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2002 Honda Cr-v

The Verdict

24 Check Engine

The 2002 Honda Cr-v has 527 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (253 complaints) and body (143 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 24/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Honda Cr-v, consider the 2000 model year which has 73% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2000 has 73% fewer complaints

View the 2000 Honda Cr-v dashboard →

24

Klunk Score: Check Engine

More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 7

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

03V422000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, METAL PARTICLES IN THE KEY CYLINDER BODY COULD INTERFERE WITH THE INTERLOCK LEVER OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TR...

Risk

IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TEST IGNITION SWITCHES FOR CONTAMINATION INTERFERENCE. ANY SWITCHES THAT FAIL THE TEST WILL BE REPAIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVENBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CO...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

01V351000 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT PRETENSIONS. THE CR-V IS EQUIPPED WITH TWO SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS - RETRACTOR AND BUCKLE - IN BOTH THE DRIVER AND FR...

Risk

IF THESE PRETENSIONERS ACTIVATE IN A CRASH, THE SEAT BELT COULD UNLATCH, LEAVING THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS UNRESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE PRETENSIONERS. CUSTOMERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL CAR. OWNERS WERE ORIGINALLY CONTACTED ON NOVEMBER 14, 2001. A FOLLOWUP OWNER NOTIFICATION ...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

02V251000 SEATS

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT ANCHORAGE NUT STRENGTH IS INSUFFICIENT BECAUSE THE NUTS WERE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.

Risk

IF A COLLISION OCCURRED, THE SEAT ANCHORAGE WOULD NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE, AND THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED PROPERLY.

Remedy

TELEPHONE CALLS WERE MADE TO EACH OWNER AND THE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

Reported Apr 10, 2026

03V274000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE COULD PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO PARK.

Risk

IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION CAUSES BINDING,...

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A NEW CORROSION-RESISTANT CONTROL PIN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Reported Apr 10, 2026

20V768000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2002-2006 CR-V vehicles. Moisture may enter the driver side power window master switch, causing the switch to fail or melt.

Risk

If the switch fails, it could overheat and smoke, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window master switch and inspect the wiring harness for damage, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29,...

Reported Oct 12, 2020

12V486000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Honda is recalling certain model year 2002-2006 CR-V passenger vehicles, manufactured from February 19, 2002, through July 28, 2006. The driver-side power window switch may fail or melt.

Risk

If the switch fails, it could overheat, smoke, and cause a fire. A switch failure, and a fire, could occur even if the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside u...

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the switches, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 2, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Reported May 10, 2012

04V255000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG WAS INCORRECTLY WIRED.

Risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG INFLATION RATE WOULD BE INCORRECT, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE WIRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Reported Jul 6, 2004

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000431621815
200143263377
2002143252537927
20031432020410224
20041211318716911
2005118142853822
2006105212242522
2007290145003332
2008339205074630
2009130132071710
2010125192376722
201113315328469
201215420969633
2013100218310869
20142111811120143
2015193288228083
2016121137714927
201748514728770996
201877516719584430
20194609218628310
202014228766615
20212022428467
2022185138236
202340227254010
202425318265613
20251452312443

By Category

Electrical
253
Body
143
Engine
79
Transmission
27
Brakes
25

By Severity

1
209
2
245
3
4
4
69

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2002 Honda Cr-v stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 1

The air bags were replaced but the SRS light stays on because of seal belt tensioner issues and it is not been repaired.

3mo ago
Electrical 2

My 2002 Honda CRV's ENTIRE Passenger Side Airbag Assembly was REPLACED on 11-20-2019, per Honda. This was done as (per Honda) the Inflator bolt was broken and the applicable part to remedy the recall would not be available for approximately 3 months. An open recall (NHTSA Recall # 19V-501) from 06-27-2019 still is showing on my vehicle - If the ENTIRE Passenger Side Airbag Assembly was replaced on 11-20-2019, there should be no open NHTSA recall on my vehicle issued prior to 11-20-2019.

27mo ago
Body 1

My front driver side seatbelt is not working properly and never has. I've had trouble getting it to roll into position instead it gets stuck outside the car door.When trying to find it to buckle up. When I unbuckle the seatbelt it Will not roll back into position and when I try to pull to get it to click onto I have trouble getting it to clasp. I've asked the Honda dealership if they could replace it for me without a charge they said no they could not. They suggested making a report and possibly getting special permission to replace it.

29mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V equipped with Primewell Tires, Tire Line: PF850, Tire Size: 205/70/R15, DOT Number: Y9CDCJTX. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear driver's side tire became flat. While inspecting the tire it was discovered that the tire had develop a crack which extended from the sidewall to the top of the tire. The contact stated that the same failure had previously occurred with the rear passenger’s side tire. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was 20,000. The vehicle failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

33mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that SRS air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt and the rear middle seat belt buckles were not latching securely as designed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V351000 (Seat Belts) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

34mo ago
Body 2

Driver seat rocks like a rocking chair. Cannot be repaired without replacing rails and seat.

37mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact's husband owned a 2002, 2009 and 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact received unknown recall notifications and post cards, and she would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

45mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that when his wife opened the driver’s side door, the driver’s side power window master switch began to release a white smoke. The contact stated that eventually the smoke dissipated. Prior to the failure, the front passenger’s side window was rolled down and could not be rolled up after the failure. The contact initially called the manufacturer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V768000 (Visibility, Electrical System) which he linked to the failure. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the power window master switch; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact was then given an estimate to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

47mo ago
Transmission 2

Shaking at different speeds wheels feel like they are going to fly off crv. Torque converter shuttering cause tires to shake uncontrollable. Torque converter shakes so bad causes other problems with crv. This major safety issue been for years with Honda. Honda knows it. They just passing time. Then to fix it solve the problem for hundreds even thousands of people There transmission is flawed because their so many on the road they won't recall a transmission because the money. They scammed people . Even if you put new transmission or torque converter you end up with the same problem because it's poorly made. No one should have to drive a vehicle that shakes and makes the wheels feel like they going to fall off. If you don't find that major safety issue then this department isn't doing it's job.. stop letting these car mandatories get away with bad vehicles.

47mo ago
Electrical 4

The contact owned a 2002 Honda CR-V. The contact had received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000 (Air Bags) and had the passenger air bag serviced under the recall at the dealer. On July 4, 2022, the contact heard a loud boom which she assumed was a firework; however, her neighbor informed her that her vehicle had caught fire. The fire department was called and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was filed; no injuries were reported and no property was damaged. A fire technician was sent to her home to investigate the fire; his investigation led him to believe that the passenger air bag had caught fire which caused the failure. The technician suggested the contact call an engineer to officially determine the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The dealer was also notified of the failure and they informed her that an investigation would be performed. The vehicle was destroyed by the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

49mo ago
Electrical 2

Door locks. Doors won't lock or unlock while inside or outside of vehicle

52mo ago
Electrical 2

THERE ARE THREE NHTSA RECALLS FOR 2002 HONDA CRV - 12V486000, 20V76800 AND 03V422000. HONDA SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THESE RECALLS, BUT I HAVING ALL THESE ISSUES. I'VE CALLED HONDA AND SPOKEN TO A CSR, AND I'M AT THE DEALERS RIGHT NOW. THEY WON'T HONOR THESE RECALLS, AND ARE CHARGING ME FOR DIAGNOSTICS.

63mo ago
Electrical 2

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. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PWMS CATCHING FIRE IN 2002-2006 HONDA CR-VS, WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY REFUSED WARRANTY SERVICE.

63mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE OPEN RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V370000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO LOCAL HONDA DEALER NEARBY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A SERVICE COMPANY IN PUERTO RICO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

64mo ago
Electrical 1

AIR BAG DON'T WORK

66mo ago
Engine 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A GRAYISH-WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE, THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE POWER STEERING ALSO WITHOUT WARNING. WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BOOMING SOUND EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD SNAPPED IN HALF WHICH THE MECHANIC LINKED TO HIS DEFECTIVE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR. THE CONTACT INITIALLY EMAILED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE DEFECT AND A REPRESENTATIVE CALLED HIM BACK TO INFORM HIM THAT A LETTER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE WOULD BE SENT TO HIM. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO RECEIVE THE LETTER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,137. *LN*DT *TR CONSUMER STATED AC WAS REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER IN 2007 WITH 56K MILES. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED.*JB

