Cargo lid won't open when it's cold out

I started having the same intermittent problem a few winters ago with my 2013 Honda CR-V EX. I traded the car in last year for a 2014 Honda CR-V EX-L since I liked the vehicle overall and had the same problem opening the cargo lid when the temps here in NY dipped below 30 degrees. I tried some WD-40 around around the hinge but it didn't work so I took it into my dealer's service dept. (Millennium Honda) that has always done good diagnosis and work for me. I also took it in on a day that wasn't as cold when the problem wasn't easily reproducible. The service dept. fixed the problem. As per the technician statement, "Tech found tale gate switch not operating. Tech found tailgate latch broken due to poor assembly. Tech removed and replaced tailgate switch and tailgate latch." The work was all under warranty so I didn't pay anything. Seems like a design/installation flaw as the problem happened on two CR-V's I have owned in addition to other complaints I read about online. After the replacement, the lid is working fine in cold weather. Hopefully I will be able to say the same thing next winter which will be the test. Long story short, the previous answer of going to the dealer is correct and don't let them get off with a lubricating brush off answer that won't work. If that's all they have to say, find another Honda service dept. especially if the car is under warranty. - HJ

Outstanding observation and advice. I own a 2016 CR-V 2WD SE. Tailgate sticks or won't open in cold weather. Even in warm weather, the switch requires a double click to open. I have been to seller dealer 3 times: first time, brush off; second time, changed latch with little effect; and third time, new brush off. Frustrated. Will go to another dealer. Houston is a big town.

1.25.18 - So I bought a 2018 Honda CRV 3 weeks back..in NJ..within a couple of days I had the issue - the tailgate would not open. I figured it was weather related..the dealer fixed it once (saying it was a loose connection) brought my car out - it was freezing outside..I came to the car to test it - doesn't work..the technician tells me that its probably a sensor issue, they would have to run diagnostics. OK they wanted me to come back, het a loaner and leave my car for a few days. Whoa..I just bought a new car that was less than 10 days old! Since I had moved to CT from NJ, I was told I could find a dealer there and get it fixed as it was covered under warranty. Honda told me to do the same. So I got an appointment -2 days back..so the weather was in the 50's and the problem went away...so i cancelled my appt and let the CT dealer know. This morning, 18 deg outside...it wasn't working - so I drove straight to the dealer..after checking me in..2 hrs later..they said there is an issue with the switch, and motor. They ordered the parts - it needs to come from CA so will take 3-5 days. I am supposed to go back when it comes in and they will give me a loaner for the day so I could get to work. I'm pretty miffed that I am having to waste all this time and its a new car! Honda has not responded to me since the first email. All these defects/repairs are no logged on my VIN. If it happens again after 3 repairs - does the lemon law cover this?

I too had a faulty switch in my 2014 CRV. It took a few visits to fix the issue. They adjusted the latch and messed with it. Still won’t listen to me when I told them it only happen in cold days. Yeah, I live in southern Calif. cold days are upper 30’s. Every time they worked on it, it was later in the day. I finally left it over night and told them to worked on it early in the morning. Reason, the exhaust warmed up the switch and even driving it a few miles would warm it up. What a time waste, why would one have to drive it for 15 minutes in heavy traffic to get the damn thing to open. Honda has an issue, not a big problem , but a part issue. Always leave yours over night. Never drive it during warm weather or long distance.

My 2016 CRV latch for back cargo door wouldnt open in cold weather (-5F) until I started to hold the latch opener open for about a minute and a half. Then it worked. No problem above about 10 degrees.

i bought Honda CR V SE 2016 week ago , i try to open the tailgate would not open by the smart Key .

