wonderfully* for the days I was on the road, and even when driving it around the Bay Area since I got back. Mind you, the temps here have been well over 100 degrees the last few days, but last Wednesday the A/C just quit- It's blowing hot air even when on auto or maximum. I can't figure it out. This car is practically new with only about 13k miles on it and the A/C quits like this?

Anyway, I have an appointment with Acura of Los Gatos this upcoming week to address this problem. It's not a small issue when it's over 100 degrees where I live and driving around with NO A/C. Makes for a very uncomfertable experience.

-Nick

 

I have been without my car since the 20th of July. Today the service writer at Acura tells me the part is back ordered. The release date is August 11th. I asked if there were any service memos out about this problem. He said he had not heard about any other such failures of this part. Sounds like bull to me.

 

Yeh, there appears to be a major problem with the air on the 05' RL's, no wonder they switched to a different system on the 06' model. A/C parts for the RL should be readily available if for no other reason than normal "spare part" logistics/service and not be on "backorder" unless there was some kind of problem with the parts, vendor, or both! BTW I too have been wouth my car since July 21st, fortunately I've got a "cool" dealer who's bending over backwards to be accommodating...

 

Well, I brought my '05 RL into the dealer this morning and explained the problem with the A/C blowing hot air. They are going to check this and advise. I'll let you guys know what they find or say regarding it. Reading about this here is not all that reassuing that this issue is not an isolated incident. There definintely seems to be problems with the A/C system in the 05 RL's.

 

Got my ride back today. A/C...is fixed was in the shop for nine days. It's blowin "cold" and ahhh what a difference it makes! BTW and FWIW, to me there is no comparison between a TL and RL - The RL "feels" significantly more substantial than a TL...

 

Well, my service adviser called and said that the problem appears to be with the "compressor assembly" which is on backorder. He said although the compressor is getting power, it won't "crank over", etc. They also didn't know when a new part would come in, but after reading these threads I am wondering if my car will be there all week. Arrrrgh!

 

If your dealer, like mine, is worth his salt, he'll give you a new TL loaner until its fixed.
BTW, my dealer is Jerry Damson Acura in Huntsville, Al...His service department must be one of the best in the country -

 

Shotgun,

Yes, in fact Acura of Los Gatos gave me a loaner TL as well until the compressor has been replaced. My SA just told me to keep the loaner until the parts come in. I am just wondering how long it will take?

 

nmariani - Glad to hear that you too, appear to have a customer oriented dealer. Hope you don't have to wait too long...

 

Acura knows there is a problem with the 05 A/C units......why did they change the 06's ?????????????????
This is typical.....they will be issuing a TSB soon ! This is ONE reason why Acura is NOT on the top of the reliablility list !

 

Well, I am entering the 10th day waiting for the A/C parts to come into my dealer. Not sure how long this is going to take...

Does anyone have any idea how long the parts took to arrive and get their air fixed? Also, are the parts they are replacing the same ones that broke on the '05 RL's in the first place, or are they redesigned components?

I would be very concerned if my dealer just put on the same parts with Acura knowing full well there was an inherent defect in their design. I am not about to have my car in the shop weeks on end every time the A/C breaks. If this is going to be the case, I better start looking at trading in this '05 RL with an '06 even though this car only has about 14k miles on it at the moment. I hear they fixed it in the '06's.

 

What do you expect when you buy a "first production run vehicle?" YOU are the test mule for Honda/Acura corp!
And NO I doubt they are putting ina newly designed AC unit, they will most likely put the SOS in your car as they did with the failing transmissions in earlier models Acura/Honda's.....Again you were the Beta site!

Door knobs, dying batteries, tail pipe issues, vtm oil low, ac units on and on ......check out the TSB list......you can have all those fancy gizmo's as I'll wait till they are all ironed out at the expense of the test mules (consumers)
No pun intended....

 

Well, I FINALLY got my 2005 RL out of the shop on Friday afternoon, 8/25. It was at the dealer since 7/31, more than 3 weeks waiting on those A/C parts.

Unfortunately my dealer was little help in determining if the parts they put on my RL were the same ones that were defective, or were "re-engineered" components.