69mo ago
Electrical 1

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I RAN MY "VIN" NUMBER ON YOUR WEBSITE, I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. NEXT I TOOK MY CR-V INTO NORM REEVES HONDA IN IRVINE, CA. ON 12/9/2019 FOR MY 10:30 AM APPOINTMENT. AFTER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IINFLATOR RECALL PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, I PICKED MY CR-V UP AND WENT HOME. MY CR-V HAD (115,230) MILES ON IT AT THAT POINT. MY NEXT AIR BAG PROBLEM OCCURRED ON 8/18/2020 WHEN MY CR-V HAD (116,359) MILES ON IT. NOW I HAD THE "SIDE AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT COME ON. IT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO AWAY AND THEN COME BACK ON AGAIN EVENTUALLY. AT THAT POINT, I CALLED UP NORM REEVES HONDA IN IRVINE AGAIN TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. ON 8/25/2020 AT (116,418) MILES, I DROPPED OFF MY CR-V FOR MY 10:30 AM APPOINTMENT. I HAD AN INKLING THAT THIS NEW AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON MIGHT HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL AIR BAG RECALL THAT WAS TAKEN CARE OF. AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN CHECKED OUT, I WAS TOLD THAT ALL THE "DTC'S" WERE PULLED AND THAT THE "SIDE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT" HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL AIR BAG RECALL THEY TOOK CARE OF. ON MY WAY HOME, I NOTICED A NEW LIGHT HAD COME ON NOW, THE (SRS) LIGHT. IT WAS THEN THAT I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO NORM REEVES TO INFORM THEM OF THIS.THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS LIGHT COMING ON AND THAT SOONER OR LATER IT WOULD HAVE COME ON, SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD IN THE FUTURE. I QUESTIONED THIS AND FRANKLY HAD A DIFFICULT TIME BELIEVING THIS! THAT "SRS" LIGHT HAD NEVER COME ON BEFORE SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR. NOW THAT LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON 100% OF THE TIME. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME IT'S A COMPUTER RELATED ISSUE THAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND QUOTED ME A PRICE OF APPROX. $1200 TO GET IT REPAIRED. I SAID TO HIM, "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" AND SHOOK MY HEAD IN DISGUST AS I WALKED AWAY. I THINK THEY PULLED ONE OVER ON ME. DO YOU AGREE?

71mo ago
Electrical 2

SMOKE STARTED ARISING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET DURING THE DAYTIME. DRIVER WAS NOT USING LIGHTS AT THE TIME AND WAS USING NORMAL OCCASIONAL TURN SIGNALS FOR A URBAN METROPOLITAN AREA. THE TURN SIGNAL WAS EVALUATED AND SHOWED MELTING OF THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND THE TERMINAL HARNESS. THIS IS SIMILAR TO WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA 12V-136 OR 12V-486. HONDA AMERICA AND HONDA DEALERSHIPS SAID THE 2002 HONDA CR-V WAS NOT INCLUDED, BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE MODEL AND YEAR OF THE CAR WERE INCLUDED AND HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED RECALLS.

82mo ago
Electrical 1

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE X5C FOR MY 2002 HONDA CR-V BUT HONDA HAS STATED IN 2 DIFFERENT PHONE CALLS THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO FIX MY CAR AT THIS TIME. DURING BOTH PHONE CALLS, THE HONDA REPRESENTATIVES TOLD ME NOT TO HAVE ANYONE RIDE IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. THE NHTSA WEBSITE LISTS THE 2002 CR-V AS ONE OF THE CARS THAT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN EXCEPT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. MY DEALER, MENDENHALL AUTO IN JUNEAU, AK, HAS ADVISED ME THAT MY CR-V IS PART OF PHASE 5 AND THAT HONDA WILL NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIR OF MY VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. BASED ON THE INFORMATION FROM NHTSA AND HONDA, MY CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BUT NEITHER HONDA NOR THE AUTHORIZED DEALER IS WILLING TO REPAIR IT. MENDENHALL AUTO STATED IT WILL PROBABLY BE NEXT SUMMER BEFORE REPAIR WILL BE AUTHORIZED. HONDA REFUSED TO GIVE ME A TIMELINE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR, JUST REPEATEDLY STATING THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING.

83mo ago
Body 1

A STATE SAFETY INSPECTOR ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS COMING LOOSE AND COULD COMPLETELY BREAK LOOSE IN AN ACCIDENT. HE SAID IF IT GETS ANY LOOSER IT WILL NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION (VIRGINIA). I HAVE OWNED CARS FOR OVER FORTY YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CAR SEAT THAT WASN'T SECURED TO THE BODY OF THE CAR FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THIS SPECIFIC DEFECT, RELATING TO HONDA CRV'S IS BROADLY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET. SHOULD A CAR SEAT POTENTIALLY BREAKING LOOSE IN AN ACCIDENT NOT BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL?

83mo ago

527 total

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