All of the problems above are exactly the same as I've found. The damed tail gate latch won't work at all when it's cold outside and often takes two tries to unlatch in the summer heat here in Athens, GA. Since we drive to upstate NY for Thanksgiving and sometimes Christmas, having a rear gate that won't open is completely unacceptable. My dealer says it works fine and that is total BS. I bought this CRV new and generally like it (except for it having too much road noise on anything but a silky smooth new road; and the never ending tailgate problem). Taking into account all of the advice and experiences above, I plan to leave the car at the dealer overnight and then show up on a cold morning following and ask him to open the rear gate. God I hope it malfunctions! I think I'll get my phone camera going while this show happens! Shame on Honda for having this problem for so many years and even on different models!

I have a 2016 Odyssey with the same problem. Moisture gets into the touchpad and freezes in cold weather. I’ve had it replaced twice, I’m hoping this time fixes it. I asked if it’s a common problem and the service advisor told me not on the Odyssey’s but quite often on CRVs. We live in Canada and the latch won’t open at all in the winter unless it warms up in the garage.

Good luck to all of you. I've had my 2016 CRV in to have the latch fixed 6 times. I just picked it up today after having it in the shop 3 days. Worked fine when I picked it up but tonight when the temperature dropped, surprise it still isn't working. I've heard all the excuses. Honda is engineering a new part because the previous fix they put on my car isn't working. They will call when it is available - no call came. They have ordered the wrong part, it's all in your head because it works just fine which is true as long as the temperature is above freezing. I wish Honda would just own it. If they can't fix it, they should somehow make it right. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect the back latch to open even in cold weather. It's not like I live in Alaska where it gets to be -20 degrees or colder.

I just took my Honda CRV 2013 in for the same problem. It's never worked in the cold weather! They wanted to chRge me a $90 fee to diagnose, of which I said no thanks ! Honda is a joke!

I have the same issue in my Honda CRV 2014 Never open in COLD below ZERO!! This is really a Joke.. Honda MUST announce re call for such issue, Otherwise people will never think about HONDA again..! someone has to do something with this issue and they must be reported.!!

I removed the little access door in the hatch lid, warmed the mechanism with a heat gun, and it has worked since, down to 10 degrees above zero.

I had the entire rear hatch latching mechanism replaced under warranty, and the cold weather lockout persisted. A heat gun aimed at the inside (through the access door-an awkward process) or outside parts of the latch mechanism for 10 seconds will allow the hatch to be opened normally. If the CRV is parked away from an electrical outlet, there is an alternative to the very effective heat gun treatment. Buy a package of small-size "Grabber" hand warmers. Remove one to expose to air, which activates the heat. Once it's warm, stuff it into the area where your hand goes when opening the hatch from the outside. Wait a few seconds, remove the "Grabber" and the hatch will open with normal finger pressure on the latch mechanism. The "Grabber" solved the problem today at Lake Tahoe with a 17 F outside temperature. I suppose the hand warmer could be used inside the interior access door, but that is more trouble than placing it where your hand normally opens the hatch. The Grabbers are not expensive, so this is cost effective for occasional use.

The CR-V drives me crazy!! The 2012 that we owned had intermittent problems with the back latch and finally got to the point where it wouldn't open, ever. We traded it in for a 2014 and it was fine for about a year but when it is cold, it won't open. I love the car - hate the latch. It seems like a fairly easy fix for Honda. Just install a manual key lock in tandem with the electronic so that at least when you are at the airport and need to load luggage that there is a way to get into the back. I am done with Honda forever.

I have same problem on my 2015 CRV. How do we get Honda to start a recall?

I am guessing that Honda doesn't want to admit that it is such a widespread problem and do a recall. It might ding their J.D. Power rating. I am selling mine and buying a Forester.