I have written a letter to Acura Client Services in Torrance to address these concerns as my dealer is basically clueless as to what parts were put on my car. My service adviser and the manager at the dealership do not know anything about the problem. I am deeply concerned about this given the nature of the issue which seems to be quite widespread and is effecting quite a few other RL owners. This is not the only board I have seen other owners discuss A/C issues with the 2005 RL specifically.

I'll wait to see what Acura Client Services tells me in regard to this problem. However, if it's not addressed, I will start looking at trading this car in for a 2006 RL or Lexus GS300 which do not have this defect with the A/C system. I do not want to drive a car which can have the air suddenly quit working and have it at the dealer for several weeks waiting on parts! It's also a good thing it's still under warranty, otherwise this would be one expensive repair.

Anyone know why Acura doesn't address this known defect and issue a recall or at least a TSB? As for being a "test mule" for Acura, this does not hold any water. I didn't buy a luxury sedan of this caliber to be a "tester" for Acura or any other company!

 

I am horrified that it took so long to repair your RL's air-conditioning and that so little information about the lengthy repair process was conveyed to you. If in your shoes, I would be adamant in determining just why it took so long, and what exactly had to be done to return your car to working order. (My own experience with my RL is totally the opposite...the air-conditioning is great in my 2005 RL, especially with the near record number of 90 degree plus days we've had this summer in D.C.) Nonetheless, your situation is starkly different, and you are entitled to a lot more information and a lengthy apology for the delay in returning your RL.

 

DCRL,

Make no mistake about it, I love my RL.

In fact, I purchased this vehicle on the merits of Acura/Honda legendary reliability ratings. Although it's not reasonable to expect that you won't have problems every once in awhile, this case however is significantly different.

Although I agree that taking 26 days for my dealer get the parts is very long, I don't think this was so much the fault of theirs. That said, they still should have contacted the factory or corporate office on my behalf to get full explanation of why it took so long to get the parts, but to give me a detailed breakdown of what was put into the car. I just want to know if the replacement parts they got from Acura were the same as the bad ones, or are newer ones that addressed the defects.

Another reason I want to trade in my 2005 RL is because I don't want to be stuck with an expensive repair bill to fix the air conditioning if this is a known defect and could very possibly break again. I hate to throw the baby out with the bathwater on this one, but I will not tolerate known defects that are not addressed. I own an Acura for the reliability, and if I can't get that from them, maybe it's time to look at Toyota's products.

If Acura CS center tells me they are not aware of any problems, all I have to do is steer them to this forum, and give them the contacts of other owners who I have already been in touch with. All of them are having the same problems, therefore this IS a problem with the '05 RL's.

For reference, here are the parts my dealer replaced on my car if anyone cares:

P/N / DESC
---------------------------------
38810-RJA-A01 / COMPRESSOR
38900-RJA-A01 / CLUTCH SET
38924-RJA-A01 / STATOR SET


Thanks for your comments. I will update this thread when I hear back from Acura corporate or my dealer's management on this.

 

You were lucky to get get yours back in three weeks mine took a month. It went in On July 19 got it back on August 23. It works fine... for now. My confidence level is not very high at this point. Mostly because my dealer denied any similar issues with other Accua owners. It seems they are trying to keep it very quiet.

 

Guys, not doubting anyone who has had the problem, but I have to use my air conditioning every single day. The temperatures here are usually above 90 all summer and some days, we've hit 100 plus. And DC is muggy too, making matters that much worse. Never had a moment's problem with my RL however, not this summer nor the previous one. So I have to tell you that, at least for my RL, the air conditioner is simply great. Cools the car down quickly and keeps it that way.

Again, not doubting your (or others) problem for a moment though. I was shocked mainly because the repair took so long.

 

I had a flicker happen about 3 weeks ago, and now it went out. I feel lucky in the beginning that I still have 1500 miles left on my warranty but if I were to pay for it, I would of been one pissed off customer. Not to mention if client was in the car and the AC went out, how embrassing and to loose a sale would of been very bad.

I can't believe a car that is marked as 50k! would have such a problem. I bought this thing hoping for the Honda reliability and such, but Honda has been shit to my family. Pilot, Accord, and now RL. I think this is my last Honda brand purchase. I'm going back to BMW. I rather put up with the snobs at the service department at BMW then drive a POS!

By the way is it me or is everyone in this post twice my age?

 

liveperilous,

If you don't mind me asking, what year RL do you own? It seems like the A/C is having the problem on the '05's.

