2005 Honda CR-V Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report low-beam headlight bulbs burning out repeatedly, sometimes with both sides failing at once, and driver-side power window switch problems. Airbag-related complaints are also common, mostly concerns about open recall work on the inflators. Many reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 140,000 miles, and several describe the same part failing more than once after replacement.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Low-beam headlights burn out repeatedly

   • 120 complaints (25%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (99 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2020

   Complaints describe low-beam bulbs failing every few weeks to a few months, often one side at a time but sometimes both at once, with high beams still working. Some owners report replacing bulbs five or more times and say a dealer told them the pattern was normal or that the vehicle was not covered by the earlier headlight campaign for other model years. A few describe the lights going out while driving at night, and one report notes a burnt terminal in the headlight connector. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 230,000 miles, most commonly between roughly 40,000 and 140,000 miles and often noticed during night driving.

   What to check: Test both low beams and high beams and ask how often bulbs have been replaced; inspect the headlight connectors and wiring for discoloration or a burnt smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Low beam headlamps continue to fail, need to keep replacing bulbs now only one works. This is a known issue w hondas for which a massive recall was issued in 2012 for over 800,000 cars. I called Honda who looked up my VIN and even though it is a known issue they refused to do anything because my VIN did not appear on their list.”

   NHTSA complaint #10625995, filed 2014-08, 115,000 miles

   “The headlights of my 2005 crv have had to be replaced 3 times on each side during the last year. I see that there is a recall for that defect but it does not cover the 2005 models. When will Honda announce the recall on this for the 2005 model? I am concerned that both headlights will fail at the same time and I will be driving at night. Then it will be a huge safety issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10462113, filed 2012-06, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Open airbag inflator recalls and airbag warning light

   • 125 complaints (26%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 9.6 yrs old (49 state mileage)
   • 24 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,650 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2025

   Many complaints concern the front airbag inflator recalls, including owners reporting that parts were unavailable or that a dealer could not schedule the repair. Others describe the airbag warning light staying on, and a few report side curtain airbags deploying without an impact or airbags not deploying in a collision. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 20,000 miles to over 230,000 miles, and in vehicles of any age.

   Recall 19V501000Recall 19V499000Recall 19V182000Recall 18V268000Recall 17V029000Recall 16V344000Recall 15V320000Recall 14V700000Recall 14V353000Recall 04V5260007 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for a VIN-based recall status check for the driver and passenger inflator campaigns and confirm the work was completed, and check that the airbag warning light goes out after the self-test at start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall...I keep getting recall notices but we traded the car in about 6 years ago. We don?t know where it is. We have called Honda and gone to the new york state dmv and they can?t remove our name from the list. It is no longer in our possession. Please remove our name from the list. Thank you,”

   NHTSA complaint #11122475, filed 2018-08, 90,000 miles

   “While I was making a right hand turn into my subdivision, both of my side curtain airbags went off. There was no indication that this was about to happen, no damage to the car, no change in driving circumstances that would obviously trigger the airbags to deploy. I was able to drive the 100 yards home. I sustained minor injuries including air bag burn to left upper arm and temporary loss of hearing to the left ear. I subsequently developed a headache. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10232095, filed 2008-06, 51,779 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Driver power window switch fails or gets wet

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the driver's window not going down, windows that stop responding after rain, and in some cases a burning odor with a melted or inoperable master switch. Complaints describe dealers applying lubricant, replacing the switch, or replacing it under the window-switch campaign, with some reporting the same problem afterward. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 175,000 miles, often after rain or when the door panel has been exposed to moisture.

   Recall 20V768000Recall 12V4860001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that all four windows operate smoothly, look for moisture or discoloration around the master switch, and confirm whether the window-switch recall work (20V768000) was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2005 Honda crv. The contact stated that the driver front window failed to open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the window needed a lubricant in order for it to work. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and they took a complaint. The failure mileage was 60,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10495224, filed 2013-01, 60,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2005 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the rear passenger’s side window became inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,900.”

   NHTSA complaint #11550181, filed 2023-10, 121,900 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Pulls to the right and torque steer

   • 39 complaints (8%)
   • median 100 mi at 0.7 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2025

   Complaints describe a steady pull to the right and strong torque steer during acceleration, sometimes present from new. Owners report repeated alignments, tire changes and suspension work with the condition persisting, and some say dealers described the behavior as normal for the vehicle. Mostly reported at very low mileage, often under a few thousand miles and sometimes right after purchase.

   What to check: Drive on a flat, level road and check for a consistent pull to one side; ask for recent alignment records and whether tires and suspension components have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a 2005 Honda CR-V on july 11, 2005. After briefly driving the vehicle I noticed a severe pull to the right (later found out this is called ts (torque steer) during acceleration from a stop up to sixty-five miles per hour. In less than three seconds the car was two lanes to the right (safety hazard). I drove the vehicle in a parking lot with the grade to the left and the vehicle still pulled uphill to the right (so much for road crown pull). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10131139, filed 2005-08, 100 miles

   “I bought a 05 Honda crv se and I changed the tires to goodyear assurance for better grip for the winter. The vehicle with correct tire pressure pulled to the right. The vehicle than was checked to fault in alignment twice (once from the Honda dealer and again at professional tire shop) and found no fault. The vehicle continued to pull to the right as well as having too much torque steer when it starts to accelerate from the a light or a complete stop. The vehicle is not even half a year old.”

   NHTSA complaint #10112721, filed 2005-03, 6,000 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   A/C compressor failure and debris in the system

   • 22 complaints (5%)
   • median 113,500 mi at 10.3 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,350 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2022

   Owners describe the air conditioner stopping cold output, with the compressor seizing or breaking apart internally and sending debris through the system. Some reports note that a seized compressor damaged the serpentine belt or led to overheating, and estimates quoted in complaints cover the compressor, condenser and system flush. Several owners say they were told the vehicle was outside warranty or not covered by a recall. Typically reported between roughly 50,000 and 240,000 miles, often during hot-weather driving or long trips.

   What to check: Run the A/C and confirm cold output at idle and while driving, listen for noise from the compressor, and ask whether the compressor or system components have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The air conditioner stopped blowing cold air. An independent service technician diagnosed the problem as the compressor bearings failing internally and causing a hole in the casing. The estimate is $1350.00 to replace the compressor, condenser, expansion valve and flush the system of fragments that may have entered the system. After a phone call to american Honda I am told there is no safety recall on this issue and my vehicle is outside it's warranty period. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10474254, filed 2012-09, 90,657 miles

   “While I was driving home and started to slowly accelerate after being at a stoplight (it was having difficulty accelerating then when I got up to 15mph there was a very loud pop and it didn't want to really want to continue accelerating but lucky I was almost home ) and my A/C compressor exploded and sent shards of medal though my entire A/C system. I was told it was called black death my serpentine belt lucky kept spinning around the locked clutch for me to get home. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11076213, filed 2018-03, 141,234 miles

Buying note. Check the headlight bulbs and connectors, window switches and airbag recall status carefully, since these come up most often in owner reports. A pre-purchase inspection that covers the A/C system and a test drive on a level road for pulling would also be worthwhile.

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.