2004 Honda CR-V Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2004 CR-V most often describe air conditioning compressor and condenser failures, along with headlight and window-switch electrical problems. Many complaints involve relatively low mileage for the air conditioning failures, while headlight and airbag complaints tend to appear at higher mileage. Window switch complaints often note smoke or melting at the driver's door switch, and several owners say their vehicle was not covered by the related campaign.

1. 1
   Equipment

   A/C compressor failure and system contamination

   • 193 complaints (39%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (155 state mileage)
   • 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 57 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2025

   Complaints describe a loud bang or rattle from the front of the vehicle followed by the air conditioner blowing warm air. Inspections reportedly found the compressor or its clutch failed, with metal debris spread through the condenser, lines, and other parts, leading to replacement of much of the system. Some owners say the dealer covered part of the cost as a goodwill gesture, while others report paying for the full repair themselves. Mostly reported between roughly 24,000 and 80,000 miles, sometimes shortly after purchase.

   What to check: Run the air conditioning on a warm day and listen for rattling or clicking from the compressor; ask whether the compressor, condenser, or system flush has been replaced and keep records of it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My A/C compressor exploded at around 47,000 miles sending shards of metal throughout the entire cooling/heating system. I was told it would cost about $3000 to repair. That is not a case of normal wear and tear. The part is faulty. It exploded. Honda says it's not their fault, sometimes parts wear out.”

   NHTSA complaint #10401455, filed 2011-05, 47,000 miles

   “2004 cr v / AC broken for second time, first time I used my extension warranty in 2007, Honda west, las vegas replace complete system, now I have the same problem no AC and no warranty, I think is a bad design for the number of claims.”

   NHTSA complaint #10335386, filed 2010-06, 98,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on or airbags not deploying

   • 84 complaints (17%)
   • median 103,458 mi at 9.0 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • 21 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2026

   Owners report the SRS or airbag warning light staying on, sometimes after airbag recall repairs were completed, and in a few cases say airbags did not deploy in a collision. Some complaints note the dealer diagnosed the airbag control module or could not identify a cause. Several recalls and bulletins in this file concern front airbag inflators and related warranty extensions. Spread across the sample from very low mileage to about 195,000 miles, including vehicles with completed recall repairs.

   Recall 19V501000Recall 19V499000Recall 19V182000Recall 18V268000Recall 15V370000Recall 15V320000Recall 14V700000Recall 14V353000Recall 04V2550009 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm the SRS light comes on and goes out at startup, and check by VIN whether all airbag inflator recalls have been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was involved in a high speed motor vehicle accident on ca980. The airbags did not deploy. I brought my Honda crv in for recall for the airbags in ~jan 2020 to get this recall fixed, so I do not know what happened.”

   NHTSA complaint #11319670, filed 2020-03, 160,000 miles

   “No takata recall? For my 2004 Honda crv w/ faulty driver + passenger airbags?! This car should definately be on that recall list but is not!! Why? ! I purchased my 2004 only 9 months ago from a dealer. I was traveling on a highway approaching a red light going approx 35- 40 MPH when my 2004 Honda crv hit the rear of another car. My driver airbag never opened to protect me yet my passenger airbag inflated!? Ironically, I was alone with no passengers! Both front airbags failed me & were faulty! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11022449, filed 2017-09, 145,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Low-beam headlights go out, wiring or switch melts

   • 38 complaints (8%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2024

   Owners describe both low-beam headlights going out at once, sometimes with a burning smell or smoke from the steering column area. In several cases the connector or wiring at the headlight switch was found melted or overheated, and the switch or harness had to be replaced. Some owners were told the repair was covered by a lighting-related campaign, while others said parts were unavailable or their VIN was not included. Typically reported between about 70,000 and 160,000 miles, often noticed at night.

   Recall 12V136000

   What to check: Check that both low beams work and look for discolored or melted plastic at the headlight switch connector; ask whether the headlight switch recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my 2004 CR-V to Honda dealer for low beam headlight wiring to be replaced under recall. I was told they did not have part and will call when they get it. I have called a 2nd time for repair and still told part was not available. As of this e-mail it has been 2 months and no response from dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10460330, filed 2012-06, 101,584 miles

   “While driving home tonight, after dark, both low beam headlights went out at the same time. Luckily I was able to switch them to high beam, which worked. Upon arriving home, spoke with my husband who checked and confirmed that both lights would not work, but no evidence they had burnt out. A check on the interned indicated that NHTSA recall # 12v-136 was issued. We have owned this car since new and do not recall receiving any recall notice. A search of this side by VIN number did not show the recall. A search by model number did. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10691208, filed 2015-02, 70,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Oil leaks and smoke after oil filter service

   • 50 complaints (10%)
   • median 5,450 mi at 0.8 yrs old (34 state mileage)
   • 22 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2005

   Several owners describe heavy smoke and oil spraying in the engine bay shortly after an oil change, which they attribute to an oil filter gasket or filter installation problem. In some accounts the oil reached hot exhaust parts and ignited briefly. Repairs described included replacing the filter and gasket and cleaning the engine, and in some cases the dealer replaced the vehicle. Mostly reported within a few thousand miles of an oil change, often at very low odometer readings.

   What to check: After any oil change, check under the car and around the filter for leaks and look for oil residue on the engine and exhaust; verify the old filter gasket was removed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my 2004 Honda crv in for its first oil change. As the technician drove my car out of the service bay, smoke was coming out from under the hood. I went out to meet the technician and he opened the hood. Smoke came pouring out and we noticed oil sprayed all over the engine. He said he was not sure why this happened, but he would clean it up and take care of it. 30 minutes later, I had my car back and did not have any other problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #10090548, filed 2004-09, 3,876 miles

   “Purchased 2004 Honda CR-V january 2004 from continental Honda in anchorage alaska. We took it in for its first oil change (5,000 miles) on june 16th. After driving the 15 miles home, the engine started billowing smoke, and spuing oil (the trail of oil can still be seen on the street). The dealer had it towed to dealership, they explained it as a faulty oil gasket, and offered a free oil change. After driving for a few weeks, I noticed a clacking sound coming from the engine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10090781, filed 2004-09, 5,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Driver window switch smokes or melts

   • 15 complaints (3%)
   • median 101,538 mi at 13.0 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe smoke, sparks, or a melted driver-side power window master switch, sometimes while rolling the window down, after which the window stops working. Some owners link the event to a window switch campaign but report their vehicle was not included in it. A service bulletin addresses liquid reaching the switch and describes a repair procedure. Reported from about 125,000 to 195,000 miles in the sample, often after water exposure.

   Recall 20V768000Recall 12V4860001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Operate all windows and inspect the driver's door switch panel for scorching or melted plastic; ask whether the window switch recall or bulletin repair was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For the last 3 years we have had three (3) main issues with this vehicle, 1) air bag srs light has been on, 2) the front passenger window will not roll down and 3) the air conditioning system has not operated. From the begining I have checked on recalls/ campaigns for these items and the only recall we received for this vehicle VIN # was the air bag recall (btw we took it in for the recal and the srs light is still on). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10783260, filed 2015-10, 60,000 miles

   “The contact owns 2004 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, a spark emitted from the driver’s side master switch as he attempted to roll down the window. Since the failure, the front passenger’s window had failed to operate as needed. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) however, the recall was for the same model vehicle that he previously owned. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11480146, filed 2022-08, 160,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the air conditioning system, headlight and window switch wiring, and airbag recall status by VIN. Service records showing completed recall work and careful oil-change history are worth asking about on this model year.

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.