GuruB6ZSZ I’m with you and all I have read previously. 2014 CRV purchased ‘used’ from Bill Marsh in Traverse City Mi. Same thing ....won’t open when it’s cold. Had switch replaced 5 months after purchased covered under warranty. Worked fine until it got cold again 2 days before that “part” warranty expired, labor for the 1st one was $150. After 1.5 hr wait at Williams Honda, Traverse City, Mi., they said I needed a new one but they didn’t have one. 3 months later, they called and said the part was in...by now the weather was warm Nd there was no problem, so I declined a new one. Now...it’s January in northeast Michigan and I can’t get it open . So what if they put a new one in for $150 labor cost to me, I’ll only be back next year. ThIs is a money maker for Honda Dealers. I’ll do as you suggested and ding JD Powers. Long time Honda owner, swayed to Toyota’s for a few years, but definitely leaving Honda forever.

I to have a 2013 CR-V with the same problem of the hatch not opening in cold weather! When I called the dealer about it they had no knowledge of the problem and want me to have them diagnose it for their regular service fee. I found on-line that Honda has a Service Bulletin#16-063 dated August 23, 2016 which indicates this problem effects several models dating back to 2011. Upon contacting American Honda they would not address the issue unless I had it confirmed by a dealer even thou I pointed out their Service Bulletin. My Honda at the time had 28K miles but was over the 3 year/36K warrantee by 4 months. I fail to see how time and mileage effects the hatch switch defect, they were aware of before the 2013 model year. THEY WERE AND ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEGE THERE RESSPONSIBILITY TO HONDA OWNERS. Most recently the dealer has stated their aware of the situation BUT since the vehicle is beyond the warrantee period there's nothing they can do! Actually Honda should step up to the plate. Own up and provide a no cost repair!!!!

I to have a 2013 cr-v with same problem of the hatch not opening in cold weather! When I called the dealership about it they had no knowledge of the problem and want me to have a check up, but the booking was full. I try to clean the grease in the latch, it works okay even below 20 c until one day that I parked in a warm parking lot.

It is definitely a switch problem. I am going to replace the switch with an aftermarket switch myself.

Snowplowman, do you have an idea where to find an aftermarket switch for the rear hatch? I would replace mine, too, if I could find a suitable alternative. Thanks.

I got CRV 2014 and had exactly same problem. Since i payed extra for bumper to bumper warranty Honda of Lincoln in Nebraske did change it in winter 2017. It is winter 2019 and i got exactly same problem again. Will take it to the dealer next week.

2013 with 35k miles and hatch switch replaced and still having the same problems. Class action lawsuit time? Send letters to what agency to get Honda’s attention? I saw a video that shows if you jumper the two wires going into the connector the switch will trigger. I am wondering if a jumper switch could be added and run up through the moulding and down by the drivers door where it could be triggered when needed?

Just spoke with Honda recall line at 1800 999-1009 .i was told if enough people complain their engineers would look into the problem . My dealership will not even diagnose with a a $135.diagnostic fee.

These problems with the tailgate are too many ! I live in lower Alabama and only get a few cold snaps. I put my dog in the back in his kennel and could not get the tailgate open . Had to put back seats down and crawl through to bring dog in-- was to cold to leave out overnight. Honda should make this right. An elderly person should not have to go though all that! I can only imagine that traveling and getting blow out will be like. Going back to American made cars!

Ugh. I'm having the same problem with my 2011 CRV that I got 2 years ago. The cold weather seems to start the issue... which is a big problem since I live in Montana where it's cold 8 months of the year. It's actually warmer here during the day now (40s and 50s) but my hatch still won't open. The Honda dealership said they'd charge me a minimum of $150 to take the hatch off to diagnose/fix the problem. Ugh. From reading this site and others, it seems like a huge common flaw with Hondas. I would love a car in which I could just use the key to open the hatch and not rely on switches and electronics.

I have a 2015 and have replace mine 3x and it’s not working again! I’m extremely frustrated I’m going to call Honda corporate. This should obviously be recalled by Honda

Some good posts. Thank you. I suspected my problem with my new (to me) 2014 CRV was weather related. A very frustrating problem. I’ll try the hand warmer idea. On another site someone said keeping fingers on the switch warms it enough. Honda is negligent to put this poor designed electronic latch on their cars year after year with no inside latch or key entry to open the tailgate. Are they asleep?

