2002 Honda CR-V Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about airbag-related concerns: inflator recalls and parts delays, SRS warning lights that stay on after recall work, and cases where airbags did not deploy in a crash. Electrical complaints are also common, especially power window switches that smoke or stop working and headlights that dim or quit. Many reports come in at higher mileage, so condition and service history matter more than age alone.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag inflator recalls, parts delays, SRS light on

   • 144 complaints (28%)
   • median 106,821 mi at 12.5 yrs old (62 state mileage)
   • 34 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2026

   Complaints describe waiting months for driver- or passenger-side inflator replacement parts while being told the parts were on back order. Several owners report the SRS warning light staying on after recall repair work, with dealers attributing it to wiring or electrical faults. Some report the airbags not deploying in a collision, including vehicles that had prior recall service, and one report describes a vehicle fire after a passenger airbag recall repair. Reported from low mileage up to roughly 230,000 miles, with many filed between 2014 and 2023 during and after the inflator recall campaigns.

   Recall 19V501000Recall 19V499000Recall 19V182000Recall 18V268000Recall 15V370000Recall 15V320000Recall 14V700000Recall 04V2550005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for proof that driver and passenger inflator recalls were completed and whether the SRS light has ever been on. Confirm the SRS lamp goes out after the bulb check when starting the car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was involved in an incident where a vehicle pulled out in front of me and I hit them. The damage to driver side front end damage is such that I am unable to open the drivers door or drive the vehicle safely without repair. I do not understand why the airbag system failed to deploy. I did take my vehicle in for the safety recall airbag replacements when notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #11030688, filed 2017-10, 133,000 miles

   “The vehicle has pending airbag recalls (NHTSA recall number: 14v-351 and 14v-349) for the takata-brand air bag inflators since the end of 2014. I have been able to have the passenger side airbags replaced, but, after multiple calls to the dealer, I continue to be told that the driver?s side parts are on national back order. I find this unbelievable, as the reasons for these recalls have been grievous injury and even death to drivers. The Honda dealership seems incredibly nonchalant about this issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10695213, filed 2015-03, 135,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   A/C compressor failure, warm air, engine stalling

   • 83 complaints (16%)
   • median 82,450 mi at 7.3 yrs old (76 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,500 (median of 28 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2020

   Complaints describe the air conditioning blowing only hot air, grinding or knocking noises, and compressors that seized, cracked or came apart. Several owners say a locked compressor dragged the serpentine belt or was followed by the engine stalling while driving. Dealers and shops typically recommended replacing the compressor and sometimes the whole A/C system, with owners often paying out of pocket. Most commonly reported between roughly 60,000 and 140,000 miles, often while driving with the A/C on.

   What to check: Run the A/C on a warm day and confirm cold air and no grinding or knocking from the compressor. Ask whether the compressor, belt and related components have been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Add me to the list of owners who suffered a catastrophic Honda CR-V air compressor failure. It's a 2002 with 136k miles. It's in beautiful condition, well kept by previous owners. I was driving to work and I heard a tinny grinding sound. I pulled over and lifted the hood. Didn't see anything wrong. Continued driving, but noticed the AC was blowing warm air. I called bankston Honda (the closest dealer to me in coppell, tx), who diagnosed the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10270019, filed 2009-05, 136,200 miles

   “We bought this car in march, 2013. Now in 2014, we noticed the AC wasn't working we attempted to recharge it with freon, but I was told the compressor needed to be replaced. The compressor was replace, the condenser, lines, ex valve, even a sensor. Pretty much all the AC system has been replace. Now we have noticed that once the compressor is on. It causes the engine to stall while driving or making turns. It feels as if the compressor will cause the engine to turn off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10608184, filed 2014-07, 96,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights dim, quit or burn wiring

   • 52 complaints (10%)
   • median 133,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2018

   Owners report low beams shutting off while driving at night, headlights that are abnormally dim, and a burning smell around the same time. Mechanics in the complaints point to burned wiring or connectors in the headlight switch circuit, and some dealers replaced the entire headlight assembly. Some owners said their VIN was not covered by the headlight switch recall. Typically reported between about 95,000 and 176,000 miles, often noticed during night driving.

   Recall 12V136000

   What to check: Test low and high beams and inspect the headlight switch and connectors for discoloration or a burnt smell. Ask whether the headlight switch recall applies to this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Detected a burning smell, similar to an electrical smell like something melted. I did have the headlights on, but it was bright enough in the morning that I couldn't tell that they had failed. I stopped immediately and looked around the cabin, etc. For smoke. I didn't see anything, but I turned around and drove directly to the dealer. The dealer did diagnostic tests, etc and couldn't figure out the source of the burning smell other than it wasn't coming from the vents. I guess he didn't check the headlights. I am not pleased. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10433591, filed 2011-10, 164,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at night the low beams would shut off. The driver inspected the vehicle and noticed that both bulbs were fine because the high beams were good and so were the relays. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor was it repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 176,000. Updated 07/18/11 updated 3/1/12”

   NHTSA complaint #10402804, filed 2011-05, 176,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Power window switch smokes or fails

   • 81 complaints (16%)
   • median 108,118 mi at 10.3 yrs old (66 state mileage)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2022

   Owners describe the driver-side power window master switch smoking, sometimes with a burning smell, and windows that stop moving afterward. Some report water or liquid reaching the switch through the door, and others report the switch simply failing with no warning. Complaints also mention dealers declining recall coverage when the vehicle's VIN was not included. Mostly reported over 100,000 miles, often after rain or when a window is used in wet conditions.

   Recall 20V768000Recall 12V4860002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Operate every window from the driver's switch and look for scorching, melted plastic or a burnt smell at the switch. Ask whether the window switch recall was performed for this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was operating the vehicle as normal. Parked in a parking spot waiting for my partner with the vehicle turned off. While leaving I turned the vehicle on and when I went to roll down the right rear window using the drivers pwms the window would not move and the switch began to smoke. I cut the power and removed the fuses for the power window circuit to prevent further damage. Did not take any photos of the smoke. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11415196, filed 2021-05, 194,000 miles

   “Driver's window works, but passenger and back seat windows wont work. I'm seeing many other people with hondas have the same problem! Also, the windshield washer won't work.”

   NHTSA complaint #11065941, filed 2018-01, 178,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, confirm open recall work (airbag inflators, window switch) is completed and documented, since several complaints involve parts delays and warning lights after repair. Also test the A/C, headlights and power windows, and check the driver's seat mounting, as these are the recurring items owners write about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.