2002 Honda CR-V Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 12%of 515 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 134,567miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Honda CR-V, 12% of the 515 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,567 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Ever since I have had my car the headlights burn out within 3-4 months. Change one, the other goes out. Averaging 2000.00 over the lifetime of owning my car. The front drivers seat's bolt broke...the service manager said it was bc of weight...I weigh 135# I had to pay to have my seat fixed. Not my fault!! My seat belt will not buckle until the 4-5 try..it keeps on bouncing out of the clicker.”
NHTSA complaint #11060702, filed 2018-01, 47,000 miles“I recently noticed that the vehicle lights were pulsating at a level that was barely detectable. Just yesterday when I attempted to use the vehicle and turned on the lights only the running lights came on. I have no headlights either high or low beam. Research has discovered that 2002-2004 Honda crvs have had the identical issue due to overheating circuitry causing the light switch to catastrophically fail.”
NHTSA complaint #10532791, filed 2013-07, 157,983 miles“Both low beam headlights quit working simultaneously. The high beams still work. I have checked the headlight bulbs and the fuses for the headlights as all appear normal. I have also made sure that the connectors for the headlights were free of any type of material that would hinder connection.”
NHTSA complaint #10446620, filed 2012-02, 143,900 miles“The low beams stopped working while driving and the plastic wire harness connector that plugs into the headlight switch started smoking and burned up. The headlight switch I can get through Honda but I can't find the plastic wiring harness connector. It is not safe when your low beams both go out when driving cause the wire for the low beams burns up in the connector for no reason. Updated 11/25/11 updated 11/30/11”
NHTSA complaint #10432827, filed 2011-10, 123,000 miles“We responded to a safety recall on our 2002 Honda crv in 2013 to replace the combination light switch which might cause a fire or the lights to go out unexpectedly. Repairs were completed 30 oct 2013. In march 2017 the issues identified in the recall were exactly what happened. The switch started smoking and the lights went out. I notified the closest dealership to schedule the repairs for the items to be replaced. The dealer told me that yes this is the item covered by the recall but would not be covered and I would have to pay. …”
NHTSA complaint #11004883, filed 2017-07, 107,732 milesRelated recalls
- 12V136000Mar 30, 2012Honda 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…Covers: Honda CR-V 2002–2004, Pilot 2003–2005, Civic 2002–2003
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 1% |
| 2025 | 3 | 1% |
| 2024 | 9 | 2% |
| 2023 | 5 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 1% |
| 2017 | 22 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% |
| 2014 | 21 | 4% |
| 2013 | 32 | 8% |
| 2012 | 14 | 3% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 6 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 4 | 0% |
| 2007 | 2 | 0% |
| 2006 | 118 | 30% |
| 2005 | 122 | 25% |
| 2004 | 39 | 8% |
| 2003 | 39 | 8% |
| 2002 | 60 | 12% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Honda CR-V
143 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsEngine cooling
58 complaintsEquipment
39 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsSeat belts
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsSeats
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsSuspension
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Honda CR-V
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology