I’m On My 4th Honda CR-V Hybrid Blower Motor 43K In, The First 2 Were Replaced Under Warranty, Now, the Dealer Says I’m Outside the Window

Is there a design flaw with the 2024 Honda CR-V? 

Jeremy Conklin on the Honda CR-V Community Facebook page says, 

"Now I'm on to my fourth blower motor at 43k. The first two were replaced within the 36k warranty. The Honda dealer is now saying this one happened outside the window. Has anyone ever had a recurring issue like that with Honda? This is my first time owning a Honda."

A Design Flaw Or Something Else?

I've seen my share of baffling automotive problems, and this one is a head-scratcher. What Jeremy is experiencing—his fourth blower motor failure at only 43,000 miles—isn't just bad luck; it's a symptom of a deeper, recurring flaw in the Honda CR-V HVAC system. His frustration is understandable, especially with the dealership now denying coverage outside the 36,000-mile window. 

Here is what Honda owners need to know about this issue. First, I'll dig into the mechanical "why" and then what is the solution to Jeremy's problem.

Is This a Wear Issue or Something Else?

When a part fails once, it's a defect. When it fails four times, it's an installation error, a design flaw, or possibly an environmental issue. For the current generation Honda CR-V, particularly the fifth generation (2017-present), Jeremy's situation is likely the latter two. This isn't a unique case. As I searched for owners facing a recurring blower motor failure in the Honda CR-V, I found several similar instances.

The blower motor itself is usually reliable.

The primary culprit is likely moisture. While it's not a design flaw, Honda CR-Vs are notorious for the fresh air intake cowl, located directly beneath the windshield wipers, becoming clogged with debris (leaves, pine needles, dirt, etc.) over time. This area has a drain tube meant to funnel water away from the engine bay and, critically, away from the HVAC intake located near the passenger side.

When the firewall drain clogs, leading to CRV blower motor issues, rainwater or melted snow is diverted directly into the blower motor housing located under the glove box. When water gets in, it doesn't just rust the motor; it can prematurely damage the motor's internal brushes, bearings, or, often, the resistor pack, leading to an overload and burnout of the motor. This is likely why Jeremy's issue keeps coming back.

A Honda technician replacing the motor without addressing the clogged drain is like replacing a soaked carpet while the faucet is still running—it will just get wet again.

What is the Solution?

Before the new motor is installed, ensure the technician thoroughly cleans the cowl drains and inspects the entire intake path for signs of chronic water pooling and corrosion on the fan cage and resistor. That is the only way to break the cycle.

History Is On Jeremy's Side

Now for the tricky part: Getting Honda to recognize this is not a random part failure. Jeremy hit the 36k wall, but he has leverage. The fact that the first two replacements occurred under warranty provides a strong narrative of service history. Use this historical data to your advantage when facing the inevitable debate over the common causes of multiple blower motor replacements.

His strategic solution is not to argue about the current motor but to focus on the failed repair attempts.

• Request a "Goodwill Repair": First, contact the Service Manager to explain that three previous service visits failed to diagnose the root cause (the clogged drain/water intrusion), which led directly to this fourth failure. Ask them to cover the cost under a "goodwill" policy, citing the low mileage (43k is nothing) and the documented history of prior failures. This demonstrates that the issue was present and reported during the warranty period.
• Escalate to Honda Corporate: If the dealer refuses, it's time to leverage his power as an owner and call Honda Customer Relations. They have programs specifically designed for these low-mileage, recurring quality issues.

Jeremy needs to frame the conversation around how to get Honda to cover the blower motor replacement outside the warranty by demonstrating that the defect originated during the warranty period and was never fully fixed. They are often more willing to cover parts, if not labor, to maintain customer loyalty, especially for a first-time Honda owner. Be polite, firm, and focused only on the repair history.

Use OEM Parts

There's one more layer to this mystery, which involves the quality of parts. When dealing with repeated failures, we must also consider the possibility of identifying counterfeit Honda CR-V replacement parts.

Always verify the part number on the box matches the official Honda OEM number. If the dealer used non-OEM parts for the third motor replacement after the initial warranty claim, you might have another line of attack regarding component quality.

CR-V owners should make cleaning the cowl area a part of their bi-annual maintenance routine, especially if they park under trees. A five-minute clean-out prevents a $400 repair.

Final Word

The CR-V remains a solid vehicle, and issues like this, while maddening, are solvable with the correct diagnosis. Despite this recurring problem, the long-term reliability of 5th-generation Honda CR-V models is generally high, provided these systemic issues are addressed early and correctly. 

Your problem is a service/design flaw, not a motor flaw. Get the drain cleaned, use your service history for leverage, and you should be good to go. This whole episode provides a valuable lesson in preventative maintenance and understanding vehicle design quirks.

A Question For CR-V Owners

For those in the CR-V community, has anyone else experienced multiple blower motor failures, particularly on the 2017-2022 generation? Have you also had issues with related components, such as the blower motor resistor, that could be causing these repeated problems? 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

Photo credit: Denis Flierl