KnownCarProblems2002 Honda CR-V Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 515 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Honda CR-V, most often about the air bags (28% of complaints, typically around 106,500 miles). It is 10th of 27 CR-V model years by number of complaints and has 15 recalls.
Most common 2002 Honda CR-V problems
Air bags
143 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 106,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where a recall repair was performed under NHTSA campaign id number 11v260000 (air bags: frontal: driver side inflator module). The contact had not previously experienced a malfunction with the air bag; however after…
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact had the vehicle serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15v320000 (air bags) and NHTSA campaign number: 14v700000 (air bags). Shortly after the repairs, the SRS light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The…
Electrical
95 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 110,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, alternator/generator/regulator.
The connector to my headlight dimmer switch over heats, melts and causes my low beam headlights to not turn on. High beams still work. Switch is damaged as a results. This is the second occurrence in the last 6 months. It is a safety issue.
Both low beam headlights just quit working - I checked the bulbs and they were in working order. There was a burning rubber type smell leading up to the headlights not working. The high beam lights do work.
Engine
65 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
The engine stopped while traveling about 30 MPH. There was no prior indication of any problems. I had the vehicle towed to power Honda in valencia ca. It was determined the #1 exhause valve retainer was broken causing the valve to fall down and into the cylinder. Honda said I needed to replace the engine. Honda refuse…
: the contact stated while driving 65mph on the highway, the engine seized without warning and smoke erupted from underneath the front hood area. The vehicle shuddered and the contact managed to pull over. There was no evidence of an engine fire, but oil was pouring from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed…
Lights
61 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 134,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, tail lights, brake lights.
Honda crv 2002: headlights - low beam - both went out at once, forcing use of high beam for night driving until it could be fixed. Repair shop diagnosed as the "lighting switch & repair harness" required replacement. Repair shop mentioned something like "seen this before" - I googled & found it has happened enough…
On 8/1/2011, while driving our 2002 Honda crv, I noticed a strange smell. When darkness fell, I realized that the low beams on my vehicle were not working, through the high beams and every other light on the vehicle worked. This has happened twice before - once in november of 2009, and once in march of 2010. When it…
Equipment
38 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: appliance.
I have a 2002 Honda CR-V with 84,000 miles on it. This vehicle has been well maintained & has had all manufacturer recommended services completed and I have the records to prove it. The A/C compressor exploded last week circulating metal filings into the vehicle's system. This is a safety hazard because the engine…
I have a 2002 Honda crv. While I was driving last week it suddenly began making a loud racket under the hood and the A/C stopped putting out cold air. I turned off the A/C and the noise stopped. I took it to the dealership and they said the compressor, condensor and dryer must be replaced because it had exploded. This…
Brakes
25 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, disc, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, brake fluid low warning.
2002 Honda crv - rotors need to be replaced very frequently due to warping which causes vibrations in the steering wheel when applying the brakes. My crv has had its rotors replaced four times and the vehicle has 90,000 miles. It is not driven in harsh conditions.
Consumer was able to remove keys from the ignition with the vehicle in the drive gear. As a result, vehicle rolled down a hill while parked. Dealership replaced master cylinder, but the problem recurred.