My 2014 Odyssey rear hatch was intermittently working malfunctioning for the first time in Feb 2020. I quickly observed the situation to be a sticking/hanging up latch on the tail gate. Cold (COLD COLD) and road gunk has caused latches to jamb before on my cars. I was out of silicone so I used penetrating oil to flood the latch when tailgate was open. The penetrating oil is probably a better choice when gunked up. I will be mega dosing all moving parts on this 5 year old car after I buy more silicone. While at it I popped the access panel and wire connector to dielectric tune up grease the electrical connector for the finger sensor tailgate release. It all works smooth again.

Ditto on my 2014 CR-V. Here is the only way it works. Put on your rear defroster, heat and fan all the way up, and in a couple of minutes it will work. Obviously, it can be replaced or repaired.

Thanks everyone for your posts. I was beginning to think my CR-V was the only one with this problem. I have 2014, and probably the most frustrating part in this non-working switch for the back lid, is that on the 2014 model, there is no other way to open the back! There is no dash switch or button, no button on the FAB, just that stupid switch. I'm going to figure this out. This really stupid.

Foolish to think that Honda could not design a tailgate with multiple releases. A dashboard release or a key to open the back would be nice.--Sounds like Honda just wants to make money off the American fools.

I have a 2013 CR-V with the same problem - the rear hatch not opening in cold weather. I love this car and it has been fantastic except for this one issue. I haven't even bothered to take it to the dealership after hearing so many people describe the poor outcome of trying to get it fixed. Bummer - no more Honda's for me.

Mabe we should flood their customer complaint line about this. I have at 2016 CRV and its been doing it since the first winter we had it. I mentioned it to them 4 months before our warranty was up and it did freeze up when they tried it and was told to keep an eye on it. 6 months later, its still freezing up an was at the time getting service and because they hadn't written down my complaint they wouldn't action it on the warranty....they said it would be $250 to fix. Just this morning it was frozen -5 today in Ontario and we used a hair blower to warm it up and that worked. Putting in a complaint today, so tired of it not working

I have had my CR-V for 7 years and haven't had any problems. This year however, when it got cold the rear hatch stopped opening. Very frustrating when you need to put purchases in the back or get them back out for that matter. Thought the latch was broken, so we replaced it. Worked until I went shopping and it was cold, stuck again. Today I took a blow dryer to it to see if it would work. Opened right up. This is very frustrating. I figured my next car would be another Honda, but with this issue looking like it is happening to more vehicles then just mine, may have to rethink that purchase, which is sad because we have been a Honda family for years and years. Sure with Honda would take care of the issue!

We have a 2014 Honda CRV with the same problem. We have had the car - it was new to us - since about 2015. I love the car, but the tailgate not opening in cold weather is a nuisance! In the slight cold weather, massaging the opener for a minute or so will allow the tailgate to open. Just be patient. However, in the colder weather, that doesn't work so well - freezes my fingers! So, I am going to try the Grabber solution - and I hope that would help. I'll also try the rear defrost and getting the car inside nice and warm, with the great hope that it will help to thaw the opener. Very interesting reading all these notices! We have been fortunate to be able to go to a warmer climate during the winter so the problem with the rear door doesn't really pose a great problem. But with COVID this year and no travel, now we are stuck with it sadly!

I purchased a 2014 and 2016. Got a great deal on a same dealer leased for both cars. The 2016 has a switch both inside on the dash and outside as the earlier models have. There is no doubt there is a problem. But not that we all agree on that, as I did, hit JD Power, Bar & Driver along with the rest and copy this thread. Anyway, focusing more on the switch for the 2014, I am thinking something along the license plate light providing some warmth to the switch. I am checking amps and figuring how I can extend the plate light wires and jump over to the latch area where I terminate the wire run with a very low amp bulb against the latch. Now I have an auto warmer however, it would only work when the plate light is on which I believe is controlled by the headlights and other lights for night driving. Just need to figure that part out. Any ideas would help. Let's kick this around as there are still Honda drivers out there today that have this problem. And there are still these older vehicles on dealer lots as well. So, it's not going away. I will keep the thread informed as I make progress in warming the switch by use of the car's wiring and amperage.

