2005 Honda CR-V Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 122about this part
- Share
- 25%of 479 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 122 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Honda CR-V, 25% of the 479 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Low beams stopped working while parked thankfully. I replaced the headlight switch, thinking that it was causing the issue, and noticed that a terminal in the connector was burnt so bad that it carried other terminals, causing the high beams to stop working as well. According to my research, this has happened to many other cars of the same model and is a huge safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #11298880, filed 2020-01, 180,000 miles“My headlights have been failing since I bought the vehicle 3 years ago. I've xhanged a multitude of lights, had the combination switch cleaned 3 times and finally put in a new switch, all with no results. So I found a recall ea11012 and Honda says it's not for my VIN number. This has been an ongoing problem for crv's. It happens when driving and is a safety and fire issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10790789, filed 2015-11, 204,850 miles“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“About every month we have had to replace the front low beam headlights on either the drivers side or passenger side. We have replace the entire headlight assm and use surgical gloves to put in the bulbs. They blow on the road and nobody can explain why and it is dangerous.it started awhile ago.”
NHTSA complaint #10927319, filed 2016-11, 188,400 miles“My low beamheadlights stop working every 3 months, I have replaced the bulbs each time but they still only last 3 months. There are numerous other complaints similar to mine for the 2005 crv but neither your agency or Honda has done anything about it. Apparently crv models from 2002-2004 have the same problem and have a recall for it . Why not 2005 crvs.”
NHTSA complaint #10498005, filed 2013-02, 65,000 milesExterior 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 2005 Honda CR-V
129 complaintsElectrical system
77 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Honda CR-V
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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