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Should a Honda dealer charge a CR-V owner to diagnose a problem that a recall might cover? Here’s a story that affects all Honda owners.
This report is based on a post from Kent Hankesh on the Honda CR-V Community Facebook page:
He says,
“I have a 2020 Honda CR-V EX. Can a Honda dealer charge me an inspection fee to look at a symptom that a recall could cause? In this case, my AC is not that cold, and there’s a recall on the leaking compressor seal. An example is that one service advisor threatened me with a $175 inspection fee when I mentioned the errors cycling on the screen of my CR-V. However, on another occasion, when I took it there, a different advisor did not charge me anything or threaten me with that. They did replace the fuel injectors under recall.”
Why the $175 Threat Exists
Kent’s story about the two contrasting experiences—one advisor threatening a fee, another smoothly replacing the fuel injectors—perfectly illustrates the frustrating inconsistency owners face at the dealer.
The short answer to whether a Honda dealer can charge an inspection fee for a known recall symptom? Yes, they can threaten it, but the fee must be waived if the diagnosis confirms the known, covered issue.
Dealers issue this upfront warning (as seen in Kent’s $175 example) to protect a technician’s time. If you bring your car in suspecting an issue covered by a warranty, recall, or Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), but the diagnosis reveals the problem is entirely unrelated, the dealer has performed a service. They charge the fee to cover the time spent on a non-covered diagnostic process.
The Honda CR-V A/C Issue
It’s important to understand the difference between a Recall and an Extended Warranty/TS
The NHTSA mandates a safety recall and is always 100% free for both diagnosis and repair.
The widespread A/C issue on models like your 2020 Honda CR-V EX—often relating to a faulty A/C compressor shaft seal—is typically covered under an extended warranty or TSB provided by Honda for customer satisfaction.
This distinction is key, but the rule for the fee remains the same: If the technician confirms your weak A/C is indeed caused by the leaky seal covered under the extended warranty, the inspection fee should be voided and the entire job billed to Honda. If the A/C is weak due to a separate, non-covered failure (e.g., a field mouse chewing a wire), the fee applies.
What Owners Should Do
Inconsistency between service advisors means you must always be the best-prepared customer in the room. Here is your definitive guide on how to avoid paying diagnostic fees when a covered issue is suspected:
1. Pre-Visit Research: Know the Code
Before calling or driving in, find the specific TSB number or the official NHTSA recall campaign number related to your vehicle’s issue. For the A/C, you need the TSB/extended warranty that covers the compressor or shaft seal. Walk in with this number in hand. Knowledge neutralizes the advisor’s ability to use the standard “diagnostic fee” as a scare tactic.
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2. Script the Conversation
When speaking to the advisor, do not ask if you have the recall. State your intention and the conditional nature of the fee explicitly.
The Proactive Script: “My 2020 CR-V has weak A/C, which I believe falls under the coverage of TSB [Insert TSB Number Here] regarding the compressor seal. Please instruct the technician to follow the diagnostic steps for that bulletin. I understand the standard diagnostic fee is $175, and I agree to pay this fee only if the diagnosis determines the problem is unrelated to the TSB/extended warranty. If the diagnosis confirms the seal is the cause, I expect the fee to be waived, as the repair is covered.”
By clearly stating this boundary, you force the advisor to acknowledge the TSB and the conditional nature of the fee upfront.
3. Leverage the Service Manager
If the service advisor is inflexible or insists on a non-conditional fee—an action highly discouraged by most manufacturers for known issues—politely ask to speak with the Service Manager. Explain that you are simply requesting the dealership to adhere to the terms of the manufacturer’s TSB and goodwill warranty. Most managers will authorize the waiver to avoid poor customer satisfaction scores. Escalation is sometimes the necessary lubricant for the system to work.
Why the inconsistency?
Kent’s observation that two different advisors handled his situations differently is the most valuable part of this story.
Advisor Training and Experience: The advisor who smoothly handled the fuel injector recall was likely well-versed in handling non-negotiable safety recalls. The individual who threatened the fee might have been less experienced or poorly trained in the subtle differences between a safety recall and an extended warranty (such as the A/C issue), treating every diagnostic request as a potential revenue opportunity.
Profit Center Pressure: Service departments are major profit centers. Advisors often have quotas for “customer-pay” labor hours. Threatening a diagnostic fee is a common tactic to either secure an unrelated repair or collect the fee.
Conclusion:
You have the power as a prepared customer. The key takeaway from your Honda CR-V A/C scenario is that you must be assertive, polite, and armed with manufacturer-specific information.
For your A/C, you are not asking for a favor; you are requesting service under a documented condition that Honda has already covered. You should not have to fight a dealer over the simple diagnostic confirmation that you have the exact issue they are already aware of.
To summarize: Research the TSB number, script your conversation to make the fee conditional upon finding an unrelated fault, and be prepared to escalate to the Service Manager. If they confirm the A/C seal leak is the problem, that fee is gone. Period.
It’s Your Turn
Has your Honda dealer ever tried to charge you an inspection fee (like the threatened $175) to diagnose an issue—such as a weak A/C—that you suspected was covered by an existing safety recall? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out my Honda CR-V story: I’m Selling My Unreliable Honda CR-V and Buying A Toyota, My CR-V With Only 68K Miles Already Needs New Injectors at a Cost of $2,000
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
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Source: torquenews.com