Speed control
25 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: cables, accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Check engine light went on at 66k in july 04. Throttle body was replaced (850.00 part). Same part failed 13 months later, resulting in check engine light and another $850.00 repair.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. While stopped at a traffic light, the contact attempted to accelerate and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure caused a crash involving two other vehicles. There was a police report filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the idle air…
Seat belts
25 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear/other.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the rear seat belts have caused discomfort to her passenger when riding in a booster seat. The seat belt itself had locked up and pressed into the passengers stomach and restrained his upper body. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they advised her…
: the contact stated the seat belt buckle tensioner was defective. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The contact alerted the manufacturer about the seat belt recall #01v351000, who determined that the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Honda CR-V recalls
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window master switch and inspect the wiring harness for damage, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began january 29, 2021. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is p9d.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2002-2006 cr-v vehicles. Moisture may enter the driver side power window master switch, causing the switch to fail or melt.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 12, 2019. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are q5a and y58.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003 acura 3.2cl, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2003-2006 mdx, 2001-2007 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot and 2006 ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 12, 2019. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are e5d and x5c.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 acura mdx, 2005-2012 rl, 2003-2007 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began april 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is o41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is u40.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling specific 2003 acura 3.2cl, 2013-2016 ilx, 2013-2014 ilx hybrid, 2003-2006 mdx, 2007-2016 rdx, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 tl, 2010-2013 zdx and 2001-2007 and 2009 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began june 22, 2018. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are k1p, and m1o.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 honda accord and pilot, 2010 accord crosstour, 2001-2011 civic, 2002-2011 cr-v, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 element, 2007 and 2009-2013 fit, 2010-2012 insight, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2012 ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are ju4, ju5, ju6, and ju7. Note: vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14v353 or 14v700 (honda recall numbers s95, jh6, jh7, jh8, jh9, jj0, jj1, jj2, jj6, jm5 and jm6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13v132 and 14v349. Note: on december
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 honda civic vehicles manufactured march 21, 2000, to january 20, 2005, 2001-2004 honda civic gx vehicles manufactured june 14, 2000, to august 19, 2004, 2003-2005 honda civic hybrid vehicles manufactured february 24, 2002, to january 18, 2005, 2003-2007 honda accord vehicles manufactured february 21, 2002, to august 28, 2007, 2002-2004 honda cr-v vehicles, 2002-2003 honda odyssey vehicles manufactured june 19, 2001, to july 12, 2003, 2003 acura mdx vehicles manufactured september 19, 2002, to june 19, 2003, 2003 honda element vehicles manufactured june 25, 2002, to july 31, 2003, and 2003 honda pilot vehicles manufactured november 26, 2001, to august 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupt
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to september 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after september 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already rec
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2001-2004 honda civic gx, 2003-2005 honda civic hybrid, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, 2006 ridgeline, 2003 acura 3.2cl, 2003-2006 acura mdx, and 2002-2003 acura 3.2tl vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 26, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
American honda motor co. (honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 honda civic, 2003-2004 civic cng and element, 2002-2005 cr-v, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2005 accord, pilot, civic hybrid, and acura mdx, 2005 acura rl and 2006 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in alabama, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, u.s. Virgin islands, saipan, guam, and american samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Visibility and wipers: power window devices and controls
Risk: If the switch fails, it could overheat, smoke, and cause a fire. A switch failure, and a fire, could occur even if the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the recall repair has been performed.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the switches, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on november 2, 2012. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2002-2006 cr-v passenger vehicles, manufactured from february 19, 2002, through july 28, 2006. The driver-side power window switch may fail or melt.
Lights: switch
Risk: If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in april 2012. Owners of vehicles involved in the september 2012 expansion will be notified in september 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In march 2012, honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v and certain model year 2003 pilot vehicles. In august 2012, honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 820,789 vehicles including certain model year 2004 and 2005 pilots and model year 2002 and 2003 civics. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,375,217. Due to tension from the combination switch wiring harness, wear on the surface of the electrical terminal can occur, yielding copper oxide, which increases electrical resistance. Increased electrical resistance may cause the terminal ends to melt within the wiring harness connector.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: In the event of a crash, the air bag inflation rate would be incorrect, which could increase the risk of injury to the driver.
Fix: Dealers will repair the wiring. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the wire harness of the driver's front air bag was incorrectly wired.
Electrical: switch
Risk: If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and test ignition switches for contamination interference. Any switches that fail the test will be repaired. Owner notification began on novenber 3, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, metal particles in the key cylinder body could interfere with the interlock lever operation, making it possible to remove the ignition key without shifting the transmission to "park."
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: If the vehicle operator fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur. Dealers will inspect the shift cable linkage for corrosion. If corrosion causes binding, they will replace the shift cable.