I am calling the Honda Help local today...as suggested above. 800-999- 1009. Everyone should do that with so many having problems with the CRV latch! There needs to be a recall!!! My 2014 is no help when needing to put things in the back!

Hello everyone Honda does not understand the frustration and the pain when you are at the shopping center trying to load your Christmas stuff in the freezing cold of Iowa MN SD ND. THE ONLY thing the can hear is to SUE THEM.I am tired. Imagine this places the winter is rough everyday, This is shameful HONDA

I am having the exact same problem with my 2016 CRV. Purchased it ithis summer from the dealer. Traded in a 2002 with over 200,000 miles on it and never had one single problem. I really prefer the older version. Reading all these posts is not encouraging.

Hi All, i have a 2016 Odyssey EX and had the same issue since first year, showed it to Dealer but was sent off with lubricating etc.. very frustrating to not get use of trunk space and paid 40k to buy this junk.

Hello, I own 2015 Honda CRV, living In warmer CA. Having exactly the same problem. Especially in the mornings, after a cold nigtht the trunk door is not working. What can we do?

This problem has obviously been going on for years in millions of Honda CRV's and Odyssey's. Honda knows about the problem and has chosen not to take responsibility for it. They are counting on their reputation from the past for their big sales to continue and don't seem to understand the concept of "what goes around comes around." I'm sure none of the owners on this site will ever buy another Honda. I certainly won't and am warning my friends/relatives/ neighbors who are in the market for a car to avoid Hondas due to this issue (and I'm asking them to warn other people.) I would never have bought my 2013 CRV (new) from them if I'd been warned. You can call the Honda recall line (800.999.1009) and report this problem as I did, and others have as well. If enough people report it they would be more apt to correct this problem in existing and new cars that are just coming out. At this point, they obviously don't give a rip.

I was going to write Honda and replace the switch myself but after seeing all the complaints with no action I figured it would be a waste of time. Did the Honda Company lose their pride in their product? I have had three Acura's (Legend, TRL,and MDX) Loved each of them but based upon their shameful actions with regard to the above problems (and mine with 2013 CRV) I wouldn't buy another nor would I recommend a Honda product.

Hello all, thank you to the people who recommended warming up the latch by hand. I am in Northern California (Bay Area) and after about two minutes of just holding the latch with my bare hand, it released and I was able to open the tailgate. With the tailgate door open, I then clicked the latch about two dozen times, letting it return to set between each click. We're having an unusually cold and rainy day today, so I checked the latch about an hour later and it opened with one click. (I suspect for owners in colder climates this will be less helpful—apologies!) I am satisfied with my temporary workaround, but I agree that there should be a better permanent solution for this issue. Did anyone find success with an aftermarket replacement part? I also followed the advice of some commenters and called Honda USA at 800-999-1009 to give feedback. The rep I spoke with was nice and said there were no recalls and advised that I should take my vehicle to the dealer for an inspection. I tried to be nice in return, but rolled my eyes at their empty, unhelpful words. Not sure what the next step is, but I urge you to keep giving feedback to Honda.

I have a 2014 Honda CRV. Bought it new because of Honda's reputation for dependability - especially the CRV. It's supposed to "bullet proof". Well, I've learned my lesson! After three trips to the dealer for unsuccessful repairs to the rear door latch not opening on cold mornings - no more Hondas for me. It's so frustrating because there is nowhere to turn since Honda won't repair it. Honda knows there is a basic design flaw and yet won't "man up" and do something about it.

