KnownCarProblems2004 Honda CR-V Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 501 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Honda CR-V, most often about the engine (31% of complaints, typically around 57,000 miles). It is 11th of 27 CR-V model years by number of complaints and has 12 recalls.
Most common 2004 Honda CR-V problems
Engine
153 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
Air conditioner compressor imploded and seized. Large metal particles circulated throughout system. Repair required replacement of compressor, condenser and receiver dryer assembly. This resulted in $1207.43 in damages on a 3 year old car.
The air conditioner compressor implode and seized. Large metal particles circulated throughout the system. The repair required replacement of the compressor, condenser and receival dryer assembly. The lines needed to flushed out which resulted in very costly repair of over $1200.00.
Air bags
103 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 105,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window, srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
The SRS dashboard light stayed on while operating the vehicle. The vehicle went into the Honda dealer on 2/18/2013. The dtc code read by the technician was dtc 15-2 (faulty side airbag indicator circuit). The opds unit (occupant position detection system) was replaced on 2/25/2013. Per the Honda service bulletin…
Update to july/2013 complaint regarding SRS light coming on permanently. 9/11/13 SRS light came on permanently again. Dtc 15-2 code. The Honda dealer replaced the SRS control unit on 10/1/13. Mileage 114,126. I have the old SRS control unit in my possession. 10/21/13 SRS light come on permanently again. 11/4/13 Honda…
Electrical
73 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument panel.
Both lowbeam headlights both stopped working at the same time. I replaced both bulbs but they still did not work. No fuses had burnt out, so started to research. After checking online, I opened the plastic casing to the steering column, and found that the switch had burned and the plastic melted. This is obviously…
Both headlights (low beam) went out simultaneously due to an overheated connection between the headlight switch assembly and wiring harness (plug). Updated 12/12/11 pictures received 04/20/12
Lights
39 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact was driving 30 MPH when both headlights failed intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 97,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the low beam headlights stopped functioning. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to have the failure diagnosed or the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 95,000. The VIN…
Equipment
33 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: appliance.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. While driving 45 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise. She was unable to determine what side of the vehicle the noise originated. Shortly after the noise, the air conditioner in the vehicle stopped working. The following day, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the air conditioner compressor exploded. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to a local repair shop where the contact was informed about the compressor failure. The vehicle was repaired but failed again. The…
Other or unspecified
22 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles.
Ac compressor has failed. Vehicle model and manufacturer have a long history with this particular issue. There is no recall in process. Manufacturing defect causes expensive repairs for replacing entire AC system at cost of $4000, and each time AC fails, it requires a recharge with r type freon - which means the r…
I was driving about 30 MPH and heard a loud bang coming from the front of the car. The air conditioning started to blow hot air .I pulled over and found upon opening the hood that oil from the A/C compressor had been forced out of the compressor on to the engine. I brought the Honda crv to my service station…
Visibility and wipers
20 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, sun/moon roof assembly, windshield, windshield wiper/washer.
Summary: while driving, the master power window switch overheated and began to emit a strong burning odor. Afterwards the left rear window failed to operate. Since I initially did not know where the odor was coming from, I went to the dealer the next day to see if they could find the source of the odor but they…
Not an accident. Just concerned that the same part had to be replaced in july 2011 and again in august 2013, and am concerned that this may be a safety issue, as the driver's window becomes inoperable.
Fuel system
18 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
About 2 weeks ago my Honda CR-V 2004 stalled in a car wash and wouldn't start. After about 20 minutes I was able to get it started. Since then my CR-V has had trouble starting. I've also noticed my heater not working as effectively and just recently the car started to over heat. I took it to the mechanic immediately.…
On august 20th, 2007 at 7:30 am while I was driving my 16 year old son to school my 2004 Honda crv began to speed uncontrollably. According to the dealership there was a throttle cable malfunction that LED to the cars uncontrollable speeds of up to 80 miles an hour. This was the most horrific experience I have ever…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Honda CR-V recalls
Visibility and wipers: power window devices and controls
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.
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 inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during august 2014. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
American honda motor company, inc.'s (honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 accord, civic, cr-v, pilot and acura mdx, model year 2003-2004 odyssey and element, and model year 2005 acura rl, and 2006 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in california, and equipped with takata-brand air bag inflators. 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.
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
Underhood fires
Summary
In documents provided during ea04-027, honda identified a mechanism which causes the rubber seal (gasket) of the original equipment (oe) oil filter to adhere to the engine block of the subject vehicles.if an adhered seal remains when the oe filter is removed and a new filter is installed, a double gasket condition results.a subsequent rupture of the extraneous seal can result in oil contacting nearby exhaust system surfaces and a fire may occur.throughout its discussions with odi, honda has maintained that it is the servicing technician?s responsibility to inspect for and remove the seal prior to installing a new filter.odi?s analysis found that seal adhesion, in conjunction with technician
Questions about the 2004 Honda CR-V
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda CR-V?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (153 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles); air bags (103 complaints, typically around 105,500 miles); electrical (73 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Honda CR-V have?
- 12 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 10, 2020 (visibility and wipers). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Honda CR-V?
- It is 11th of 27 CR-V model years by number of complaints, with 501 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.