Fix: Dealers will also install a new corrosion-resistant control pin. Owner notification began on august 19, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, excessive corrosion of the shift cable linkage could prevent the driver from shifting the automatic transmission into park.
Seats
Risk: If a collision occurred, the seat anchorage would not withstand the force, and the front seat occupants would not be restrained properly.
Fix: Telephone calls were made to each owner and the vehicles have been replaced.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the front seat anchorage nut strength is insufficient because the nuts were installed improperly.
Seat belts: webbing
Risk: If these pretensioners activate in a crash, the seat belt could unlatch, leaving the front seat occupants unrestrained.
Fix: Dealers will repair both front seat belt buckle pretensioners. Customers will be provided with a rental car. Owners were originally contacted on november 14, 2001. A followup owner notification letter is being mailed during december 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with automatic seat belt pretensions. The cr-v is equipped with two seat belt pretensioners - retractor and buckle - in both the driver and front passenger seating positions. Some buckle pretensioners use a part that restricts the full motion of the mechanism.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Low beam headlights stop illuminating
Summary
This investigation was prompted by preliminary evaluation (pe) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.odi's pe information request letter asked honda for certain data on model years (my) 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2008 pilot, 2003-2008 element, 2001-2005 civic, and 2000-2001 s 2000 vehicles.analysis of complaint and honda data show that a complete low beam headlight circuit failure occurs in models with 2-bulb headlight systems
Low beam headlights stop working
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on 12 reports from consumers alleging the low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously.several of the complainants reported that the headlight switch and/or its wiring harness connector required replacement to repair the low beam headlight circuit, and also reported that the switch and/or the wire harness connector were damaged from overheating.based on information provided by honda in response to odi's preliminary evaluation information request, odi is upgrading the investigation to ea11-012.
Driver's power window master switch
Summary
This investigation was prompted by preliminary evaluation (pe) 10-047 and was based on reports from consumers alleging that smoke and/or fire, as defined in 49 cfr ? 579.4, had occurred inside of the driver's door.the subject vehicles, model year (my) 2006 cr-v, were manufactured at two different assembly plants.the vehicles manufactured in japan (sayama plant) were produced with a power window master switch (pwms) supplied by the thai toyo denso company, ltd. (denso).the vehicles manufactured in the united kingdom (uk, swindon, england plant) were produced with a pwms supplied by the omron corporation (omron).honda provided 45 reports on the subject vehicles responsive to this investigation
Ignition-park interlock system
Summary
All but one odi complaint and all odi crashes are duplicative of honda reports.all 7 crashes were roll-away crashes that occurred when the interlock system malfunctioned and the vehicles were parked unsecured (not in park, brake not engaged).the 3 noted injuries were relatively minor.the warranty claims shown under other were confirmed by honda as interlock system failures.in the subject vehicle ignition-park interlock system, an electrically driven solenoid operates a blocking lever to prevent ignition key removal when the shift lever is not in the park position.according to honda, an ignition switch manufacturing operation could occasionally produce metal debris.in some cases the debris co
Ignition-park interlock system
Summary
All odi complaints and crashes are duplicative of honda complaints.the warranty claim count shown for other represents incidents where honda's analysis of claim detail indicates the interlock system malfunctioned.the cr-v interlock system utilizes an ecu to control a solenoid driven blocking device that prevents key removal when the shifter is not in park.honda documents identified a condition where metallic debris interferes with the operation of the blocking solenoid and causes the interlock system to malfunction.honda determined that a manufacturing process was the source of the debris and implemented a countermeasure in march 2002.approximately 62,000 vehicles were produced prior to this
Questions about the 2002 Honda CR-V
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda CR-V?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (143 complaints, typically around 106,500 miles); electrical (95 complaints, typically around 110,500 miles); engine (65 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Honda CR-V have?
- 15 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 10, 2020 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Honda CR-V?
- It is 10th of 27 CR-V model years by number of complaints, with 515 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.