It's been cold again, and the latch will not perform. I hate this! I would buy another car but living on SSI does not give that choice. I tried the hand warmer, but it didn't work. Maybe I should stuff 2 up on the latch and get back in the car. It's too cold to stand out holding it. When I'm home, I think I'll try the hairdryer.

Hey guys, The good news is I determined exactly which component causes the rear trunk latch to stop working, the bad news is there isn't an easy fix. I determined the root cause of the issue to be a little red button that is located just under the rubber/plastic button you press with your finger to open the trunk door. I did this by removing one subcomponent of the trunk latch assembly at a time, placing it in the freezer (0F, -18C) for 10 minutes, and replacing and testing the latch. After being in the freezer for 10 minutes the button becomes stiff and ceases to make the necessary electrical contact to power the motor that opens the latch mechanism. I called the dealer to get a replacement part. They the sell the entire button assembly for $75. I purchased and installed the new button but the issue persists! So Honda has not actually updated this part to fix the issue. Even if you buy a new button assembly, it won't help. It's a bummer. There is a fix but it requires taking the button assembly apart and replacing the red button with one that continues to function in a cold environment. I'm considering doing this. It should not be too difficult. Buttons with that form factor are cheap and readily available on the digikey.com. If I do go through with it I will post a how-to video on youtube. cheers, Peter

My 2014 CRV (bought new) has been doing this same thing since year two. Works in the summer.. not in the winter.. every year the problem gets worse. I crossed over from Toyota and this Honda has been a total lemon from the beginning. I have had big problems with the drive chain slipping because of a vt actuator fix issue.. totally faulty Vehicle. I will go back to Toyota or Subaru next.

My 2016 CRV has the same problem. Dealership told me they could order the part, but when I asked about a guarantee of the problem being fixed, they said if they can't replicate the problem, then there's no guarantee. So I've been holding ice packs up to the cargo button, but can't recreate the "cold weather problem." UGH! Anyone have any suggestions for replicating the problem? It's getting warm outside, so I can't rely on the weather to do it for me.

It will not help. I had bumper to bumper voranty, and they did change lock 2 times in 5 years. Each time, next year it was getting same problem again.

I bought my 2016 Honda CRV new and have had issues since the first day! I took it to the dealer twice while under warranty and they said it was “dusty” they claimed to have cleaned it each time but it didn’t help. At first it was only an issue on cool days. I would go so far as to park in a sunny spot at the grocery store so the heat of the sun would warm it up, but now the trunk is forever locked. Even on the best sunny CA day it won’t open:(

@PeterNiki You are the only one that really seems to have a plan to fix the hatch switch. Have you had any luck with the finding a good switch for the CRV hatch issue? My wife loves her CRV but living in Utah we can't use the rear hatch for 4 months out of the year. I'm seriously considering running wires to a toggle switch under the dash.

@PSBreen I have not replaced the switch, but am experiencing the issue again since its winter. When troubleshooting the problem before, I did exactly what you're suggesting. I connected a simple push button to activate the lock mechanism. I did it as a temporary fix. It was a bit hokey. But it's certainly pretty straight forward to circumvent the existing button.

@PeterNiki Thanks I'll see what I can cobble together.

I've owned a 2016 and a 2020 CRV. Both had/jhave the same dead switch on the rear lift gate. I see from these posts that many other Honda vehicles suffer from the same problem! I guess Honda thinks everyone lives in Florida or never travels to some place where it is cold and put luggage in the back instead of the back seat. My local Honda dealer is very honest and it replaced the 2016 switch when I left the car there overnight in the coldest part of winter. I plan to watch the weather again and take my 2020 out for an overnight cold spell. What I really don't understand is how a company, ANY COMPANY could do this and still expect return customers. I'll be looking for other brands the next time I buy JUST FOR THIS ONE REASON. It seems Honda doesn't care if the trunk or rear lift gate fails to work in cold weather. SHAME ON THEM

I want to thank PeterNiki for finding the specific problem. The button. We had purchased a small toy that had a button that said "try me." The type of button that you throw away once it is out of the box. I pulled the button out if this toy and it was the same size and type but a little taller than the button in the latch for my CRV. I switched it out, soldered it into the the same wire connections then using glue to secure the button assembly in place. I had to make the button cover a little bigger, with a Dremel, because the button I used was slightly taller. I put it all together and it works so far. I figured any button is better than the button that has proven to be faulty under cold conditions. A little creative adaptation should solve the problem. I will post the results whether successful or not after we experience another cold spell.

