2002 Honda CR-V recalls and problems

The 2002 Honda CR-V has 15 recalls and 515 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

2002 Honda Cr-V
Photo: 2002 Honda Cr-V by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2002 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 28 CR-V model years — 10th most.

15recalls
515complaints
48crashes
17fires
48injuries
91,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

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15 recalls

Electrical System

Dec 10, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V768000 · 268,655 vehicles

Problem: 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 & notes

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, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is P9D.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Jun 27, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V501000 · 1,657,752 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy & notes

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Jun 27, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V499000 · 3,947 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy & notes

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Mar 6, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · 1,101,534 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy & notes

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Apr 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V268000 · 1,335 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy & notes

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Jun 15, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V370000 · 3,498,481 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

Remedy & notes

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

May 28, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V320000 · 6,281,043 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy & notes

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Nov 4, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V700000

Problem: American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy & notes

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-353, with the exception of vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in California.Those vehicles will continue to be addressed, and a free remedy provided, under that safety recall campaign.This recall also includes vehicles in the specific geographic areas listed above that were included within safety recalls 13V-132 and 14V-349.

Electrical System

Oct 5, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V486000 · 268,655 vehicles

Problem: 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 until the recall repair has been performed.

Remedy & notes

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.

Honda's campaign recall number is S61. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Exterior Lighting

Mar 30, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V136000 · 1,375,217 vehicles

Problem: Honda 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, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v and certain model year 2003 pilot vehicles. In August 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 820,789 vehicles including certain model year 2004 and 2005 pilots and model year 2002 and 2003 civics. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,375,217. Due to tension from the combination switch wiring harness, wear on the surface of the electrical terminal can occur, yielding copper oxide, which increases electrical resistance. Increased electrical resistance May cause the terminal ends to melt within the wiring harness connector.

Original NHTSA wording

HONDA 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, HONDA FILED A DEFECT REPORT TO RECALL CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 PILOT VEHICLES. IN AUGUST 2012, HONDA INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL 820,789 VEHICLES INCLUDING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 PILOTS AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVICS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BEING RECALLED IS NOW 1,375,217. DUE TO TENSION FROM THE COMBINATION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, WEAR ON THE SURFACE OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CAN OCCUR, YIELDING COPPER OXIDE, WHICH INCREASES ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE. INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL ENDS TO MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.

Risk: If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights May become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in April 2012. Owners of vehicles involved in the September 2012 expansion will be notified in September 2012. Owners May contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Honda's recall campaign number for the original recall is S34.Honda's recall number for the additional vehicles is S51.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags

Jun 7, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V255000 · 130,617 vehicles

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the wire harness of the driver's front air bag was incorrectly wired.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

Dealers will repair the wiring. Owner notification began on June 16, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Honda recall no. P34.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Electrical System

Oct 27, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V422000 · 76,988 vehicles

Problem: 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 transmission to "park."

Original NHTSA wording

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 TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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 contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Power Train

Jul 29, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V274000 · 247,019 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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, they will replace the shift cable.

Original NHTSA wording

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, THEY WILL REPLACE THE SHIFT CABLE.

Remedy & notes

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.

Honda recall no. P04.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Seats

Sep 17, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V251000 · 2 vehicles

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the front seat anchorage nut strength is insufficient because the nuts were installed improperly.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

Telephone calls were made to each owner and the vehicles have been replaced.

Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Seat Belts

Nov 26, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V351000 · 6,744 vehicles

Problem: 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 front passenger seating positions. Some buckle pretensioners use a part that restricts the full motion of the mechanism.

Original NHTSA wording

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 FRONT PASSENGER SEATING POSITIONS. SOME BUCKLE PRETENSIONERS USE A PART THAT RESTRICTS THE FULL MOTION OF THE MECHANISM.

Risk: If these pretensioners activate in a crash, the seat belt could unlatch, leaving the front seat occupants unrestrained.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

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 letter is being mailed during December 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2002: 35 complaints20022003: 41 complaints2004: 40 complaints20042005: 20 complaints2006: 16 complaints20062007: 30 complaints2008: 20 complaints20082009: 19 complaints2010: 26 complaints20102011: 56 complaints2012: 29 complaints20122013: 19 complaints2014: 26 complaints20142015: 80 complaints802016: 8 complaints20162017: 16 complaints2018: 8 complaints20182019: 9 complaints2020: 2 complaints20202021: 4 complaints2022: 5 complaints20222023: 3 complaints2024: 2 complaints20242026: 1 complaints20261

NHTSA investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open
Summary

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been n…

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015 · open · led to recall 14V668
Summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity co…

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 13V172000
Summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with consistently high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly, ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolu…

Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating

EA11012 · opened Sep 12, 2011 · closed Sep 17, 2012 · led to recall 12V136000
Summary

This investigation was prompted by Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.Some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.ODI's PE information request letter asked Honda for certain data on model years (MY) 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2003-2008 Element, 2001-2005 Civic, and 2000-2001 S 2000 vehicles.Analysis of complaint and Honda data show that a complete low beam headlight circuit failure occurs in models with 2-bulb headlight systems (i.e., a single bulb on each side for high and low beam).Models with 2-bulb systems include MY 2002-2004 CR-V, 2003-2005 Pilot, 2001-2003 Civic, and 2003-2008 Element.Models with 4-bulb headlight systems (i.e., two bulbs on each side, one for high and one for low beam) have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism as the 2-bulb system.MY 2000-2001 S 2000 models with 2-bulb high intensity discharge headlights also have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism.Honda introduced the 4-bulb headlight system in CR-V in MY 2005, in Pilot in MY 2006, and in Civic in MY 2004.On March 29, 2012 Honda submitted a defect information report (DIR) to recall 554,428 vehicles, including MY 200…

Low Beam Headlights Stop Working

PE11017 · opened Apr 29, 2011 · closed Sep 23, 2011
Summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 12 reports from consumers alleging the low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously.Several of the complainants reported that the headlight switch and/or its wiring harness connector required replacement to repair the low beam headlight circuit, and also reported that the switch and/or the wire harness connector were damaged from overheating.Based on information provided by Honda in response to ODI's Preliminary Evaluation information request, ODI is upgrading the investigation to EA11-012.