If this is the case, be prepared to have your car at the dealer for several weeks. Also, if I were you, I'd be contacting Acura Customer Services and probably the Factory Representative as well. The parts are the problem as this is a known defect, but Acura is not talking about it.

Like you, I am also deeply concerned about this and ready to jump ship from Acura. In fact, I have an appointment with my local Lexus dealer later this week to test drive both the GS and possibly the LS430, but that is a V8, and I would prefer the V6 which is comperable to the RL.

Good luck.

 

mine is a 2005, hence why I have 48500 miles on the car. I drive a lot. Yeah I am very concerned, given the temp has been about 90 lately not to mention 100 percent humidity, it is unbearable to live without AC in the car.

 

I know what you mean, 90 degrees with humidity can easily feel like 105.

I brought this car last month from a dealer near Orlando, Florida and flew out there from California to pick it up. A couple days after completing the sale, I started driving it back here to San Jose, nearly 3,000 miles away. Mind you, this was during the big heatwave we were having at that time. I will tell you that it was a DAMN good thing that A/C was working then. There were literally places in New Mexico and Arizona along I-10 where it would be as high as 122F in places, according to the temp display. I thought I was reading it wrong, but getting out of the car at a rest stop confirmed it. I'll tell you that 120+ doesn't feel all that great! In the RL, it was a comfertable 75 or so.

I'll tell you that if the A/C had gone out then in the middle of the desert, I would NOT be too happy about it. In fact, it could actually be a rather serious situation in that case.

 

I live just outside D.C. and July was HOT. This is my third Accura. After my second I bought a BMW M3. Loved the car, hated the attitude at the dealer. I went back to Accua for the reliability. I was considering the Audi A8 but went with the RL because of my past experiance with Accura. I am not sure I made the right decision at this point. My A/C ran into problems with about 1500 mile left on the warranty as well. In Maryland we have a lemon law. If you have the same problem three times you get another car. I do not know if all three incidents need to happen durring the waranty period or just the first occurance. I will need to look into that.

 

Yeah we have the lemon law in FL also. But I dont' think this problem will qualify. I too wish maybe I should of gotten the A8, 545i at the time or a E500.

 

So I dropped my car off today. 2 hours later, they got it all fixed and running! new clutch, new compressor, and one other part. I have to admit my service department is 5 stars!

 

Sounds like the A/C - Compressor problem hasn't been solved on the '06 RL either. I just purchased the 2006 RL back in June '06 and already had the A/C go out on me.

I as out on a trip early in the day, about 5 minutes into the drive doing around 40 MPH with the A/C on... I start to see smoke coming out from under the hood. The fan stayed on, but the A/C was no longer cold. I maybe had the car for only about 2 weeks with less than 200 miles on odo.

The dealership tells me the compressor seized up and it'll be about 2 weeks until they can get the part in stock. Needless to say, I was kind of disappointed in the Acura reliability that I had been hearing about. They didn't really offer an explanation as to why this happened... only that it's not supposed to!

I have 2,200 miles my RL now... haven't seen any other problems yet. I got the extended warranty (8 years / 100,000 miles) when I purchased the car. Pretty glad I did... from the sounds of it, it should pay for itself in no time.

 

Well, I finally heard from Acura Client Services regarding the A/C parts put on my '05 RL.

I received a call back from them stating that after checking with their parts vendor, they said that even though the part numbers that were listed on my workorder were the same as the originals, they translated to new parts. Acura told me that the parts were more than likely "re-engineers" or a different rev. version.

Hopefully this is the case. Acura didn't seem to think this whole A/C thing was that big of a deal despite me telling them over and over that I had reason to suspect it was. Anyone who checks this thread and sees all the affected owners would know there was an issue here.

I know there are going to be problems from time to time, especially on a car like this with TONS of electronics and features! However, even you see post after post from people having the same problem you begin to wonder what is going on.

Hopefully Acura addressed and fixed this problem, but what bothers me most is their nonchalant attitude regarding the problem, and the fact there is little known about it from within Acura. I don't want my warranty running out only to have this happen again. I'm sure it would NOT be a cheap repair.

 

Same thing happened with my 2005 RL - suddenly started blowing hot Florida air, took to dealer, replaced whole unit next day, now working. What's next? Not a typical Honda.