I have a 2016 CRV and have only owned it for 2 months and ran into this problem about 1 month ago. When PeterNiki (Thank you) put his images up showing the location of the switch inside I started playing with what to do to heat the center section of the switch assembly up. I found that slightly pressing the switch with two fingers and then rubbing my fingers side to side 10 to 15 times against the switch would generate enough friction heat to activate the switch. It will activate while your rubbing it, which is why you slightly press it. I have tested this at 23F and 28F (coldest) so far. It doesn't get that much colder where I am so I can only speak for those temperatures. It has worked about a dozen times thus far. I am surprised there isn't an aftermarket switch available yet.

Honda US has service Service Bulletin 16-063 (Tailgate Will Not Open from the Outside Handle in Cold Weather) recognizing the issue. However Honda Canada does not honor it or agree with it. There was no point fighting with Honda who said the problem might be in USA not in Canada vehicle. Also this part is not in recall list. Long story short - I had this problem since last 3-4 years. Reading this service bulletin I asked my mechanic to replace the Tailgate Opener Switch as per service bulletin. 2 days back temperature was -38 degree and the new switch is working so far. Fingers crossed .

My 2014 CRV is having this same issue!! What a pain. I'm in SC and today was really cool and windy. I was leaving Lowes with a cart full of large items. Get to the car and the tailgate won't open. (Feel like a complete idiot trying to work the latch for 10 minutes to no avail.) I had to put all my items in the back seat. I get home, start messing with it again and it opens. I downsized from a 1999 Ford Expedition to this Honda CRV because I need sometime to haul items and dogs in crates. I feel for the lady who stated because of this problem she had to crawl through the back seat to get her dog out. That will probably happen to me. :( Honda should fix this problem and make it right or at the very least have another way to open the tailgate. I will probably go back to Ford after this! Boooo on Honda!!

we have a 2014 CRV. this problem has occurred since we bought it new. won't open in the cold. I'm in Albany NY trying to unload xmas gifts and luggage with zero luck. this car sucks. will never buy another Honda again.

When you have this issue simply rub your finger side to side against the switch. This will build up a bit of heat and the door will then open. It may take about 10 to 15 seconds before you hear the click. Works every time, but it still shouldn't be needed,

Thanks, Guru: We tried the 15-second finger rub solution over the years. It did not work for us. The Grabber "heat pack" in the finger well, although expensive for daily use, worked when we tried it years ago.

Want to add my two cents to this aggravating problem. A delayed switch reaction escalating to no switch reaction depending on how cold the ambient temp was our experience. Spraying several applications of a penetrating oil ( I used CRC 2-26 ) on the pad area where you put your finger tips, spreading it around (it probably gets to the button noted above), and repeatedly actuating the mechanism, improved the performance of a switch that was otherwise working in warm weather. Also think creating a little friction with finger tips on the pad can help. Try a $4 fix before spending $250.

I have the same problem with my 2015 crv. The back will NOT open under 32 degrees. I contacted Honda USA with the problem as Honda won’t make an appointment for me unless they see the problem 1st hand. It,s 25 mi to the closest dealer. There IS a SERVICE BULLETIN out for this very problem. I asked Honda USA for a recall and they denied my request,

There are aftermarket replacements now. Find the part number on a Honda site and search on Amazon for that part number. There are quite a few. DON'T by Honda's. Buy one of the aftermarket brands. It will probably work. With that said, I haven't installed the one I have yet, but they are out there FINALLY.