Driver's Power Window Master Switch

EA11004 · opened Apr 11, 2011 · closed Oct 24, 2012 · led to recall 11V456000
Summary

This investigation was prompted by Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 10-047 and was based on reports from consumers alleging that smoke and/or fire, as defined in 49 CFR ? 579.4, had occurred inside of the driver's door.The subject vehicles, model year (MY) 2006 CR-V, were manufactured at two different assembly plants.The vehicles manufactured in Japan (Sayama plant) were produced with a power window master switch (PWMS) supplied by the Thai Toyo Denso Company, Ltd. (Denso).The vehicles manufactured in the United Kingdom (UK, Swindon, England plant) were produced with a PWMS supplied by the Omron Corporation (Omron).Honda provided 45 reports on the subject vehicles responsive to this investigation.Of this number, 24 reports concerned Japan-built vehicles, 19 reports on UK-built vehicles, and two reports without a vehicle identification number which could not be identified by assembly plant. Four of Honda's reports were duplicative of ODI reports.ODI received nine reports on the subject vehicles:five on Japan-built and four on UK-built vehicles, and one additional report on a MY 2005 UK built vehicle.The ODI reports can be reviewed at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10343884, 10307287, 10321646, 10375324, 10386750, 10425406, 10437807, 10439880, 10469350, and 10406979.In most cases, it was reported that the PWMS and/or its electrical wiring harness had sustained heat related damage requiring replacement of the affect…

IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM

EA03018 · opened Sep 9, 2003 · closed Nov 13, 2003 · led to recall 03V422000
Summary

ALL BUT ONE ODI COMPLAINT AND ALL ODI CRASHES ARE DUPLICATIVE OF HONDA REPORTS.ALL 7 CRASHES WERE ROLL-AWAY CRASHES THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED UNSECURED (NOT IN PARK, BRAKE NOT ENGAGED).THE 3 NOTED INJURIES WERE RELATIVELY MINOR.THE WARRANTY CLAIMS SHOWN UNDER OTHER WERE CONFIRMED BY HONDA AS INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES.IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM, AN ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN SOLENOID OPERATES A BLOCKING LEVER TO PREVENT IGNITION KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.ACCORDING TO HONDA, AN IGNITION SWITCH MANUFACTURING OPERATION COULD OCCASIONALLY PRODUCE METAL DEBRIS.IN SOME CASES THE DEBRIS COULD FALL INTO THE AREA BETWEEN THE INTERLOCK LEVER AND THE BODY OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHERE RELATIVE MOVEMENT OCCURS.DEBRIS TRAPPED IN THIS AREA CAN INCREASE FRICTION BETWEEN THE LEVER AND THE SWITCH BODY.IF THE DEBRIS IS OF SUFFICIENT SIZE, IT MAY SLOW THE RESPONSE OF THE LEVEL WHEN THE SOLENOID IS ENERGIZED.IN THIS SITUATION, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK AND THE IGNITION KEY IS ROTATED IN A CERTAIN MANNER THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY FAIL TO PREVENT KEY REMOVAL, AS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.HONDA IMPLEMENTED MANUFACTURING CHANGES IN MARCH 2002 TO PREVENT DEBRIS FROM ENTERING THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY.HONDA ALSO CHANGED END-OF-LINE INSPECTION PROCEDURES TO IMPROVE DETECTION OF DEBRIS.THE PRESENCE OF DEBRIS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS OTHERWISE UNAPPARENT TO THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE.…

IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM

PE03013 · opened Apr 15, 2003 · closed Sep 9, 2003
Summary

ALL ODI COMPLAINTS AND CRASHES ARE DUPLICATIVE OF HONDA COMPLAINTS.THE WARRANTY CLAIM COUNT SHOWN FOR OTHER REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE HONDA'S ANALYSIS OF CLAIM DETAIL INDICATES THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED.THE CR-V INTERLOCK SYSTEM UTILIZES AN ECU TO CONTROL A SOLENOID DRIVEN BLOCKING DEVICE THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.HONDA DOCUMENTS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION WHERE METALLIC DEBRIS INTERFERES WITH THE OPERATION OF THE BLOCKING SOLENOID AND CAUSES THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.HONDA DETERMINED THAT A MANUFACTURING PROCESS WAS THE SOURCE OF THE DEBRIS AND IMPLEMENTED A COUNTERMEASURE IN MARCH 2002.APPROXIMATELY 62,000 VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED PRIOR TO THIS DATE.ODI RECOGNIZES 63 INCIDENTS OF INTERLOCK FAILURE, WHICH INCLUDE 7 ROLLAWAY CRASHES, TWO OF WHICH RESULTED IN THREE INJURIES AND A MULTI VEHICLE ACCIDENT.ALL 63 FAILURES OCCURRED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO THE MARCH COUNTERMEASURE.NOTING THE POPULATION OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, BOTH THE FAILURE AND CRASH RATES ARE OF SIGNIFICANT CONCERN TO ODI.

2002 vs. other Honda CR-V years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Honda CR-V have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns covering the 2002 Honda CR-V, the latest from Dec 10, 2020 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda CR-V?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (143), electrical system (95), engine (65). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.